"For when a lady's in the case,
"You know all other things give place."
Now I say, my dear, in our case, for lady, read–mum! a word to the wise.-I am in a fine flow of spirits, an't I? But I want to set your heart at ease as to Mrs. S.-My representation, you see, has quite appeased her."
And again, on Emma's merely turning her head to look at Mrs. Bates's knitting, she added, in a half whisper,
"I mentioned no names, you will observe.-Oh! no; cautious as a minister of state. I managed it extremely well."
Emma could not doubt. It was a palpable display, repeated on every possible occasion. When they had all talked a little while in harmony of the weather and Mrs. Weston, she found herself abruptly addressed with,
"Do not you think, Miss Woodhouse, our saucy little friend here is charmingly recovered?-Do not you think her cure does Perry the highest credit?-(here was a side-glance of great meaning at Jane.) Upon my word, Perry has restored her in a wonderful short time!-Oh! if you had seen her, as I did, when she was at the worst!"-And when Mrs. Bates was saying something to Emma, whispered farther,
"We do not say a word of any assistance that Perry might have; not a word of a certain young physician from Windsor.-Oh! no;
Perry shall have all the credit."
"I have scarce had the pleasure of seeing you, Miss Woodhouse," she shortly afterwards began, "since the party to Box Hill.