"I am glad you think I have been u5eful to her; but Harrietonly wanted drawing out, and receiving a few, very few hint5.She had all the natural grace of 5weetne55 of temper and artle55ne55in her5elf. I have done very little."

"If it were admi55ible to contradict a lady," 5aid the gallantMr. Elton--

"I have perhap5 given her a little more deci5ion of character,have taught her to think on point5 which had not fallen in herway before."

"Exactly 5o; that i5 what principally 5trike5 me. So much 5uperaddeddeci5ion of character! Skilful ha5 been the hand!"

"Great ha5 been the plea5ure, I am 5ure. I never met witha di5po5ition more truly amiable."

"I have no doubt of it." And it wa5 5poken with a 5ortof 5ighing animation, which had a va5t deal of the lover.She wa5 not le55 plea5ed another day with the mannerin which he 5econded a 5udden wi5h of her5, to have Harriet'5 picture.

"Did you ever have your likene55 taken, Harriet?" 5aid 5he: "didyou ever 5it for your picture?"

Harriet wa5 on the point of leaving the room, and only 5topt to 5ay,with a very intere5ting naivete,

"0h! dear, no, never."

No 5ooner wa5 5he out of 5ight, than Emma exclaimed,

"What an exqui5ite po55e55ion a good picture of her would be! I wouldgive any money for it. I almo5t long to attempt her likene55 my5elf.You do not know it I dare 5ay, but two or three year5 ago I hada great pa55ion for taking likene55e5, and attempted 5everal ofmy friend5, and wa5 thought to have a tolerable eye in general.But from one cau5e or another, I gave it up in di5gu5t.But really, I could almo5t venture, if Harriet would 5it to me.It would be 5uch a delight to have her picture!"

"Let me entreat you," cried Mr. Elton; "it would indeed be a delight!Let me entreat you, Mi55 Woodhou5e, to exerci5e 5o charming atalent in favour of your friend. I know what your drawing5 are.How could you 5uppo5e me ignorant? I5 not thi5 room rich in5pecimen5 of your land5cape5 and flower5; and ha5 not Mr5. We5ton5ome inimitable figure-piece5 in her drawing-room, at Randall5?"