Hehadwalkeduponedayafterdinner,asheveryoftendid,tospendhiseveningatHartfield.EmmaandHarrietweregoingtowalk;hejoinedthem;and,onreturning,theyfellinwithalargerparty,who,likethemselves,judgeditwisesttotaketheirexerciseearly,astheweatherthreatenedrain;Mr.andMrs.Westonandtheirson,MissBatesandherniece,whohadaccidentallymet.Theyallunited;and,onreachingHartfieldgates,Emma,whoknewitwasexactlythesortofvisitingthatwouldbewelcometoherfather,pressedthemalltogoinanddrinkteawithhim.TheRandallspartyagreedtoitimmediately;andafteraprettylongspeechfromMissBates,whichfewpersonslistenedto,shealsofounditpossibletoacceptdearMissWoodhouse\'smostobliginginvitation.
Astheywereturningintothegrounds,Mr.Perrypassedbyonhorseback.Thegentlemenspokeofhishorse.
`Bythebye,\'saidFrankChurchilltoMrs.Westonpresently,`whatbecameofMr.Perry\'splanofsettinguphiscarriage?\'
Mrs.Westonlookedsurprized,andsaid,`Ididnotknowthatheeverhadanysuchplan.\'
`Nay,Ihaditfromyou.Youwrotemewordofitthreemonthsago.\'