A/N: Had to split it into 4 parts – but I promise it won't get any more drawn out than that. There's a bit of series influence in the movements and actions of the next two drabbles.
Hope you enjoy – would love to hear what you think!
Previously, he had tried without success to impress upon her the evils of Harriet's situation and the merits of Robert Martin's, and now he tried to appeal to Emma's unaccountable fondness for the girl, which – quite apart from her indulged vanity – he knew was genuine in and of itself. 'Let her marry Robert Martin,' he said, 'and she is safe, respectable and happy forever; encourage her to expect to marry greatly to nothing less than a man of consequence and large fortune, and she might remain a parlour-boarder at Mrs. Goddard's for the rest of her life.'
Emma apparently had no such worries for her friend's future. 'She must abide by the evil of having refused him, whatever that may be,' she said, and her scepticism was evident in her voice, 'and as to the refusal itself, I will not pretend to having no influence, but I assure you, there was very little for me to do.'
Her hands were busy arranging the dried flowers in a vase on the side table, and she spoke without looking at him. 'I can imagine,' she said lightly, 'that before she had seen anybody superior, she might tolerate him. But now she knows what gentlemen are – and nothing but a gentleman in education and manner has any chance with Harriet.'
Even his patience with Emma had a limit. Before he could say anything he might regret, he walked abruptly around her and out of the door. If she was so determined to ignore his advice, she could suffer the guilt of causing Harriet's disappointment – he would say no more. If she refused to open her eyes, she could suffer the mortification of finding herself to be Elton's object–
Halfway down the gravel path, he stopped suddenly. Elton. If he said nothing now, the circle of misunderstanding would continue, ultimately culminating in some gross imposition on Elton's part. It would be infinitely distressing to Emma, but humbling though it would undoubtedly be for her to realise the extent of her misjudgment, it was such a cruel lesson as even he would not wish on her.
No matter how angry he was with her, no matter how much in error she was, he could not leave her to her fate without at least trying to warn her. After all, he was a partial old friend.