Please, do not worry! Your setting me straight as to details is certainly not a defense of Mr. Elton! After all, if he is as sober as a judge, and still blind to the fact that Emma does not want this conversation NOW (whether or not she wanted it during the weeks of 'encouragement'), it speaks ill of his perspicacity.

I actually meant the suggestion of his drunkenness as a joke, as well, as the 'no-meant-yes' stereotypes for contemporary justifications of bad behavior.

Of course, if Mr. Elton takes Emma's glare and stalking off (not to mention her closest friend's stark surprise) to mean he should grab his first chance to pop the question, he must have considered THAT as some sort of emotional game-playing on her part that he is supposed to overcome. Which, I guess, explains why the silence after his accusation of Emma not doubting his affections is taken to mean assent.