is all the very true-to-life process of self-delusion which precedes the awareness of ch. 16. Up until Mr. Elton actually says flat out that he never thought of Harriet, she takes every bit of mounting evidence against him and twists it to support her view of the situation. Even when she can no longer deny Mr. E's very obvious interest in herself, it is interpreted that he is "beginning to transfer his affections from Harriet to me"! Absolutely perfect.