The parting exchange between Frank and Emma in Chapter 30 is very muddled and confusing to me, especially when he mentions that he has found time to visit the Bates family:

"Yes -- I have called there; passing the door, I thought it better. It was a right thing to do. I went in for three minutes, and was detained by Miss Bates's being absent. She was out; and I felt it impossible not to wait till she came in. She is a woman that one may, that one must laugh at; but that one would not wish to slight. It was better to pay my visit, then" --

He hesitated, got up, walked to a window.

"In short," said he, "perhaps, Miss Woodhouse -- I think you can hardly be quite without suspicion -- "