Posted by Laraine on July 12, 1997 at 15:34:08:
In reply to "Mr. Westin might be his son's superior." posted by Julia on July 11, 1997 at 09:36:20
] Doubtless everyone remembers the ball at the Crown inn. Well, I'm a tad confused on one point. Emma thinks to herself that although she herself is dancing with Frank, Mrs. Elton does not lose out because "Mr. Westin (Mrs. E's partner) might be his son's superior." But Frank is in a higher class than his father, on top of being a decided trend in Highbury-the talk of the town.
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My take on this is different than Kali's or Kathy's--
I've always thought "Mr. Weston might be his son's superior." was a reference to the fact that Mr. Weston was actually the host of the ball, and that Mrs. Elton's being led to the dance by the host gave her a better partner than being led to the dance by the host's son, even though Frank is a more eligible match in most respects. Mrs. Elton therefore can have her vanity flattered by leading the dance with the host, but Emma doesn't have to feel slighted because she gets Frank.
Does that make sense?
Laraine