She wished she might be able to keep him from an absolute declaration. That would be so very painful a conclusion of their present acquaintance! – and yet, she could not help rather anticipating something decisive. She felt as if the spring would not pass without bringing a crisis, an event, a something to alter her present composed and tranquil state.
– Jane Austen
Emma, Chapter 37. Emma anticipates “something decisive” from Frank Churchill in the way of a declaration of his feelings for her, an event she dreads. With this on her mind, she talks of the “crisis” to come that will change her “composed and tranquil state.” Emma is of course half right. She is under the misperception that Frank, who is secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax, is in love with her. But what will alter her tranquil state is the announcement of that engagement and also Emma and Mr. Knightley admitting their true feelings for each other and getting engaged themselves. These two events are foreshadowed here.