The change in Emma's home society and style of life, in consequence
of the death of one friend and the imprudence of another, had indeed
been striking. From being the first object of hope and solicitude to
an uncle who had formed her mind with the care of a parent, and of
tenderness to an aunt whose amiable temper had delighted to give her
every indulgence; from being the life and spirit of a house where all
had been comfort and elegance, and the expected heiress of an easy
independence, she was become of importance to no one--a burden on those
whose affections she could not expect, an addition in a house already
overstocked, surrounded by inferior minds, with little chance of
domestic comfort, and as little hope of future support. It was well for
her that she was naturally cheerful, for the change had been such as
might have plunged weak spirits in despondence.
She was very much pressed by Robert and Jane to return with them to
Croydon, and had some difficulty in getting a refusal accepted, as
they thought too highly of their own kindness and situation to suppose
the offer could appear in less advantageous light to anybody else.
Elizabeth gave them her interest, though evidently against her own, in
privately urging Emma to go.
"You do not know what you refuse, Emma," said she, "nor what you
have to bear at home. I would advise you by all means to accept the
invitation; there is always something lively going on at Croydon. You
will be in company almost every day, and Robert and Jane will be very
kind to you. As for me, I shall be no worse off without you than I
have been used to be; but poor Margaret's disagreeable ways are new to
_you_, and they would vex you more than you think for, if you stay at
home."
Emma was, of course, uninfluenced, except to greater esteem for
Elizabeth by such representations; and the visitors departed without
her.
On the following day, as Emma and Elizabeth were in the best parlour,
setting the sofa before the fire for their father to lie on, for a
little change, they heard a carriage stopping at the garden gate; and
a minute or two later Nanny showed in Mrs. Blake and her little boy,
closely followed by Mr. Howard.
Charles was carrying a beautiful bunch of greenhouse flowers and, on
seeing Emma, he ran eagerly forward, saying--
"I have brought you these flowers, ma'am, because you were so good as
to dance with me. Lord Osborne gave me anything I liked for you, and
cut some for you himself."
Emma blushed as she smiled and curtsied, and blushed again as she
advanced to receive her other visitors and present her sister to them.
They had often observed Elizabeth at balls, and had considered her
handsome, but they had never before spoken to her, and were at once
favourably impressed by her unaffected good-humour and pleasant manner.
Before long they were conversing with almost as little formality as
though they had been old friends. On questioning Emma, Mrs. Blake
easily drew from her some account of her former life and, on learning
her aunt's name, recollected having heard it mentioned by friends in a
manner entirely agreeable to Emma's feelings.
Presently Mr. Watson came into the room, and although he was a good
deal surprised at finding himself in company, as Mr. Howard at once
came forward with a show of friendliness, he had not time to lose his
temper.
He was a man of considerable information, and finding the present
society entirely congenial to him, contributed not a little to the
pleasure of the visit, even going so far as to show Charles a volume
of coloured prints; and before taking leave, Mr. Howard had persuaded
him to join him, with his three daughters, at dinner, on the following
Thursday, promising to send the carriage for them, and assuring him of
his return at an early hour.
On Margaret's coming in from the village, where she had gone on
an errand, she was all amazement on learning the arrangement; and
displeased her father by enquiring if Mr. Musgrave and Lord Osborne
were to be present.
"Mr. Howard expressly said they were to be by themselves," he replied,
with the importance of an invalid. "He took particular care to assure
me that I should suffer as little fatigue as possible."
He was therefore by no means too well pleased when, on the appointed
evening, shortly after they had assembled in the drawing-room at
Wickstead, Lord Osborne and Mr. Musgrave were ushered in; and before
any explanation could be vouchsafed him, dinner was announced.
Turning to Lord Osborne, Mr. Howard said--
"As I cannot very well, my lord, ask Mr. Watson to hand in his
daughter, I must ask him to conduct Mrs. Blake; and I will lead with
Miss Watson if you will be good enough to give your arm to Miss Emma
Watson; while Mr. Musgrave takes in Miss Margaret."
This arrangement was agreeable to all, except Mr. Musgrave, who, had he
been of greater sensibility, would have been embarrassed by Margaret's
manner towards him; and, as it was, felt not a little irritated by her
determination to consider his escort as a _personal compliment_, rather
than as _inevitable_ on his part.
He had long since tired of his fancy for her, which indeed had always
been of the slightest; and now in his determination to free himself
from her, did not hesitate to go beyond the limits of propriety, openly
disregarding her, and entering into conversation with everyone else
in preference to her. Greatly mortified, she would have sunk under
this neglect but for the kindness of Mrs. Blake, who addressed her as
often as possible; and even Lord Osborne, vaguely aware that there was
something wanting in ease, observed to her across the table that the
roads were monstrous wet when it rained.
In the meantime, his lordship had not been enjoying himself either,
to any great extent; for Emma, having perceived a volume on the
drawing-room table with which she was familiar, on finding herself
placed beside her host at the dinner table, fell to discussing it with
him with much sense and spirit; and from this proceeded to contrast her
favourite authors and the merits of their respective works. As Lord
Osborne had as little knowledge of literature as well might be, he was
compelled, despite the kindly efforts of his host, to sit more or less
in silence, trying to look as if he had not less in his head than might
reasonably be expected.
Elizabeth was only too glad to share her partner with her sister,
as she did not very well know what to say to him; and she enjoyed
listening to their conversation, the more so as they repeatedly
explained to her the situation, or the point, in question. Moreover,
she could not help hoping that another future, far different to what
she had feared for her young sister, might possibly be in store for
her.
With dessert, Charles arrived on the scene, which created a diversion
in Lord Osborne's favour, as he came to place himself between the
latter and his dear Miss Emma Watson, and both joined in the endeavour
to entertain him.
On the ladies withdrawing, Lord Osborne turned to Mr. Watson and said--
"You have a very beautiful daughter, sir," but he received in reply
such a chilling bow that he could find nothing more to say; and Tom
Musgrave nearly choked himself over his wine in the effort to control
his merriment at his friend's discomfiture. Mr. Howard then placed
himself at the other side of Mr. Watson, and speedily restored him to
good-humour by discussing the late visitation with him.
They were not long in returning to the drawing-room for tea; and
shortly after, Mrs. Blake and Mr. Watson began to play the new game
of écarté, proposing to one another with a pleasant air; whilst the
others, seating themselves round the larger table, started vingt-un.
They had scarcely commenced, however, when a carriage drove up to the
door, and Miss Osborne and Miss Carr were shown in.
"Oh, Mr. Howard! how could you have used us so?" cried Miss Osborne
archly. "I protest we are vastly offended with you!--to give a party
and leave us out!"
Miss Carr joined in, in the same strain. She had never heard of
anything so perfidious--it was really beyond everything she had ever
known in all her life!
Mr. Howard received them with the quiet courtesy that was habitual to
him; and when he deemed it possible to make his voice heard, expressed
his sense of the honour they had done him; but observed that one family
was scarcely a party, adding that Lord Osborne and Mr. Musgrave had
been good enough to invite themselves.
Lord Osborne remained silent, looking rather ashamed; but Mr. Tom
Musgrave protested vigorously that if Howard were such a sly dog,
plotting to cut them out like this, they were bound to look after
themselves!
The Miss Watsons and their father having been presented, and tea
declined, and Miss Carr, having, further, declared that there was
nothing she so doted on as vingt-un, the game was once more started.
Miss Osborne at once took possession of the chair at Mr. Howard's right
hand, which had previously been occupied by Emma; and just as he was
about to request the latter to accept the one at his left, he found it
already secured by Miss Carr. Lord Osborne, therefore, shared Emma with
Charles; and Tom Musgrave devoted himself assiduously to Miss Carr.
Presently he was heard endeavouring to persuade her to accept him as
her cavalier at the next meet. Unfortunately this reminded Charles of
the stuffed fox, and again he implored Emma to come and see it, adding--
"Lord Osborne will now ask you himself, ma'am--will you not, Lord
Osborne?"
Before he could reply, Emma had hastily excused herself; but Miss Carr,
leaning forward, said impertinently--
"It is a pity you should not see the castle, Miss Watson; it is thrown
open to the public every Wednesday--all except the private apartments."
Emma coloured and made no reply; but Lord Osborne quite shocked his
sister and her friend by saying--
"Lady Osborne will wait on Miss Watson."
Miss Osborne stared at her brother, but there was something in his face
that compelled her to lower her eyes. Never before had he so asserted
himself, and she had not deemed him capable of it.
At the conclusion of the game, Mr. Watson asked to return
home--declining to wait for supper--and took leave with his daughters.
Mr. Howard conducted them to the carriage, and as Emma curtsied in
passing him, held out his hand to her, and retaining hers for a moment,
thanked her in a low tone for the honour she had done him in coming.