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The
Watsons
Jane Austen
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ELECBOOK CLASSICS
ebc0051。 Jane Austen： The Watsons
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Jane Austen： The Watsons 3
THE WATSONS
he first winter assembly in the Town of D。 in Surry was to
be held on Tuesday October the 13th； and it was generally
T
expected to be a very good one； a long list of Country
Families was confidently run over as sure of attending； and
sanguine hopes were entertained that the Osbornes themselves
would be there。—The Edwardes’ invitation to the Watsons
followed of course。 The Edwardes were people of fortune who
lived in the Town and kept their coach； the Watsons inhabited a
village about three miles distant； were poor and had no close
carriage； and ever since there had been Balls in the place； the
former were accustomed to invite the Latter to dress dine and
sleep at their House； on every monthly return throughout the
winter。—On the present occasion； as only two of Mr。 W。’s children
were at home； and one was always necessary as companion to
himself； for he was sickly and had lost his wife； one only could
profit by the kindness of their friends； Miss Emma Watson who
was very recently returned to her family from the care of an Aunt
who had brought her up； was to make her first public appearance
in the Neighbourhood； and her eldest sister； whose delight in a
Ball was not lessened by a ten years Enjoyment； had some merit in
chearfully undertaking to drive her and all her finery in the old
chair to D。 on the important morning。—As they splashed along the
dirty Lane Miss Watson thus instructed and cautioned her
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Jane Austen： The Watsons 4
inexperienced sister。—‘I dare say it will be a very good Ball； and
among so many officers； you will hardly want partners。 You will
find Mrs。 Edwardes’ maid very willing to help you； and I would
advise you to ask Mary Edwardes’ opinion if you are at all at a loss
for she has a very good Taste。—If Mr。 E。 does not lose his money at
cards； you will stay as late as you can wish for； if he does； he will
hurry you home perhaps—but you are sure of some comfortable
soup。—I hope you will be in good looks。 I should not be surprised
if you were to be thought one of the prettiest girls in the room；
there is a great deal in Novelty。 Perhaps Tom Musgrave may take
notice of you—but I would advise you by all means not to give him
any encouragement。 He generally pays attention to every new girl；
but he is a great flirt and never means anything serious。’ ‘I think I
have heard you speak of him before；’ said Emma。 ‘Who is he？’ ‘A
young Man of very good fortune； quite independant； and
remarkably agreable； an universal favourite wherever he goes。
Most of the girls hereabouts are in love with him； or have been。 I
believe I am the only one among them that have escaped with a
whole heart； and yet I was the first he paid attention to； when he
came into this Country； six years ago； and very great attention
indeed did he pay me。 Some people say that he has never seemed
to like any girl so well since； tho’ he is always behaving in a
particular way to one or another。’—
‘And how came your heart to be the only cold one？’ said Emma
smiling。 ‘There was a reason for that’—replied Miss W。 changing
colour。—‘I have not been very well used Emma among them； I
hope you will have better luck。’—‘Dear Sister； I beg your pardon；
if I have unthinkingly given you pain。’—‘When first we knew Tom
Musgrave；’ continued Miss W。 without seeming to hear her； ‘I was
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Jane Austen： The Watsons 5
very much attached to a young Man of the name of Purvis a
particular friend of Robert’s； who used to be with us a great deal。
Every body thought it would have been a Match。’ A sigh
accompanied these words； which Emma respected in silence—but
her sister after a short pause went on—‘You will naturally ask why
it did not take place； and why he is married to another Woman；
while I am still single。—But you must ask him—not me—you must
ask Penelope。—Yes Emma； Penelope was at the bottom of it all。—
She thinks everything fair for a Husband； I trusted her； she set
him against me； with a view of gaining him herself and it ended in
his discontinuing his visits and soon after marrying somebody
else。—Penelope makes light of her conduct； but I think such
Treachery very bad。 It has been the ruin of my happiness。 I shall
never love any Man as I loved Purvis。 I do not think Tom
Musgrave should be named with him in the same day。’—‘You
quite shock me by what you say of Penelope’—said Emma。 ‘Could
a sister do such a thing？—Rivalry； Treachery between sisters！—I
shall be afraid of being acquainted with her—but I hope it was not
so。 Appearances were against her’—‘You do not know Penelope。—
There is nothing she would not do to get married—she would as
good as tell you so herself。—Do not trust her with any secrets of
your own； take warning by me； do not trust her； she has her good
qualities； but she has no Faith； no Honour； no Scruples； if she can
promote her own advantage。—I wish with all my heart she was
well married。 I declare I had rather have her well…married than
myself。’—‘Than yourself！—Yes I can suppose so。 A heart； wounded
like yours can have little inclination for Matrimony。’—‘Not much
indeed—but you know we must marry。—I could do very well
single for my own part—A little Company； and a pleasant Ball now
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Jane Austen： The Watsons 6
and then； would be enough for me； if one could be young for ever；
but my Father cannot provide for us； and it is very bad to grow old
and be poor and laughed at。—I have lost Purvis； it is true but very
few people marry their first Loves。 I should not refuse a man
because he was not Purvis。 Not that I can ever quite forgive
Penelope。’—Emma shook her head in acquiescence。—‘Penelope
however has had her Troubles’—continued Miss W。—‘