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of Speculation。’ Mrs。 Robert offered not another word in support
of the game。—She was quite vanquished； and the fashions of
Osborne Castle carried it over the fashions of Croydon。—‘Do you
see much of the Parsonage family at the Castle； Mr。 Musgrave？’
said Emma； as they were taking their seats。—‘Oh！ yes—they are
almost always there。 Mrs。 Blake is a nice little good…humoured
Woman； she and I are sworn friends； and Howard’s a very
gentlemanlike good sort of fellow！—You are not forgotten I assure
you by any of the party。 I fancy you must have a little cheek…
glowing now and then Miss Emma。 Were you not rather warm last
Saturday about 9 or 10 o’clock in the Evening？ I will tell you how
it was。—I see you are dieing to know。—Says Howard to Lord
Osborne—’ At this interesting moment he was called on by the
others； to regulate the game and determine some disputable point；
and his attention was so totally engaged in the business and
afterwards by the course of the game as never to revert to what he
had been saying before；—and Emma； tho’ suffering a good deal
from Curiosity； dared not remind him。—He proved a very useful
addition to their Table； without him； it would have been a party of
such very near relations as could have felt little Interest； and
perhaps maintained little complaisance； but his presence gave
variety and secured good manners。—He was in fact excellently
qualified to shine at a round Game； and few situations made him
appear to greater advantage。 He played with spirit； and had a
great deal to say and tho’ with no wit himself； could sometimes
make use of the wit of an absent friend； and had a lively way of
retailing a commonplace； or saying a mere nothing； that had great
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effect at a Card Table。 The ways； and good Jokes of Osborne
Castle were now added to his ordinary means of Entertainment；
he repeated the smart sayings of one Lady； detailed the oversights
of another； and indulged them even with a copy of Lord Osborne’s
stile of overdrawing himself on both cards。—The Clock struck
nine； while he was thus agreably occupied； and when Nanny came
in with her Master’s Bason of Gruel； he had the pleasure of
observing to Mr。 Watson that he should leave him at supper； while
he went home to dinner himself。—The Carriage was ordered to
the door—and no entreaties for his staying longer could now
avail；—for he well knew； that if he staid he must sit down to
supper in less than ten minutes—which to a Man whose heart had
been long fixed on calling his next meal a Dinner； was quite
insupportable。—On finding him determined to go； Margaret began
to wink and nod at Elizabeth to ask him to dinner for the following
day； and Elizabeth at last not able to resist hints； which her own
hospitable； social temper more than half seconded； gave the
invitation。 ‘Would he give Robert the meeting； they should be very
happy。’ ‘With the greatest pleasure’—was his first reply。 In a
moment afterwards—‘That is if I can possibly get here in time—
but I shoot with Lord Osborne； and therefore must not engage—
You will not think of me unless you see me。’—And so； he departed；
delighted with the uncertainty in which he had left it。
——————
Margaret in the joy of her heart under circumstances which she
chose to consider as peculiarly propitious； would willingly have
made a confidante of Emma when they were alone for a short time
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the next morning； and had proceeded so far as to say—‘The young
man who was here last night my dear Emma and returns today； is
more interesting to me； than perhaps you may be aware—’ but
Emma pretending to understand nothing extraordinary in the
words； made some very inapplicable reply； and jumping up； ran
away from a subject which was odious to her feelings。
As Margaret would not allow a doubt to be repeated of
Musgrave’s coming to dinner； preparations were made for his
Entertainment much exceeding what had been deemed necessary
the day before； and taking the office of superintendance intirely
from her sister； she was half the morning in the Kitchen herself
directing and scolding。—After a great deal of indifferent Cooking；
and anxious Suspense however they were obliged to sit down
without their Guest。—T。 Musgrave never came； and Margaret was
at no pains to conceal her vexation under the disappointment； or
repress the peevishness of her Temper。 The Peace of the party for
the remainder of that day； and the whole of the next； which
comprised the length of Robert and Jane’s visit； was continually
invaded by her fretful displeasure； and querulous attacks。—
Elizabeth was the usual object of both。 Margaret had just respect
enough for her Brother and Sister’s opinion； to behave properly
by them； but Elizabeth and the maids could never do anything
right—and Emma； whom she seemed no longer to think about；
found the continuance of the gentle voice beyond her calculation
short。 Eager to be as little among them as possible； Emma was
delighted with the alternative of sitting above； with her father； and
warmly entreated to be his constant Companion each Evening—
and as Elizabeth loved company of any kind too well； not to prefer
being below； at all risks； as she had rather talk of Croydon to Jane；
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with every interruption of Margaret’s perverseness； than sit with
only her father； who frequently could not endure Talking at all；
the affair was so settled； as soon as she could be persuaded to
believe it no sacrifice on her Sister’s part。—To Emma； the
exchange was most acceptable； and delightful。 Her father； if ill；
required little more than gentleness and silence； and； being a Man
of Sense and Education； was if able to converse； a welcome
companion。
In his chamber； Emma was at peace from the dreadful
mortifications of unequal Society； and family Discord—from the
immediate endurance of Hard…hearted prosperity； low…minded
Conceit； and wrong…headed folly； engrafted on an untoward
Disposition。—She still suffered from them in the Contemplation of
their existence； in memory and in prospect； but for the moment；
she ce