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Jane Austen： The Watsons 16
Old。—There is no resisting a Cockade my dear。’—‘I hope there
is。’—said Mrs。 E。 gravely； with a quick glance at her daughter；—
and Emma had just recovered from her own perturbation in time
to see a blush on Miss E。’s cheek； and in remembering what
Elizabeth had said of Captain Hunter； to wonder and waver
between his influence and her brother’s。
‘Elderly Ladies should be careful how they make a second
choice；’ observed Mr。 Edwardes。—‘Carefulness—Discretion—
should not be confined to Elderly Ladies； or to a second choice’
added his wife。 ‘It is quite as necessary to young Ladies in their
first。’—‘Rather more so； my dear’—replied he； ‘because young
Ladies are likely to feel the effects of it longer。 When an old Lady
plays the fool； it is not in the course of nature that she should
suffer from it many years。’ Emma drew her hand across her eyes—
and Mrs。 Edwardes on perceiving it； changed the subject to one of
less anxiety to all。
With nothing to do but to expect the hour of setting off； the
afternoon was long to the two young Ladies； and tho’ Miss
Edwardes was rather discomposed at the very early hour which
her mother always fixed for going； that early hour itself was
watched for with some eagerness。—The entrance of the Tea things
at seven o’clock was some relief—and luckily Mr。 and Mrs。
Edwardes always drank a dish extraordinary； and ate an
additional muffin when they were going to sit up late； which
lengthened the ceremony almost to the wished for moment。 At a
little before eight； the Tomlinsons carriage was heard to go by；
which was the constant signal for Mrs。 Edwardes to order hers to
the door； and in a very few minutes； the party were transported
from the quiet warmth of a snug parlour； to the bustle； noise and
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Jane Austen： The Watsons 17
draughts of air of the broad Entrance…passage of an Inn。—Mrs。
Edwardes carefully guarding her own dress； while she attended
with yet greater Solicitude to the proper security of her young
Charges’ Shoulders and Throats； led the way up the wide
staircase； while no sound of a Ball but the first Scrape of one
violin； blessed the ears of her followers； and Miss Edwardes on
hazarding the anxious enquiry of whether there were many people
come yet was told by the Waiter as she knew she should； that ‘Mr。
Tomlinson’s family were in the room。’ In passing along a short
gallery to the Assembly…room； brilliant in lights before them； they
were accosted by a young Man in a morning dress and Boots； who
was standing in the doorway of a Bedchamber； apparently on
purpose to see them go by。—‘Ah！ Mrs。 E。—how do you do？—How
do you do Miss E。？—he cried； with an easy air；—‘You are
determined to be in good time I see； as usual。—The Candles are
but this moment lit。’—‘I like to get a good seat by the fire you
know； Mr。 Musgrave；’ replied Mrs。 E。 ‘I am this moment going to
dress；’ said he—‘I am waiting for my stupid fellow。—We shall have
a famous Ball； The Osbornes are certainly coming； you may
depend upon that for I was with Lord Osborne this morning—’
The party passed on—Mrs。 E’s sattin gown swept along the
clean floor of the Ball…room； to the fireplace at the upper end；
where one party only were formally seated； while three or four
Officers were lounging together； passing in and out from the
adjoining card…room。—A very stiff meeting between these near
neighbours ensued—and as soon as they were all duely placed
again； Emma in the low whisper which became the solemn scene；
said to Miss Edwardes； ‘The gentleman we passed in the passage；
was Mr。 Musgrave； then？—He is reckoned remarkably agreable I
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Jane Austen： The Watsons 18
understand。’ Miss E。 answered hesitatingly—‘Yes—he is very
much liked by many people。—But we are not very intimate。’—‘He
is rich； is not he？’—‘He has about 8 or 900￡ a year I believe。—He
came into possession of it； when he was very young； and my
Father and Mother think it has given him rather an unsettled
turn。—He is no favourite with them。’—The cold and empty
appearance of the Room and the demure air of the small cluster of
Females at one end of it began soon to give way； the inspiriting
sound of other Carriages was heard； and continual accessions of
portly Chaperons； and strings of smartly…dressed girls were
received； with now and then a fresh gentleman straggler； who if
not enough in Love to station himself near any fair Creature
seemed glad to escape into the Card…room。—Among the increasing
numbers of Military Men； one now made his way to Miss Edwards；
with an air of Empressément； which decidedly said to her
Companion ‘I am Captain Hunter。’—and Emma； who could not
but watch her at such a moment； saw her looking rather
distressed； but by no means displeased； and heard an engagement
formed for the two first dances； which made her think her Brother
Sam’s a hopeless case。
Emma in the meanwhile was not unobserved； or unadmired
herself。—A new face and a very pretty one； could not be slighted—
her name was whispered from one party to another； and no sooner
had the signal been given； by the Orchestra’s striking up a
favourite air； which seemed to call the young Men to their duty；
and people the centre of the room； than she found herself engaged
to dance with a Brother officer； introduced by Captain Hunter。—
Emma Watson was not more than of the middle height—well
made and plump； with an air of healthy vigour。—Her skin was
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Jane Austen： The Watsons 19
very brown； but clear； smooth and glowing； which with a lively
Eye； a sweet smile； and an open Countenance； gave beauty to
attract； and expression to make that beauty improve on
acquaintance。—Having no reason to be dissatisfied with her
partner； the Evening began very pleasantly to her； and her
feelings perfectly coincided with the reiterated observation of
others；