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handsome as Elizabeth Watson had been ten years ago。—The
morning passed quietly away in discussing the merits of the Ball
with all this succession of Company—and Emma was at once
astonished by finding it Two o’clock； and considering that she had
heard nothing of her Father’s Chair。 After this discovery she had
walked twice to the window to examine the Street； and was on the
point of asking leave to ring the bell and make enquiries； when the
light sound of a Carriage driving up to the door set her heart at
ease。 She stepd again to the window—but instead of the
convenient but very un…smart Family Equipage perceived a neat
Curricle。—Mr。 Musgrave was shortly afterwards announced；—and
Mrs。 Edwardes put on her very stiffest look at the sound。—Not at
all dismayed however by her chilling air； he paid his Compliments
to each of the Ladies with no unbecoming Ease； and continuing to
address Emma； presented her a note； which he had the honour of
bringing from her Sister； But to which he must observe that a
verbal postscript from himself would be requisite。’
The note； which Emma was beginning to read rather before
Mrs。 Edwardes had entreated her to use no ceremony； contained a
few lines from Elizabeth importing that their Father in
consequence of being unusually well had taken the sudden
resolution of attending the Visitation that day； and that as his
Road lay quite wide from R。； it was impossible for her to come
home till the following morning； unless the Edwardes would send
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her which was hardly to be expected； or she could meet with any
chance conveyance； or did not mind walking so far。—She had
scarcely run her eye thro’ the whole； before she found herself
obliged to listen to Tom Musgrave’s farther account。 ‘I received
that note from the fair hands of Miss Watson only ten minutes
ago；’ said he—‘I met her in the village of Stanton； whither my good
Stars prompted me to turn my Horses heads—she was at that
moment in quest of a person to employ on the Errand； and I was
fortunate enough to convince her that she could not find a more
willing or speedy Messenger than myself。 Remember； I say
nothing of my Disinterestedness。—My reward is to be the
indulgence of conveying you to Stanton in my Curricle。—Tho’ they
are not written down； I bring your Sister’s Orders for the same。’
Emma felt distressed； she did not like the proposal—she did not
wish to be on terms of intimacy with the Proposer—and yet fearful
of encroaching on the Edwardes； as well as wishing to go home
herself； she was at a loss how entirely to decline what he offered—
Mrs。 E。 continued silent； either not understanding the case； or
waiting to see how the young Lady’s inclination lay。 Emma
thanked him—but professed herself very unwilling to give him so
much trouble。 ‘The Trouble was of course； Honour； Pleasure；
Delight。 What had he or his Horses to do？’—Still she hesitated。
‘She believed she must beg leave to decline his assistance—she
was rather afraid of the sort of carriage—。 The distance was not
beyond a walk。’ Mrs。 E。 was silent no longer。 She enquired into the
particulars—and then said ‘We shall be extremely happy Miss
Emma； if you can give us the pleasure of your company till
tomorrow—but if you can not conveniently do so； our Carriage is
quite at your Service； and Mary will be pleased with the
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opportunity of seeing your Sister。’—This was precisely what
Emma had longed for； and she accepted the offer most thankfully；
acknowledging that as Elizabeth was entirely alone； it was her
wish to return home to dinner。—The plan was warmly opposed by
their Visitor。 ‘I cannot suffer it indeed。 I must not be deprived of
the happiness of escorting you。 I assure you there is not a
possibility of fear with my Horses。 You might guide them yourself。
Your Sisters all know how quiet they are； They have none of them
the smallest scruple in trusting themselves with me； even on a
Race Course。—Believe me’—added he lowering his voice—‘You
mine —
are quite safe； the danger is only 。’ Emma was not more
disposed to oblige him for all this。—‘And as to Mrs。 Edwardes’
carriage being used the day after a Ball； it is a thing quite out of
rule I assure you—never heard of before—the old Coachman will
look as black as his Horses。 Won’t he Miss Edwardes？’—No notice
was taken。 The Ladies were silently firm； and the gentleman found
himself obliged to submit。
‘What a famous Ball we had last night！’—he cried； after a short
pause。 ‘How long did you keep it up； after the Osbornes and I went
away？’—‘We had two dances more。’—‘It is making it too much of a
fatigue I think； to stay so late。—I suppose your Set was not a very
full one。’—‘Yes； quite as full as ever； except the Osbornes。 There
seemed no vacancy anywhere—and everybody danced with
uncommon spirit to the very last。’—Emma said this—tho’ against
her conscience。—‘Indeed！ perhaps I might have looked in upon
you again； if I had been aware of as much；—for I am rather fond of
dancing than not。—Miss Osborne is a charming girl； is not she？’ ‘I
do not think her handsome；’ replied Emma； to whom all this was
chiefly addressed。 ‘Perhaps she is not critically handsome； but her
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Manners are delightful。 And Fanny Carr is a most interesting little
creature。 You can imagine nothing more naive or piquante； and
What do you thing of Lord Osborne Miss Watson？’ ‘That he would
be handsome； even tho’ he were not a Lord—and perhaps—better
bred； More desirous of pleasing； and shewing himself pleased in a
right place。’ ‘Upon my word； you are severe upon my friend！—I
assure you Lord Osborne is a very good fellow。’ ‘I do not dispute
his virtues—but I do not like his careless air。’ ‘If it were not a
breach of confidence；’ replied Tom with an important look；
‘perhaps I might be able to win a more favourable opinion of poor
Osborne。’ Emma gave him no Encouragement； and he was obliged
to keep his friend’s secret。—He was also obliged to put an end to
his visit—for Mrs。 Edwardes having ordered her Carriage； there
was no time to be lost on Emma’s side in preparing for it。—Miss
Edwards accompanied her home； but