Page:A memoir of Jane Austen (Fourth Edition).pdf/323

 are above my situation, | must endeavour to conceal them; but I doubt whether ridicule—has Penelope much wit ?’

‘Yes; she has great spirits, and never cares what she says.’

‘Margaret is more gentle, I imagine ?’

‘Yes; especially in company; she is all gentleness and mildness when anybody is by. But she is a little fretful and perverse among ourselves. Poor creature! She is possessed with the notion of Tom Musgrave’s being more seriously in love with her than he ever was with anybody clse, and is always expecting him to come to the point. This is the second time within this twelvemonth that she has gone to spend a month with Robert and Jane on purpose to egg him on by her absence; but I am sure she is mistaken, and that he will no more follow her to Croydon now than he did last March. He will never marry unless he can marry somebody very great; Miss Osborne, perhaps, or somebody in that style”

‘Your account of this Tom Musgrave, Elizabeth, gives me very little inclination for his acquaintance.’

‘You are afraid of him; I do not wonder at you.’

‘No, indeed ; I dislike and despise him.’

‘ Dislike and despise Tom Musgrave! No, that you never can, I defy you not to be delighted with him if he takes notice of you. I hope he will dance with you; and J dare say he will, unless the Osborncs come with a large party, and then he will not speak to anybody else.’

'He seems to have most engaging manners!’ said