Page:A memoir of Jane Austen (Fourth Edition).pdf/342

 do look at my partner; she is so pretty!’ As they were immediately in motion again, however, Charles was hurried off without being able to receive his uncle’s suffrage. On entering the tea-room, in which two long tables were prepared, lard Osborne was to be sccn quite alone at the end of one, as if retreating as far as he could from the ball, to enjoy his own thoughts and gape without restraint. Charles instantly pointed him out to Emma. ‘There's Lord Osborne, let you and I go and sit by him.’

‘No, no, said Emma, laughing, ‘you must sit with my friends.’

Charles was now free enough to hazard a few questions in his turn. ‘ What o'clock was it?”

'Eleven.’

‘Eleven! and I am not at all sleepy. Mamma said I should be asleep before ten. Do you think Miss Osborne will keep her word with me when tea is over?’

‘Oh, yes! I suppose so ;’ though she felt that she had no better rcason to give than that Miss Osborne had not kept it before.

‘When shall you come to Osborne Castle ?’

‘Never, probably. I am not acquaimted with the family.’

‘But you may come to Wickstead and sce mamma, and she can take you to the castle. There is a monstrous curious stuffed fox there, and a badger, anybedy would think they were alive. It is a pity you should not see them.’

On rising from tea there was again a scramble for