Page:A memoir of Jane Austen (Fourth Edition).pdf/348

 table in the same room, with only one change of chairs, it might have seemed a matter scarcely perceived ; but he had won four rubbers out of five, and everything went well. His daughter felt the advantage of this gratified state of mind, in the course of the remarks and rcetrospections which now ensued over the welcome soup.

‘How came you not to dance with either of the Mr, Tomlinsons, Mary?’ said her mother.

‘I was always engaged when they asked me.’

‘I thought you were to have stood up with Mr. James the two last dances; Mrs. Tomlinson told me he was gone to ask you, and I had heard yau say two minutes before that you were not engaged.’

‘Yes, but there was a mistake; I had misunderstood. I did not know I was engaged. I thought it had been for the two dances after, if we stayed so long; but Captain Hunter assured mc it was for those very two.’

'So you ended with Captain Hunter, Mary, did you?’ said her father. ‘And whom did you begin with ?’

‘Captain Hunter, was repeated in a very humble tone.

‘Hum! That is being constant, however. But who else did you dance with ?’

‘Mr, Norton and Mr. Styles.’

‘ And who are they ?’

‘Mr. Norton is a cousin of Captain Hunter's.’

‘And who is Mr. Styles ?’

‘ One of his particular friends,’