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 found herself obliged to listen to Tom Musgrave’s further account.

‘I received that note from the fair hands of Miss Watson only ten minutes ago,’ said he; ‘J 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 mes- senger than myself. Remember, I say nothing of my disintcrestedness. My reward is to be the indulgence of conveying you to Stanton in my curricle, Though 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 preposer; and yet, fearful of encroaching on the Edwards, as well as wishing to go home herself, she was at a loss how entirely to decline what he offered. Mrs. Edwards 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. Edwards was silent no longer. She enquired into the particulars, and then said, ‘We shall be extremely happy, Miss Emma, if you can