Page:A memoir of Jane Austen (Fourth Edition).pdf/353

 ‘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, though 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 manners are delightful, And Fanny Carr is a most interesting little creature. You can imagine nothing more naïve or piquante; and what do you think of Lord Osborne, Miss Watson ?’

‘He would be handsome even though he were not a lord, and, perhaps, better bred; more desirous of pleasing and showing 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