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 of my wits to have had anything to do with the Osborne’s set.’

Emma concluded her narration.

‘And so you really did not dance with Tom Musgrave at all; but you must have liked him—you must have been struck with him altogether.’

‘I do not like him, Elizabeth. I allow his person and air to be good ; and that his manners to a certain point—his address rather—is pleasing. But I see nothing else to admire in him, On the contrary, he seems very vain, very conceited, absurdly anxious for distinction, and absolutely contemptible in some of the measures he takes for being so, There is a ridiculousness about him that entertains me; but his company gives me no other agreeable emotion.’

‘My dearest Emma! You are like nobody else in’ the world. It is well Margaret is not by. You do not offend me, though I hardly know how to believe you; but Margaret would never forgive such words.’

‘I wish Margaret could have heard him profess his ignorance of her being out of the country; he declared it seemed only two days since he had seen her.’

‘Aye, that is just like him; and yet this is the man she will fancy so desperately in love with her. He is no favourite of mine, as you well know, Emma, but you must think him agreeable. Can you lay your hand on your heart, and say you do not?’

‘Indeed, I can, both hands; and spread them to their widest extent.’

‘I shonld like to know the man you do think agreeable.”