Page:A memoir of Jane Austen (Fourth Edition).pdf/367

 any of you with us, if it be for months together; and I am sorry (with a witty smile) we have not been able to make Croydon agreeable this autumn.’

‘My dearest Jane, do not overpower me with your raillery. You know what inducements I had to bring mec home.‘ Spare me, I entreat you. I am no match for your arch sallies.’

"Well, I only beg you will not set your neighbours against the place. Perhaps Emma may be tempted to go back with us and stay till Christmas, if you don’t put in your word.’

Emma was greatly obliged. ‘I assure you we have very good society at Croydon. I do not much attend the bails, they are rather too mixed; but our parties are very select and good. I had seven tables last week in my drawing-room.’

‘Are you fond of the country? How do you like Stanton ?’

‘Very much,’ replied Emma, who thought a com- prehensive answer: most to the purpose. She saw ‘that her sister-in-law despised her immediately. Mrs. Robert Watson was indeed wondering what sort of a home Emma could possibly have been used to in Shropshire, and setting it down as certain that the aunt could never have had six thousand pounds.

‘How charming Emma is, whispered Margaret to Mrs. Robert in her most languishing tone. Emma was quite distressed by such behaviour; and she did not like it better when she heard Margaret five minutes afterwards say to Elizabeth in a sharp, quick accent, totally unlike the first, ‘Have you heard from