'Meaning!' cried the major: 'what meaning should it have? Why, my dear, do you think Mordaunt never kissed a woman's hand before?'
'But it was so particular.—Well, Emma, if it should lead to consequences!'
'Consequences!' cried the major: 'my dear girl, what can you mean?'
'Why, if he should really love our Emma?'
'Why then I hope our Emma will love him.—What say you, Emma?'
'I say?—I—' she replied: 'really I never thought it possible that Colonel Mordaunt should have any thoughts of me, nor do I now;—but it is very strange that he should kiss my hand!'
The major could not help laughing at the naiveté of this reply, and in a mutual whisper they agreed how much they wished to see their sister so happily disposed of; while Emma paced up and down her own apartment some time before she undressed herself; and after seeming to convince herself, by recollecting all Colonel Mordaunt's conduct towards her, that he could not possibly mean any thing by his unusual adieu, she went to sleep, exclaiming, 'But it is very strange that he should kiss my hand!'
CHAPTER XXIV
The next morning explained the mystery: for breakfast was scarcely over, when Colonel Mordaunt appeared; and his presence occasioned a blush, from different causes, on the cheeks of all the ladies, and a smile on the countenances of both the gentlemen.