‘Was it about Miss Weston?’ persisted Jane.
‘Not actually, but I saw it was coming,’ said Emily.
‘Ah!’ said Jane, ‘I was just telling Lily that she owes all her present favour to her having been Alethea’s bosom friend.’
‘I confess I thought Miss Weston was assuming authority long ago,’ said Emily.
‘Emily, how can you say so?’ cried Lily. ‘How can you be so unjust and ungrateful? I do not believe this report; but if it should be true, are not these foolish expressions of dislike so many attempts to make yourself undutiful?’
‘I have rather more sincerity, more dignity, more attachment to my own mother, than to try to gain favour by affecting what I do not feel,’ said Emily.
‘Rather cutting, Emily,’ said Jane.
‘Do not give that speech an application which Emily did not intend,’ said Lily, sadly.
‘What makes you think I did not intend it?’ said Emily, coldly.
‘Emily!’ exclaimed Lily, starting up, and colouring violently, ‘are you thinking what you are saying?’