"Well, then, there is no great diversity in our sentiments, as Jane would say."
"John!"
"Emily!"
"I do not like to hear you speak so disrespectfully of out sister, whom I am sure you love as tenderly as I do myself."
"I acknowledge my error," said the brother, taking her hand and affectionately kissing it, "and will endeavor to offend no more; but this Colonel Egerton, sister, is certainly a gentleman, both by blood and in manners, as Jane"--Emily interrupted him with a laugh, which John took very good-naturedly, repeating his remark without alluding to their sister.
"Yes," said Emily, "he is genteel in his deportment, if that be what you mean; I know nothing of his family."
"Oh, I have taken a peep into Jane's Baronetage, where find him set down as Sir Edgar's heir."
"There is something about him," said Emily, musing, "that I do not much admire; he is too easy--there is no nature; I always feel afraid such people will laugh at me as soon as my back is turned, and for those very things they seem most to admire to my face. If I might be allowed to judge, I should say his manner wants one thing, without which no one can be truly agreeable."
"What's that?"
"Sincerity."