"Neither does it—it is only Emma I care for," replied she; and she then proceeded to explain to Sir William all the circumstances attending their involuntary audience of Musgrove's courtship, and her reason for keeping it quiet.
"Caught listening, eh!" ejaculated Sir William; "I do not wonder that you shrink from being called on to avow it in public. What a pity that you did not start out and cry 'bo!' to them both; from all accounts they deserved it."
"That's all very well, and you may amuse yourself with laughing at me, if you like; but tell me how can I avoid this difficulty—must I appear in court?"
"Certainly, if you are subpœned to appear—there is no help for that."
"How coolly you treat it—why is it not you instead of me it has happened to?"
"Only because I was not one of the eavesdroppers."
"I assure you, Sir William, if you go on laughing at my distress, I will punish you for it."
"I am excessively sorry for your distress, my dear Rosa, but I must think it quite unfounded."
"Well, there's one thing certain, I warn you: if I have to appear in this business, we must defer our marriage; I could not appear as a bride and a witness during the same month."
Sir William started up from the cushion where he was lounging, and looking fixedly at her, exclaimed—