"Come, my lord," cried the young lady, "come, do as you are bid."
"Not I," said he.
"I shall not make you a copy if you do not," interposed Sir William, "nor ever let you see the original again."
"Well," said his lordship, moving reluctantly away, "I'll go on those conditions."
The couple left the room; Miss Osborne remained in silence.
"I have no objection to Miss Osborne remaining," continued he in a saucy tone, "if she is determined to patronise a poor artist with her presence."
"I am waiting for Miss Watson's sake, Sir William," returned the lady addressed, "I cannot for a moment imagine that my presence can make any difference to you."
Emma thought her friend looked remarkably unamiable as she spoke, and wondered what was the matter.
"Have you seen Mr. Howard," enquired Rosa in a low voice.
Sir William looked up quickly, in time to catch the deep blush with which Emma's cheek was tinged, as she answered in the affirmative.