"Then what am I to understand is the cause of your discontent, Rosa?" enquired her husband, looking rather surprised.
"I do not wish him to care for Emma in that sort of way at all. She is a very nice girl, and I should like to have her for a friend always, but I do not desire her for a sister; she is not Osborne's equal, and I should regret the connection."
"So should I, I confess, not for your brother's sake, but hers. He could hardly do a better thing for himself; she is his superior in everything but worldly position, and were there the least chance of his persuading her to accept him, I should think him a very lucky fellow. But I do not think there is; and therefore you need not be alarmed for him, nor I for her."
"And why should you be concerned for her at such a prospect—it would be a very good marriage for her," said Lady Gordon.
"I do not think unequal connexions desirable at all—and were she your brother's wife, she would be too far removed from the man who is to be her eldest sister's husband. If I understand rightly, the other is to marry a wealthy brewer at Croydon—a very good match for her, but not a desirable connection for Osborne; Emma would either grow ashamed of her own family and their station, or she would be pained by being obliged to neglect them in some degree. But she will never accept Osborne!"
"I cannot wish the temptation thrown in her way—I should be by no means sure of the result," said Lady Gordon.
"You cannot prevent it however," replied Sir William, "if Osborne has any such thoughts in his head—he is his own master, and cannot be kept away from her. The mischief is of your own doing too—for you had her here in the winter—and, if I recollect rightly, encouraged the acquaintance."
"That was entirely for Mr. Howard's sake," said she, "It never occurred to me that Osborne would notice her."
"I cannot see why you should have intermeddled between them at all," was his reply. "Mr. Howard would have gone on very well alone."
Lady Gordon did not choose to mention her principal motive, so she only replied—