"You consider that a privilege of married men," said Sir William, enquiringly.
"Certainly, for on my honour, they need some compensation; I recommend you to marry, my lord, as indeed the privilege is a great comfort!"
"When I marry I shall leave off flirting," said Lord Osborne, decidedly, "out of compliment to my wife."
"Tantamount to an assertion you will never marry, Osborne," said Sir William, "for I never knew you flirt yet."
"How does your stable go on, my lord?" enquired Tom, "I should like to see it."
"You are welcome to go and see it if you please, so long as you don't drag me there; I am not inclined for an excursion to the stables at present."
Tom whistled and walked away, Lord Osborne drew nearer to Emma, and said,
"I hope you don't like him—do you?"
"He is my brother-in-law," replied Emma, "you forget that."
"I think he does," retorted Lord Osborne, "but one is not obliged to like one's brother-in-law, I suppose."