"I hope you mean nothing personal or disrespectful by that observation," exclaimed Sir William.
"No, on my honour, I forgot about you, Gordon," said he, "but I should think it quite enough if the husband likes his wife without its being at all necessary that the mother and sisters, and brother-in-law, should all like her too."
"Not necessary, certainly, but altogether desirable, and certainly conducive to domestic felicity."
"If my sister does not like my wife she must keep at a distance from her," said Lord Osborne, positively, "and then her feelings will be of no consequence—Don't you agree with me, Miss Watson?"
"Not exactly, my lord; I should not in practice, certainly—I do not think I would marry into a family where I was altogether unwelcome!"
"I am sorry for it," said Lord Osborne, very softly, and then looking remarkably conscious and awkward, he walked away.
"His theories sound more unprincipled than his practice would be, I suspect," observed Sir William, looking after him, and glancing at Emma, "I doubt whether he would really bear a quarrel with his sister with such indifference."
"I dare say not," said Emma, without at all suspecting she had any share in his feelings, or interest in his proceedings. "Young men often assert far more than they would like to realise, and I do not think worse of him than of many of his neighbours. I dare say he likes his own way—"
"He is very determined in following out his own opinions, I assure you," he replied, "but what I meant was, that though from impulse he might act in opposition to the wishes of his family, he would certainly repent it, as every body does sooner or later."
"Very likely, so for his sake I hope he will not try!" replied Emma, very unconcernedly.