"Very odd," replied Emma, scarcely knowing, however, what she said.
Miss Osborne mused again.
"Something must be the matter," said she at length rather earnestly.
Emma could only answer that she did not know, and wished to drop the subject. She turned to Sir William,
"I hope you are not going to try my patience much longer. I only promised for half an hour you know."
"Very true, but half an hour of that kind is of an elastic sort, extending from one hour to three at least, as I am sure you must have experienced when obliged to wait for a friend."
"Possibly," said Emma, "but ask yourself in that case what you would do—vote it a great bore, and run away."
"An impatient, frail mortal like myself might do so, but you are too near perfection to exhibit any such weak unkindness."
"Your flattery shall not bribe me to remain. Miss Osborne, may I not go? it was at your request I stayed—pray release me from the spell."
"Sabrina, fair,