She did so, and Sir William immediately taking up the letter, read it through quietly and returned it to his wife.
"Well," said she, "what do you think of that?"
"First, that it is rather extraordinary your brother's proposal of a visit should cause you such annoyance; and secondly, that you should think it necessary to make this visit a secret."
"You are always more struck with my feelings than anything else: I believe if the Castle were to tumble on us, you would be only occupied in observing how I bore it."
"That is only because you are the most interesting object in the world to me: surely you would not quarrel with me for that, Rosa?"
She looked evidently gratified, yet still pretended to pout a little, then enquired:
"But why would you not look at the letter when I asked you?"
"Because I always feel myself de trop when I form the third, where the other two have letters for mutual inspection: if you wish me to read your letters, and do not choose to make Miss Watson acquainted with their contents, pray wait another time till she is out of the room. You see you have driven her away now."
"I certainly wished to talk to you about this, I am so annoyed at Osborne's coming now!"
"And I cannot imagine why!"