"I am quite ready to give mine at once," returned Sir William, who heard only the last speech, as he entered through the window from the terrace:
"I have no doubt that yours, Miss Watson, are very severe—Osborne's romantic—and Howard's common place. Will that do?"
"Not at all—you shall be no judge in the matter, since you make up your mind before you hear the cause," cried Emma, "Lady Gordon shall be umpire, and if you like to produce a moral, do so."
"What is it all about?" enquired Lady Gordon, "I must understand before I decide."
"Not the least necessary, my dear Rosa," said her husband, "and quite out of character; women always decide first—and understanding, if it comes at all, is quite a secondary consideration with them."
"A pretty speech to make," exclaimed Emma, "when he himself just now answered without understanding at all."
"I knew you would be severe," replied Sir William to Emma, "but I was, I assure you, only trying to bring down my conduct to the level of my companions."
"Shall we not turn him out of the room?" cried his wife, "he is intolerable to-day!"
"Oh no! take no notice of him," said Emma, with spirit, "I do not mind a word he says!"
"You—all of you talk so much," exclaimed Lord Osborne, "that it is impossible for me to settle my thoughts—but I think I have made my moral now—shall I say it?"