"By all means, my lord," said Emma.
"We are all grave attention," observed Sir William.
"Well, I think ladies should take great care not to make false steps—because, if they do, they will not be able to stand by themselves afterwards."
"Bravo, Osborne!" cried his sister, "but rather severe on my friend."
"And you, Mr. Howard," she continued, "will you favour us with your opinion?"
"Mine is, that Miss Watson should, in future, avoid any great haste in climbing to eminent situations, lest she be the loser in the attempt."
Emma colored slightly at the earnest glance which accompanied the low, emphatic tone of his speech, but laughed it off by observing:
"Yes, my nature is so ambitious, I need that counsel."
"And now, Miss Watson," cried Lord Osborne, eagerly; "it's your turn."
"Well, the moral I draw is, when I am in a comfortable position again, to take care and not lose it in searching for some imaginary advantage—the moral of 'The substance and the shadow.'"