"Yes I think I did—but was it like what you expected? it was all so grand and formal that I felt quite uncomfortable. I am glad to have been, and still more glad that I have come away."
"It was not the first time I have been in a large house," said Emma, "and I was not surprised at anything I saw; except that Lady Osborne should take the trouble of wearing so many jewels, and dress in so very juvenile a style."
"Were you not jealous, Emma? Did you not notice how she flirted with Mr. Howard?"
"For shame, Elizabeth, to say such things of our hostess."
"Nay, indeed it is only truth—I think he had much better marry her. I dare say she has a good jointure, and she may not be very disagreeable to him perhaps! what would you say to that?"
"That he must be a very different Mr. Howard from what I fancy him, if he can be induced to marry for the sake of a jointure," replied Emma firmly.
"But perhaps he is in love with her," persisted Miss Watson.
"That alters the case," said Emma who did not believe anything of the kind.
"I rather think he must be," continued her sister, "he looked so much pleased at her calling him to the sofa. Or I will tell you another idea that struck me, perhaps he is attached to Miss Osborne, and pays his court to her mother to gain her good word."
"My dear Elizabeth," cried Emma rather impatiently, "you have within the last five minutes, concluded Mr. Howard in love with three different people. Some of your conjectures cannot be right, but they may all be wrong—pray leave off guessing, since you cannot arrive at any conclusion."