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or I hope I should have kept my distance。 Lady Osborne would tell
me that I were growing as careless as her son； if she saw me in this
condition。’—The Ladies were not wanting in civil returns； and
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Robert Watson stealing a view of his own head in an opposite
glass；—said with equal civility； ‘You cannot be more in dishabille
than myself。—We got here so late； that I had not time even to put a
little fresh powder in my hair。’—Emma could not help entering
into what she supposed her Sister…in…law’s feelings at that
moment。—When the Tea…things were removed； Tom began to talk
of his Carriage—but the old Card Table being set out； and the fish
and counters with a tolerably clean pack brought forward from the
beaufit by Miss Watson； the general voice was so urgent with him
to join their party； that he agreed to allow himself another quarter
of an hour。 Even Emma was pleased that he would stay； for she
was beginning to feel that a family party might be the worst of all
parties； and the others were delighted。—‘What’s your Game？’—
cried he； as they stood round the Table。—‘Speculation I believe；’
said Elizabeth—‘My Sister recommends it； and I fancy we all like
it。 I know you do； Tom。’—‘It is the only round game played at
Croydon now；’ said Mrs。 Robert—‘we never think of any other。 I
am glad it is a favourite with you。’—‘Oh！ me！’ cried Tom。
‘Whatever you decide on； will be a favourite with me。—I have had
some pleasant hours at Speculation in my time—but I have not
been in the way of it now for a long while。—Vingt…un is the game
at Osborne Castle； I have played nothing but Vingt…un of late。 You
would be astonished to hear the noise we make there。—The fine
old； lofty Drawingroom rings again。 Lady Osborne sometimes
declares she cannot hear herself speak。—Lord Osborne enjoys it
famously—he makes the best Dealer without exception that I ever
beheld—such quickness and spirit！ he lets nobody dream over
their cards—I wish you could see him overdraw himself on both
his own cards—it is worth anything in the World！’—‘Dear me！’—
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cried Margaret ‘why should not we play at Vingt…un？—I think it is
a much better game than Speculation。 I cannot say I am very fond
of Speculation。’ Mrs。 Robert offered not another word in support
of the game。—She was quite vanquished； and the fashions of
Osborne Castle carried it over the fashions of Croydon。—‘Do you
see much of the Parsonage family at the Castle； Mr。 Musgrave？’
said Emma； as they were taking their seats。—‘Oh！ yes—they are
almost always there。 Mrs。 Blake is a nice little good…humoured
Woman； she and I are sworn friends； and Howard’s a very
gentlemanlike good sort of fellow！—You are not forgotten I assure
you by any of the party。 I fancy you must have a little cheek…
glowing now and then Miss Emma。 Were you not rather warm last
Saturday about 9 or 10 o’clock in the Evening？ I will tell you how
it was。—I see you are dieing to know。—Says Howard to Lord
Osborne—’ At this interesting moment he was called on by the
others； to regulate the game and determine some disputable point；
and his attention was so totally engaged in the business and
afterwards by the course of the game as never to revert to what he
had been saying before；—and Emma； tho’ suffering a good deal
from Curiosity； dared not remind him。—He proved a very useful
addition to their Table； without him； it would have been a party of
such very near relations as could have felt little Interest； and
perhaps maintained little complaisance； but his presence gave
variety and secured good manners。—He was in fact excellently
qualified to shine at a round Game； and few situations made him
appear to greater advantage。 He played with spirit； and had a
great deal to say and tho’ with no wit himself； could sometimes
make use of the wit of an absent friend； and had a lively way of
retailing a commonplace； or saying a mere nothing； that had great
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effect at a Card Table。 The ways； and good Jokes of Osborne
Castle were now added to his ordinary means of Entertainment；
he repeated the smart sayings of one Lady； detailed the oversights
of another； and indulged them even with a copy of Lord Osborne’s
stile of overdrawing himself on both cards。—The Clock struck
nine； while he was thus agreably occupied； and when Nanny came
in with her Master’s Bason of Gruel； he had the pleasure of
observing to Mr。 Watson that he should leave him at supper； while
he went home to dinner himself。—The Carriage was ordered to
the door—and no entreaties for his staying longer could now
avail；—for he well knew； that if he staid he must sit down to
supper in less than ten minutes—which to a Man whose heart had
been long fixed on calling his next meal a Dinner； was quite
insupportable。—On finding him determined to go； Margaret began
to wink and nod at Elizabeth to ask him to dinner for the following
day； and Elizabeth at last not able to resist hints； which her own
hospitable； social temper more than half seconded； gave the
invitation。 ‘Would he give Robert the meeting； they should be very
happy。’ ‘With the greatest pleasure’—was his first reply。 In a
moment afterwards—‘That is if I can possibly get here in time—
but I shoot with Lord Osborne； and therefore must not engage—
You will not think of me unless you see me。’—And so； he departed；
delighted with the uncertainty in which he had left it。
——————
Margaret in the joy of her heart under circumstances which she
chose to consider as peculiarly propitious； would willingly have
made a confidante of Emma when they were alone for a short time
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the next morning； and had proceeded so far as to say—‘The young
man who was here last night my dear Emma and returns today； is
more interesting to me； than perhaps you may be aware—’ but
Emma pretending to understand nothing extraordinary in the
words； made some very inapplicable reply； and jumping up； ran
away from a subject which was odious to her feelings。
As Margaret would not allow a doubt to be repeated of
Musgrave’s coming to dinner； preparations were made for his
Entertainment much exceeding what had been deemed necessary
the day before； and taking the office of superintendance intirely
from her sister； she was half the morning in the Kitchen herself
directing and scolding。—After a great deal of indifferent Cooking；
and anxious Suspense however they were obliged to sit down
without their Guest。—T。 Musgrave never came； and Margaret was
at no pains to conceal her vexation under the disappointment； or
repress the peevishness of her Temper。 The Peace of the party for
the remainder of that day； and the whole of the next； which
comprised the length of Robert and Jane’s visit； was continually
invaded by her fretful displeasure； and querulous attacks。—
Elizabeth was the usual object of both。 Mar