the warsons(华森夫妇)-第10节
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Mr。 Watson—which I thought very kind of him。—But what pleased
me as much as anything was Mr。 Howard’s attention；—There is a
pretty steep flight of steps up to the room we dine in—which do
not quite agree with my gouty foot—and Mr。 Howard walked by
me from the bottom to the top； and would make me take his
arm。—It struck me as very becoming in so young a Man； but I am
sure I had no claim to expect it； for I never saw him before in my
Life。—By the bye； he enquired after one of my Daughters； but I do
not know which。 I suppose you know among yourselves。’
——————
On the third day after the Ball； as Nanny at five minutes before
three； was beginning to bustle into the parlour with the Tray and
the Knife…case； she was suddenly called to the front door； by the
sound of as smart a rap as the end of a riding…whip could give—
and tho’ charged by Miss W。 to let nobody in； returned in half a
minute； with a look of awkward dismay； to hold the parlour door
open for Lord Osborne and Tom Musgrave。—The surprise of the
young Ladies may be imagined。 No visitors would have been
welcome at such a moment； but such visitors as these—such a one
as Lord Osborne at least； a noble man and a stranger； was really
distressing。—He looked a little embarrassed himself；—as； on being
introduced by his easy； voluble friend； he muttered something of
doing himself the honour of waiting on Mr。 Watson。—Tho’ Emma
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could not but take the compliment of the visit to herself； she was
very far from enjoying it。 She felt all the inconsistency of such an
acquaintance with the very humble stile in which they were
obliged to live； and having in her Aunt’s family been used to many
of the Elegancies of Life； was fully sensible of all that must be open
to the ridicule of Richer people in her present home。—Of the pain
of such feelings； Elizabeth knew very little；—her simpler Mind； or
juster reason saved her from such mortification—and tho’
shrinking under a general sense of Inferiority； she felt no
particular Shame。—Mr。 Watson； as the Gentlemen had already
heard from Nanny； was not well enough to be down stairs；—With
much concern they took their seats—Lord Osborne near Emma；
and the convenient Mr。 Musgrave in high spirits at his own
importance； on the other side of the fireplace with Elizabeth。—He
was at no loss for words；—but when Lord Osborne had hoped that
Emma had not caught cold at the Ball； he had nothing more to say
for some time； and could only gratify his Eye by occasional glances
at his fair neighbour。—Emma was not inclined to give herself
much trouble for his Entertainment—and after hard labour of
mind； he produced the remark of its being a very fine day； and
followed it up with the question of； ‘Have you been walking this
morning？’ ‘No； my Lord。 We thought it too dirty。’ ‘You should
wear half…boots。’—After another pause； ‘Nothing sets off a neat
ankle more than a half…boot； nankin galoshed with black looks
very well。—Do not you like Half…boots？’ ‘Yes—but unless they are
so stout as to injure their beauty； they are not fit for Country
walking。’—‘Ladies should ride in dirty weather。—Do you ride？’
‘No my Lord。’ ‘I wonder every Lady does not。—A woman never
looks better than on horseback。’ ‘But every woman may not have
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the inclination； or the means。’ ‘If they knew how much it became
them； they would all have the inclination； and I fancy Miss
Watson—when once they had the inclination； the means would
soon follow。’—‘Your Lordship thinks we always have our own
way。—That is a point on which Ladies and Gentlemen have long
disagreed—But without pretending to decide it； I may say that
there are some circumstances which even Women cannot
controul。—Female Economy will do a great deal my Lord； but it
cannot turn a small income into a large one。’—Lord Osborne was
silenced。 Her manner had been neither sententious nor sarcastic；
but there was a something in its mild seriousness； as well as in the
words themselves which made his Lordship think；—and when he
addressed her again； it was with a degree of considerate propriety；
totally unlike the half…awkward； half…fearless stile of his former
remarks。—It was a new thing with him to wish to please a woman；
it was the first time that he had ever felt what was due to a woman；
in Emma’s situation。—But as he wanted neither Sense nor a good
disposition； he did not feel it without effect。—‘You have not been
long in this Country I understand；’ said he in the tone of a
Gentleman。 ‘I hope you are pleased with it。’—He was rewarded by
a gracious answer； and a more liberal full view of her face than she
had yet bestowed。 Unused to exert himself； and happy in
contemplating her； he then sat in silence for some minutes longer；
while Tom Musgrave was chattering to Elizabeth； till they were
interrupted by Nanny’s approach； who half opening the door and
putting in her head； said ‘Please Ma’am； Master wants to know
why he be’nt to have his dinner。’—The Gentlemen； who had
hitherto disregarded every symptom； however positive； of the
nearness of that Meal； now jumped up with apologies； while
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Elizabeth called briskly after Nanny ‘to tell Betty to take up the
Fowls。’—‘I am sorry it happens so’—she added； turning good…
humouredly towards Musgrave—‘but you know what early hours
we keep。’ Tom had nothing to say for himself； he knew it very well；
and such honest simplicity； such shameless Truth rather
bewildered him。—Lord Osborne’s parting Compliments took some
time； his inclination for speech seeming to increase with the
shortness of the term for indulgence。—He recommended Exercise
in defiance of dirt—spoke again in praise of Half…boots—begged
that his Sister might be allow’d to send Emma the name of her
Shoemaker—and concluded with saying； ‘My Hounds will be
hunting this Country next week—I believe they will throw off at
Stanton Wood on Wednesday at 9 o’clock。—I mention this； in
hopes of your being drawn out to see what’s going on。—If the
morning’s tolerable； pray do us the honour of giving us your good
wishes in person。’
The Sisters looked on each other with astonishment； when their
Visitors had withdrawn。 ‘Here’s an unaccountable Honour！’ cried
Elizabeth at last。 ‘Who would have thought of Lord Osborne’s
coming to Stanton。—He is very handsome—but Tom Musgrave
looks all to nothing； the smartest and most fashionable Man of the
two。 I am glad he did not say anything to me； I would not have had
to talk to such a great Man for the world。 Tom was very agreable；
was not he？—But did you hear him ask where Miss Penelope and
Miss Margaret were； when he first came in？—It put me out of
patience。—I am glad Nanny had not laid the Cloth however； it
would have looked so awkward；—just the Tray did not signify。’ To
say that Emma was not flattered by Lord Osborne’s visit； would be
to assert a very unlikely thing； and describe a very odd young
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