Emma was not more disposed to oblige him for all this. "And as for Mrs. Edwards' carriage being used the day after the ball, it is a thing out of all rule, I assure you--never heard of before. The old coachman will look as black as his horses--won't he, Miss Edwards?" No notice was taken. The ladies were silently firm, and the gentleman found himself obliged to submit. "What a famous ball we had last night," he cried, after a short pause. "How long did you keep it up after the Osbornes and I went away?" "We had two dances more." "It is making it too much of a fatigue, I think, to stay so late. I suppose your set was not a very full one?" "Yes, quite as full as ever, except the Osbornes. There seemed no vacancy anywhere; and everybody danced with uncommon spirit to the very last." Emma said this, though against her conscience. "Indeed! Perhaps I might have looked in upon you again, if I had been aware of as much; for I am rather fond of dancing than not. Miss Osborne is a charming girl, is not she?" "I do not think her handsome," replied Emma, to whom all this was chiefly addressed. "Perhaps she is not critically handsome, but her manners are delightful. And Fanny Carr is a most interesting little creature. You can imagine nothing more naïve or _piquante_; and what do you think of Lord Osborne, Miss Watson?" "He would be handsome even though he were _not_ a lord, and perhaps better himself pleased in a right place." "Upon my word, you are severe upon my friend! I assure you Lord Osborne is a very good fellow." "I do not dispute his virtues, but I do not like his careless air." "If it were not a breach of confidence," replied Tom, with an important look, "perhaps I might be able to win a more favourable opinion of poor Osborne." Emma gave him no encouragement, and he was obliged to keep his friend's secret. He was also obliged to put an end to his visit, for Mrs. Edwards having ordered her carriage, there was no time to be lost on Emma's side in preparing for it. Miss Edwards accompanied her home; but as it was dinner hour at Stanton, stayed with them only a few minutes. "Now, my dear Emma," said Miss Watson, as soon as they were alone, "you must talk to me all the rest of the day without stopping, or I shall not be satisfied; but, first of all, Nanny shall bring in the dinner. Poor thing! You will not dine as you did yesterday, for we have nothing but some fried beef. How nice Mary Edwards looks in her new pelisse! And now tell me how you like them all, and what I am to say to Sam. I have begun my letter; Jack Stokes is to call for it to-morrow, for his uncle is going within a mile of Guildford next day." Nanny brought in the dinner. "We will wait upon ourselves," continued Elizabeth, "and then we shall lose no time. And so you would not come home with Tom Musgrave?"