Mary Edwards was absent at the moment, but, on learning what had transpired, with great good sense pointed out to her mother that as they had never before been taken notice of by the Osbornes, they had now no cause for mortification, generously adding that such beauty as Emma's could not but be distinguished. Nevertheless there is no young lady who can hear of a ball without desiring to go to it; and the matter occasioned not a little stir in the small country town, where any subject for gossip was eagerly seized upon. Tom Musgrave, hearing of it, reported it at the Castle as a good joke, believing the Osbornes would be gratified by learning of the disappointment they had unwittingly occasioned. It had quite a different effect, however, on Lady Osborne, who at once despatched an invitation to Mary Edwards, together with a kind note in which she said she understood that she was a friend of the Miss Watsons, and that it would give her much pleasure if she would accompany them to the dance. All was now happily settled, as Mrs. Blake had arranged to meet them in the cloakroom at the Castle and act as chaperon. Miss Osborne, though in some awe of her mother, had done all in her power to prevent her inviting Emma. "You are encouraging Osborne in every way," she said, "to make this disgraceful marriage--to ask Emma Watson to this house will be to throw her into his arms." "I think differently," replied Lady Osborne coldly, "and I do not choose that Osborne should give a dance in the Assembly Rooms, which was what he had intended doing." "It would have been far better, ma'am. You could then have refused to attend." "I have not the slightest intention of ever inflicting such a slight upon my son." "It would have put Miss Watson in her place. She will now be more forward and impertinent than ever." "I find her neither forward nor impertinent." "You do not know her, ma'am; there is a sort of independence in her which I find insupportable." "I believe I am the better judge--and it is not a question of _her_ conduct, but of _mine_." Miss Osborne, finding nothing to reply, curtsied and left the room. CHAPTER VIII During the interval which elapsed, Lord Osborne and Mr. Howard both discovered various pretexts for calling at the Rectory; Mr. Watson's health, for one thing, causing them no inconsiderable anxiety; and on different occasions when the latter was riding by chance in the neighbourhood of Stanton, and had met Emma out walking with Elizabeth, in view of all the perils of a singularly quiet neighbourhood, had believed it incumbent on him to escort her the whole way home, leading his horse by the bridle.