CHAPTER XVI
The Osbornes’ carriage travelled half a mile empty, half a mile full, the Miss Watsons were in the Castle, they had entered the drawing-room, and Elizabeth had not only curtsied to Lady Osborne, but had had the curtsy acknowledged. After a short interval of general conversation, Lady Osborne invited Mr Howard to look over a list of parishioners considered worthy of benefits, and then was unable to find it. Having apportioned the blame between “someone” and “the servants,” she was able to converse on what appeared to be more lively subjects, and was soon nodding, and smiling, and reproving, marking the reproofs with taps on the hand with the fire-screen. The ladies, meanwhile, conversed among themselves, until the entry of Miss Osborne and her brother, followed by that of Miss Carr, completed the party without disturbing Lady Osborne.
The dinner was excessively dull for the visitors, a little less so than usual for Miss Osborne and Miss Carr, and for Lady Osborne and her son full of satisfaction.
It was probably the busiest hour of the day for Lady Osborne. She carved the principal dish, and in recommending everything on the table to her guests had some real feelings of hospitality. She had a healthy appetite, had much to say to Mr Howard, and still made time for many glances at her reflection in the mirror behind her son.
Lord Osborne, who never said much, and almost nothing before his mother, was fully occupied between his dinner and the contemplation of Emma. In her opinion, all that could redeem the party from the charge of stupidity was a short conversation with Mr Howard, and some lively moments with Miss Osborne. Elizabeth was much more likely to enjoy it in retrospect than in the anxious present.
After tea the party sat down to vingt-et-un, which might have been more lively had it not been for the great desire of Lady Osborne to win, and the great inclination of the rest of the party to yawn. Lady Osborne was a loser, and their yawns were suppressed, but this left the whole party without relief, until the moment of leave-taking came, when, in the enlivening bustle of departure, more pleasure was experienced than had been felt during the whole evening.
Lord Osborne watched Mr Howard as he helped Emma to wrap up and said suddenly:
“I shall come and see you to-morrow.”
“It seems warmer to-night,” Emma remarked. “Do you not think we shall have a thaw? Perhaps we may get home to-morrow.”
“If the weather does not change till we wish it, we shall keep you a prisoner some days yet,” said Mr Howard with much cordiality.
A gentle “Thank you” was all Emma could reply. She wished to say more, but the carriage was reached before she could decide on the words.
The drive home proved much more agreeable than the visit. All had some cause for satisfaction. If the Castle had proved dull, still the Miss Watsons had visited there, and that was much. Mr Howard’s fears had been induced to slumber, and Mrs Blake was happily anticipating the sight of her children asleep. To Emma and Mr Howard the drive seemed very short, to Mrs Blake and Miss Watson it occupied just about the time which a half-mile drive usually does. The warm fire in the Parsonage parlour, cake, baked apples and lively discourse did much to redeem the occasion.