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Jane Austen： The Watsons 20
handsome； and had all the Dignity of Rank。
Lord Osborne was a very fine young man； but there was an air
of Coldness； of Carelessness； even of Awkwardness about him；
which seemed to speak him out of his Element in a Ball…room。 He
came in fact only because it was judged expedient for him to
please the Borough—he was not fond of Women’s company； and
he never danced。—Mr。 Howard was an agreable…looking Man； a
little more than Thirty。
At the conclusion of the two Dances； Emma found herself； she
knew not how； seated amongst the Osborne set； and she was
immediately struck with the fine Countenance and animated
gestures of the little boy； as he was standing before his Mother；
wondering when they should begin。—‘You will not be surprised at
Charles’s impatience；’ said Mrs。 Blake； a lively pleasant…looking
little Woman of five… or six… and thirty； to a Lady who was standing
near her； ‘when you know what a partner he is to have。 Miss
Osborne has been so very kind as to promise to dance the two first
dances with him。’—‘Oh！ yes—we have been engaged this week；’
cried the boy； ‘and we are to dance down every couple。’—On the
other side of Emma； Miss Osborne； Miss Carr； and a party of
young Men were standing engaged in very lively consultation—
and soon afterwards she saw the smartest officer of the set；
walking off to the Orchestra to order the dance； while Miss
Osborne passing before her； to her little expecting Partner hastily
said—‘Charles； I beg your pardon for not keeping my engagement；
but I am going to dance these two dances with Colonel Beresford。
I know you will excuse me； and I will certainly dance with you
after Tea。’ And without staying for an answer； she turned again to
Miss Carr； and in another minute was led by Colonel Beresford to
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Jane Austen： The Watsons 21
begin the set。 If the poor little boy’s face had in its happiness been
interesting to Emma； it was infinitely more so under this sudden
reverse；—he stood the picture of disappointment； with crimson’d
cheeks； quivering lips； and eyes bent on the floor。 His mother；
stifling her own mortification； tried to sooth his； with the prospect
of Miss Osborne’s second promise；—but tho’ he contrived to utter
with an effort of Boyish Bravery ‘Oh！ I do not mind it’—it was very
evident by the unceasing agitation of his features that he minded it
as much as ever。—Emma did not think； or reflect；—she felt and
acted。 ‘I shall be very happy to dance with you Sir； if you like it；’
said she； holding out her hand with the most unaffected good
humour。—The Boy in one moment restored to all his first
delight—looked joyfully at his Mother and stepping forwards with
an honest and simple Thank you Ma’am was instantly ready to
attend his new acquaintance。—The Thankfulness of Mrs。 Blake
was more diffuse；—with a look； most expressive of unexpected
pleasure； and lively Gratitude； she turned to her neighbour with
repeated and fervent acknowledgements of so great and
condescending a kindness to her boy。—Emma with perfect truth
could assure her that she could not be giving greater pleasure than
she felt herself—and Charles being provided with his gloves and
charged to keep them on； they joined the Set which was now
rapidly forming； with nearly equal complacency。—It was a
Partnership which could not be noticed without surprise。 It gained
her a broad stare from Miss Osborne and Miss Carr as they passed
her in the dance。 ‘Upon my word Charles you are in luck；’ （said the
former as she turned him） ‘you have got a better partner than
me’—to which the happy Charles answered ‘Yes。’—Tom Musgrave
who was dancing with Miss Carr； gave her many inquisitive
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Jane Austen： The Watsons 22
glances； and after a time Lord Osborne himself came under
pretence of talking to Charles； stood to look at his partner。—Tho’
rather distressed by such observation； Emma could not repent
what she had done； so happy had it made both the boy and his
Mother； the latter of whom was continually making opportunities
of addressing her with the warmest civility。—Her little partner she
found； tho’ bent chiefly on dancing； was not unwilling to speak；
when her questions or remarks gave him anything to say； and she
learnt； by a sort of inevitable enquiry that he had two brothers and
a sister； that they and their Mama all lived with his Uncle at
Wickstead； that his Uncle taught him Latin； that he was very fond
of riding； and had a horse of his own given him by Lord Osborne；
and that he had been out once already with Lord Osborne’s
Hounds。—At the end of these Dances Emma found they were to
drink tea；—Miss E。 gave her a caution to be at hand； in a manner
which convinced her of Mrs。 E。’s holding it very important to have
them both close to her when she moved into the Tearoom； and
Emma was accordingly on the alert to gain her proper station。 It
was always the pleasure of the company to have a little bustle and
croud when they thus adjourned for refreshment；—the Tearoom
was a small room within the Cardroom； and in passing thro’ the
latter； where the passage was straightened by Tables； Mrs。 E。 and
her party were for a few moments hemmed in。 It happened close
by Lady Osborne’s Cassino Table； Mr。 Howard who belonged to it
spoke to his Nephew； and Emma on perceiving herself the object
of attention both to Lady O。 and him； had just turned away her
eyes in time； to avoid seeming to hear her young companion
delightedly whisper aloud ‘Oh！ Uncle； do look at my partner。 She
is so pretty！’ As they were