第5章

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 tobegin 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 inquisitiveglances; 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 immediately in motion again howeverCharles was hurried off without being able to receive his Uncle's suffrage.On entering the Tearoom, in which two long Tables were prepared, Lord Osborne was to be seen quite alone at the end of one, as if retreating as far as he could from the Ball, to enjoy his own thoughts, and gape without restraint.—Charles instantly pointed him out to Emma—'There's Lord Osborne—Let you and I go and sit by him.'—'No, no,'said Emma laughing 'you must sit with my friends.'