‘All in the same regiment,’ added Mrs. Edwards. ‘Mary was surrounded by red-coats al! the evening. I should have been better pleased to see her dancing with some of our old neighbours, I confess.’
‘Yes, yes; we must not neglect our old neighbours. But if these soldiers are quicker than other people in a ball-room, what are young ladies to do?’
‘I think there is no occasion for their cngaging themselves so many dances beforehand, Mr, Edwards,’
‘No, perhaps not; but I remember, my dear, when you and I did the same.’
Mrs. Edwards said no more, and Mary breathed again. A good deal of good-humoured pleasantry followed, and Emma went to bed in charming spirits, her head full of Osbornes, Blakes, and Howards.
The next morning brought a great many visitors. It was the way of the place always to call on Mrs. Edwards the morning after a hall, and this neighbourly inclination was increased in the present instance by a general spirit of curiosity on Emma's account, as everybody wanted to look again at the girl who had been admired the night before by Lord Osborne. Many were the eyes, and various the degrees of approbation with which she was examined. Some saw no fault, and some no beauty. With some her brown skin was the annihilation of every grace, and others could never be persuaded that she was half so handsome as Elizabeth Watson had been ten years ago, The morning passed quickly away in discussing the merits of the ball with all this succession of company,
