"Very true, but half an hour of that kind is of an elastic sort, extending from one hour to three at least, as I am sure you must have experienced when obliged to wait for a friend."
"Possibly," said Emma, "but ask yourself in that case what you would do—vote it a great bore, and run away."
"An impatient, frail mortal like myself might do so, but you are too near perfection to exhibit any such weak unkindness."
"Your flattery shall not bribe me to remain. Miss Osborne, may I not go? it was at your request I stayed—pray release me from the spell."
"Sabrina, fair, Listen where thou art sitting—"
murmured Sir William in an under tone, without looking up.
"We will go together," said Miss Osborne.
"Fair ladies, will you not first condescend to cast an eye on the production of my humble pencil. Have you no curiosity, Miss Watson—no sympathy, Miss Osborne? do give me your opinion."
"My opinion would, you know, be totally useless," said Emma, turning round from the door which she had just reached; she stopped in her speech from catching a glance of Sir William's directed towards Miss Osborne, which seemed to say her own was not exactly the opinion he most desired. She left the room without another word, and her exit was followed by a silence of some moments' space between the two who remained.
"Are you absolutely determined against exhibiting any interest in my proceedings—against giving me any encouragement in my efforts?"
Miss Osborne colored deeply, then walking up to the easel said, as she affected to be examining the drawing,
"Sir William, you have no doubt an accurate eye for likenesses, but I doubt from the expression you give, whether you possess equal penetration with regard to characters."
"Give me an instance of my failure," cried he, delighted to have induced her to speak at all, "explain your critique, Miss Osborne."
"No," replied she, "I leave the application of the moral to you—you expect to produce a great effect, but the opposition jars on the senses, and produces harshness, not softness, in consequence."
He fixed his eyes on her with a look of deep penetration, as if trying to read her thoughts in her countenance. She continued calmly to contemplate the painting, as if quite engrossed by that object.