Host (Jane Austen Bedtime Stories)

Is this fair, Mrs. Weston?

Judge between us.

Have not I some right to complain?

I am sure of your kind support and aid."

Emma saw Mrs. Weston's surprise and felt that it must be great at an address which, in words and manner, was assuming to himself the right of first interest in her, and as for herself, she was too much provoked and offended to have the power of directly saying anything to the purpose.

She could only give him a look, but it was such a look as she thought must restore him to his senses, and then left the sofa, removing to a seat by her sister and giving her all her attention.

She had not time to know how Mr. Elton took the reproof, so rapidly did another subject succeed.

for Mr. John Knightley now came into the room from examining the weather and opened on them all with the information of the ground being covered with snow and of it still snowing fast with a strong drifting wind, concluding with these words to Mr. Woodhouse, ''This will prove a spirited beginning of your winter engagement, sir.''

something new for your coachmen and horses to be making their way through a storm of snow.

Poor Mr. Woodhouse was silent from consternation, but everybody else had something to say.

Everybody was either surprised or not surprised, and had some question to ask or some comfort to offer.

Mrs. Weston and Emma tried earnestly to cheer him and turn his attention from his son-in-law, who was pursuing his triumph rather unfeelingly.

"'I admired your resolution very much, sir,' said he, "'in venturing out in such weather, for of course you saw there would be snow very soon.'

Everybody must have seen the snow coming on.

I admired your spirit, and I dare say we shall get home very well.

Another hour or two snow can hardly make the road impassable, and we are two carriages.

If one is blown over in the bleak part of the common field, there will be the other at hand.

I dare say we shall be all safe at Hartfield before midnight.

Mr. Weston, with triumph of a different sort, was confessing that he had known it to be snowing some time, but had not said a word, lest it should make Mr. Woodhouse uncomfortable and be an excuse for his hurrying away.

As to there being any quantity of snow fallen or likely to fall to impede their return, that was a mere joke.