But there was
nothing of the kind; Emily neither spoke nor looked; she only carried
the tokens of her authority to Eleanor, and left the room. She
thought she knew well enough the cause of her deposition, considered
it quite as a matter of course, and departed on purpose to avoid
hearing the announcement which she expected to follow.
She was annoyed by finding her sisters in her room, and especially
irritated by Jane's tone, as she eagerly asked, 'Well, what did he
say?'
'Never mind,' replied Emily, pettishly.
'Was it about Miss Weston?' persisted Jane.
'Not actually, but I saw it was coming,' said Emily.
'Ah!' said Jane, 'I was just telling Lily that she owes all her
present favour to her having been Alethea's bosom friend.'
'I confess I thought Miss Weston was assuming authority long ago,'
said Emily.
'Emily, how can you say so?' cried Lily. 'How can you be so unjust
and ungrateful? I do not believe this report; but if it should be
true, are not these foolish expressions of dislike so many attempts
to make yourself undutiful?'
'I have rather more sincerity, more dignity, more attachment to my
own mother, than to try to gain favour by affecting what I do not
feel,' said Emily.
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