'
Jane and Maurice remained in the garden till teatime, and thus missed
hearing the whole affair discussed in the drawing-room between Emily,
Lilias, and Frank. This was the first news that Emily heard of it,
and a very great relief it was, for she could imagine liking, and
even loving, Alethea as a sister-in-law. Her chief annoyance was at
present from the perception of the difference between her own
position and that of Lilias. Last year how was Lily regarded in the
family, and what was her opinion worth? Almost nothing; she was only
a clever, romantic, silly girl, while Emily had credit at least for
discretion. Now Lily was consulted and sought out by father,
brothers, Eleanor--no longer treated as a child. And what was Emily?
Blamed or pitied on every side, and left to hear this important news
from the chance mention of her brother-in-law, himself not fully
informed. She had become nobody, and had even lost the satisfaction,
such as it was, of fancying that her father only made her bad
management an excuse for his marriage. She heard many particulars
from Lily in the course of the evening, as they were going to bed;
and the sisters talked with all their wonted affection, although
Emily had not thought it worth while to revive an old grievance, by
asking Lily's pardon for her unkind speech, and rested satisfied with
the knowledge that her sister knew her heart too well to care for
what she said in a moment of irritation.
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