`Well, Miss Woodhouse,' he almost
immediately began, `your inclination for dancing has not been quite frightened
away, I hope, by the terrors of my father's little rooms. I bring a new
proposal on the subject: - a thought of my father's, which waits only your
approbation to be acted upon. May I hope for the honour of your hand for the
two first dances of this little projected ball, to be given, not at Randalls,
but at the Crown Inn?'
`
`My dear, you are too particular,' said her
husband. `What does all that signify? You will see nothing of it by
candlelight. It will be as clean as Randalls by candlelight. We never see any
thing of it on our club-nights.'
The ladies here probably exchanged looks
which meant, `Men never know when things are dirty or not;' and the gentlemen
perhaps thought each to himself, `Women will have their little nonsenses and
needless cares.'
One perplexity, however, arose, which the
gentlemen did not disdain. It regarded a supper-room. At the time of the
ballroom's being built, suppers had not been in question; and a small card-room
adjoining, was the only addition. What was to be done? This card-room would be
wanted as a card-room now; or, if cards were conveniently voted unnecessary by
their four selves, still was it not too small for any comfortable supper?
Another room of much better size might be secured for the purpose; but it was
at the other end of the house, and a long awkward passage must be gone through
to get at it. This made a difficulty. Mrs. Weston was afraid of draughts for the
young people in that passage; and neither Emma nor the gentlemen could tolerate
the prospect of being miserably crowded at supper.
Mrs. Weston proposed having no regular
supper; merely sandwiches, &c., set out in the little room; but that was
scouted as a wretched suggestion. A private dance, without sitting down to
supper, was pronounced an infamous fraud upon the rights of men and women; and
Mrs. Weston must not speak of it again. She then took another line of
expediency, and looking into the doubtful room, observed,
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