JANE AUSTEN 73 



Elizabeth is the eldest of the Watson girls, and 

 keeps house for her father. "I hope you will 

 find things tolerably comfortable, Jane," said 

 Elizabeth, as she opened the door of the spare 

 bed-chamber.i 



"My good creature," replied Jane, "use no 

 ceremony with me, I entreat you. I am one of 

 those who always take things as they find them. I 

 hope I can put up with a small apartment for two 

 or three niglxts without making a piece of work. I 

 always wish to be treated quite en famille when I 

 come to see you. And now I do hope you have not 

 been getting a great dinner for us. Remember we 

 never eat suppers." And then : "Mrs. Robert, 

 exactly as smart as she had been at her own party, 

 came in with apologies for her dress. ' I would 

 not make you wait,' said she, 'so I put on the first 

 thing I met with. I am afraid I am a sad figure. 

 My dear Mr. W. (addressing her husband) you have 

 not put any fresh powder in your hair.' " 



This is certainly Mrs. Elton's double, and the 

 resemblance extends to calling her husband Mr. W. 

 It gives one a certain shock of surprise to find an old 

 friend masquerading as a new acquaintance, nor is 

 she the only example in the book. I think the 

 following speech of Mr. Tom Musgrave will recall 

 a well-known character. 



"Oh, me," said Tom, "whatever you decide on 

 will be a favourite with me. I have had some pleas- 

 ant hours at ' speculation ' in my time, but I have 

 not been in the way of it for a long while. 'Vingt-un' 



'■ Memoir, p. 348. 



