Chapter 2

After Mr Holmes and the Miss Holmes took their leave that evening, Emily and Lilian stood silent for a short time; however, Lilian, putting her work aside, began:

"I am so intrigued about this strange friend of Mr Holmes! I can use my imagination in thousands of ways, and still never get bored! Perhaps he is married to a rich, impetuous woman that guides him in every day businesses! He may as well be single and poor. He could be, of course, ugly and rich, in this case, I believe, he cannot be of any interest to us. There is a little possibility that he is handsome, but with no fortune. That is bad luck, indeed."

"Lilian, I hope you are not going to make suppositions of him all evening. I am almost convinced that he is a proud man and he cannot surprise us as Mr Holmes does. Have you seen the way he announced his leaving today? I am quite sincere when I say that I have never encountered such courage! Two hundred miles on his own!"

"I will let the thought of your loving him pass by and say that it is not so great a sacrifice to ride two hundred miles. He may enjoy - no - I dare say he loves riding just as we love covering screens and painting. We, women, have different ways of spending our time. They, men, find pleasure in riding or hunting; I can even say that the only things that we have in common are reading and long walks."

"Why must you spoil my excitement, Lilian?" Emily said with a sigh.

"What you are saying is true. I am the sister that finds the good side in everything, after all."

"This was somehow my point. But let us talk about my trip to London. Are you not excited for me? I have always wanted to go to balls every night, wear such fashionable dresses; I am determined to believe that London is a place that I have went to only in my dreams."

"Be not so, my dear Emily. London is indeed a great place to visit and live in, but there is nothing that reaches perfection. I know you agree with me in that matter. Yes, London has very, very fashionable gowns to sell, and it also hosts balls whenever you want to attend one. We are very poor in that aspect, here, in the countryside; it is true."

"I hope you do not mean to say that you are not looking forward to this as myself. It would be most disheartening for me! My own sister is not excited about my future plans!"

"Oh, Emily, you are so fast in thinking. No - I never thought it was an unfortunate event. I am sure it will be a most exciting experience; as for me, I intend never to leave my books and this recent painting I have begun. It will be, however, upsetting to sit in the evenings here, with maman and papá, while you and the two Miss Holmes are having fun at a ball, surrounded by handsome officers."

Seeing that Lilian finished the phrase with a smile, Emily continued, startled:

"Officers?! Lilian, you do not know me. Officers are the worst men ever existing! They marry poor women, and if they do marry ladies of good fortune, they do just for their incomes."

"Poor, poor Emily. I shall not be surprised if you return home married to a naval officer. Oh, how I shall laugh!"

Returning to the previous matter, Emily added:

"If Mr Holmes returns soon from Richmond, you shall have company."

"If Mr Holmes happens to return from his travel, I am convinced that he is joined by his friend."

"I wish he would come to London! Although his sisters are very friendly and well-bred, nothing compares to Mr Holmes' oratory skills."

"Emily, you have been bewitched by his experience of life, as I see. It is the difference of age - six years are, indeed, a great step."

"Yes, but I have sat so many times by his side and have listened to his stories, that I think I know his character by heart."

"Yet one can never know another's soul. Perhaps you will be puzzled when you shall find out that you do not know your own."

"Well, well, Lilian, I see that you consider me a naive girl. I shall prove my steadiness of character, as Mr Holmes has named it. And I shall also prove you that I am able to possess greater feelings than yours."

"I hope you shall reach this performance."