The Watsons (2): Diplomatic DisplayOxfordBodleian Library, MS.Eng.e.3764
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] "I am to supposeYou mean a compliment of course my Lord, saidEmma bowing, tho’though I docan not exactly understand define it." Lord Osborne laughed rather awkwardly – & then said "Upon my Soul, I am a bad one for Compliments.Nobody can be a worse hand at it than myselfI wish I knew more of the such things matters —." and after some minutes silence – added,
"Can not yougive me a leſson Miſs Watson
on the art of payingCompts .Compliments — I should be very glad to learn." I wantvery much to
know how to please the Ladies. —A cold monosyllable & grave look from Emmaone Lady at least freedom of his manner. repreſsed the growingHe had too much sense, not to take the hint —& when he spoke again, it was with a degreeof courteous propriety
which he was not often athad never usedbefore the trouble of employing.using. He was rewarded
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"Your Lordship thinks we always have our ownway. —That is a point on which Ladies
& Gentlen :Gentlemenhave long disagreed — But without pretending to
decide it, I may say that there are some circum::stances which even Women cannot controul. —Female Economywillmay do a great my Lord, deal but it cannotturn a small income into
a large one." – Ld .Lord Osbornewas silenced. Her manner had been neither Sententiousnor sarcastic, but there was a something in its' mildwhat sheseriousneſs, as well as in the words themselvessaid which made his Lordship think; – and when headdreſsed her again, it was with a degree of consideratecourteous propriety, to::tally unlike the
half-awkward, half-fearleſs stileof his
former remarks. —It was a new thing with him"You have not been long into wish to please a woman; it was the first time thatthis Country I understand. — I hope
you are pleased withhe had ever feltits — the
delicate what was due to a woman, inhis equalEmma’s situation.in Education, — But as he wanted neither Sense nor a
good disposition, he did not feel it withouteffect.resolving on the neceſsary effort. — "You have not beenlong in this Country I understand,
said he in the tone of a Gentlen ..Gentleman I hope youare pleased with it." — He was rewarded by a
by a gracious answer, & a more liberalfullveiwof her face than she had yet
bestowed. on him. Unused to exert himself, & happy in contem::plating her, thenhe sat in silence for abosomeut fiveminutes longer, while Tom Musgrave was chatter:=ing to Elizth ..Elizabeth, till they were interrupted by Nanny’sapproach, who pu half tting opening the door & puttingin her head, said "Please Ma’am,
Master wantsto know why he ben’t to have his dinner." —The Gentlemen, who had hithertodisregarded everysymptom, however positive, of the nearneſs of thatMeal, now jumped up with apologies, while
