The Watsons (2): Diplomatic DisplayOxfordBodleian Library, MS.Eng.e.3764
a favourite with me. – I have had some pleasanthours "Do you see much of the Parsonage-family at theCastle, Mr .. Musgrave? —" said Emma, as enough at Speculation in my time –
butI have not played at been in the way of it now fora long while. —Vingt-un is the game at Os::borne
Castle; I have played nothing but Vingt--un of
late. You would be astonished to hear thenoise we make there. –
The fine old, LoftyDrawing-room rings again. LyLady Osborne sometimes de==clares she cannot hear herself
speak. —Ld.Lord Osborneenjoys it famously amazingly —&1 he makes the best Dealerwithout exception that I ever sawbeheld2 — in the world — such quickneſs & spirit!;3
he letsnobody dream over their cards.it. — I wish you could seehim overdraw himselfdeal himself on bothhis own cards — it isworth any thing in the world! —" "Dear me! —cried Margt .Margaret why should not we play at vingt un? –I think it isa much better game than Speculation.I cannot
say I am very fond of Speculation." Mrs . Robert said offeredwithdrew not another word in sup::port of the game. — She was quite vanquished, & the Osborne Castle carried it,Croydon fashions of
Osborne-even in her estimation Castle carried it over thethosefashionsof Croydon. –T.Tom Musgrave was a very::most useful addition; without him, it would
have been aHide Patchwhile they weretaking their seats. —"Oh! yes — they are almost always there.Mrs .. Blake is a
nice little goodhumoured Woman,She & I are gre sworn friends; & Howard’s a veryGentlemanlike good sort of fellow! — You are
notforgotten I aſsure you by any of them party. I fancyyou must have a little cheek-glowing now
&then Miſs Emma. .4 Were not you
rather warm last Sa::turday about 9 or 10 o’clock in the
EvengEvening —?I will tell you how it was. – I see you
are dieingto know. –
Says HowardLd .Lord Osborne to Ld .Lord Osborne —"Howard. –––At this interesting moment he was called on interrupted bythe others, to regulate the game & determine some dis::putable point; & his attention was so totally
engagedin & afterwards by the course of the gamethe busineſs as never to revert to what
he had beensaying before; – & Emma could not remind him, tho’thoughsuffering a good deal from Curiosity, dared could notremind him. — He proved a very useful additionto at their Table; without him, it wd .would have been amust cd .could have felt little deadened the Interest, & perhaps maintained little even impaired thecomplaisance, of the players but his presencegave variety & secured good manners. — He
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