The Watsons (2): Diplomatic Display Oxford Bodleian Library, MS.Eng.e.3764
"I wish Margt .Margaret could have heard him profeſshis ignorance of her being
out of the Country; –he declared it seemed
only two days since he hadseen her. —" "Aye – that is just like him, &yet this is the Man, she will fancy so
desperatelyin love with her. — He is no favourite of mine,as you well know, Emma; – but you mustthink him agreable. Can you lay your hand onyour heart,
& say you do not?" — "Indeed I can.Both Hands; —&1 spread to their widest
extent. —" "I should like to know the man you do thinkagreable." "His name is Howard." "Howard! Dear me.I cannot think of him, but as playing
cards with LyLady Osborne, & looking very proud. – I must ownhowever that it is a releif to me, to
find you can arespeak as you do, of not infatuated by Tom Musgrave; for myheart did misgive misgave me that you would like himtoo well. You talked so stoutly
beforehand, that I was sadly afraid your Brag would
bepunished. — I only hope it will last —.;2& that Buthe will not come on if he should come to pay you much attention;it is a hard thing for a woman to
stand againstthe flattering ways of a Man, when he is
bentupon pleasing her. —" As their quietly-sociable
Footnotes
- 1.
- Ampersand written over a dash. Back to context...
- 2.
- Originally punctuated with a dash and full stop. Back to context...