The Watsons (2): Diplomatic DisplayOxfordBodleian Library, MS.Eng.e.3764
smiles imported that she meant to take
the visit to herself. — He was persuaded withoutmuch
difficulty to throw off his great coat,& drink tea with them."For Whether he dined at 8or 9as, he observed, was a matter of very
littleconsequence." — and took
without seeming toHe did not seem to avoid theseek, he did notturn away fromavoid the chair nearclose1
toseat by Margaret which she was aſsiduousin providing him. — She hadthus secured himfrom her Sisters — but it was not immediatelyin her power to preserve him from her
Brother’sclaims, for as he came avowedly from London,& had left it only 4. hours [.]ago2,back, the last cur::rent report as to public news, &
the generalopinion of the day must be understood,enquired into, beforeRobert could let yeild his attention be yeildedto the leſs national, or&3 important demandsmore domestic enquiriesof the Women. — At last however
he was at liber::ty to hear Margaret’s soft addreſs,
as she spokefearedher fears of his
havinghe must
have had a most terrible, cold, darkdreadful Journey. — "Indeed you should not haveset out so late. —" "I could not be earlier, he replied.I was detained chatting at the Horse guards Bedford, by a friend.4of Lord Osbornes — All hours are alike to me. —How long have you
been in the CountryMiſs Margt .Margaret?" ––– "Ho We came only this verymorng .morning – My kind Brother & Sister brought mehome this very morng .morning — 'Tis singular is not it?"
Footnotes
- 1.
- 'close' written over an earlier word, possibly 'near'.Back to context...
- 2.
- 'ag' written over unclear letter.Back to context...
- 3.
- Ampersand an inline insertion, made following the deletion of 'or'.Back to context...
- 4.
- Full stop an inline insertion made after deletion of 'of Lord Osbornes'.Back to context...