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...
 
