brave, brave Sir Rob[ert]

[Victor]

What do you mean by "close to being related"? How could she be "nearly - but not quite - related"?

Hi Chris,

I realise this is semantic, but we're discussing a 2nd hand account which could have confused "nearly, but not quite, close relatives" with "nearly related"

KR,
Vic.

[Chris]

I realise this is semantic, but we're discussing a 2nd hand account which could have confused "nearly, but not quite, close relatives" with "nearly related"

I think this letter certainly has some puzzling features, but to my mind it seems reasonable to accept the straightforward interpretation of "nearly related" as "closely related", rather than postulating this kind of confusion.

[lynn cates]

letter writer

Hello. Whoever the letter writer was, it seems clear that she was:

1. More or less comfortable disturbing a busy lord (suggesting fairly high family)

2. Very concerned with:

A. Family scandal, or

B. Personal danger

3. Seeking a favour

Whether or not it was a Druitt may be less important than the possibility that Sir Robert--feeling sympathy (perhaps at the pre-conscious level)--allowed it to colour, ever so slightly, his judgment with respect to favourite suspect.

LC