One thing that intrigues me in classic texts as much as archaic spelling quirks, nuances in word meanings, and sentence syntax is the use of the italic.

For example, italics or underlines were used heavily in private letters to mark confidential titbits or ulterior meanings.

But how exactly did JA and other 18th/19th century writers differentiate between italicised and plain text in the original manuscripts, especially when all their handwriting was joint and flowing?

I have tried it myself and found it virtually impossible!

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"[Lydia's] letters to Kitty, though rather longer, were much too full of lines under the words to be made public."

"If he had another motive, I am sure it would never disgrace him."