Lady J- is most exceeding exacting over who she invites to perform

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

I remain in a state like unto that of Sisyphus with my correspondence.

I am about this quite betimes one forenoon when Hector says Lady Anna M- is at the door.

Why, says I, I daresay her groom goes convoke with Ajax and she is at loose ends, go send her in and desire coffee from Euphemia.

Lady Anna comes in – I perceive that she wears her old worn riding habit – and says that Tony has had to go down to D- Chase for a few days, and Davies has a desire to convoke with Ajax about some matter in the stables, and she hopes that I do not mind that she comes call.

Not in the least, says I, do you come sit here by the fire. (For indeed I have matters I should like to open to Lady Anna.)

She comes sit quite ladylike upon a chair, and says 'tis quite wonderfull, N- House is so warm these days, they do not have to sit and shiver, or go bundle up in shawls. O, and U- goes endeavour persuade Papa that we should give a ball. (Indeed he should, thinks I, with two daughters going about the Season, but I am not in any great hopes he will.)

Comes Celeste with coffee and some very fine little buns.

Tho’, says Lady Anna a little later, licking her fingers, sure we still do not have such very fine cooking at N- House.

Why, says I, I have been most sadly remiss in taking along a basketfull of fine comforts such as Euphemia bakes when I visit your mama, and must do so next time I call.

O, she cries, I did not mean –

Sure, my dear, of course you did not, 'tis I have been thoughtless. I go make a note in my little memorandum book.

But, says I, on matters of thoughtlessness, 'tis remarkt on that the Marquess of O- is seen very frequent at a most unfashionable hour riding with some lady, none knows who. Dear Lady Anna, do you really go riding with him so very often, unchaperon’d? No groom?

She blushes considerable and says, o, she does take Davies, but there is a young woman that goes walk dogs in the Park at that hour that he is exceeding taken by, and –

I shake my head. You may find yourself in difficulties, I say.

But, says Lady Anna, we are going to be marry’d!

Sure, says I, I know that there are some liberties permitt’d once a couple are formally affianc’d. But indeed there is not yet an engagement, whatever the understanding 'twixt the two of you. There are those say, who is this Fair Incognita that rides almost clandestine with the Marquess so many a morn? And go lay bets that his marriage with the Earl of N-'s daughter will not come off.

O, cries Lady Anna, raising her hands to her blushing cheeks, is’t so?

Indeed, says I.

Oh, she says, 'twas only so that we might be together, and talk, where we do not have to pretend and observe all the usages of society - I did not think.

She buries her head in her hands. O, she cries, I am such a foolish, thoughtless creature. Sure I sometimes think I am entire unworthy of his devotion –

Why, says I, I think he is somewhat to blame in the matter, but indeed, he has liv’d very much out of Society these many years –

She sighs, and says, and here am I, that never travell’d further than 'twixt Monks G- and N- House, wretch’dly ill-educat’d, I am quite entire unprepar’d to be such a wife as he needs.

But, says I with a smile, you are the wife he wants. I daresay he has a deal of acquaintance that count themselves learn’d ladies, but 'tis you his fancy has light’d upon. Perchance he does not want deep discourse of botany at his own fireside.

Might it be so? she asks. For he talks so admiring of Mrs V-, and Mrs S- that is such a help to her husband with her abilities in drawing.

Dear Lady Anna, says I, consider that the V-s and the S-s are in a very different station of society from His Lordship and yourself. What will be expect’d of you is very different.

She sighs again. And then says she is a wick’d ungratefull creature, when she should be calling down blessings upon me for all I have done for them, and not sitting complaining and worrying -

O, poo, says I, sometimes it will take one that can show an outside view upon matters. And sure I should think the less of you did you not go fret somewhat over the prospect of marriage, for, altho’ you are in the way to marry for love, that is too seldom the case for ladies of your rank, yet marriage is a heavy matter – does not the marriage service warn against entering upon it unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly?

She smiles. And then grows more sober and says, should they not continue their rides, then?

Might be prudent, says I, at least to pause for a while so that any gossip may dye down. I also wonder, I go on, whether might also be prudent to take Lord U- into your confidence about the matter: he is a fine sensible fellow and I confide able to be discreet.

Oh, she says, indeed he is.

She jumps up and says sure Davies must have conclud’d his convoking by now, and indeed she has took up a deal of my time, kisses me and takes her leave with many protestations of gratitude &C.

I return to my correspondence.

In the afternoon I go attend Lady J-'s musicale at M- House, first desiring Ajax to drive to R- House so that I may take up Meg.

Dear Meg is looking very wan at the prospect of performing, so I hold her hand and say that sure 'tis a well-known matter and shows no lack of talent to suffer from preliminary stage-fright, and mention that Miss A- is quite unable to eat before a performance, even when the play has been running a while. Meg squeezes my hand in silence.

At length she says with a little frown, 'tis a deal more frightening playing at one of Lady J-'s musicales than at a drawing-room meeting.

Why, I daresay, says I, for those at a drawing-room meeting are there for another purpose, and are like to be entire delight’d at a little entertainment to lighten the heavy matter they are there for; whereas at musicales, the audience is there to listen to the musick in particular, and are more like to be connoisseurs. Which is why, I say, giving her hand a squeeze, Lady J- is most exceeding exacting over who she invites to perform. You will have notic’d that Her Grace does not play on such occasions, and would not expect to.

O, says Meg, squeezing my hand in return. (Sure I do not know is this intelligence entire reassuring to her.)

But we come to M- House, and Lady J- greets us most extreme civil, and says how much she is looking forward to hearing Miss Margaret play – Miss L- says that they will be performing some duets by Haydn? Meg goes look a little more chearfull.

Viola beckons her over to sit with her and Sebastian K-. I do not immediate join 'em for I see Lady D- and Agnes S- enter, looking a little timid. I go at once introduce 'em to Lady J-, and mention Lady D-'s desire to find usefull work for good causes.

Lady J- looks down at her very benign: for indeed, even showing obvious signs of increase, Lady D- is a pretty fetching young creature, that looks up at Lady J- quite awestruck, saying anything, any humble task that she might undertake.

Why, says Lady J-, I am entire delight’d to hear of one does not think they are above the necessary humble tasks. Do you write a good clear hand? – Lady D- nods and her sister concurs – Why, there are ever circulars need addressing, and reports sending out, &C, and 'tis something you may contrive while sitting.

Lady D- expresses her entire willingness, and Lady J- says perchance did she come one day to P- House when Lady D- has nothing else upon hand? Lady D- nods and they proceed to the finding of a suitable occasion.

Agnes S- and I smile at one another as they are about this – and she very quick takes and squeezes my hand – and then I would go sit with Meg, but that I see Mrs O- B- with Charley looking a little overwhelm’d and go speak words of chear to 'em.

I go sit beside Meg, that Sebastian K- is telling of the exceeding fine musick he heard in various parts upon his travels. Viola looks at me and smiles and says, she has lately had a letter from Martha, that continues thrive in the sanitive airs of Hampshire, and is become quite the countrywoman - tho’ still cannot bring herself to feel comfortable around cows, has lately greatly taken to chickens and the management of the poultry-yard.

And Deborah? I ask.

O, entirely thriving, quite the bouncing infant. She adds that after the musicale, I might like come see Cathy?

'Twould be quite entire delightfull, says I, and then all fall silent, and Lady J- steps forward to introduce the proceedings.

Altho’ I should be quite happy to read some Shakspeare, have argu’d that since Miss A- has been out of Town 'tis entire proper that she undertakes this solus.

Meg shows most extreme well both in her own playing and in her duets with Miss L-. Mrs O- B- and Charley acquit themselves most impressive.

Naughty Miss A- desires Lady B- to come join her in reading: 'twould be entire vulgar to decline.