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Some few morns later I am convoking with Dorcas upon household matters, and ask how matters go on in Covent Garden. Excellent well, she says, Mrs Binns may be found sitting in a quiet corner of Dolly Mutton’s coffee-house, trimming up hats and taking orders, already has a pleasing amount of business upon hand. Has expresst her great gratitude to her benefactress that gives her this means to an independence. Begins to join in our little prayer-meetings tho’ yet gives no sign of conversion. Has said that did that wretch Mr Perkins come crawl to her upon his knees she would not take him back, but sure one knows not whether 'twould be the case did he indeed so.

Why, says I, so be she is not in entire desperate straits I shall be thankfull.

(For indeed 'tis no time to approach the Earl about making some settlement or such upon her, when he is still in such a taking about undutyfull children that go risque their necks racing phaetons or marrying against their father’s expresst wishes. Tho’ sure I know not when some promising time might be.)

Dorcas says, is that all, Your Ladyship, I will be about household matters, bobs to me and leaves the room.

I am considering over the matter of turning The Antiquarian’s Daughter into a play, that at present is very much sitting in front of a blank page, chewing upon the end of my pen, and very occasional scribbling a few words.

Hector shows in Sandy.

My dear, says I, seems quite an age, but I daresay 'tis because so much has happen’d since we last convok’d.

Comes Celeste with coffee and scones.

Indeed so, says Sandy, sitting down and taking the cup I hand him. He goes on to say that he scarce need’d drop any word to scandalmongers, for this exceeding romantick tale – there are those are much mind’d of that fine play The Rivals - already goes about the clubs. I confide that you had already set it on wing about the tea-tables of Town, and so it goes fly. And has already appear’d in print, with the names most carefull disguis’d.

Why, says I, 'tis gratifying.

But a most curious thing, while I mention clubs, says Sandy, with a little frown that I confide is puzzlement, is that there are fellows desire put me up for this or that one where they have interest, is’t not strange?

Why, I am like to suppose that now you get about more in Society, that you are thought a most clubbable fellow.

I confide that must be so, he says, finishing a second cup of coffee, but 'tis a thing I never anticipat’d.

Well, my dear, I am sure you will show exceeding well.

He sighs a little.

But, Sandy dear, 'tis come about the time that we may transfer Mr W- Y- to some secure chamber at the Contessa’s – Sebastian K- writes that he is as sober as ever was, that is, I hazard, any intoxication may be taken, I confide, to be a poetickal frenzie rather than the effects of opium or bang - so I think we should bring him away from that place, in some such fashion that he knows not where he is being taken to.

'Twill do no harm, says Sandy, to put him in a concern by clapping a bag over his head until he is in some secure chamber. Must be contriv’d covert, but I would suppose that the Contessa is entire us’d to such matters and that her household will be confederate.

Precisely, says I. Do you convoke with Sebastian K- in the business, and when you have that in hand, I will convey the matter to her.

'Tis indeed that same afternoon when I have promis’d take the Contessa to visit Lady Z- and little Cara, so I am able to communicate the state of affairs to her. Indeed, she says, there are those of her household that are indeed trust’d and have a deal of experience in getting fellows in and out exceeding surreptitious.

She looks down at her hands and then looks up with a smile and says, 'tis extreme pleasing to have such a matter upon hand, for indeed, she has been feeling quite the idle aristocrat of late.

O, I say, laughing, you would go cry Fie upon this quiet life, I want work!

Why, she says, there are ever little things that she may be about, passing messages, providing a purse to an exile until they find themselves on their feet, distracting suspicions –

Matters, says I, that I daresay an old hand such as you might accomplish quite in your sleep.

She laughs and confides that 'tis so, just as the carriage draws up at the Z-s’ Town residence.

We are admitt’d to where Lady Z- sits in the drawing-room with little Cara upon her knee. She puts her down into the cradle beside her chair and rises to curtesy to the Contessa. They have some little acquaintance from being in Society so 'tis not necessary to make introductions, and I have already said somewhat to Lady Z- about the Contessa’s desire to see Cara.

She asks may she hold her, and takes her in her arms and looks down at her and says she hears that London is give out unhealthfull for infants but sure she thinks cannot be as dangerous as Naples. What a fine babe 'tis. ('Tis not a matter she will go talk of very much, but she does indeed have a sad history of promising offspring that dy’d in infancy or later succumb’d to the mala aria.)

Lady Z- says that during the worst months 'tis their habit to go to Sir H- Z-'s fine estate in Cornwall, 'tis most extreme sanitive: the boys will sometimes look a little drooping and pale when they arrive but after a se’enight or so will be bouncing rosy creatures.

The Contessa smiles at this. Does not know Cornwall, she says, was once, she thinks, in Devon, but is ever most prepossesst by the English countryside. She then says, would like to give Cara a little trinket - had hop’d to pass it on to her own daughter – she sighs – but would be entire delight’d that it should go to Reynaldo’s child – and who knows, she goes on, whether he will ever go beget any more – and hands to Lady Z- a most exceeding fine brooch.

O, she says, 'tis entire too generous – but –

The Contessa kisses Cara, and hands her back to Lady Z-, and kisses her, and says, sure I know not who else should have it.

There is a little tearfullness all around.

Lady Z- says she would be entire delight’d did the Contessa call again.

We all part with most extreme good feeling.

Sure, says the Contessa after we leave, the child cannot help but be a beauty. What a handsome woman is Lady Z-.

After we have part’d I go home and desire Ajax to saddle my poor neglect’d Jezebel so that I may take a ride in the Park, showing myself at the fashionable hour.

My sweet Jezzie-girl is ever the quite entire lady, but I can tell that she relishes this outing.

There is a deal of Society about in the Park, and several fellows that would desire catch my eye so that I am oblig’d to be somewhat carefull not to see 'em lest they feel it encouragement. But I observe Lord Geoffrey riding upon Orion, and go congratulate him upon his recent feat in the phaeton race, saying that I am delight’d to see he is return’d safe.

(Sure altho’ he did not win, he did not overturn his vehicle or bring about any ill to the horses, attain’d to York, and has already become spoke of as a promising whip.)

He blushes somewhat and says that the worst danger was when he return’d to N- House, for his father the Earl was in a very great taking. But did it distract his mind from any wondering about where Nan was or what she did, while she went to church with the Marquess, serv’d its purpose.

I ask after his mother and the rest of the family, and he says that after Em and Lou told 'em about Vauxhall, they are endeavouring to find some means to take Mama there. I remark that there is a bridge now, so that she would not have to be tosst about in a boat to get there. Or Ranelagh is by no means inferior.

As we talk rides up to us Lord R-, that makes very civil to me, and then goes remark to Lord Geoffrey what excellent report he has heard of him in the late race. Lord Geoffrey looks like unto a midshipman that has been compliment’d by Nelson.

In particular, goes on Milord, since 'twas remarkt that you labour’d under the disadvantage of a somewhat antiquat’d phaeton, that did not have all the benefits of a more modern construction, that greatly reduces the weight, that is such a material matter when it comes to racing. But your handling of the ribbons has been most widely commend’d.

Indeed, says Lord Geoffrey, 'tis the phaeton that my father drove in the days when he took an interest in such matters, before he took to flowers.

Milord says doubtless one could go tinker about with it, but he confides that 'tis a thing seldom answers, and does it have that history, there might be objections to any alteration.

He looks thoughtfull. For I daresay he minds that altho’ the Earl does make his sons an allowance, ‘tis unlike to run to a crack new phaeton. Then says, 'tis shocking late notice, but, does Lord Geoffrey have no other engagement, would be delight’d could he come dine with him this e’en at his club along with Lord V-.

Lord Geoffrey’s expression is quite the twin of the one upon Josh’s face when the infant wombatt was put into his arms. He blushes and stammers and says 'tis most exceeding kind and he is entire His Lordship’s servant in the matter.

Milord conveys him the time and the direction, makes a civil farewell, and departs.

Date: 2017-01-07 04:49 am (UTC)
nenya_kanadka: text exclaming "Oh, Sandy!" (Comfortable Courtesan Sandy)
From: [personal profile] nenya_kanadka
Awww, Lord Geoffrey has yet another crush! 😍

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