There is indeed some trouble concerning Fraulein H-

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Sandy paces up and down my pretty parlour swearing in what I take to be Scots when I convey to him the matter I have discover’d from Mr W- Y-.

My dear, sit down and drink your coffee, sure 'tis a shocking matter but at least we are now appriz’d of how this dreadfull fellow goes about his business.

(But I mind that I have had some little while to think about this, and to consider over what I might do did one come to me and threaten my friends.)

And the fellow, says Sandy, no doubt considers that he is performing patriotick service in employing such means.

'Tis altogether likely, says I.

He goes throw himself down into a chair, and takes coffee. Well, he says, now that I have reliev’d my feelings somewhat, what now?

Why, says I, I am inclin’d to go make Mr W- Y- wait a little upon my next visit, and then I will go endeavour sound out why he desir’d escape at this particular moment, for he must have been about being an informer some while. And after that, I continue, I think I shall sound out his feelings upon the Americas.

I sigh. Sure I am exceeding glad that matters have pull’d round so much at R- House, 'twould be most extreme worrysome did one think that there were those without any due loyalty about the place.

Indeed, says Sandy, I go take some concern about whether Frederique – but I think one must confide that had there been any dealings with him, we should have known by now, 'tis a long enough while since Marcello gave him his quietus.

We look at one another with worry’d faces.

Tho’ says I, are they oblig’d to depend for intelligence upon such broken reeds as Mr W- Y-, or indeed, such wretches as the late Mr D- K- - tho’ in his instance I cannot imagine anything they might hold over him, for his conduct was unabasht shocking, mayhap 'twas for money or some interest - does not give me a deal of confidence in their competence in the task they are about.

'Tis a nasty trade that I daresay they may only find nasty fellows to undertake, says Sandy, for however worthy they deem the ends, the means are quite entire repugnant.

Indeed, says I. But anyway, I will go sound out Mr W- Y- further, tho’ I am in some suspicion that he knows little enough about the business as a whole. And I mind me, I go on, that there was some concern over Mr D- K-'s papers and what matter might be among 'em.

Sandy sighs deeply and says that perchance there is some cypher to the matter but the papers seem, he will not say innocent, for there are a deal of havey-cavey transactions, but quite entire only the sort of thing one would expect of the late D- K-.

Might there not be some matter of invisible ink?

'Tis, he says with another deeper sigh, possible, but unless one knows what was us’d, to render it visible is a puzzle. I will go consider upon it.

He then gives another and different sigh and says, and here is G- goes take up Lord Geoffrey into the fribble-set, gives him hints on driving, wonders whether to invite him and his brother to participate in his fencing practice -

Indeed, he says, sure has been a little tiresome that Lord Geoffrey supposes I groan beneath an oppressive yoke of servitude – as if 'twould be thus with G- even were matters not what they are – but has been showing such a fine intelligent interest in philosophickal matters, that I have a little concern that he may be divert’d into becoming a mere fashionable young man about Town.

Why, says I, sure he may send you fewer or shorter letters upon philosophickal questions, but I doubt he will give himself up entirely to fribbledom. He is still exceeding young. Also I confide that Milord considers Lord U- like to be a recruit to our coterie, and therefore makes civil to the younger brothers to whom he is exceeding attacht, 'twill mayhap prevent them getting into some raffish set.

Dearest C-, you entirely show me how grudging and jealous my nature can be.

My dear, no such matter! But, I hear that the musick has fallen silent and I daresay the rehearsal is now over, and I should go see how all get on.

We part very amiable and I go to the reception room where my musickal friends are about rehearsing for my next soirée.

As I enter I think 'tis a very horrid thing to have been given such suspicions of spies and informers and to go worry whether there are those of one’s acquaintance that have found themselves in such position that they may have been oblig’d to undertake such nasty matter.

My dear friends are at their refreshment: Mr G- D-, the devot’d ladies, Herr H-, and Titus.

We have a little discourse as to what they purpose present at the soirée, and then they jump up, wiping their mouths, saying that they have lessons to be giving, recitals to prepare for, &C.

As they go depart I see Herr H- lingering. I daresay he has some matter to open to me, and indeed 'tis so.

I have ever found him somewhat quiet and shy and am not on such easy terms with him as with the devot’d ladies or Mr G- D-, but I press him to take another glass of wine afore he goes, does he have no need to rush away.

At length we come at the matter that troubles him: 'tis as I suspect’d, the presence of Herr P- within their household. He says that he hopes that 'tis not some resentment because Mutti and Gretchen go wait upon him like some prince, but he thinks that the fellow endeavours establish interest with his sister, and is a pennyless sickly fellow, sure she could do very much better. (I mind me of the concerns I had when she undertook German correspondence for Mr K-, that is an exceeding wealthy widower, and wonder whether Herr H- considers 'twould be such a match as would serve the family well.)

Why, says I, I daresay 'tis entirely because he is a sickly fellow, that gives 'em pleasure to nurse –

I do not think this entirely relieves Herr H-'s concerns. However, I cannot immediate see any prospect of contriving to dispatch Herr P- to the Americas, even did his state of health make that answerable.

In the afternoon I am to M- House about the matter of acquiring the next-door house, that Biffle has been about most expeditious. There is a fellow there from the estate office, and a deal of papers to sign, and an agreement to pay a peppercorn rent, and 'tis conced’d that I may undertake alterations and repairs, and indeed, 'tis a most entire satisfactory matter.

After the fellow has gather’d up his papers and depart’d, Biffle removes his reading spectacles, and smiles at me, and says, but there was just one matter I wisht ask about, and did not think fit to do it while that fellow was in the room.

I observ’d, he said, that my father the late Duke gave you the deeds to your house –

O, indeed, says I, 'twas entire the kindest thing in him. For after he had sent you away to Turkey - sure 'twas an entire proper proceeding for one in your station, but I will confess I misst you considerable – he was most prepossesst that I had not made a fuss about the boy, was pleas’d to be generous (tho’ I do not say to Biffle that there were certain passages took place 'twixt us) and did a deal to advance my interest among his set.

Alas, I go on, one whom he preferr’d to my favour, a Prussian Junker that was somewhat to do with their Embassy, turn’d out one of those fellows that desires commit great violence to women –

My dear C-, cries Biffle, very shockt, was’t so?

Indeed 'twas, says I, 'tis a matter that may not be known to a fellow’s friends and acquaintances, and I daresay he had not been long enough about Town for his habits to become discover’d among my sisterhood. And he attackt me with extreme savagery. But His Grace your late father was quite properly appall’d and was pleas’d to make some recompense by giving me my pretty little house. For I was unable undertake business for some considerable time, as a result of my injuries.

What happen’d to the wretch? asks Biffle, in quite a taking.

Hector, says I, rescu’d me, threw the fellow downstairs, and then convey’d him some distance thro’ the streets where he left his unconscious body. The fellow left Town soon afterwards. (I do not think I will recount how I encounter’d him again in Naples.)

You did not have recourse to law?

A lady of my profession? A foreign fellow that was somewhat to do with the Embassy? Did not seem answerable, and indeed, I long’d only to put the matter behind me.

Biffle pats my hand. Shows most excellent ton in my father, he says somewhat gruff.

O, entirely! says I. But, my dear, do not go brood upon the matter, 'twas a long while ago and indeed turn’d out a deal more happyly than might have.

He squeezes my hand and says he doubts not that Viola would be delight’d did I look in upon her.

So I go to Viola’s parlour where she is about her business, with little Cathy upon the rug. She jumps up and comes kiss me, and says, o, dearest C-, I have been quite longing to see you about a troubling matter.

She rings for tea and says she hopes that I have conclud’d my business with Biffle quite satisfactory?

Indeed, says I, and exchang’d some fine memories of his late father.

After tea has come and we sit with cups in our hands, she says that she is greatly concern’d about Fraulein H-, that had seem’d more chearfull after being so much in the dumps over that coarse wretch Herr F-. But now looks dolefull and her eyes seem a little redden’d when she comes for their reading in German.

O dear, thinks I, there are indeed signs that I must go take this in hand.

Comments

[kore]

(But I mind that I have had some little while to think about this, and to consider over what I might do did one come to me and threaten my friends.)

Aww, Lady B.

Sandy, you are a love, but you do get jealous (both you and G-).

YIKES at the Duke vouching for the Prussian. Also, Hector the Best Protector!

[violsva]

I'm glad Madame is forewarned (and still of course keeping busy)!