Things are about to change

O, 'tis quite entirely delightfull to be with my darlings and their family once more. Sure, Flora continues to show capricious, but 'tis indeed caprice rather than a settl’d dislike, and she will sometimes be exceeding affectionate towards me, give me kisses and demand them from me, &C. She is still quite the prettiest darling.

Quintus is becoming quite a big boy and my darling looks upon him and sighs and remarks that 'tis nearly come the time to breech him, cut off his infant curls, and set him to learning his horn-book.

At least, says I, you will not be sending him away to one of those terrible places for the sons of the aristocracy: sure that must be extreme distressing for their mothers.

My darling agrees that altho’ there may come a time when 'tis proper to send boys away to school, it should not be when they are so very young. She was even in a little concern about sending Josh away, but it was a comfort to her that he would be going with Harry, that would take care of him. Harry has always been a good boy that takes care of his younger brothers and sisters: that was why it was so perturbing when he show’d so different.

But that indeed came from a care for 'em, I say. I am still not sure he did not have the right of it.

Oh, loveliest of C-s, please do not be getting into one of your fusses about the matter. Sure if you are good enough for the Evangelickal set of philanthropick ladies, you are quite fit company for any.

I may suppose that they consider me in the part of a repentant sinner. And perchance would not bring about encounters 'twixt me and their young daughters.

For indeed we may imagine that their young daughters would quite immediate discover girlish enthusiasm for the lovely Dowager Marchioness! My darling laughs. Sure do I not see this quite constant, from Miss N- to Duchess little V?

O, says I, did I but carry a fan about with me, you flattering wretch.

At this moment enters Bess, saying that Meg is having her piano lesson and making an awfull noise, might Aunty C- like to come walk in the garden, where one cannot hear? (I observe my dearest trying not to laugh.)

Why, says I, that is a fine proposal, for sure it is a very pleasant day.

I take my parasol – for I do not dare to think what Docket might say did I return sunburnt - and we walk out into the garden, which already shows itself a garden rather than the muddy wasteland that it appear’d last time I was here.

Bess, I apprehend, is a little anxious concerning this move to Town. She fears that there will be great matter of clean pinafores and company manners and nowhere to play.

Oh, says I, there are very fine gardens at R- House.

But, says Bess with a drooping mouth, I daresay they will not want us playing in 'em.

I cannot think that Roberts, that lets Julius follow him about his work like a puppy, would prize the look of his gardens over enjoyment, so I say that sure she frets quite unneedfull.

I look at her and consider that she is of the age to be coming to a time of change of her own apart from this move, that doubtless frets her somewhat.

Also, she says, will not people be high and proud towards us?

Like unto the hedgehogs in Hyde Park? I say, and she cannot resist a little giggle at this. Sure there are always those that will put on airs but there will also be those that do no such thing and will become good friends. And think of all the advantages, I go on: you will be able to go to the theatre, and there is much good music, and all kinds of entertainments.

Oh, she says, plays.

Indeed, plays. I confide you will like that.

We talk a little further of the delights that Town can offer, and of the very good friends her dear parents have there. And, says I, you will all be together as a family, and you will still be having lessons with Miss N-: sure it will be not that much great a change.

And will you come take tea with us?

If so be I am invited.

I hope her mind is a little more at ease.

When Harry and Josh come home, Harry presents himself as taking this new departure very much in his stride and treating matters exceeding calm, whereas Josh is most immense excited because he has long desired above all things to visit the menageries at the Tower and Exeter Exchange. Also, he dares say they will be able to see Lord G- R-'s fam’d matcht blacks. Harry says reprovingly that they must not encroach but may get a glimpse or so. (Sure I must speak to Milord on this matter.)

Josh also communicates to me privily that he most greatly longs to see the wombatt. Why, says I, I am sure that Sir Z- R- is most greatly dispos’d towards those that have an admiration for wombatts and I will go represent to him your wish to see the fascinating creature. O, Aunty C-, says he, I would be forever in your debt. I tousle his hair (sure I think that, after my own heart’s darling Flora, Josh is my favourite).

Comes the day for the ball. Miss N- is sure in quite a flutter when I go in to her with my pearls. Williams has turn’d her out very pleasing, tho’ entirely suitable to her station. I am dresst fine enough to pay a compliment to the proceedings, without being too ostentatious fine and thought proud. But I do wear my diamond and emerald parure.

My dearest love looks most exceptional striking. We all present ourselves in our finery to the children before we depart, and I demonstrate my court curtesy - tho’, I say, for full effect it must be perform’d in court dress.

We are driven down to the Assembly Rooms, where proceedings are already in full swing. My dear ones tease me about gliding like a swan into a ballroom (for I once happen’d to mention this remark to them) and I say sure I will demonstrate when we make our entrance

Sure 'twas quite entirely a joke and I suppos’d that only our party would take any note, but perchance there is some kind of lull within the ballroom as we go in and all turn to look at me. Indeed 'tis a very long time since I have produc’d such an effect and I daresay could no longer carry it off in Town, but this is the provinces. I raise my fan to part-conceal my face in quite the old fashion.

There are greetings and introductions. Sets are being made up and our dear Grand Turk leads off our wild girl. There is a little scramble that ends with Mr A-, the surgeon, desiring me to dance, and Mr L- offering to Miss N-.

I find myself in much demand during the evening. Miss N- has very pleasing success, and is taken into supper by Mr L-, whom I confide to be particular smitten with her. Mr D-, from the works, I recollect does not dance, but has nonetheless come in order to support the hospital, and takes me to supper, where he converses to me about his inventions. Otherwise he is to be found at the card-table.

My darlings dance mostly with one another, tho’ also undertake duty dances with various notables and their confederates in improvements. It is quite entirely a matter of courtesy to their guest that Mr F- must lead me out a time or two. Sure 'twould be markt did he not do so, but indeed, we are quite over-carefull in our manner towards each other such that some may imagine a little coldness between us.

I look at my dear wild girl, and wish that we could dance together.

'Tis a more agreeable evening than I had expect’d: but sure, gentlemen are going to show exceeding civil towards a widow’d marchioness, or indeed, towards a guest of the F-s, that are so very greatly respect’d in the place, and there is no behaviour that is at all untoward, but indeed, very great respectfullness. I daresay anyway in a place like this none knows the history of Dowager Lady B-.

We do not return home until exceeding late. Miss N- I suspect has drunk a little more than she should, or mayhap she is just a little giddy with dancing and attention. She kisses both me and my darling when she says goodnight.

After she has gone, our wild girl turns to our Grand Turk and says, was she not indeed the most exquisite of C-s this e’en?

She is ever the most exquisite of C-s, he responds.

I smack them both with my fan, and say that they only flatter me with intent to seduce.

My darlings both kiss me and remark that we should not keep Williams waiting up any longer.

Williams declares that I look as tho’ I had an agreeable time, but just look at those slippers, sure you must have danc’d all night.

Indeed, I am already asleep when I am woken by the arrival of my darlings. And we are all much of the same disposition, and sleep curl’d together until they wake enough to remember they must leave.

When I go down quite late the next morning, without the usual levée, I find both my dear ones at the breakfast table.

The message has come that the member for T- has dy’d.

I grasp both their hands. Sure, things are now about to change in earnest.