My poor sweet Jezebel is greatly affright'd

I go down to the kitchen to convoke with Euphemia concerning a soirée, and find there, besides Euphemia, that is rolling out pastry, Hector talking to a small very dark young girl with her hair pull’d into braids, that is eating some of the fine fruitcake of which there remains a good deal in the household.

She stands up and makes me a tidy bob even tho’ she still holds the cake in one hand. I see her clothing is very neat and clean, tho’ one can see that there has been mending.

Your Ladyship, says Hector, this is Sophy, that Docket thinks may come for a trial period to see whether she suits in Phillips’ old place.

That Hector has been terrifying, says Euphemia, smiling fondly, with his talk of the practices of the household.

I confide that it would not be in keeping with those good practices to tell her that I am not mistress in my own household, or that this is Liberty Hall, so I smile upon her - for indeed she looks a little daunt’d - and say that 'twould be an excellent fine thing to have her helping Docket.

She gives me another bob, but appears somewhat struck dumb.

Have you not been entire frighten’d off from the place, says I, I will go speak to Dorcas about a bed for you, and you may come bring your box as soon as maybe. Now, sit down and finish your cake.

I go away, telling Euphemia I shall be back about the soirée.

I go talk to Docket about Sophy: she declares herself much impresst by the girl, a clean neat creature that has a tidy hand with her needle, shows a good feeling for dress &C. Sure, says I, do you approve her, 'tis an entire recommendation. (And, I think, she must be instruct’d concerning Docket’s drops.) I will go look out a fine book for her in which she can write down the wisdom she learns of you.

I then go talk to Dorcas who says that she can contrive, but 'tis high time that Hector and Euphemia were about marrying and moving into the fine mews cottage that is prepar’d for them. I wonder does she mean that all wish they would cease to shilly-shally and settle, or whether she implies that there may be increase from the union coming somewhat impetuous.

When I return to the kitchen and find Euphemia alone, I remark that Sophy looks rather small, but I daresay she has not got her full growth yet. (I also look to see whether there is any suspicious sign about her after Dorcas’s remark.)

Does Hector not frighten her out of it! says Euphemia. But sure we shall feed her up here.

We talk somewhat of what might be serv’d at my next soirée, I also open to her Lady J-'s desire for the receipt for her little biscuits.

Sure, says Euphemia, I should be most proud to know them being bak’d in the M- House kitchens; and that minds me, Seraphine says Minnie was wishfull to know of any receipts she might have now that she is marry’d to a pastrycook and takes a fine interest in the business. Perchance she might like the receipt too?

Hmmm, says I, it seems to me that there is a difference 'twixt a fine friendly exchange of receipts among those that follow the same profession, and those that will be making a business out of them. Sure did M. Duval come about desiring to know some of your culinary secrets, so that he might serve them in his fine eating-house, I should be inclin’d to ask him to make a suitable offer.

Why, I continue, I will make up little tales for the F- children about hedgehogs &C and 'tis quite entire done for love, but did someone write them down and make a book out of them, sure 'twould be a different matter, and I daresay I would be asking Mr MacD- for advice about my rights.

Euphemia looks at me most respectfull, and says, indeed, that is a consideration. She will perchance go open it to Seraphine, for however fine a place one may in, one does not know what may come about to happen.

Quite so, says I. Sure there must be a like matter with Roberts, does he contrive to grow some flower or such that is quite out of the common.

Having spent the entire forenoon about these domestick affairs, as 'tis a fine bright tho’ cold day, I purpose to take Jezebel for a little jaunt in the Park, which I confide will be most sanitive for both of us.

Sure this finer weather has tempt’d some company into the Park, tho’ 'tis by no means crowd’d, and I do not see any I know.

Jezebel is about obliging me with her gentle canter when there is a loud bang, she leaps into the air and bolts as my hat flies off, and –

- and altho’ my poor frighten’d Jezzie proceeds at a terrify’d gallopp, I find myself still seat’d upon her, not thrown to the ground, leaning over her neck to murmur soothing words into her ear that she is a good Jezzie-girl, sure 'twas a shock to her, indeed 'tis quite understandable that she bolts away from it, indeed there is nothing to be scar’d of –

- and indeed, find myself quite exhilarat’d by this event.

At last Jezebel concedes to slow her pace tho’ still manifests a deal of nervousness, her eyes roll, &C, and I desire to put her in Ajax’s hands as soon as might be, for he will know best how to bring her back to herself. I continue to stroke her neck and whisper soft words to her as I turn back.

I see running towards me a burly figure that I recognize.

Matt Johnson comes up to me, looks up and say, Please God, you are not harm’d, Lady B-?

Oh no, says I, poor Jezebel was greatly affright’d, but indeed I am quite well.

He misst, then, says Matt in great relief, and I apprehend that I had more to fear than a tumble from my saddle.

He? I ask.

That (I will not record the extreme coarse epithets for which he most immediate apologiz’d) Bavarian musician. Waving a pistol around in the Park, try’d to shoot you.

He is now, says Matt, apprehend’d and being taken to a cell where he can be confin’d.

Sure, says I, 'tis very fortunate that you were here when he went about this.

Alas, he says, I was somewhat behindhand, or I would have had him before he had a chance to fire. But I confide you should go home, and I will escort you and tell you more of the matter.

If you do not need to be about making sure of him, says I, I should indeed be glad of your company. (For now I know more of the matter, I am indeed somewhat shaken and my legs tremble.)

As we walk along, he tells me that Herr F- had gone hide himself in the Bavarian Embassy, tho’ he doubts that the Ambassador knew aught about the matter: most like there was some clerk or such with whom he obtain’d some interest, that conceal’d him. 'Twas that young fellow K- that found out the matter: has been visiting the Embassy about some matters to do with intend’d travel of his own on business matters, happen’d to sight Herr F- standing smoaking in the courtyard, cool as might be.

So I put a watch upon the place to see any goings in and out of his. Had he stay’d in he would have been safe, but no, out he comes with a pistol that he has somehow got hold of, and goes into the Park and was about shooting at you.

Sure, says I, fellows will be most extreme put out do you reject their advances, but this is entire excessive.

But my voice shakes and I fear I may fall into hystericks, which will doubtless be terrifying to Jezebel, so I press my lips together and endeavour to maintain composure.

At last we are arriv’d at the stable yard, and Ajax comes out. I desire him to give poor Jezzie a good rub-down, for she has had a nasty shock, and needs comforting. He pats her upon the nose and says that he will be about giving her a nice bran mash, and make sure she has done herself no damage.

We go in. I find my legs exceeding weak. Matt Johnson conveys to Hector that there has been an attempt’d murder, and Hector says he will at once be about fetching tea and brandy.

Once in my parlour, I stagger to a chair and sit plump down, and desire Matt Johnson to hand me the smelling bottle that sits upon my desk, and then come sit down himself.

Comes in Hector himself with hot tea and a bottle of brandy, and asks whether there is any other matter he may be about.

Sure my mind has become as woolly as Sir V- P-'s, but I say perhaps he could send Timothy to R- House to say that I am quite alright, does the news spread as news does, as if the breeze carry’d it without human intervention, concerning an attempt’d assassination in the Park at a time when I am known to ride there.

I drink my tea and brandy.

Matt Johnson says that we are in a great brangle. Sure the fellow should be haul’d into court, but he doubts not that does he come before a judge, a deal of matter may come out that we had rather not. There is also some worry that the Bavarian Ambassador may feel oblig’d to make representations.

O, says I, feeling somewhat sleepy, perchance this could wait over a day? Let us put our heads together tomorrow.

He agrees that a little reflection rather than haste is like to serve better. He adds that he confides that I am in good hands does he leave me now.

Shortly after he has depart’d, I receive the R- House contingent of my darlings, Milord, and Sandy, all very desirous of seeing that I am quite unharm’d.