Sure I remain Venus' votaress

Sure 'tis most extreme wearing to reassure one’s concern’d friends that one is not only not assassinat’d but by no means more than a very little shaken by the attempt. 'Tis indeed pretty that they are so concern’d for me, and I daresay I should be the like did somewhat similar befall them, but indeed, I need to be alone to think of how we may contrive so that this business does not come into court, for I doubt not that even if the full tally of events does not come out, there will be scandal and speculation that would be most exceeding offensive.

I therefore convey very gentle that my ordeal has quite exhaust’d me and that I purpose to take to my bed as soon as might be.

Once they are gone I ring for Hector and request him to desire some sustenance for me from Euphemia, for I find myself most ravenous hungry. She brings me up some very excellent soup, and butter’d toast, followed by a bak’d apple with cream.

Then I go to bed, where I intend to cogitate upon the matter, but fall asleep instead.

I am awaken’d quite ridiculous late in the following morn, as Docket declares that I need’d the sleep. As I sip my chocolate, she hands me a note that has come from M- House: Thomas awaits below to take an answer.

O, indeed I should have sent there as well, for they declare themselves most anxious to know how I do.

I am about thinking of a reply when I mind me that Biffle knows a deal about diplomatick matters and that if the Bavarian Embassy has interest in this business, he may have some notion of how we might proceed.

Sure I think the best thing would be that Herr F- be bundl’d off back to Bavaria, for I confide that does the matter come into court, ‘twill not reflect at all well upon that nation. 'Twould perchance be even better could we have him clappt up as lunatick but I know not how that might be manag’d.

I therefore, when I come to write my note, say that as there are diplomatick matters involv’d, I should most greatly desire to conclave with His Grace, that knows so much about them, so that I may come to an understanding.

Biffle comes early in the afternoon, takes my hands, looks into my face and declares I bear up quite remarkable.

O, says I, I will not let that wretch shake me. But indeed, my dear, I feel that we are all in rather a tangle here, and would desire your knowledge of diplomacy to help us in these stormy waters.

Biffle looks at me and says indeed he has much concern that there will be a deal of mud stirr’d up does the fellow find himself in the dock, and in particular that he may throw some very unpleasant accusations at me.

But, says I with a smile, I am not the only one that he may throw spitefull accusations at, is he, my dear?

Biffle smiles and says sure he should not have suppos’d that that business could have been kept secret from C-.

Indeed, says I. But, dearest Biffle, I think that does the matter come into court, 'twill present no very agreeable impression of Bavarians. For indeed, quite aside from the matter of defamation and the molestations that I was already appriz’d of, I have the strongest suspicions that he behav’d most improper with those that took lessons with him – pray heaven he has not gone so far as to get some respectable girl with child.

Say you so! Dearest C-, I can already discern that we have a basis for diplomatick negotiations, do I go see the Ambassador myself. I think he will be mov’d by the thought that the case cannot reflect well upon his nation: and, indeed, however ill-us’d the fellow may say he was, murder is worse, even if merely attempt’d.

I smile. Dearest Biffle, says I, I think you hit it off. Can it be manag’d that the wretch is given over into the custody of the Embassy, and that they go about to remove this embarrassment from these shores, I think that is the happiest result one may anticipate.

For – sure 'tis quite foolish of me – I had rather not see the fellow hang or even transport’d, for he plays the violincello exceeding fine. Would he would stick to his last, rather than suppose that another instrument will win him preference. For, I say with a little smile, sure there is a deal of that sort about, but fewer that can play the violincello so effective.

Biffle looks at me somewhat quizzickal and says he had expect’d to find me still somewhat in hystericks.

O, poo, says I, this is no time to indulge in hystericks. And, tho’ 'tis indeed not at all pleasant to be shot at, the fellow has shown his hand most exceeding definite.

Biffle stands, takes my hands once more and squeezes them, kisses me in the old friendly fashion, and says he will go call upon the Ambassador. Sure it will probably be a matter of leaving his card for the nonce, but 'twill open negotiations.

So, I have this business in hand. I go down to the stables to see my dear Jezebel, feed her apples, and tell her that she is entire the best Jezzie-girl, and there will be no more nasty guns.

Ajax communicates to me that he confides that she may show a little skittish for a while, in particular do I ride her about the place where it happen’d, but that she is a good steady mare and will not show vapourish for long. He adds that she remains quite sound, he was in some fears of lameness &C, and put hot fomentations to her legs as a precaution, but there is naught to cause worry.

Sure I do not think he has ever spoke so many words to me.

I am sat down to a nice little supper when Hector comes and says that Bow Street fellow is here, will I see him?

Indeed, says I, show him in, and you may bring the brandy and a cigar or two.

Comes in Matt Johnson and says that Herr F- has just been committ'd to the custody of his countrymen, and he apprehends that they will be about putting him on the Ostend packet as soon as maybe, on his way back to Munich. It will, he adds chearfully, be a most stormy crossing.

O, says I, I confide that His Grace of M- was able to contrive a meeting with the Ambassador this very afternoon, sure I did not suppose it could be manag’d so expeditious.

Matt sits down and gives me a look.

Enters Hector with brandy and cigars.

After he has left, I desire Matt Johnson to help himself, and does he fancy a little supper, as ever they have sent up far more than I could eat myself.

He says indeed, he could take a bite or two, has been running about all day, so I help him to some of the very excellent ragoo that Euphemia has provid'd.

After he has eat this, and made compliments upon it, and remarkt that indeed he was in need of some sustenance, I prevail upon him to take some brandy and light a cigar.

He concedes that this is perchance the best result we might hope for. He doubts that the Bavarians would wish one that is such a discredit to their nation to be at large, and had the matter gone to court there would he dares say been a deal too much interest in it.

Quite so, says I, 'tis all very well to be vengefull but one must consider the consequences.

He sighs somewhat, and then says more chearfull that now his mind is off this business he can be back to the pursuit of more common crimes.

I look at him and say I confide that perhaps he has put rather more into pursuing this matter than would be in his commission.

He looks somewhat embarrasst. Why, he says at length, he did not like to think that the fellow was still at large and brooding upon vengeance.

Sure I am in no doubts that Matt Johnson has a considerable admiration for me, which I find most extreme pleasing, and that there was some chivalrick motive in his assiduity in this matter.

Mr Johnson, says I, I quite confide that you have gone entire above and beyond your duties with this. Sure I would not insult you by offering gold (tho’ were you at any expense in maintaining a watch upon Herr F-, I should desire to recompense you). But, I continue, I am mov’d with a quite extreme gratitude towards you, and there is, perchance, a gift I could make that you would appreciate.

I smile upon him and his eyes grow very wide. Lady B- -!

I see you take my meaning, says I, and hold out my hand to him. He takes it very gentle as tho’ it might break.

He is quite surprizing shy at first when I lead him to my boudoir, but cannot I put a fellow at his ease very shortly I shall consider that I have lost all my wont’d skills. (And I have not lost that fashion of putting on a baudruche so that it seems some charming refinement to the act, sure Madame Z- taught us well.)

He desires me to leave some candles burning as he wishes to look at me.

This is a very pleasant interlude, for there has been, I confide, a certain mutual inclination.

Indeed, I love my darlings most extreme, but sure I remain Venus’ votaress.