A storm-warning is hoist'd

I pay an informal friendly call upon the dear Contessa, to say what an immense success her ridotto was, sure no-one talks of anything else at present, and to inform her of how matters befell with the Graf von M-.

She laughs most immoderate, and says sure 'tis a curious thing, that a woman may be the most desirable thing on earth at one moment, and yet does she not accede to a fellow’s suit, she most immediate becomes a hideous monster that no man could possibly desire to be anywhere near.

Is’t not curious? I reply. And now the Graf shows an embarrassing desire to pay court to me.

I am entire sure, says the Contessa, that 'tis entirely for the sake of your lovely eyes –

- and mayhap my exquisite bubbies, to which his gaze ever stray’d, tho’ at least he did not address his conversation toward them, which is most excellent ton.

- but indeed I am just a little wary of the Graf. When I first met him he was a fine believer in democratick institutions, but I now find him, tho’ not an entire reactionary, indeed entirely in favour of the constitutional reforms, very much also in favour of the limit’d franchise, and a proponent of the notion that reform should be most carefully dispens’d by an enlighten’d ruler. I am in some concerns he has some desire to ferret out whether there be connexions 'twixt Bavarian radickals and radickals of other nations for purposes I cannot like.

I am in particular concern, she goes on, that he has taken up somewhat with Reynaldo, that is not always as cautious as to the company in which he should express his views, and may be led on into imprudent disclosures.

Indeed, says I, that gives one to worry somewhat. I collect that at the ridotto he came as Rienzi.

Alas, says the Contessa, he would not be dissuad’d. Do you have any success in finding some woman that might take him up?

Not yet, says I, but I am in some hopes of a certain lady whose husband makes suit to our politickal set, from gossip that has been retail’d to me by Mrs N-. I purpose to sound this out a little further at His Lordship’s house-party.

I should be a deal happier did he devote himself to amorous, rather than political, intrigue. Is Mrs N- that lady that came as Aspasia with her husband as Pericles?

That was indeed her and her husband Mr N- of the Home Office. I have known her these many years and she has ever been most remarkable at knowing what on-dits go about. 'Tis entirely invaluable to have such a friend.

We smile at one another.

I say that I have some purpose towards a soirée, but am like to think that I should defer it until after Lord G- R-'s house-party, which takes place very soon.

The Contessa rolls her eyes and remarks that the picturesque garb of the Highlands is most extreme becoming to a fellow that has a fine leg.

Indeed he lookt very well in it, says I. Perchance he will go set it up as the new style, for he is quite entire a leader of fashion.

Alas, says the Contessa, 'tis very fine on him, but I daresay did it become more widespread a fashion we should see many legs that would be better conceal’d.

We laugh somewhat immoderate, and I take my leave of her.

I return home and find that Sandy and Hector are return’d from their business about a licence. Hector says that as My Ladyship will shortly be about this house-party at A-, he purposes to marry just before that time, and while we are both out of the house, Dorcas can keep the household occupy’d by undertaking a very thorough spring-cleaning.

That is a most extreme prudential thought, Hector, says I, do you still purpose a wedding-trip to Brighton?

Indeed, says Hector, he goes about to bespeak the lodgings that Phoebe and Mr de C- had, for she prais’d them very highly for comfort and cleanliness.

'Tis not long, says I, for Euphemia to put her trousseau together.

Hector confides that she and the other women of the household, and also, he hazards, Phillips and Phoebe, have already been stitching for several months. He does not know if 'tis improper in him to ask, but the reception-room serv’d so exceeding well for Phoebe’s wedding-breakfast that he would greatly desire the like.

Why indeed, says I, I should feel quite injur’d did it take place anywhere else.

He has also sent to Seraphine, requesting that she might take on the burden of preparing the wedding-feast, for otherwise he fears Euphemia will be worn to a rag by the wedding day.

I cannot suppose, says I, that Seraphine would refuse, indeed I daresay she would be quite offend’d did you not ask. And now, I think, you should go and communicate all this matter to Euphemia. You might also desire her to bring a little light luncheon to the parlour – sure we should be quite content with some bread and cheese.

I wave Sandy into a chair and sit down vis-a-vis myself. Dear Sandy, thank you so very much for your services in this matter. My gratitude is quite immense.

He smiles and says 'tis no trouble at all. Apart, he says, for the sorry hold that the Establisht Church has on marrying and giving in marriage, which is a tyrannickal thing of which he cannot approve.

Of course not, my dear, I should not expect you to. But Sandy, I think I should convey you a warning from certain intelligence that the Contessa communicat’d to me lately – I mention the matter of the Graf von M-'s views upon reform.

Hmmm, says Sandy, I shall most certain put out a storm warning upon him, but there is little one may do to hinder that young fool Reynaldo. His heart may be in the right revolutionary place but his head – he is not entire an empty-head’d wastrel but he is quite at home among that set. 'Tis not so much himself for whom there is danger - for one confides his rank will convey some protection – but that he may disclose matters most perilous for others.

Indeed, says I. 'Tis some little while since I have had any news from Marcello, which gives me a little concern.

O, says Sandy, I have but lately heard from Alf, that says they get on quite exceedingly – that is, he adds as I raise my eyebrows, with their printing endeavours.

But of course, says I, what else could he intend?

Sandy glares at me a little, and then laughs and says sure he hopes they get on in other ways and he does not grudge them a little happyness amongst their revolutionary activities.

Celeste comes in to lay the table with a most elegant collation, sure Euphemia shows herself disinclin’d to serve up some simple luncheon of bread and cheese. I daresay 'tis an act of celebration that Hector comes up to scratch at last.

Sandy and I go about to plot concerning the forthcoming house-party at A-. I remark that 'twould serve well did I and Mrs F- go down a few days in advance to prepare the ground - along with Seraphine, I add.

Indeed 'twould make most excellent sense for Mrs F- to look over the domestick arrangements, but while I confide she would greatly enjoy your company – I kick his ankle exceeding hard – why should you go?

Firstly, says I, I shall be Dido in the ruins of Carthage, do I remain here, with Hector and Euphemia gone to Brighton, and Dorcas about spring-cleaning; and secondly, my dear, does one plan a campaign, I have been inform’d by gentlemen that have done so, as well as by Mr N-, that it is of exceeding great advantage to have some knowledge of the terrain. I have never been to A- and I wish to study on where there may be private tete-a-tetes, or where three or four may meet together, and how one may arrange the various entertainments, and how the bedrooms should be allocat’d, &C.

You have never been to A-?

No, indeed, when should I have been to A-? Milord would not take his mistress does he go about to dine the county or the tenantry or have his family visit.

Sandy blushes and says no, of course not: he has heard that there are some raffish sets that will take a covey of demimondaines to their country house-parties, along with their horses and dogs, but he cannot suppose that G- ever held the like.

Indeed not! But I wonder should I take my sweet Jezzie-girl, for there may be opportunity for rides, and moreover, do I take her, I would have plausible reason for bringing Ajax, that might overhear gossip in the stables. I will think upon this.

My dearest C-, I confide you would have made a fine general!

O, do not teaze, o bello scozzese!