'Tis a great shame that one that gives such pleasure goes in peril

'Tis also exceeding pleasant to be in my own bed, even do I lye in it alone, and not have to make sure that the door is securely lockt, ignore midnight scratchings &C.

Comes Sophy with my chocolate, which I daresay imports that she has done well during Docket’s absence. When I have finisht the cup – sure there is nothing like the chocolate from my own kitchen – comes Docket to array me for the day and to remind me that I should be about going for my fittings at Mamzelle Bridgette’s. Indeed, says I, 'tis a matter I should be about extreme expeditious before there is an on-dit that Lady B- has become quite the entire dowd.

Hardly that, Your Ladyship, says Docket, but I confide that Maurice is like to put you in the entire crack of fashion, he is a young man that has the matter in him. Biddy finds herself most exceeding prepossesst.

But this forenoon, says I, I go exchange gossip with the dear Contessa.

Docket softens at once, for she considers this connexion does exceedingly for my own consequence, and says she will dress me entire suitable for the occasion.

When have you ever not dresst me entire suitable? says I. Sure, Docket, let us have no vulgar displays of mock modesty.

Docket gives me a look, takes the empty cup, and goes into my dressing-room. She returns with my peignoir, and I go down to where Euphemia has laid me a nice little breakfast, which 'tis very pleasing to take alone and not in the midst of uncongenial company, even was the coffee as good as Seraphine could make it.

When I go take my carriage to the Contessa’s, Ajax informs me that he thinks my dear Jezzie should rest another day before I go riding upon her. Why, I say, that will suit entirely for Docket is urgent that I should go about matters of dress, so I will be some hours, I daresay, at Mamzelle Bridgette’s this afternoon.

At the Contessa’s I am exceeding fortunate to encounter Reynaldo, that is on his way out about some matter, so I do not have to contrive a meeting to advance affairs. We exchange greetings – he kisses my hand extreme fervent – and I say, o, you rogue, sure you have made a conquest!

Conquest? he says, as if he surmises that this must mean something particular in English that is not the dictionary definition.

Oh, says I, I daresay she has never told her love and is quite Patience on a monument, smiling at grief, but indeed, I was at a house-party with her and whenever we were alone she would descant upon your merits to me. Such an exceeding fine-looking woman too.

But what lady might this be? he asks, looking intrigu’d.

You have notic’d nothing? Sure she is most remarkable at concealing her passion - have you not seen Lady Z- about?

Lady Z-, he cries, that most extreme example of a handsome Englishwoman? Looks upon me with interest? O, I hope she does not suppose that I play the cruel! Indeed, she is quite everything I admire.

He clasps my hands in his and expresses his gratitude for this intelligence.

So, the contrivance moves on

I am then shown up to the Contessa, that I find reading The Sorceress. She puts it down, removes her reading spectacles, and comes to embrace me most hearty. 'Tis quite an age, Lady B-! I see your friend has been about writing another novel, that I find is set my dear own country and deals with stregonera - sure, this must be what you were asking me about, no?

Indeed, says I, that is the one. Had I known it was already out, I should have askt for a copy for you.

Why, says the Contessa, this is from the circulating library, and I confide that a copy of my own would be exceeding welcome, so that I might peruse it again. But where have you been, my dear? Town is quite a desert when you are gone.

O, you flatterer! I am sure you have seen a deal of society while I have been languishing in the country at Lord G- R-‘s house-party.

Oh! she cries, I have heard that it was quite the Gothick novel, with counterfeit theft and attempt’d murder –

Indeed, most of the time it was a deal less exciting than I daresay the on-dit gives out – how fast it gets about. Also, there was a matter of much greater interest to you went forth: Lady Z- was there and takes a great inclination towards Reynaldo. She is quite shockingly neglect’d by her husband, but of excellent ton, quite in the crack of fashion, entirely the best thing for a young fellow in his position.

The Contessa laughs somewhat immoderate and remarks that one who is as cunning at conveying secret messages as Lady B- is sure also the finest of matchmakers does she turn her mind to it.

I make a little pout, then smile, and we proceed to a vigorous exchange of gossip.

We both consider that poets may be very uncertain allies in the cause.

In the afternoon I take myself to Mamzelle Bridgette’s, where I encounter Lady Z-, that is also having a fitting. We greet one another with great amiability and I remark that upon visiting the Contessa this forenoon, I happen’d to encounter Reynaldo, and sure he quite burns for her. She looks a little wistfull, and then Biddy Smith comes summon her.

Maurice comes out, makes complimentary about my looks, and takes me in for my fitting. I remark that 'tis quite the coincidence, Lady Z- being here today, sure 'tis barely a day or so since we were at Lord G- R-'s house-party at A-.

Maurice sighs and says, the poor creature.

The poor creature? says I, for Maurice speaks as one that desires to lead to some matter by a roundabout path.

Lady B-, says Maurice – do you turn around a little so I can see how it falls at the back – there is an on-dit that you are, as the saying goes, Molly’s friend.

Oh, says I, I confide I take your meaning in the matter, and that you have some knowledge of Lady Z-'s husband.

Indeed I do, says Maurice, giving a little twitch to the bodice, for I will confess, that while I was out of my apprenticeship and not yet in a place, I made myself a guinea or two from time to time at a certain establishment that caters for gentlemen of certain tastes: no common molly-house - not only do they make payments to ensure that there is no trouble in the matter of raids &C, they also have a very strict rule that something exceeding unpleasant will befall one that goes about to blackmail.

He stands back and looks at the effect and nods – 'tis a little daunting, says he, to know that my work must pass muster with the renown’d Docket - but to continue, the lady’s husband frequents the place.

I know, says I, that this establishment has certain discreet chambers where those who would not desire to meet in publick may nonetheless contrive to associate. I am in some anticipation that Lady Z- may shortly be about desiring the use of one, for there is a young fellow that makes ardent suit to her.

Maurice smiles and lets out a huff of breath. Sure that would be a fine thing for her, for her husband, tho’ he brought himself to beget issue upon her, I confide has no inclination to conjugal pleasures. But manages the pleasures he does desire exceeding discreet. 'Tis most unlike to come to open scandal.

That is a great relief to me, for he is like to join Lord G- R-'s politickal set, that has quite enough trouble over their very radickal opinions, without that sort of scandal.

Maurice nods, desires me to step out of the gown I am trying on, and draws on another. He kneels down to attend to some matter at the hem.

But the matter I particularly come at, he continues, is that as you know, we dress Miss R- the actress, that is the mistress of Danvers D-, shows exceeding well for good dressing, and as I daresay you also know, the niece of Mr W-, the comick actor, that late only thro’ the intervention of some benefactor escapt from the likelihood of being up in court on a charge of unnatural practices following a Vice Society raid.

I know somewhat of the matter, says I, I hear there was a most exceeding brangle at the theatre when Mr J- discover’d the business.

Sure, says Maurice, looking up at me, 'tis a great shame that one that gives so much pleasure to so many should go in such peril. So, the manager of this fine establishment I mention has expresst much the same feeling –

Oho, says I, I apprehend that this is about soliciting Mr W-'s patronage of this fine establishment.

Sure, says Maurice, standing up and attending to some matter at the waistline, 'tis not as tho’ they can send him a card, ‘tis all done on personal recommendation. But sure it must greatly trouble all lovers of the theatre to see the danger Mr W- puts himself in, when with a little forethought the matter could be manag’d most extreme discreet.

Why, says I, do you provide me with some further detail concerning this establishment, I confide that I may find some occasion to communicate it to Mr W-.

Maurice fiddles at the setting of the sleeve, and says, without looking at me, that 'tis said that Lady B- has remarkable talents in contriving.

I laugh and say I daresay Docket has been boasting to Mamzelle Bridgette.

O, somewhat! says Maurice with a laugh, but we have several patrons that lead us to believe the same thing.

I am entirely put to the blush! says I, stepping out of the gown.