Perchance I should establish a matrimonial agency

Sure I do not think that I go about deliberate to avoid being tete-à-tete with Sandy, but I do not make opportunity for private converse, for I am still of the supposition that he wishes to delve into the matter of Mr D- K-'s death, which cannot be a usefull course of action. Tho’ I daresay he will go worry away at it until I am oblig’d to tell him somewhat of how the case stands.

But sure I cannot see any advantage in the truth being known. Those that hear that Mr D- K- droppt dead in an apoplectick fit brought on by rage will nod their heads and say sure 'tis no surprize, one always fear’d such a thing when he was overcome by fury, and indeed they are heartily sorry for those to whom he ow’d debts of honour for they will not see their gold again, not that they were ever like to.

But tho’ I was in some mind to go cast the fatal hat-pin into the depths of the Serpentine Lake, was there some time I might come there unobserv’d, or some similar body of water, I am like to think 'twould be somewhat prudent to keep hold upon it the while.

Sure I am in little doubt that there was no deliberation to her action – indeed had I had such a thing by me when the Prussian fell upon me and was like to murder me, I confide I should have done the like – and had she had such an intention, I daresay she would also have had the forethought to dispose of the weapon before any came.

One could see, as she sat there in her chemise, seeing nothing or so 'twould seem, old bruises and new bruises and other marks of violence upon her person.

But I have no reason to repose in her that trust that I would give one that had been my friend rather than one that had shown herself previous so extreme hostile towards me. So I will keep the bloody hat-pin somewhere safe that I can lay hands upon it.

'Tis by no means encouraging that one sees her so cozy with the dreadfull crocodile.

But apart from this concern, sure I am having a most excellent time, save of course that I may not be with my darlings as we should desire, even among such friends as we have here.

I go carry a pique-nique to Jacob and Martha S- at the quarry, that they have forgot to take themselves upon setting out.

I find them there, Jacob S- clambering up the side of the quarry in such a fashion that I had rather not look, for I cannot imagine how he does not fall, for in one hand he has a hammer, and a specimen box about his neck. Martha sits at the top with her sketching box, and I am most extreme pleas’d to see how well she looks. I see that Captain C- has join’d ‘em and sits beside her.

I take the basket over to 'em and ask how matters go.

Martha smiles very chearfull and says, o, we go find some excellent fine specimens.

Captain C- sighs and says he is come to think that those quacks may have the right of it, for he has been climbing around with Mr S- kindly showing him the fossils and now he feels quite done up.

I say that I daresay he is not us’d to such exercise, and thus it bears more heavily upon him.

Perchance, he says. But he is in hopes that when he returns to Nova Scotia he may go find some fossils for Mr S-. Sure they are most curious things.

Mayhap, says Martha, do you take a little refreshment you will feel more the thing. I confide that there is more than enough in that basket: C-, do you stay and join us.

I daresay there is, says I, for 'tis heavier than I suppos’d when I offer’d to bring it here.

Captain C- looks shockt and says did those unchivalrous wretches let you carry it all this way?

O, says I, I rode Merlin, but Sir B- W- gave me so many warnings that the footing around the edge of the quarry was very unsure that I left him grazing a little way back.

Jacob S- comes over the edge, looks at his hands and says perhaps Lady B- will forgive him does he not shake hands. He lifts off the specimen box and hands it to Martha, who looks into it and makes exclamations over the fineness of the fossils therein.

Martha and I go spread the cloth from inside the basket upon the ground and set out the fine pique-nique that would almost compare with Seraphine’s.

Indeed there is quite enough to go round and Captain C- looks a deal better for it.

There is some fine refreshing shrub in the basket, and as we sit around and drink this, Jacob S- remarks that he lately heard from the U-s that the Reverend Mr L- has now been read in as parson of the parish.

O, says I, that is a deal more expeditious than I was led to suppose. I am glad to hear it.

He goes on to ask whether I have lately heard from the T-s and I sigh and say even if they have already attain’d to New South Wales, which one cannot be certain of, one could not hope for letters yet. We then tell Captain C- about the T-s and the fine work they do among the convicts and in matters of scientifick observations.

I ask when they expect Lady J-'s return.

Martha says she may already be land’d and gone see how matters go on the estate, did wind and tide show favourable. But sure all is well in hand, but for the matter of the gardens.

I confide, says I, that Lord G- R- would have entirely no objection did you go solicit Roberts’ judgement upon the matter.

'Tis a good thought, says Jacob S-. For has made a deal of difference to the grounds at A-: sure the first time we visit’d they were very ill-kept, and now 'tis entire a show-place. Did you not also remark that Mrs U- has a very fine feeling for gardens?

'Tis so, says I, but in her case 'twould be entire a matter of civility to go look and advize and I know not whether 'twould be an answerable thing.

Why, he says with a smile, the U-s are most extreme prepossesst with Lady B-, and did the solicitation come from her, I doubt not that they would be inclin’d to oblige.

I take thought for a moment: sure there are those that would not welcome the U-s as their merits deserve on account of their religion, and while I fancy that Lady J- has had dealings with ladies of the Jewish faith in her philanthropick endeavours I should like to be assur’d that she would manifest towards Mrs U- something that is not that chill civility that I have seen her display.

Sure, says I, is Lady J- return’d I daresay she will be going to Town before long, and I will go call and open the matter to her. But, I go on, does Herr P- remain on the estate?

Oh no, they say, has gone visit the H-s in Town, the late Herr H- was one of his comrades in arms.

Well, says I, I had better be about returning to the company, and leave you to your endeavours.

Martha smiles and says she will walk along with me, do I not mind, for she has been quite long enough away from Deborah, tho’ 'tis most exceeding delightfull to have her pencil in hand again and fossils to draw. But sure she cannot keep away from her little miracle very long.

So I go lead Merlin, after asking Martha whether she would like to ride - she shakes her head – and we turn back towards the house.

Dear Martha, says I, it is so entirely pleasurable to see you so well.

She laughs happyly and says, 'tis indeed a pleasure to feel more of her old self, and to be able to be more of a helpmeet again. Is she not quite the finest child? And what a very fine woman is Phoebe, is she not quite entire a woman and a sister? My debt to her is quite immeasurable, for I am like to wonder if my own shrinking when putting Deborah to the breast had some adverse effect and perchance she was not getting as much nourishment as she should.

And such a fine head for business - sure Mr de C- is a fine painter but I daresay would be quite roll’d up did she not take matters in hand. As well as her skills in matters of domestick oeconomy - sure you must have been sorry to lose her from your household.

Indeed, says I, for she had been with me a long while: but Dorcas, that is some kind of cousin of hers, answers quite excellent.

Martha laughs and says, is not that the one that Mr van H- goes rave about?

So she is, says I. A most extreme handsome creature tho’ in quite a different style to Phoebe.

We walk a little in silence, breathing in the fine airs and enjoying the warmth of the sunshine and the pleasing breeze, and then Martha remarks that Captain C- seems a pleasant amiable fellow but she confides that his doctors are quite right in desiring to take matters easy for somewhat longer. He will go tire very sudden.

What he needs, she continues, is a wife to take care of him.

I laugh and say, why, I will go think over my acquaintance for one that would incline to going to Nova Scotia, or to follow the drum is his regiment post’d elsewhere upon the globe. Sure I should go establish a matrimonial agency: there was that fribble Lord A- goes turn his mind to marriage and askt my advice.

Martha laughs and says she does not wonder at it.