Matters 'twixt us are as they have ever been

'Tis soon discover’d that the Admiral is already appriz’d of the sad end to their hopes of a pledge following Lady J-'s summer in the Mediterranean, and has took the opportunity of coming to England provid’d by a need to lay certain matters before the Admiralty, quite post-haste, so that he might see her.

'Tis consider’d entire in keeping with the fine romantick tale of their long devotion, I can see from the expressions on the faces of Lady Z-, Mrs O- B-, Lady D-, and Miss S-.

Biffle goes explain that Lady J- has been prevail’d upon to go to Harrogate to recruit - sure the airs in Hampshire are very sanitive but he dares say that the Admiral knows what 'tis like with Lady J- and a dairy: she would be up and doing rather than resting.

Harrogate, hah?

Answer’d most exceedingly for me, says Eliza, I confide 'twill do the like for Lady J-.

Biffle beckons over a footman who provides the Admiral with brandy. He looks about the room, and remarks, a few faces he does not know – while nodding to those he does. Biffle goes make introductions.

We discover that the Marquess is known to the Admiral after some encounter in the West Indies, when he was Lord Anthony and exploring for plants.

Viola steps forward and says, she will go tell the housekeeper to make him up a bed in one of the guest chambers –

No need at all, cries the Admiral, would not put anyone to trouble, have left my dunnage at my club and will stay there, 'tis entire convenient for the Admiralty.

No, indeed, says Biffle, we would entirely desire you to stay here for the duration of your visit, but perchance you might wish to move yourself in tomorrow.

'Tis exceeding kind of you, Duke, says the Admiral, but I am in hopes that when I go visit the Admiralty the morn, they will say that 'twill be a se’ennight or so before they can resolve the matter and I may return to my flagship, and I would take that opportunity to go to Harrogate to see m’wife.

The company considers this most extreme proper, and there are, I confide, some little sighs at how romantick this shows.

But have you din’d this e’en? asks Eliza.

The Admiral confesses that he has not and is immediate conduct’d to the supper-table so that he may take sustenance.

He goes reassure us all that 'tis not a matter of warfare breaking out somewhere in the Mediterranean, tho’ even was that the case he confides that the Navy would have the business well in hand.

As the party goes break up, I say that I will take the Admiral in my carriage: sure I may drop him off at his club, or else send him on once I have been convey’d home.

Once we are in the carriage, the Admiral takes hold of my hand in a very fierce grip and says, you would not go put me off with soft words: how does she, in truth?

Dear Admiral, says I, why do you not come in for a little of some very excellent port I have of late got in my cellar, and I will quite entire reassure you about Lady J-.

So we go in, and the Admiral greets Hector very warm, and we go into my pretty parlour and I desire the Admiral to go stir up the fire, and Hector comes with port and madeira.

As to Lady J-, says I, sipping my madeira, sure she was very much shaken by this unhappy event, and she did not do herself any good by supposing she could quite immediate get back into her old ways. For sure, she has always been a lady of quite abounding health and vital force, and 'tis exceeding distressing to her that she found herself so overset by this matter.

Indeed, says I, I incline to think that she suppos’d she was not like other women and could bear this business without all the troubles to which female flesh is heir, but 'twas not the case.

I think you have the right of it, says he, one sometimes sees the like in fellows that are wound’d and find that they are not as impervious as they thought. (Indeed, I think of Captain C-.)

But, he says, how was it contriv’d to get her to Harrogate? For she would ever speak very disdainfull of those that run around quacking themselves at spaws.

O, says I, 'twas entirely Miss A-'s doing. Went about to get herself a season playing in Harrogate, which quite inclin’d Lady J- to take the course that had been adviz’d to her of taking the waters. Tho’, I continue, I daresay that it may be the rest from being about many things that does her most good.

That was most excellent done of Miss A-! he cries. What a fine thing is their affection. And indeed m’wife is inclin’d to overdo - would go out in the fierce midday heat to walk about some ruin or other, I was in dread she would take a stroke of the sun.

He sighs. Indeed I was worry’d by her letter conveying the sad news: 'twas most unlike her usual style. But you set my mind at rest, dear Lady B-: still quite the finest woman in the realm.

O, tush, says I, sure a marry’d man ought to save such declarations for his wife.

And you still do not incline to another essay in matrimony?

Indeed not, says I (for I can anticipate no prospect that would allow me a ceremonious union with my dear loves).

And you are not lonely?

I smile and say, dear Admiral, why should you suppose that I would be lonely? 'Twould be entire false modesty to pretend there are not a deal of fellows would offer suit did I show agreeable to the prospect.

'Twas ever thus, says he with a smile, but you were ever fastidious.

He extends his hand to me and I take it. We smile at one another and I perceive that matters 'twixt us are as they have ever been.

At breakfast the morn, for which Euphemia has contriv’d to provide kedgeree and some mutton chops in the Hindostanee style, the Admiral says 'tis a pity he cannot remain in Town, would greatly like to renew his acquaintance with Lord Anthony – the Marquess, he should say. Quite the finest of fellows. While he was in the West Indies, and all suppos’d him quite entire about collecting flowers and strange plants, he compil’d a deal of information about the shocking conditions upon the plantations.

He seems an excellent fellow, says I.

Sure I wonder how he will settle down after the life he has led.

I smile a little and say, I think he has found his marchioness, that will make the prospect agreeable to him.

The Admiral smiles very broad and says, sure, that is excellent news. He grows more sober and says, he has some apprehension that there was a lady in the matter somewhere in the Spanish Americas but there was some tragedy came upon her. 'Twill be quite some several years ago now, and indeed, tho’ fellows will make protestations that their heart is in the grave &C, 'tis entire natural to love again.

(I daresay 'twas some comrade in the cause, one may quite imagine: or perchance 'tis but the fancy of a Gothick novelist.)

Hector comes and says, Mr MacD- comes call, wonders if the Admiral has come here for breakfast and converse with an old friend.

(O, the weasel, thinks I, knows well enough is the Admiral here what we will have been about.)

Show him in, says I, and you had better desire fresh coffee of Euphemia.

Comes in Sandy and greets us both very civil. Says, does Admiralty business permit the Admiral to take a little while to go see Lady J-, he has lookt out the coaches for Harrogate for him –

Most exceeding thoughtfull, says the Admiral, could wish some of my officers were as beforehand of matters.

- and has some books – works upon the classicks - that Lady J- might care for to beguile the time when she is not taking waters.

Why, she will be most extreme gratefull! Indeed that is a fine thought.

I remark that altho’ I apprehend that there are excellent circulating libraries at Harrogate, I doubt that they would have the kinds of works that Lady J- finds so agreeable. Sure one would not expect her to be reading horrid tales.

The Admiral says, has been most agreeable renewing our acquaintance, but he must be about his business.

I say sure he may take my carriage, I do not go out the morn.

He rises, expresses himself most indebt’d to Mr MacD-'s kindness, and perchance may see us again before he returns to his flagship.

I desire him to give my fondest regards to Lady J-, and to Miss A- does he encounter her.

He goes out. Sandy sits down. Enters Celeste with fresh coffee.

O, you weasel! says I.

Sandy looks at me very amiable and says, among your good friends 'tis known what a fine antient affection lyes 'twixt you and the Admiral. Indeed I suppos’d the F-s would be somewhat put about in the matter, but sure they shrugg’d and said, oh, 'tis the Admiral, that C- has not seen this age.

'Tis true, says I, and there has been this sad matter of the loss of their hopes; if one may convey some comfort -

Sandy helps himself to a mutton-chop, and says, has come to his ears that Reynaldo is appriz’d that the Marquess of O- has had somewhat to do with revolutionary matters in the Spanish Americas, and wonders should he go fight there for the Cause.

We both groan.

Why, says I at length, I confide 'twill come to nothing, for Lady Z- may plead that the anxiety 'twould cause her would be most deleterious for a lady in her condition.