I improve the shining hour

Sure there are a great many more come solicit me to dance: Lord U- and his brother will not be deny’d, but I feel oblig’d to concede yet another to Lord Geoffrey, on the grounds of our older acquaintance. I also dance with Sir C- F-: we have ever sort’d well together on the floor and 'tis still the same as 'twas in Brighton.

I find that the Freiherr is another will not abandon his hopes: but indeed he conducts himself most exceeding civil, doubtless wishing to redeem the character of his nation in my eyes.

Mr O- B-, alas, is not a good dancer, but I should not like to refuse him, for he is quite entire one of our set. He looks across the dance-floor and says with great gratification that he observes that Lord A- pays a deal of attention to Charley: sure he dares say nothing will come of it, but does a deal for a young woman does a fashionable fellow like Lord A- show her markt notice. And sure he has had to step between Mrs O- B- and those that would desire her to sing for she is like to get quite wore out by the demands they make. But that too is exceeding gratifying. Does he see the F-s – is there not an entire press here this e’en? – he must convey to them how very much little Dodo enjoy’d the fine party they gave at R- House.

After this dance I go to the side of the floor and wriggle my toes to make sure they are not in truth broken.

Comes up Biffle and makes me a leg and desires me to dance. I give him my hand most gladly. Why, says I, I think this ball of yours will go be talkt of as a great success. He looks towards where Viola dances with Sandy, and says, indeed he hopes so. Dear Viola was quite in the frets that it would not go, even was there not some disaster.

Why, says I, indeed 'tis the first great publick occasion in Town you have held since she became Duchess, 'tis a matter that must prey upon the mind. But sure, even without Lady J- at her elbow to advize – for I confide she is most recent return’d to Town – has done exceeding well. But how is Lady J-?

Biffle laughs a little and says, o, she is determin’d to get back into her old ways as soon as maybe –

I laugh a little immoderate and say, sure the orphanage ladies will have a surprize coming to 'em!

- but indeed, dear C-, we should greatly like to show our gratitude to Miss A-, could we contrive some way to come at it.

Why, says I, I will give my mind to the matter. And how do your children?

Oh, says he, little Cathy thrives exceeding, the pretty darling; and Essie was most exceeding prepossesst by the fine party at R- House: his only complaint was that Julius was not there, is most particular taken with Julius – Yes, says I, went with Roberts and Seraphine down to A-. - Indeed that is an excellent infant set.

He looks over to Viola again and I see them smile at one another. I squeeze his hand. He looks down at me and says, you have been a very good friend to us.

O, poo, says I, 'tis a matter goes both ways.

We look at one another with the great good feeling of antient friendship and step from the floor. We exchange partners and he dances with Viola and I with Sandy.

We smile at one another with great affection, and do not feel any obligation to chatter, 'tis quite entire a great relief to me, and I daresay to him as well.

When the dance is done, he goes do the civil by asking Agnes S- to dance. Sir B- W- is conversing very amiable with Lady D-: Lord D- looks at her very affectionate and says, as Sir B- W- keeps her such good company, would you care to dance, Lady B-?

'Tis quite entire politick for us to be seen on such excellent terms, and, after all, 'tis not a waltz, that might affront his principles. He tells me that he finds this a most excellent occasion, quite in entire the best of ton; of course His Grace is oblig’d to set aside a room where gentlemen that wish to may enjoy a little play, but he dares say 'tis all quite a friendly matter and no exceeding high stakes. I reply that I confide 'tis so.

I go on to remark that I go shortly to hold another soirée and hope he will come: and of course Lady D- is she still going about in company. He looks over to her very doating and says, sure she bears up remarkable. But indeed, he thinks she would benefit from talking to some motherly lady that has borne several herself: he had wonder’d whether Lady W- might undertake it, but she expresst the belief that the very best lady to talk to was Mrs F-. His own dear mother is of course in the country at present.

Why, says I, 'tis quite the general on dit that Mrs F- is entire the best lady to talk to on matters of obstetricks and motherhood. I am sure she would be delight’d to sit down with Lady D- and soothe her mind does she have any of the little worries that come to a lady that anticipates her first confinement.

He says that is entire a fine recommendation and he wonders would I be so kind as to open the matter to Mrs F-?

Should delight to do so. But I hear that Lady D- continues about good works?

Indeed, he says with an indulgent smile, and then frowns a little. But sure, Lady B-, there are some little matters among philanthropick ladies about which she would greatly appreciate the advice of a lady that is so well-vers’d in ‘em.

(Sure, thinks I with an inward sigh, I daresay this is the orphanage ladies again.)

Sure, says I, did she care to come call upon me – or perchance 'twould be better did I come visit her at some time when she is not receiving general company?

He confides that the latter would be the most answerable course.

We return to where Lady D- is sitting and fanning herself a little. I remark to Sir B- W- that I suppose that Lady W- is not going out in the evenings at present. He agrees that she is somewhat in retreat as far as Society goes – certainly she does not feel that she could face a ball, however agreeable – however, Lady B-, do you intend one of your soirées I daresay she could be persuad’d.

Lord D- looks at Lady D- and says, sure this is not a very vigorous dance, do you think you might care for it? She looks up at him with a smile and stands up and takes his hand. Sir B- W- looks at me and we join the other dancers on the floor.

I ask after dear Susannah and he says, alas, his mother comes stay with them, which ever puts her in dolefull humour. But 'twould greatly chear her did I come call.

Why, says I, that would be entire agreeable to me. Sure there is a deal of matter on hand now the Season is truly begun, but one may ever find time for good friends. And how, I go on, does Mrs D- K- answer in the capacity of companion?

Surprising well, says Sir B- W-, sure there have been companions before have not last’d this long: has not brangl’d with her, and I will not say m’mother has no complaints, for there will always be something, but she is not constant complaining upon her.

He goes on to remark about how very greatly Bobbie enjoy’d the party at R- House; he dares say so did Sukey but she is still somewhat young to express herself much in the matter.

The next dance after this is the supper-dance, and I perceive with a sinking of the heart that Sir V- P- comes looking in my direction again, but comes up before he has time to reach me Milord, saying sure he has quite neglect’d me and hopes I am not already bespoken?

Indeed not, says I, 'tis most entire agreeable to me.

When we go in to supper, we find a quiet nook where we may sit and converse, and he says in low tones that he hopes matters come about with A- shortly so that he need not be about showing so harsh towards such an old friend, that looks at him with sad spaniel eyes at these manifestations of unfriendliness.

Why, says I, I am in some supposition that matters may be like to come about before long and you may be reconcil’d with many displays of frank manly affection.

He laughs and says, that would be indeed very agreeable. Lord A- may not be distinguisht for intellectual powers, but sure they have been friends these many years and he is an excellent fellow.

Indeed, says I, there is no harm in him, is no rake, perchance sometimes plays somewhat higher than his skills would make prudent, but aside from that, nothing to his discredit. At least, says I, no more than the generality of fellows, that will suppose that a lady must be entire fascinat’d do they discourse of some matter that is of great interest to 'emselves.

Milord laughs somewhat immoderate, causing several to look around at us.

Was it not Lord Chesterfield, says I exceeding prim, was of the opinion that a true gentleman did not give way to laughter in company?

What a quite frightfull prig the fellow must have been.

After supper, and a little strolling about – I observe Sandy and Lady J- in deep converse, I daresay on classickal matters - I go dance with my dearly belov’d Josiah, that remarks that they have seen that Lady B- has been hard at work the entire e’en. I open to him Lady D-'s desire to benefit from Eliza’s experience and he laughs, quoting How doth the little busy bee.

You take advantage, sir, says I, that I may not go smack you with my fan for your impudence.

A message from your amanuensis

Dear readers, this is to convey notice of an upcoming hiatus, as your amanuensis is shortly going to a spaw to recruit.

Your amanuensis was in some supposition that these memoirs might be drawing towards a stopping-place, but finds that they are like to continue for a little while yet after this hiatus.

It is an entire gratification to observe the kind testimonials to the pleasure and comfort derived from these memoirs.

There is also the thought that, perchance, one might go edit the memoirs (for indeed certain errours and inconsistencies had crept in over the course of the narrative), with a view to publishing 'em in some general fashion. Notions upon this are solicit'd and would be extreme welcome.