I greatly love my pretty little house

I mind that I have a deal of pattern-books, samples &C that I went acquire in connexion with furbishing up O- House, that have been put away in the attic. I desire Hector to have 'em brought down once more as I daresay they will be of considerable utility in any consideration of similar matters at P- House.

Once they are in my parlour I look about to see where I may bestow 'em so that they are not in the way.

I sigh: and then say, perchance one might for the time being shift some of these books from the shelves up into the attic, 'tis by no means ideal. Sure I could wish I had a proper library, but I cannot fathom how one might contrive it in a small house like this.

Sure I greatly love my pretty little house, that the old Duke of M- made over to me the deeds for because he had, not knowing his nasty ways, recommend’d to my favour the Junker von E-, that near went about to kill me. And 'twas quite the charmingest little jewel-box for Madame C- C-. But now I become a Society lady, and have a deal of business matters upon hand, should very much desire certain matters that I know not how might be contriv’d: a library, a dining-room so that I might give dinner-parties, a chamber or two for guests. I should not want some great mansion like unto B- House itself: sure 'twould be most unsuitable for a widow’d Dowager Marchioness. But indeed, at present I feel myself somewhat crampt.

Hector looks thoughtfull and says, indeed we become somewhat presst for space, even now he and Euphemia go live in the mews cottage. He will go consider upon the matter.

I say that I hope that the mews cottage continues to answer, and he says, most exceedingly.

He goes on to add, would still answer, he confides, when they go increase.

I look a little questioning, and he says, they do not do so at present. He does not look undue perturb’d in the matter.

He then goes direct Timothy over the removal of the books, and I go ride a little in the Park upon my dear Jezebel, to be out of the way.

I do not encounter any that I know, tho’ there are several that make sign of wishing to know me.

In the afternoon I go make calls. There are some several houses where the lady is not at home, that in fact imports she is at home but lyes abed with a cold or some such, for there are a deal of these about at present. But at P- House I am inform’d that indeed Lady D- is at home to you, Lady B-, and I am shown in to where I discover Lady D- most exceeding prettyly conscientious about addressing circulars for Lady J-.

She does not quite jump up, due to her condition, but comes over greet me very warmly, desires me to come sit by the fire, and rings for tea.

She looks down at the table upon which she has been working and gives a little sigh and says, Lady B-, have I not observ’d a most exceeding fine desk in your parlour? Must be most exceeding usefull when about these writing matters.

Indeed, says I, and 'tis quite in order for ladies to have desks of their own where they may write notes, or conduct philanthropick business; sure a fine cabinet-maker will know quite exact what is want’d do you go enquire about ladies’ desks.

She looks quite longing at the thought.

Comes tea, and she goes pour out.

But, says I, do I catch you thus without any other company, I should go ask when should be a suitable time to come attend to this matter that Lord D- askt me about concerning the furbishing of this house. For I should wish to convoke with you upon the matter, for you are the one will live here, and do you have some distaste to certain colours or any particular notions of your own, these are matters should be taken into consideration.

O, she says, but I know nothing about the matter, and all say Lady B- has quite the most exquisite taste.

O, poo, says I, sure I have late been advizing the Marquess of O-, and I would not array O- House as I might any house I might live in, 'tis like clothes, that must be such as to suit the wearer.

She considers upon this.

O, says I, there are those that will ever be doing over their houses so that they will be in the first crack of fashion, but must become exceeding uncomfortable.

Indeed, says Lady D-, I do not think Lord D- would be of that mind.

I daresay not, says I, but he takes the entire proper line that the house should not be shabby.

I look about. But indeed there is some excellent fine furnishings here, perchance could do with a little polishing to bring 'em up.

Comes in Agnes S- in walking-dress, and I see a little expression of relief on Lady D-'s face.

Miss S- smiles at her and says, sure, Dora, Copping and I undertook a little shopping in Oxford Street, and I was not oblig’d to fight off any attempts at abduction. And we were able to match the ribbons you want’d.

She turns and curtesies to me and says sure she forgets her manners. Her sister pours her out some tea and desires her to sit down.

And, oh, Agnes, she says, Lady B- thinks 'twould be most suitable did I have a fine desk where I could be at philanthropick work – I see an expression of entire yearning come upon Miss S-'s face – indeed, why do we not both go have pretty ladies’ desks made, for you have correspondence &C, and making up your accounts to send to our dear guardian, would it not entirely answer?

Why, says Agnes S- after a pause for thought, indeed I have seen Lady B-'s very fine desk where she does so much excellent work –

(I am hard put to keep a straight face, for I cannot help collecting that dearest Josiah present’d me with my fine desk so that I might go more effective about casting up my accounts concerning the wages of sin.)

- and sure 'twould be a way to keep one’s papers in order, and have all on hand for writing notes &C. Sure, dear Dora, let us go to some cabinet-maker – or perchance have one come here –

Lady D- says with a little pout that she is still able to go about a little, and a little excursion would be agreeable.

I say that I have late had dealings with one that makes a desk and specimen cabinets and other matters for Lord O-‘s study, would quite entirely promote his interest in such matters. I find that I have a card in my reticule and hand it to them.

One might, says Lady D-, ask Lady J- for advice on what she finds to answer in such matters – o, is she not a quite wonderfull woman? I do not know why so many ladies go pull faces as if they would complain upon her, she is so most exceeding kind. Is’t not sad that she and her husband must live so much apart? Such a fine gallant fellow, so devot’d to her.

Agnes S- looks fondly at her sister.

Comes in Lord D-, looks doating at his wife, makes very civil to me, and we conclude a time when I may come look over the house to advize upon furbishing it up.

In due course I am able to take my leave, as Lady D- begins advance the utility of desks to her husband.

I desire Ajax to convey me to N-House, for seems quite an age since I went visit Lady N-.

I find her in her room, lying 'tis true upon the sopha, but looking more than usual well and exceeding merry with Lord Edward, Lord Geoffrey and Lady Emily with her. They all jump up and make a leg or curtesy to me.

Why, says I, sure you are looking most exceeding well, Lady N-.

O, she says, makes such an immense difference to be warm. Sure she has a very fine cashmere shawl that Sir C- F- had his cousin in Calcutta send – are they not the finest things, Lady B-?

I concur that indeed they are, tho’ I do not mention that I have a very fine one that was a gift from dear General Y-.

But there is something about a room with a good fire that puts heart into one. And, o, I am quite sadly remiss: did not write at once to thank you for the fine preserves.

That, says Lady Emily somewhat tart, did one not be watchfull these great greedy fellows would have eat up and left none for anyone else. Her brothers look somewhat conscious.

So exceeding good, goes on Lady N-. Superior to anything they put up in the Monks’ G- kitchens –

Lord Edward says that he has a strong suspicion that the best of the crops from the kitchen gardens go find their way to market rather than the kitchens. Lord Geoffrey looks thoughtfull and I should not take a surprize does he go ask Sandy how one might prove this upon 'em.

But, says Lord Edward, I daresay Mama would like to have a ladylike conversation with Lady B- and we should leave 'em to’t.

His brother looks a little put out, but they troop out, leaving me with Lady N-.

Oh, dear Lady B-, she says, a little tearfull, Sir C- F- disclos’d to me how very kind you had been to him when we were all younger –

Why, says I, somewhat embarrasst, 'twas in some sense my profession at the time.

She smiles thro’ tears and says, he made it out to be rather more than he could have anticipat’d. O, indeed, I would regret that choice – tho’ sure, 'twas more my parents that made it – but then I look at my dear children and cannot wish them other.

I pat her hand. And very fine children they are.