Revenants (5)

Two young people in considerable agitation 

It was prudential to get matters respecting the Dolly Mutton Homes as well in order as might be afore she departed upon her round of country-house visits – 'twas not a philanthropic enterprize she might be discovered about in company! Clorinda, Lady Bexbury, sighed. Sure, it was entirely the cause dearest to her heart – yea, even dearer than Abby and Thomas Thorne’s fine work to improve the condition of the convicts in New South Wales! – an enterprize to provide comfortable refuge to ladies of the Town that wished to leave that life for reason of age or sickness, and had been unable to make any provision for their retirement. Somewhere where they would not be preached over, or required to rise early to pray, or to undertake labour such as laundry.

There was the first establishment, the house that had belonged to dear Dolly Mutton herself, in Covent Garden, and now the two ancillary establishments, one at the Sussex seashore, that had been Hacker’s mansion, and the Red House in pretty Hertfordshire countryside, all supported by a fine endowment put in hand by her darling Ferrabys, and the earnings of the pen of A Lady Anonyma, that she had never anticipated would have become so remunerative! And various other sources of income – dearest Agnes Lucas, that popular poet A.M., still sent pleasing sums for the cause.

And sometimes ladies that had took refuge during some period of illness or ill-luck came about again and demonstrated their gratitude.

But alas, 'twas not a charity for which one might hold drawing-room meetings, or persuade one’s theatrical friends to give a benefit performance.

Still, the accounts were looking in a very healthful condition!

Clorinda looked up from her desk, as Hector came in with cards on a silver tray.

Callers? At this early hour?

Two young people in considerable agitation, said Hector.

Clorinda looked at the cards, raised her eyebrows and said, La, this was not the embassy I was anticipating in this matter! But you may send 'em in, and go desire coffee – and mayhap chocolate as well – from Euphemia –

She put her papers and account books into a drawer of the desk and locked it, and went sit on the sopha. There was nothing she could do about the ink-spots on her fingers.

She rose as Hector ushered in two very young people.

Lord Ketterwell! Lady Griselda! Enchanted!

Lady Griselda Upweston curtseyed very elegant, and her younger brother made a pleasingly polished leg.

Do sit down, she exhorted them. How are your dear uncle and aunt?

Lady Griselda sighed, and said that alas, their uncle the Earl lay abed with one of his megrims –

That, surmized Clorinda, was why Lord and Lady Pockinford were not on her doorstep. No doubt Dora was applying cool cloths to her husband’s head.

And how was Lord Ketterwell finding Oxford?

Lord Ketterwell expatiated upon Oxford in some detail until his sister discreetly kicked his ankle.

Hector came in with coffee, chocolate, and an array of cakes, tartlets, &C.

Once he had departed, and Clorinda had poured out, and desired them to help themselves to the dainties before 'em, she enquired what brought 'em to her door?

Lord Ketterwell swallowed a mouthful and was about to speak, when his sister put down her cup and said, The most terrible news! Mama and Papa are returning to England!

Clorinda took a sip of coffee. Say you so! why, indeed matters upon the Continent are at present such as to make that no doubt a prudent course – I do not mind precisely where they were travelling –

She had already been informed of the impending return of the disgraced Earl and Countess of Trembourne by dear Sir Vernon Horrobin, that had some considerable interest in the matter. They had left the realm some – was it two? three? – years previous as a result of slandering Clorinda over her management of the Bexbury estate whilst the supposed Marquess had been an incarcerate lunatic, a slander that had been retracted in the public press. But indeed, what came from Sir Vernon was confidential information –

Well, she said, no doubt they have been away long enough that all will have been forgot –

The siblings groaned. Lord Ketterwell said that there was an obnoxious fellow – not in his college – that he had run across in Oxford – Fraylingham – that indeed seems to suppose 'tis still very much spoke of.

Nasty creatures, the Fraylinghams, said Clorinda, part of the Dabney connexion, that greatly resented my marriage to the dear late Marquess – not the lunatic bigamist, the classical scholar that was many years at Naples, a dear good creature – and were a deal more persistent in propagating the slander than your mother ever was. I daresay they are still very careful to throw it entirely upon her.

But what can we do?

Clorinda looked at Lady Griselda. O, she was so like her grandmother, dearest Lady Trembourne, that had come about to being such a great friend. A fine lady of the old school, with her lace-making and her very proper manners – It was a pity that looks that would be distinguished in middle age were perchance not best suited to youth. Fine strong features –

Why, I will go think upon the matter – I fancy do I go show civil – refuse to give the cut – all will suppose all entire blown over.

O, said Lord Ketterwell, indeed we are in the greatest fret that they will not be received –

Why, thought Clorinda, I daresay there are those consider that Lady Trembourne was very given to malicious gossip and spiteful speculations in general, and Lord Trembourne was a sad tedious bore ever discoursing upon his imaginary ill-health, and be glad of an excuse to be quit of their company, but indeed 'twill not do.

O, poo, she said. Here they are – but lately come from the continent and doubtless have intelligence of how matters go there – have been about the society in a deal of spaws – I fancy curiosity at least will give 'em the entrée.

The pair groaned in unison, and Lord Ketterwell said, their father no doubt discoursing of matters fitter to be left 'twixt a man and his physician!

Alas, 'twas entire so, Clorinda inwardly conceded. And o dear, how should he occupy his time now that Mary-Theresa O’Callaghan had gone take the veil? That had previous had such a fine hand at special pleasures for gentlemen.

Well, my dears, do you leave the matter in my hands, and perchance I may come call at Pockinford House in a day or so when 'tis no longer a house of sickness –

Meanwhile, she went on, you have very pretty hair, Lady Griselda, Sophy has remarked upon it, but considers that it might be dressed more becoming? Why do you not step up to my dressing-room and have some discourse with her about it, while Lord Ketterwell tells me what goes forth at Oxford?

So she took Lady Griselda up to her dressing-room, where Sophy gave the inky fingers a sharp look but said nothing, instead remarking on the excellence of Her Ladyship’s hair – was minded of her late granddam’s, that had been fine and thick even in old age –

Clorinda went back downstairs to hearken to young Lord Ketterwell upon Oxford, and that he most particular did well in rowing – Clorinda minded that his uncle, Lord Pockinford, was a surprizing adept fellow in a boat and had doubtless conveyed some of that skill –

Presently Sophy brought down Lady Griselda, that indeed looked a deal better with her hair thus.

The two young people declared that they had taken entirely too much of Lady Bexbury’s time – she was too kind – had relieved a deal of their fret –

Hector came to escort 'em out.

Sophy glowered a little at Clorinda’s fingers, and then said, sure Lady Griselda could wear the Trembourne Tiara!

Say you so!

'Twould not suit her mother at all, but she is so like her granddam – would not be overwhelmed –

Hmmm – I fancy 'tis designated to whomsoever young Lord Ketterwell marries.

A pity, said Sophy, that had a very nice taste in jewellery. She scowled once more at the ink on Clorinda’s fingers, and said, dared say Her Ladyship would be about further writing the morn –

Indeed, I will come have you clean me up when I am done!