Revenants (11)

Not the flibbertigibbet creature gossip had give her out 

Miss Maude Coggin looked at the little note in her hand – crested stationery! – read it over again, and then ventured to go into Mr Maurice’s workroom, where, if not precisely at leisure – he was frowning ferociously at a length of fringing that, she surmized, was not of the quality he had anticipated – he did not have any patron with him.

She handed him the note, saying, Lady Pockinford was very desirous that she might go the afternoon to assist her and her young assistants with tallying over the stuffs &C that have already arrived for making of orphan clothing over the summer months.

Mr Maurice conned over the note, nodded and said, why, we should not wish to disoblige Lady Pockinford, and indeed, it looks very well for Mamzelle Bridgette to be associated with this fine philanthropic endeavour to clothe naked orphans and save seamstresses from the streets during the slack season o’the year. I fancy 'tis the same consideration for those businesses that go donate wool and cotton – even if 'tis not of the first quality, I daresay they could take it to market somewhere, sell it off at the manufactory gates perchance – needles, thread, and other items. Have you never seen those shop signs and sugar bowls that used to proclaim that This is East India sugar? – now, of course, one may consume West India sugar and rum without any qualm to one’s conscience –

That had not been aught that had ever engaged Maude’s attention, but she took the thought that it might have been of more moment for Mr Maurice and his connexion, and nodded.

So, indeed you may go, matters come around a little less pressing here as the Season fades and families go move to their estates.

So Maude put on her bonnet and set off towards that building in the City – that she fancied was also some donation upon which the enterprize paid no rent! – where the charitable body had its offices and storerooms. Was a little behind time – a street accident that delayed the omnibus along with other traffic, a deal of shouting and swearing – as she came up to the door.

Inside she found no Lady Pockinford, but four young ladies, to whom she made a brief curtsey.

Oh, Miss Coggin, cried Lady Agatha Saxorby, Mama sends her profoundest apologies, but Papa is smitten down with the megrim, and she does not like to leave his side, but she is sure that you may direct us in the necessary tasks and will be excellent instructive for us.

In spite of her father’s ailment, Lady Agatha looked in excellent spirits. Maude took a surreptitious glance at her left hand and observed a pretty little ring on the relevant finger. So! had been gossiped on for some while that Lady Agatha had a very strong mind to wed her cousin Mr Lucas, that, one apprehended, had no great breeding but would have a pleasing portion to bring to marriage from his mother that had been a wealthy heiress, and was going into the church, very respectable. Maude said, she took the supposition that Lady Agatha was to be wished happy?

Lady Agatha blushed and smiled and said, indeed so, Papa and Mama had agreed to Hughie’s suit, though of course marriage must wait upon his ordination and presentation to a living.

But, she went on, she must make Miss Coggin known to her companions: these turned out to be her cousin, Lady Griselda Upweston, the daughter of Lord Trembourne, that one heard was but lately returned to these shores having fled howling mobs of revolutionaries upon the Continent; Lady Rachel Merrett, daughter of Lord Nuttenford; and Miss Priscilla Fendersham, daughter of Lord Fendersham, that one heard was being courted by Lady Agatha’s brother Lord Demington.

Maude supposed that the presence of Lady Rachel was to do with her being the bosom friend of Miss Fendersham: they had been much seen together about the events of the Season. Had been give out that she was showing an inclination to Mr Robert Wallace, a somewhat shocking thing: a mere baronet’s son, even were the Wallaces a very old and good family and his father a distinguished MP. But one apprehended that there were those took some objection to her Jewish blood?

It was a matter of some gratification to Maude that Lady Pockinford was not there, as she took the thought that without the Countess’s reproving presence, the young ladies might well indulge in a little gossip about their circles, that it would be very agreeable to have. It gave one consequence about one’s friends to be able to recount tales of Society life, and the marriages that were being made up, or that had fallen through, and the flirtations that were a-going on.

So she gave the young women the various lists that purported to lay out what had been sent, and desired them to go check very careful whether there were indeed the correct number and description as set forth, and all went into the storeroom.

And they had been at this for some while, and they were indeed exchanging some very tantalizing snippets, when Lady Rachel looked up with a little frown, and said, might it also be prudent to look inside a package or so, from time to time, to ensure that the description was accurate?

That was well thought! So she licensed them to do so.

At one moment, came up to her Lady Griselda, the other young ladies being out of sight in other corners of the room, saying, was not sure was it proper, but apprehended that Miss Coggin was in a position of responsibility at Mamzelle Bridgette? Maude allowed that this was so.

Only, said Lady Griselda, wringing her hands somewhat, my mama – Lady Trembourne – has but lately returned to Town from foreign parts, and finds herself sadly out of style, and I fancy she would be greatly cheered – is somewhat melancholy – could she have some occasion of coming convoke over matters of dress at Mamzelle Bridgette –

That viper was possibly the least obscene term that Mr Maurice had applied to Lady Trembourne when she had still been about Town Society; one of their most difficult patrons. But, business was business and one did not like to turn it away –

Why, said Maude, I will see what we can do. Taking the thought that 'twould have to be Mr Maurice she saw – one would not thrust her upon little Miss Jupp, was not yet, Maude fancied, quite ready for the Lady Trembournes of the world.

She then went walk about to see how the young ladies did. None so bad, and she was most particular prepossessed with how exceeding conscientious Lady Rachel showed. Not the flibbertigibbet creature gossip had give her out earlier in the Season!