Succession (29)

How doth the little busy bee, improve each shining hour (2)

After she had been persuaded to remain for a light nuncheon, 'twas off to Raxdell House, to take up Priscie de Serrante in her carriage and convey her to a visit with Lady Jane, that was very desirous of making her acquaintance.

Because I have not been going out in Society, Lady Jane had remarked, have not had the opportunity of an introduction to that lady, that one understands does excellent work in the abolitionist cause in Boston. And now one hears that 'tis not at all long before they return there, so the chance may yet elude me.

Clorinda apprehended that news had come that the peril that had overshadowed Reynaldo was now averted, the bounty-hunter that had found him out as a conductor on the Underground railroad having met an untimely demise. Furthermore, it was entirely clear that Bianca di Serrante was by no means yearning for her slave-holder suitor from Georgia, and that this excursion had accomplished its aim.

Why, she responded to Lady Jane, there could be no objection to my bringing Priscie de Serrante one day when I come call upon you.

She was not sure how the two ladies would get on – do-thee-call-me-Priscie being a Quaker and a democratic Yankee – but upon introducing them, was soon apprized that they were entire cut of the same cloth, for all those differences, and were soon sat down over Lady Jane’s prized Am I Not A Man And A Brother Wedgwood tea-set in fervent converse.

Clorinda smiled, and slipped out to go downstairs to see dearest Amelia Addington.

How now, dear rogue! she cried, as Maggy – that still refused to retire – shuffled to admit her, and found the actress, spectacles upon her nose, reading a playscript.

La, she declared, you find me out! I am obliged to resort to these for reading – Tom Tressillian’s latest, and he comes on, I think this will go. Maggy, do you go request Rose to bring us tea –

As Maggy left she leaned forward and whispered that she did not dare have Maggy bear trays any more, o that she could persuade her to a comfortable almshouse somewhere, she will most certain die in harness at some most inconvenient moment. But, she went on, raising her voice, do you have any news from the antipodes?

Indeed, said Clorinda, and it must sure come as a relief to hear that Orlando Richardson is so busy with the cares of management that he has little time to spare for womanizing.

Indeed that is a relief! though seemed to me that a deal of it was he was the pursued rather than the pursuing, even though he is by no means of conventional good looks. Not like poor Hywel, that I am getting up a benefit performance for.

That is excellent good work! put me down for a box. And minds me, here is Lady Lucretia, married to a wealthy and generous man, has that fine mansion in Belgravia, I go about to interest her in philanthropic enterprizes and she is very took by the notion of the Helena Fund for ailing and injured thespians, wonders about holding a drawing-room meeting in the New Year –

Amelia began to laugh quite immoderate. La, I see your purpose in this visit – Clorinda pouted and said, sure 'twas entirely for the delight of her friend’s company – and of course I will concede to come give a reading, present my famed rendering of For England from that dreadful play Queen Maud &C. One observes you go launch the Grigsons in Society.

Well, in a rather better set than she was in around her sister Lady Iffling! – and Grigson is an excellent fellow, very wide business interests –

A canny fellow too, she apprehended, that was increasingly developing his operations in the Orient at Penang and Singapore.

And a quite exquisite taste in porcelain! remarked Amelia.

The day was by no means over when she returned home, and Sophy looked at her somewhat fierce, and said, should lie down a little with a cool cloth across her eyes.

For this e’en was the Gartslades’ party, and she was obliged to go to that, would be most uncivil to cut –

And, there were matters she desired to keep an eye on, even were there not contrivances to be set in motion – sure, ‘twas still entire the like of when dearest Josiah would lift his eyebrows, and grin, and quote How doth the little busy bee, improve each shining hour! But, indeed, she was not old yet – her lips twitched in a wicked little smile even as she felt the pang of loss.

Here was a fine company gathered at the Gartslades, ever the most hospitable of families as well as widely connected –

Who, she enquired, is that young fellow preening himself in what look like fine new regimentals?

The Dowager Lady Gartslade snorted and said, o, that is young Frimleigh – she dropped her voice – scarce more than a year since his father’s sad demise – has been on the Grand Tour 'tis give out – returns to go be gazetted a lieutenant in a crack cavalry regiment – was ever a useless wastrel. Some connexion of Robert’s wife, is how he comes be invited.

Clorinda remarked that alas that Lord Gilbert was, one understood, in the Ukrainian steppes, for otherwise one might have writ to him by way of the Bag – Lady G drooped a knowing wink at Clorinda – to find out whether one should hoist storm warnings. His diplomatic duties appeared to consist of bear-leading wild young fellows of our nation to ensure they did not bring it into entire disrepute.

Yes, one has heard that concerning the lout Talshaw – most odd, there is Saythingport, quite the most polished manners in a somewhat old-fashioned style, and pigs, I fancy, would resent any comparison to Talshaw.

The younger brother is a very amiable and proper-mannered young man, Clorinda observed – but la! she exclaimed. There is Peter Reveley going make very attentive to Fanfan Osberton.

Lady G smirked and said she fancied there was a match making there. O, had been dazzled by Miss di Serrante at first, but – oh, she is a very fine young woman, but I do not think they would suit, whereas this is entirely suitable.

While one had to consider that Lady Gartslade doubtless had some prejudices in favour of the daughter of her own goddaughter, Lady Vinwich, this was indeed a most appropriate match. Would be the second marriage of the present Lord Raxdell’s family into the previous Lord Raxdell’s fribble set, that were now no longer empty-headed wastrels but responsible fathers of families, prudent managers of their estates, and continuers of Milord, Gervase Reveley’s, political legacy in the Lords. Clorinda hoped that they might gently bring Peter Reveley into the same paths: alas that unlike his sisters, he had not been educated by La Signora Umberti in music, Italian, and democratic opinions.

But, said the Dowager, I should not keep you gossiping in a corner – I see a deal of men looking over in your direction, and I daresay wish to solicit you for the dancing.

O, poo, murmured Clorinda – but I see there is Sir Hartley, I should like to know have they lately heard aught from Verena on the steppes –

Indeed the Zellens had, and there had been a parcel of fine sables for Lady Zellen and Verena’s sisters. Clorinda sighed with envy.

The following morn was no occasion when she might enjoy a quiet few hours at her desk, catching up upon her own affairs, for darling Bess was in Town and came call.

As Hector showed her in, asking very civil after Sir Thomas and the children, and Bess making reciprocal enquiries, Bess looked around the pretty parlour and said, la, 'tis still the same – o, but where is the General’s bibi? And the lady riding the tiger?

Clorinda smiled and said, had lent 'em to Sallington’s Exhibition of Arts of the East, and hoped that Bess would take the opportunity to visit that afore she returned to Leicestershire.

Bess went to kiss Clorinda and said she would make efforts but had a deal upon hand. She sat down opposite in front of the fire, and Euphemia herself came with coffee and parkin.

Once that exchange of civilities was over, and Bess had praised the parkin as entirely what her mother would have approved, Clorinda conveyed to her the latest intelligence about the antipodean theatre company –

Bess smiled with gratification, and then looked more sober, asking, did Clorinda hear aught from New York?

O, flourishing, she replied, here is Charlie Darcy writing plays to show off Mrs Forsyth’s particular talents, as well as performing in the great classics of the drama.

Bess gave a wistful smile, and said, 'twas well.

And here is a few of the press notices –

Bess looked up with a little dampness on her eyelashes. Pulled herself together and said, here was young Rosalind Dalrymple showed very promising, as one might anticipate.

Moved on to enquire whether they might have the pleasure of Clorinda’s company at Ollifaunt Hall at Christmas? – Clorinda shook her head, and Bess made a little moue and said, had supposed that Flora would have the preference!

Clorinda sighed. Why, now the family is so dispersed am obliged to choose.

Bess gave a sudden amused snort and said, was there not a tale by Lady Anonyma of a lady so beset with invitations that she has a mechanical simulacrum constructed to send out in her place?

La, that old thing!

Anyway, at the pleading of Pip and Alec we go invite Master Frinton – and his mother and grandmother as well –

That is excellent hospitable of you!

Why, besides the boys crying up Walter, I hear the most glowing reports from Harry and Sebastian concerning some business matter they have brought Miss Frinton into – Lou likes her exceedingly –

O, darling Bess, thought Clorinda – sometimes one considered her the daunting image in that poem:

The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill;
A perfect Woman, nobly planned,
To warn, to comfort, and command.

but she was also beloved Eliza’s daughter and had the same warmest heart.

An afternoon when she was obliged to attend to the brangles of the orphanage ladies, that poor Dumpling Dora was still seemingly too distracted by her family troubles to deal with.

But, at last, she might go home, and change into somewhat that was not looking proper for the philanthropic set and rather more comfortable, and then go down to the parlour, where she found the entirely delightful tableau of Leda lying upon the floor with Motley and Fribble climbing about her, smiling up at Clorinda as she entered.