Two weddings and several revelations (23)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Still a deal of interest and entertainment in the world (1)

Clorinda, Lady Bexbury, entered her library with a small sigh. Indeed it was becoming somewhat crowded: the cabinets containing the late Lady Trembourne’s lace collection against one wall – sure she should be more toward about placing it in a museum – and now –

She did not look at the portfolios laid upon the table, but went to gaze out of the window. Though it gave out onto the street, and her concern was what might go forth in the mews. She was in some fret as to whether, one morn, Matt Johnson leaving by the kitchen-door might encounter Maurice leaving by the back-door of the library wing. That could be – troublesome.

Sure she had never anticipated – it had been no contrivance of hers – oh, there had been a contrivance but it had been entirely about distracting Sandy’s mind with a puzzling problem, finding him occupation. And indeed, helping out Maurice. But she had not supposed –

As long as Sandy is happy, she told herself. It is only nature to love again.

She sighed. O, foolish Clorinda, she murmured to herself. Sure, when you write a tale, will not there be some matter of love betwixt most unlikely partners? 'Twould be extreme dull did you tell of one philosopher that encounters another philosopher and they embark on a liaison founded in logic and rationality and serious discussions upon philosophical questions.

The library door opened and Sandy entered, a coffee-cup in his hand along with several letters. So, he had been out yestere’en.

Good morn, dear sibyl. Why the pensive look - ? His gaze fell upon the portfolios and he fell silent, then continued, Hector desired me to bring up these letters that just came for you. He handed them to her.

Clorinda sorted through them – oh, she said, Lord Sallington writes from Nitherholme, I wonder what that might be about.

Perchance he has heard that Mr Hacker left you his art collection?

Why, he had no name as a connoisseur, 'twas very much a private indulgence, something to refresh his spirits after all the horrors that a surgeon is required to encounter, and a deal of it I think is engravings of fine works he saw in his travels –

(Oh, it would be distressing to open those portfolios and see those pictures that Mr Hacker had desired her to personate - and to remember how much pleasure he had found in contemplating a body that was healthy and beautiful and sound, the dear creature. She wondered what had happened to the stuffed swan with which she had enacted Leda – long since gone to moth, she dared say.)

She broke the seal on the letter and perused the contents. O. O. O, that wretch. Well, that elucidates the mystery of those enquiries into Julius’s birth, but o, 'tis so like that scoundrel to do the proper thing in such a way that, I confide, has gone cause a deal of trouble.

Dear sibyl, pray do not be as mysterious as an oracle, but elucidate.

Lord Sallington, said Clorinda, excellent young man, writes to say that Julius has been informed that Mr Evenden, that lately died in Philadelphia, made him his heir – as you may recollect, his chymical researches led to him to certain patents that were exceeding remunerative – but that Julius, of course, had no notion of the truth of his parentage and is most exceeding distressed in the matter, comes to Town to confront Seraphine and Elisha Roberts, oh, indeed it is a to-do. And His Lordship expresses himself most pretty complimentary over what he considers my ability to ease troubled situations and therefore forewarns me – or, hopes he writes sufficiently beforehand to forewarn me – of what is in train.

She looked up, to see the expected dour Calvinistical glare on Sandy’s face. Why, he said, did he have time to go seek out Julius he must have had some foreboding of his end, cannot have been entire sudden; and could just as well have gone about in that interval to find out how Seraphine might feel in the matter, and generally prepare the ground.

I surmize, said Clorinda, that Mr Evenden was not in the habit of considering women overmuch. Indeed I hold no brief for the quondam Miss Fanny Minton or mayhap Mrs Gaffney, but one matter that I will not go blame her for is cuckolding and then deserting him. He must have shown exceeding tiresome as a husband.

Do you hear at all what came to her and Herr Paffenrath?

Alas, my dear, my lines of communication in that business depended upon my being on terms with Sir Vernon, and he still sulks in his tent, the foolish fellow. But indeed this is a –

At this moment Hector entered at the library door, saying that Seraphine had just come call in a very great taking.

Why, put her in the parlour, desire a deal of good strong coffee from Euphemia, and I will be down as soon as maybe.

She turned to Sandy. He put down his coffee-cup and clasped her hands. At least Seraphine has had the wisdom to come to you.

Clorinda bit her lip. Perchance I should have endeavoured persuade her aforetimes to tell Julius somewhat of the truth –

Dear silly creature, said Sandy, squeezing her hands, you may make the characters in your tales act as you would consider proper, but in this world, all have free will to act as they may.

Clorinda ran downstairs and through the doorway into the main part of the house. Entering the parlour she found Seraphine standing –

Oh, my dear, she said, going over and taking her in her arms, at which Seraphine promptly began sobbing upon her shoulder, I apprehend something of what is ado, but here, come let us sit upon the sopha, and here comes Euphemia with some coffee, do you take a little to settle your nerves –

Seraphine blinked tearfully at her. You know what’s ado?

Lord Sallington has writ to forewarn me in the matter.

Seraphine gave a little sigh and said, she was glad not to have to recount the business over again. Julius was in a very great taking, and indeed, 'twas not to be wondered at. For indeed, though they did not outright lie to him, they never told him the truth, 'twas somewhat Jesuitical. But she wished only to forget that rogue, and Elisha doated so upon the boy, they could never come at some time when it seemed right to disclose -

Indeed, said Clorinda, 'tis a very hard thing and sure when I took my dearest Flora on the Grand Tour 'twas not until we were at length arrived at Naples that I could bring myself to reveal to her that I was her mother, and I was in the greatest fret over it.

But at least, said Seraphine, she had known and loved you since earliest days: this was some entire stranger of whom all Julius knows was that he begot him out of wedlock.

Clorinda sighed. Indeed one cannot present any very agreeable testimonials to the late Mr Evenden’s character though I am given to understand that he was highly reputed in scientific circles. O, is Julius put about for fear he may have inherited some paternal characteristics? You might allude to His late Lordship, that was quite the antithesis of his horrid father, it does not always follow.

Indeed so, murmured Seraphine into Clorinda’s shoulder. But Julius was ever proud of being Elisha’s son – And who would not be? – Talks very wild of refusing the inheritance –

My dear Seraphine, have you told Julius the all? For 'tis all a somewhat heavy tale to disclose – the very coarse conduct towards the household generally, and then that shocking kidnapping plot – sure to leave him his fortune is some recompense though so very much delayed. Indeed he was not to know that you are so fortunate situated, might have come to penury and want –

Oh, indeed we have not!

Perchance, said Clorinda, 'twould come better from another – sure I am minded that – She paused and considered that perchance Julius’s recent making a confidante of Sandy was best not alluded to – 'twas one of the first services that Mr MacDonald undertook for us, might not he be the best person to show the matter in its true light to Julius? For I think it might come better from a man than from me, an entire Society featherwit that was once of a most shocking trade.

Seraphine looked up. That is a fine thought, she said. Will put it to him that 'tis all too entire distressing a tale for us to recount in all its details – 'tis entire truth, sure the recollection makes me feel quite sick - and that there were legal matters that Mr MacDonald put on hand for us. Oh, indeed, I said to dear Mr Roberts, I will go to Lady Bexbury, she will know what to do –

Clorinda patted Seraphine’s shoulder and meditated upon the dangers of a reputation for knowing what to do in tangled circumstances.

Comments

[rmc28]

Oh poor Clorinda, to lose yet another friend.

[davidgillon]

I suspect the inwardness of the thing will mean most of the friends Clorinda came about by way of her profession were older than her (the General, for one), with Biffle and Milord being prominent exceptions. But even youth is no defence.

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Given the risks of being a surgeon and anatomist in the pre-antisepsis era (even without his involvement with the Gentlemen of the Trade) Mr Hacker had a good run.

[derien]

I wonder how Julius confronted his mother? And what he did to give her time to run to Clorinda.

[jesuswasbatman]

Some negative judgements on Holman Hunt expressed elsewhere recently make me wonder about Clorinda's reaction to "The Awakening Conscience".

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

I suspect she would have eschewed Raffish Bloke in the first place...

[kore]

Julius, you deserve a spanking, and not in the fun way. Yes yes you feel very distrait, but so do your PARENTS.

(Oh, it would be distressing to open those portfolios and see those pictures that Mr Hacker had desired her to personate - and to remember how much pleasure he had found in contemplating a body that was healthy and beautiful and sound, the dear creature. She wondered what had happened to the stuffed swan with which she had enacted Leda – long since gone to moth, she dared say.)

Aww. -- "Where late the sweet swan sang?" (tried to do a "swan song" pun but the grammar wouldn't work)

[elisem]

Where are the swans of yesteryear?

(Don't mind me; I'm rereading and just nodding in. Rereading is a great comfort. Thank you again for the stories!)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

I'm glad that it is a comfort!