the_comfortable_courtesan

Josiah had had no idea what to expect of their visit to Mr Robinson’s studio: he had certainly not anticipated that all would turn to gaze upon their entrance. Though he could not deny that 'twas somewhat agreeable to see those expression of envy on certain fellows’ faces at the sight of Madame Clorinda upon his arm. One could see that she was well-known, but treated with – yes, there was a degree of respect there, there was none showed vulgar familiar towards her.

She conducted him to Mr Robinson, that was displaying some new painting to an interested group. He immediately ceased whatever he was saying, bowed exceeding low over her hand, declared that it was an entire age since he had seen her, and when would she sit to him again?

She tapped him lightly with her fan and said were there not a deal of fresher faces about Town? but permit her to introduce to him Mr Ferraby, that made most excellent fine iron and had interest in canals and was about improvements –

Mr Robinson shook his hand most exceeding hearty, made very amiable, desired to introduce him about the company; and Josiah realized that indeed, this was an excellent fine way to become acquainted with fellows that might come about to be of use to him, and he to them, for they were by no means dilettantes but virtuosi and savants and those with whom he could find a deal in common.

He could hear Madame Clorinda and Robinson in idle converse about mutual acquaintance, when he heard her give a little squeek, beg leave of Mr Robinson, and go over to another lady, a fine gypsyish-looking creature, and smite her upon the arm with her fan, crying, Abby Gowing, you sad trollop! Have not seen you this age, where have you been hiding yourself?

He thought the lady looked a little uneasy, but then said, why, have been travelling about the races, have not seen you there at all.

Why, with Lord Raxdell in mourning, 'twould be most improper for him to be about such matters –

Miss Gowing snorted and said, Even when one considers what sort of a fellow his father was? Sure I am surprised he did not go give a ball on the evening of the funeral.

He wishes, I daresay, to show an entire contrast to that wretched scoundrel. But, my dear, how did you do?

O, Miss Gowing looked modestly down, I did well enough.

Madame Clorinda beckoned to Josiah with her fan, in order that she might make an introduction – this naughty rogue is my oldest and dearest friend, Miss Abigail Gowing, sure I must caution you do you ever venture to sit down to a game at cards with her –

At this moment came up, looking a little abashed, a fellow that had all the air of a gentleman about town of the sporting set –

Miss Gowing also looked somewhat conscious as he slipped his arm through hers.

La, Sir Barton! Have not seen you this age, was in some fret there was some matter of debts of honour leading you to rusticate – but I confide that you have been disporting yourself about the Turf with this saucy wench here –

(Had not there been some mention of Sir Barton as among Madame Clorinda’s favourites? She was taking his defection, if such it was, with entire aplomb, and it was, indeed, the gentleman and Miss Gowing that were looking in some embarrassment.)

But I fail in my manners! Sir Barton, permit me to introduce Mr Ferraby, that does most exceeding well out of iron and suchlike matters –

Charmed, said Sir Barton, extending his hand with a genial expression –

Mr Ferraby, Sir Barton Wallace, Member of Parliament for Moncombe Upshaw. But, she put her arm through Miss Gowing’s, I must beg your leaves to go exchange gossip with this wanton doxy that I have not seen in so long –

Sir Barton shook his head as the two women walked away. Fine woman, he said, exceeding fine woman.

Entirely, said Josiah.

Would never show it, but I came to suppose she found gaming-hells a little tedious, whereas Miss Gowing – now, she is a gamester through and through. But you are in the business of iron, she says –

They proceeded to discussion and Josiah found Sir Barton most exceeding agreeable – no deep thinker, perchance, and he dared say was one upon whom the duties of MP sat very lightly, but all amiability: regretted to hear that Mr Ferraby would be returning to the north so soon, would have quite delighted to take him to a prize-fight – he sighed a little at the fine prize-fighter he had lost in Hector – and sure, one day he must come dine at his club. Did he come to Town again -?

Josiah allowed that he was like to be back with a couple of months or so.

Why, I daresay one may leave messages with Madame Clorinda? One hears you are in quite the greatest favour there.

Josiah looked, he hoped, suitably modest at the thought. I daresay, he said, that she would keep 'em for me.

The two women returned, apparently on quite the greatest terms of amiability, giggling a little together. Well, said Madame Clorinda, is’t not pleasant to renew acquaintance? And by the by, Sir Barton, how does that good old lady your mother?

Sir Barton gave somewhat between a sigh and a groan and said, has been persuaded to try Buxton for a change.

'Tis a deal further off than Bath, said Miss Gowing with an air of great cheer.

Madame Clorinda said 'twas time they took their leave of Mr Robinson –

Indeed, said Miss Gowing, here comes that rattle Miss Daniels, let us all leave together with an air of quite the greatest friendship, or she will have it all over town that we were about pulling of hair and scratching faces.

Entirely prudent, dearest Abby.

Why, said Sir Barton, have m’carriage without, might drop you by your house.

So very kind, she murmured, before going to make their congé to Mr Robinson.

Once they were returned to Madame Clorinda’s pretty house, and had tea and anchovy-toast and very fresh hot scones before them, she remarked that all had fallen out a deal more advantageous than she had hoped. Had not supposed, she said, that one might run across Sir Barton in Town at this season, had meant sometime to contrive an introduction, for I confide that it must be of considerable utility to you to have the acquaintance of an MP – o, one must confess he is not noted for his diligence about the affairs of the nation, but he is very good-natured and will put himself about to help friends in matters of private bills &C –

Josiah agreed that Sir Barton seemed quite the most agreeable of fellows, but, he had been led to surmize –

O! Madame Clorinda giggled a little. Sure he is a pleasant fellow, but he has a tiresome fondness for the four pasteboard queens that supersedes any devotion to a flesh-and-blood lady once he is at the tables, most exceeding ennuyant. 'Tis entirely delightful to me that he has took up with Abby, that can enter into his passion as I cannot. Also, she added, one always fears that the dreadful crocodile, Old Lady Wallace his mother, that is so like unto a crocodile that one wonders that she is not haled off to a menagerie, is like to grow vengeful against ladies that distract him from marrying and presenting her with grandchildren.

Not, she went on, that I would wish ill upon Abby, that is quite my oldest and dearest friend, the reckless rogue. She smiled fondly.

A most pleasant, and, I am like to think, profitable afternoon, said Josiah. Might I desire you, now you have poured tea, to come sit upon my knee?

Sure, Mr Ferraby, that would be quite entire agreeable!

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azurelunatic

Abby! :D :D

shewhostaples

It's lovely to see more of Miss G- before she becomes Mrs T- (not that I don't love her as Mrs T-, but this is a real treat)!

rymenhild

It's also delightful to see Clorinda and Abby together from the outside. We never heard Madame C- lovingly referring to Miss G- as a sad trollop before!

nenya_kanadka

That was ADORABLE.

kore

ABBBBYYYYY

omg, sad trollop and all the other names! Clorinda does like the naughty girls. :D

rhi

I'm just over here giggling about the fond names for Abby and the almost-appearance of the dread crocodile! And Josiah is so *good* about taking things as they come and asking for explanations later. A wise, wise, quiet man, that one!