the_comfortable_courtesan

He was not at all sure that Madame Clorinda would be able to see him as soon as he should desire upon his return to London: but there was delivered to his lodgings a note in her elegant clear handwriting that she was entire free to receive him the following e’en, and would expect him to come dine.

A smiling Hector opened the door to him, indicated that the household was entire delighted to see his return in good health, and showed him into the parlour. Madame Clorinda came quite running to greet him, clad, he was pleased to observe, in a garment that was more a pretty wrapper than a gown. As they kissed, he began to pull from her hair the ivory combs that Docket had approved as quite entirely the most proper gift he might make, to see the golden curls cascade about her shoulders.

La! She giggled. Sure Docket took considerable time over making that effect – but, Mr Ferraby, I confide that your furnace is already well-stoked-up with most excellent coke and we may commence upon smelting as soon as maybe.

It was most immense gratifying that she seemed so extreme pleased at his return and took as much pleasure in their embraces as he did.

But, my dear, she said, some while later when they were both at least temporarily sated, let us go have the very fine dinner Seraphine has been about preparing, and then I have a deal of little messages to give you.

Messages?

From various fellows that you met last time you were in Town – Mr Robinson desires take you about some gatherings of his acquaintance in the scientific set, Sir Barton I daresay wishes take you to see a prize-fight and most definite invites you to go dine at his club, and Mr Pargiter has invited us both to a party he makes up to go to the play –

To see poor Little Miss Rabbit perform again?

Why, I fear there may be somewhat of that, but even so, we should go, for there is a Mr Nixon, that is a great friend of Mr Pargiter, is somewhat of importance at the Home Office, will be of the party, and I confide that might be of use to establish some interest with him.

Josiah raised himself upon one elbow and looked down at the lovely form beside him. I apprehend that you have been busy.

Fie, a deal of this was the very fine impression you made when you were last in Town, fellows have been asking after you ever since. She sat up and began wriggling into her wrapper once more.

Fie, Madame Clorinda, I must suppose you go flatter a poor provincial fellow.

O, poo! Have not yet had time to tell you but I went follow your advice a little about investment and while I know ‘tis a matter where one must think of the long term, already shows satisfactory. She gave him a sweet smile. Am but a simple creature that had little enough schooling, but sure I can add and subtract and multiply without I go count upon my fingers.

He wondered a little about her origins: she was so very pretty-spoken, her manners were elegant enough for a duchess – but he fancied that it might seem encroaching to pry. There had been no sad tale of seduction and abandonment, that he supposed must be a common reason for entering her profession: but he would wait upon her own willingness to make any disclosure.

Well, she said, kissing him lightly, I fancy Seraphine has so arranged matters that naught will be spoilt by the time we come to table, but I daresay we should not dillydally much longer.

He kissed her rather more heartily, running his hands through her hair, and said that he was entire ready for some of Seraphine’s fine cooking.

After they had dined he addressed himself to the matter of the little notes, that were indeed exceeding gratifying – I wonder a little, he remarked, that Mr Robinson has such an acquaintance among scientific savants.

O, entirely goes with being an artist, said Madame Clorinda, that sat at the opposite side of the fire and engaged somewhat desultory in a little embroidery. Sure he explained it in great detail – she dimpled a reminiscent smile – when, some several years ago, afore he came to his present renown, was commissioned to a matter of a set of paintings for a certain gentleman’s private cabinet, and fee’d Abby and myself to pose for 'em. Beguiled the time – for sure 'tis a tedious matter holding a pose – by telling us of his studies in anatomy, and of the necessity to understand matters of chymistry in compounding paints and varnishes, and of the science of optics, and perspective, and the mathematics of proportion. 'Twas of considerable interest to Abby, that is very clever indeed with numbers and figures. Though – o, she is a naughty Abby! – we presented so many ladies being spied upon or ravished or seduced by gods, she was very fain to ask, might we not also present Salome with the Baptist’s head upon a platter, or Judith murdering Holofernes, or that lady in the Old Testament that employs a tent-peg upon a fellow, or mayhap that Greek lady that set upon her husband in his bath when he returned from the wars –

Josiah grinned. Sure I should like to see those paintings.

Sure they were exceeding fine! But of course, the fellow that commissioned 'em keeps 'em for his private pleasure – mayhap will show 'em to a friend or so. 'Tis better so. Should not care to have engravings put out of Madame Clorinda as Susannah in her bath or Danae being showered with gold &C.

He could see that was quite reasonable.

However, she went on, Mr Robinson very kindly gave Abby and me little studies of what he considered particular effective poses – she put down her embroidery frame, stood up, and left the room, returning a little while later with a small framed painting, that she handed to him – 'Tis intended as Venus –

Why, indeed, said Josiah as he contemplated it, 'tis most effective. ‘'Twould be of considerable interest to see could you go imitate the painting.

La, 'twas in my salad days when I was a fresh young thing –

Some fortnight or so since?

Fie, Mr Ferraby, you are a naughty flatterer that I confide has designs upon me! But do you express the desire, I will endeavour comply.

He could see no very great alteration – though she demurred that sure candlelight showed very kindly to a woman’s looks – indeed, he remarked, somewhat finer than the painting in some several respects.

I see, Mr Ferraby, she said in purring tones, you purpose go enact Mars to my Venus.

Indeed 'twas so.

Next morn, as they breakfasted together in great good humour with one another, Hector came in with a note, saying would not disturb 'em, but that the footman tarried for a reply –

Madame Clorinda took the note, that bore a very large seal, and opened it. O! she cried, as she read it, His Grace is returned to Town – sure, Hector, you may tell the footman I shall be entire delighted to attend the rout.

Hector left the room. Madame Clorinda laid the note aside and looked across the table at Josiah, who endeavoured not to display a deal of curiosity about the matter.

She smiled at him. My dear Mr Ferraby, I can see you wonder about this matter of little notes about routs from a Duke, but I fancy 'tis not what you suppose. His Grace of Mulcaster has shown exceeding kindly towards me these several years, but 'tis quite entirely out of gratitude that I did not make any attempts to hinder his heir’s going to Constantinople in the Diplomatic – for was a time when Lord Sallington was exceeding devoted to me, and I daresay had I wished I might have brought about dissension 'twixt father and son by beseeching him to stay, perchance by making some jealous allusions to running after odalisques &C. But sure seemed to me 'twas entire the most proper thing for a fellow of his rank, rather than being an idle fribble about Town, though sure I did miss him somewhat considerable at first –

But his father showed extreme gracious as a result, promoted my interests, as in such matters as recommending me to certain patrons among his set. And when he is in Town, he is in the habit of holding routs for his set – and as he is long a widower and does not have any female relative about the household - although he has a daughter she goes live upon one of his distant estates - they are very much bachelor entertainments, and he therefore invites some of the crack courtesans of the Town to attend – o, there is nothing low or vulgar about the proceedings, a lady is not obliged to undertake any matter she likes not –

Madame Clorinda gave a little grimace. At least, she said, 'tis understood that our favours are at our own disposal. I do not think His Grace apprehends how exceeding tedious is the converse of some of his set – indeed can be worse than tedious for they are largely of the High Tory interest and I had rather hear 'em bore me for an hour or so upon end about their racehorses than prate about industrial unrest and shocking revolutionary spirit &C. But we are there to provide agreeable female companionship, so must smile and nod and say, how terrible!

However, she went on, 'tis entire beneficial to my consequence to be seen there, and to have the Duke make exceeding amiable to me, lead me out to dance, &C.

Dear Madame Clorinda, I entirely apprehend that you have a living to make and that there are matters of prudent business that you are obliged to be about. Should not wish to go be dog in the manger. Have a deal of matters I have to be about myself, thanks to your kind help. He picked up her hand where it lay upon the table and kissed it. I had not suspected that you were such a radical.

Why, should not reveal it to just any fellow, but I apprehend from the work you have been about concerning improvements that you are no fellow that thinks that crushing is the only answer to discontent.

'Tis so. Well, my dear, your company is ever agreeable and I should delight to linger, but there is a deal of business I must be about – have to go see Boxtell &C.

They came to the conclusion that their next rencontre would be when they were to go to Mr Pargiter’s theatre party. Perchance, suggested Madame Clorinda, they might dine together first?

He told himself that surely he had so much to occupy him these several days that he scarce had time to miss Madame Clorinda’s company – and yet. In stray moments and at night in his lodgings, he thought of her. Indeed he was often reminded of her in company, for there would be occasional allusions, and it was entirely clear that he was considered an exceeding lucky fellow.

He found himself received into some very good sets, that also, he confided, promised to do excellent well to advance his interests. Mr Robinson’s savant friends had a deal of very fine notions, several of which promised to be of entire practical use. Sir Barton’s friends might be somewhat of the fribble order, but there were those among them that like Sir Barton had seats in Parliament, even did they never sit in 'em, or well-placed relatives with whom they had interest. There were offers to put him up for this or that club.

'Twas quite entire gratifying, and he had no complaints of the company – and yet.