The Ironmaster's Tale (24)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

One day Josiah had purposed to call upon Mr Donald, that was so very knowledgeable about legal matters to do with the intricate business of patents, but on arriving in the street, discovered Mr Hacker just leaving his house, and supposing there to be sickness in the establishment, determined not to call, but greeted Hacker and walked along with him a little.

Hacker made most exceeding civil and offered that Mr Ferraby might care to come watch an operation at Barts some time? handing Josiah a card. Josiah expressed himself civilly in the matter but was not sure that he had any ambition to go observe Mr Hacker’s noted dexterity with the knife.

He mentioned this to Madame Clorinda upon his return to her pretty house. She got a very knowing look at the intelligence that Mr Hacker had been visiting Mr Donald, remarked that Zoffany Robinson considered that there was something quite of artistry in Hacker’s surgical prowess, and then paused and said, handing Josiah a teacup, My dear Mr Ferraby, I wonder a little that you have not consulted Mr Hacker about Mrs Ferraby’s sad case. Sure his manner is blunt sometimes even to coarseness, but he is truly the kindest of men and well-noted for his skills in the maladies incident to women.

Why, said Josiah, 'tis a thought. He minded also that did he prevail upon Hacker to come visit, 'twould be a fine opportunity to have him discourse upon hospitals for the benefit of their party that went about to bring opinion in favour of establishing one.

Thus, next time he returned home, Mr Hacker came to visit, made a most thorough examination of Eliza, as well as engaging in some most useful convocation upon the matter of hospitals, and said, he was of the opinion that while a deal of healing had took place according to the benign powers of Nature, he would still very strongly advize against venturing upon further increase. Furthermore, he continued, he had seen the like state in many women, that they felt themselves very pulled down and tiring very readily, and he had found a course of the waters at Harrogate to answer quite exceedingly in restoring them to better health.

There is, he went on, a Dr Jessop in that town, who for a physician is a very sound fellow, I would entirely recommend putting Mrs Ferraby in his hands for a few months –

Months? squeaked Eliza.

Why, Mrs Ferraby, said Mr Hacker, turning a kindly gaze upon her, Nature has remarkable powers of bringing about restored health, but one must observe that she is not a speedy worker and requires time. And a lady such as yourself, that is ever like to wish to be up and doing –

Josiah could not resist a chuckle. Sure, Hacker, you entirely see into Mrs Ferraby, and I confide that as well as the waters, the rest would be entire beneficial to her.

Eliza looked at him very eloquent, but would not go brangle before one of his fine Town acquaintance. It was only later, in their bedchamber, that she raised a protest. Months, Jos’, months: how shall matters go on here am I away that length of time? There is no-one else can keep matters under hand –

What, my dear, do you think I have forgot how to run the business? There is no matter that quite imperative requires my immediate return to Town – I have good friends there now can undertake anything that may be needful do I send 'em letters – sure I can stay here and take care of things until you are entirely well.

But –

Dearest 'Liza, your restoration to full health must ever be my first consideration. Have I not seen how it frets you not to be as lively as you were wont?

'Tis entirely so, my love, I find myself entire done-up do I essay to romp a little with Quintus, the dear little fellow, 'tis most exceeding irksome. But – sure it must be that Madame Clorinda has come to count upon you –

Why, my dear, perchance you do not apprehend how very much in demand she is: besides her several regular patrons, I have no doubt that there are solicitations come her way for more occasional favours. I have also – lord, you will laugh, my dear, but indeed, I spent some several evenings giving her a little instruction in the most business-like fashion of book-keeping –

Indeed Eliza was brought from her somewhat melancholy mood into a laugh.

- and thereby came to have some understanding that she is very comfortable: has managed her money very prudent and I apprehend that her house is entire in her own ownership, 'tis no hand to mouth existence and she pays up her bills very prompt.

For my dear, I am sensible of the very great services she has done us, sure I was in some fears you might fall into the hands of a rapacious harpy – though I would fancy you had better sense than that! – but sure she is an excellent prudent creature that runs a tidy household, besides being so helpful in the matter of introductions &C. I have been quite minded to put down the expenses to investment –

Josiah chuckled and kissed her cheek. Why, my dear, I am glad that you take it in such a spirit.

Dearest Jos’, when I remember how you used to return from Town in such lowered spirits, and perchance with some lingering affliction from bad food or ill-aired beds, and matters of linen lost in the wash or badly torn almost beyond mending, I must be happy to see matters so much improved. But am I assured that she will not be in any difficulties, I will do as the marriage service bid me and obey my lawful wedded husband and go to Harrogate.

There’s my good 'Liza! (But he minded to write to Lord Raxdell to be assured that Madame Clorinda was not in any straits during his absence: and then collected that that tedious though very amiable fellow Nixon had been hovering around her this while and might well take opportunity to make his suit. He found this a somewhat displeasing thought.)

So he went himself with Eliza to put her under Dr Jessop’s care in Harrogate and see her comfortably lodged, and instructed her to be a good girl and mind the physician’s instructions in matters of diet and regimen &C and to rest and let the waters do their healing work. And had some convocation himself with Dr Jessop, an excellent fellow that put the matter to him very clear and in such a manner that even a layman might understand rather than concealing it in the obfuscation of his profession, so that he was in some confidence that Eliza would come about to be considerable restored to health – although, cautioned Jessop, he was entirely of a mind with Mr Hacker concerning the imprudence of further increase.

Returning home he sighed a little, and took up his pen to write to Madame Clorinda as to how matters went and that he would not find himself in Town for some months, and that did she find herself in want – although, my dear, I apprehend you ever have your affairs in most excellent good order – she should at once apply to him, and indeed, was there any service he might do her, she should not at all hesitate in asking it of him.

He had the most amiable epistle in response, declaring that she entire understood that Mrs Ferraby’s well-being must be his foremost concern, and sure she had heard exceeding well of Harrogate. Did he have any commissions that she might undertake in Town she was quite entire at his disposal in the matter. She conveyed a little news of their set and forwarded some letters that had come for him.

Comments

[aedifica]

It was a lovely surprise today to find this already posted when I woke up!

[redbird]

Aaaaw.

Such excellent sympathy of mind between Eliza and Clorinda, before they have even met.

[kore]

sure she is an excellent prudent creature that runs a tidy household, besides being so helpful in the matter of introductions &C. I have been quite minded to put down the expenses to investment –

ELIZA <333

[rhi]

Eliza and Clorinda! I really have no coherent feedback other than thank you, I'm enjoying this so much!

[nenya_kanadka]

OMG, I love that Eliza's final concern about going away is that Josiah being out of town might put Clorinda in difficulties!

I cannot WAIT for them to finally meet. <3<3<3