The Ironmaster's Tale (25)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Among his letters there was one under cover of an introduction from Zoffany Robinson from a Mr Evenden, a Fellow of the Royal Society, a chemist that had made some very interesting experiments to do with iron that he fancied might be of industrial importance. Josiah read through the account, and indeed, he was sufficiently prepossessed to go open the matter to Dalgleish’s greater wisdom on that side of things.

Why, said Dalgleish, after scowling over the letter for some while, if 'tis as he says, I can see that there would be the greatest utility for certain specific uses – might we not invite him to come visit and discuss the matter? He looked again at the letter. 'Tis something we might wish to consider, do we go about with this plan for expansion –

A good thought, said Josiah, I will go write to him, saying that I may not at present invite him come stay with me, but the Saracen’s Head is a comfortable enough inn, I will bespeak their best chamber and bear the cost.

Mr Evenden declared himself entire at Mr Ferraby’s disposal in the matter, would be delighted to come see his works, that were greatly commended as quite the most advanced thing in the manufacture of iron, and he quite apprehended that Mr Ferraby’s present domestic circumstance meant that he could not receive guests, but he showed most hospitable over the matter of the inn.

So somewhat more than a se’ennight later, Josiah went down to the Saracen’s Head to meet the stage and make acquaintance of Mr Evenden. Was a slight fellow only a little taller than himself, carroty-haired and with the freckling over pale complexion that so oft accompanied that colour, expressed himself very fulsome pleased to meet such a noted industrialist, how exceeding gracious 'twas in him to come greet him in person.

Josiah responded that sure he was sensible of the benefits that accrued to industry from the studies of savants such as Mr Evenden. He doubted not that Mr Evenden would prefer to rest a little after his journey and take a light private supper, but dared say that the morn he would be in fettle fit to come see over the works? and then he purposed that he might dine with Mr Dalgliesh and himself to talk over matters.

Sure it soon came about that Mr Evenden’s discoveries could be, Dalgleish confided, be turned into practicable use – 'twas no matter, said Dalgleish as they walked away from the Saracen’s Head after the latest of several exceeding fine dinners, of somewhat that may show very fine in the laboratory, but will not work beyond that, or not without a deal of difficulty in the way. No, 'twill work.

Also, he added, the fellow is not one of your dreamers: has a sound understanding that his experiments have practical utility, and puts a due value on 'em, goes acquire patents, &C.

Indeed he puts a due value on 'em! said Josiah a little drily. Not that he had any mind to being the kind of sharp businessman that would take advantage of a fellow that was about extending scientific understanding, and he could see that 'twould be entire worth it to have first claim on the processes Evenden had come at.

But the fellow was fine conversable company, at least was he in masculine society: Josiah a little wished that he might have the thoughts of his dearest Eliza or the acute observations of Madame Clorinda upon the man’s character, because there were some, oh, very slight things, in his talk… But that might be due to his upbringing as the son of a minister of a severe Dissenting sect, and not having had much experience within Society. Had he not himself found how much a little polish did to rub off marks of provinciality?

Indeed, Evenden showed somewhat envious of Josiah’s connexions: spoke a little wistful of having heard of the very fine set he was in, by which Josiah apprehended that perchance he did not get on quite so well as he hoped and as, sure, his attainments deserved.

It would thus serve an entire double purpose did he solicit Madame Clorinda to send the fellow a card for her soirées: it would surely gratify Evenden as a mark of esteem, and it would enable her to cast an eye upon him and measure him up.

For it was a little foolish in him to suppose that Josh showing shy towards a person – for one day he took Evenden a fine walk in the countryside about the town with Cousin Frank and the boys – imported anything more than that Josh was a little fellow that was inclined to show timid towards strangers, in particular since the matter with the curate. Or mayhap had some aversion to Evenden’s colouring.  Harry was entire eager to interrogate Evenden about chemistry and the advances of science and such-like matters. But throughout the walk Josh kept on the far side of Cousin Frank, as distant as he might get.

They parted on terms of quite the greatest amiability: both Josiah and Dalgleish were heartily invited to come stay with him in Town, he had a fine house – sure, thought Josiah, he did put a due value on his discoveries was that so – and indeed hoped to see 'em there, and there was the prospect of a fine business arrangement.

There were a deal of letters that kept him informed about what was ado with absent friends. He had exhorted Eliza not to think of the cost, and not to take the false economy of crossing her letters but to have every confidence that he could pay the postman however fat a budget of news she sent. Sure, she wrote, there is not a deal of news to recount here: the water is brought to my lodgings for me to drink of the morn, and very nasty ‘tis, too, but Dr Jessop assures me 'twill do me good, and later in the day I take a chair to go bathe. He has ordered me to rest a good' deal, but concedes that I may walk as far as the circulating library, that is an excellent good one, and I have that fine list that Madame Clorinda provided of new books I might care to read, and undertake a little fine sewing and knitting, I am entire a lady of leisure and in some mind to cry out lawks a’mercy, this is none of I! But, my dear, do you let me know how matters get along, and give all the children several kisses from me.

Madame Clorinda wrote from Town with a deal of gossip about their set, and the fine news that Zoffany Robinson was now Sir Zoffany Robinson, having, 'twas give out, pleased Royalty with some painting of his on King Arthur or some such.  She would indeed invite Mr Evenden to her next soirée, and 'twas most agreeable, Miss Lewis had prevailed upon Signor Vivanti, the noted Italian violinist, to come play, very gratifying.

There was a fine fat letter from Lord Raxdell, under frank and with a fine heraldic seal to it, that Harry begged the reversion of, so Josiah cut it off very careful. He had been about seeing how matters went upon the canal – very prepossesst with Mr Samuels, and was much minded to employ him about the improvements he intended upon his estates –

Josiah looked up. That was it. Had he not, saying something about Jacob Samuels, seen something rather like unto a sneer upon Evenden’s face? Well, perchance it was some matter of a quarrel over scientific matters, and not some vulgar distaste to his ancestry unbefitting a man of science –

 - for matters finally came about that he felt he might proceed with improvements. Had appointed that very clever fellow Mr MacDonald as his secretary – had already been greatly impressed by his capacities in undertaking certain commissions on his behalf – had also been inclined in his favour by Mr Ferraby’s own good words for him – and already he had gone about to unravel certain tangled problems that Raxdell had thought could never come unknotted, but now all came clear, made an entire difference.

Dared say Ferraby had already heard the tale of Madame Clorinda and the Hindoo Prince? That the Hon Company commissioned her to show civil to, to incline him to their interests, and he was so prepossessed that was minded to carry her off to his palace? But was brought to the consideration that his some several existing wives would quite certainly poison her within a very short space of time, and, with many protestations of regret, left her, with a gift of most exceeding fine rubies. She and I have had a deal of agreeable convocation as to how they might be cut and set.

Josiah whistled. He felt a certain pride that Madame Clorinda was so esteemed by the Hon Company as to be chosen for such a task, and had shown so exceeding well.

Comments

[annotated_em]

Ah, so that's how Mr. E- crept into their set! There was no Eliza or Clorinda to vet him properly first. All becomes clear.

[rhi]

Makes perfect sense. And I love that Josiah is going, "I am not sure about this guy; how do I get him vetted by one of the ladies?"

[nenya_kanadka]

Yes, exactly my thoughts on this! I love that Josiah is picking up on little things and going "IDK..." and it makes so much sense that the lack of either Eliza or Clorinda on hand would let Mr E- slip through the cracks!

And I bet after this Josiah takes Josh's views on people more seriously, too.

[kore]

For it was a little foolish in him to suppose that Josh showing shy towards a person – for one day he took Evenden a fine walk in the countryside about the town with Cousin Frank and the boys – imported anything more than that Josh was a little fellow that was inclined to show timid towards strangers, in particular since the matter with the curate. Or mayhap had some aversion to Evenden’s colouring. Harry was entire eager to interrogate Evenden about chemistry and the advances of science and such-like matters. But throughout the walk Josh kept on the far side of Cousin Frank, as distant as he might get.

>:-( Josiah nooooooo

He has ordered me to rest a good' deal, but concedes that I may walk as far as the circulating library, that is an excellent good one, and I have that fine list that Madame Clorinda provided of new books I might care to read, and undertake a little fine sewing and knitting, I am entire a lady of leisure and in some mind to cry out lawks a’mercy, this is none of I!

OT3 INTENSIFIES

Josiah looked up. That was it. Had he not, saying something about Jacob Samuels, seen something rather like unto a sneer upon Evenden’s face? Well, perchance it was some matter of a quarrel over scientific matters, and not some vulgar distaste to his ancestry unbefitting a man of science –

JOS NOOOOOOOOO

[nenya_kanadka]

Josiah wants to believe the best of everyone! but he's not in any of the target demographics that Mr E- is bigoted against...

JOSH THO <33333

[castiron]

Josh has a good sense for dangerous animals, doesn't he?

[nenya_kanadka]

He really, really does. <3

[adrian_turtle]

Had appointed that very clever fellow Mr MacDonald as his secretary – had already been greatly impressed by his capacities in undertaking certain commissions on his behalf – had also been inclined in his favour by Mr Ferraby’s own good words for him – and already he had gone about to unravel certain tangled problems that Raxdell had thought could never come unknotted, but now all came clear, made an entire difference.

Oh, SANDY!

[nenya_kanadka]

OMG, enter the despicable Mr. E-! It's amazing how much I still hate him after all this time. :D