The Ironmaster's Tale (33)
Jun. 22nd, 2018 08:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
the_comfortable_courtesanWell, my dear, that is a fine thing indeed, to find old acquaintance, must be very agreeable to you.
O, cried Eliza, 'tis indeed the most agreeable thing!
He was glad that she found company, for he had been a little worried that she would find time hang somewhat upon her hands, but it seemed that she had found a little congenial female society, 'twas very pleasing.
They had both felt a little apprehension at the invitation to dine with the Wallaces, fearing that they would find themselves in a large grand company – but no, Eliza told him, dear Lady Wallace had said, most reassuring, that 'twould be a quiet occasion of just the four of 'em, no great ceremony.
And indeed, my love, Susannah Wallace is most eager to make your acquaintance; fancies you have had the finest influence upon Sir Barton –
What!
That no longer shows himself a careless idle fribble but begins take thought for the responsibilities that come with a seat in Parliament and she doubts not that it is because he is now got into a better set of fellows, for she hears very well of young Lord Raxdell as the entire antithesis to his sire, and that you are considered quite as a mentor.
Josiah laughed. Why, I am like to think that 'tis entirely that Sir Barton comes about to the age when a fellow becomes somewhat more serious. I daresay she has a most flattering picture of me that will disappear upon acquaintance. Still, I am glad that you go about to find women friends –
Indeed, but lately met at the Wallaces a Miss Thorne, that has been her friend for many years, a very agreeable creature: her mother, that was an invalid and obliged them to go live at Bath lately died, and her aunt gives her a season or so in Town in hopes she may marry. But she laughs and says, sure she is somewhat past the usual age to go upon the marriage market and knows herself no great beauty, and dares say will end up having to go out governessing, but will enjoy herself while she can. My dear, is quite entirely the sort of woman I should like for the girls, to give them an example of ladylike conduct: but sure, does she not take, says very poorly for the judgement of the fellows that are in Society.
Well, my love, if she is obliged to seek a place, let us be beforehand of the matter and make our interest known – mayhap not to her, but are you become such bosom-friends with Lady Wallace, might put it to her, that, does it come to that, we fancy she might come civilize our dear hoyden girls.
In spite of Eliza’s praise of Lady Wallace, Josiah was still somewhat nervous upon going to the Wallace’s mansion to dine. Sure, he had got on considerable in Town Society, but in the more masculine portion, and the ladies he had had to do with were those of the Town, elegant and accomplished as they were.
And it was a little daunting when Lady Wallace put up her lorgnette so that she might scrutinize him, though at once apologized – I am so sadly short of sight, and entire too vain to resort to spectacles, and I have heard so much about you, Mr Ferraby, she said in a pleasing deep voice.
It was, he thought, entirely pleasing to see from Sir Barton’s expression that he thought Eliza an exceeding fine woman.
Indeed, it was quite the most agreeable occasion, nothing formal or stiff about it, and one saw why Sir Barton referred to m’clever wife, for sure, Lady Wallace was a lady of very acute judgement and understanding that had very fine apprehension of politics.
There was somewhat about her that reminded him of someone – who could it be?
It was only as they re-entered Evenden’s house that it came to him. Although at first she seemed in an entirely different style, with her fair hair, her lorgnette, her air of good breeding, she was just such a tall, intelligent woman of decided opinions as Abby Gowing. He smiled.
What, my dear, amuses you?
O, a foolish memory I had of Sir Barton – how he has changed, 'tis quite astonishing.
What a very agreeable fellow he is, and it is very pretty the way he doats upon his wife.
I fancy she will be quite the making of him – we may yet see him Prime Minister!
Josiah minded that he had not yet contrived to take Eliza to the play. He was a little hesitant in the matter for fear that Madame Clorinda should be at the theatre. He also did not want to expose Eliza to any of the rougher sort that came into the audience –
One afternoon he was returning from a most exceeding satisfactory meeting in the City, to discover seated in Evenden’s hall Mr MacDonald, reading a book and occasionally lifting his eyes to gaze around in a disapproving fashion at the wallpaper. He rose to his feet upon seeing Josiah.
Mr Ferraby! His Lordship heard you were come to Town with Mrs Ferraby – he is at present down at Ammerpark – desired me to come up and say, you are very welcome to make use of his box at the theatre – there are one or two occasions when he has promised it to country relatives visiting Town, or to the – to members of his set, but otherwise, do you make yourselves free of it.
Why, that is most exceeding civil of him – come in and take tea -
That is exceeding kind – have been running around about a number of errands now I am up here –
And how, asked Josiah, once they were in their parlour and tea had been fetched, do matters get along with His Lordship?
Mr MacDonald cast down his eyes, took off his spectacles and polished them, and at length said, why, there had been a deal of mismanagement and neglect, but they came about to get matters straightened out. And all goes on, as I daresay you are already informed, very well indeed with the canal, and His Lordship purposes engage Mr Samuels about various improvements he intends.
I am very pleased to hear it. Mrs Ferraby, Josiah added, is most exceeding prepossessed with Miss Knowles, that has shown extreme friendly about showing her the sights &C. One hopes they may soon be in a position to make one another happy.
I have not met Miss Knowles, said MacDonald, but she sounds to be a very fine kind of woman that is not ruled by the false strictures of convention, as well as having considerable artistic talent.
Josiah took some concern that Eliza, that had herself not been ruled by any false strictures of convention in ensuring her marriage to the fellow of her choice, was commending a like course of action to Miss Knowles. He had some notion that in other stations of society 'twould not be so much a question of a hasty wedding, but a young lady sent to the Continent to recover her health and a babe placed in some foundling institution.
When she came in – MacDonald had already left, having some other business upon hand – in quite bubbling good spirits, he told her the excellent news about the box at the theatre –
O, I quite long to go to the play! But was not sure whether 'twould be quite proper?
Why, was a little concerned about the press in the audience, but are we in a fine spacious private box, 'tis quite entire convenable. Sure we might invite the Wallaces to join us.
That is a fine idea, sure I was a little put about that we might make no return of hospitality.
They took a little quiet supper by themselves – it was, he found, a deal more agreeable when Evenden was out about his many convocations &C with other savants, for the fellow did not know what to make of a woman like Eliza, and was wont to address all his conversation to Josiah while she rolled her eyes.
As she took a little port over a dessert of nuts and fruit, a practice entirely commended by Dr Jessop. he told her of the fine opportunity that came to Jacob Samuels – sure, my dear, I think it very like they may come about to be able to wed quite shortly; I was in some worry that you might propose to her the course that you undertook –
Fie, Josiah Ferraby! I hope I know better conduct than that. And indeed, the fact of the matter is, that Martha Knowles has a nice little independence left her by an aunt, and I daresay that they might marry upon that, but that Mr Samuels wishes to feel that he is in a position to provide, it does him entire credit. But it does have the happy effect that there is little her family can do to impede the match, since she is of age. But they are most exceeding put about in the matter: have quite the greatest ambitions for her half-sister, that promises considerable beauty, as well as a very generous portion, and are in the frets that there will be some scandal that will reflect upon her and prevent her making some grand match to a title.
Josiah sighed. 'Tis a common matter, he said. There are those in the City I have to deal with hear I am acquainted with Lord Raxdell, that is given out quite a catch for some young woman and try to come at advancing an interest.
He sounds a very good sort of young man, even is he a Lord, said Eliza. 'Tis a pity that there are those that are more interested in – what was that fine poem you read me – the tinsel show of rank? rather than his merits, that might come to be a helpmeet to him.
Indeed, but I have a suspicion that there is some matter of his heart given somewhere already –
Not - ?
No, said Josiah, taking her meaning at once. They are quite excellent good friends, but I think 'tis a disguise for some case, I fancy, where affection must be concealed for fear of scandal or worse – callings out, crim. con. cases –
O, the poor young fellow! cried Eliza, and one may well suppose some lady married off for her family interest rather than any urging of her own heart, sure one would not judge, 'tis a hard thing.
He leaned across the table to take her hand and raise it to his lips. Dear 'Liza, he said. She smiled.
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Date: 2018-06-22 10:59 am (UTC)no subject
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Date: 2018-06-22 11:44 am (UTC)OMG! I had somehow never made this comparison. But of course! Sir B-W- has a type, and an excellent type it is too. Awwwwwww.
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Date: 2018-06-23 12:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-06-22 07:10 pm (UTC)Well, my dear, that is a fine thing indeed, to find old acquaintance, must be very agreeable to you.
O, cried Eliza, 'tis indeed the most agreeable thing!
He was glad that she found company, for he had been a little worried that she would find time hang somewhat upon her hands, but it seemed that she had found a little congenial female society, 'twas very pleasing.
YESSSSSSSSS
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Date: 2018-06-24 02:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-06-25 10:08 pm (UTC)Yes she haaaaaaaaaaassssssss! (And her other friends are very nice too, of course.)
she was just such a tall, intelligent woman of decided opinions as Abby Gowing.
HA! And of course C- took to her very quickly as well.