the_comfortable_courtesan

'Tis extreme gratifying, Madame Clorinda remarked over breakfast, that Milord’s tailor is so anxious to obtain your patronage. Is a most exceeding exacting fellow, most exclusive: will only accept fellows upon introduction from one that is already an accepted patron of his, and in at least one case, turned off a gentleman because he ventured to introduce one the tailor considered by no means up to the mark.

Why, said Josiah, I am pleased to think I come about to be so acceptable to one that I daresay is more exacting than many gentlemen of rank –

'Tis entirely so, agreed Madame Clorinda with a smile, such fellows pride themselves in holding themselves very haughty.

At this moment Hector showed in Mr MacDonald, that presented Lord Raxdell’s profuse apologies: the steward had come up from Ammerpark about some very pressing business that might not wait, so he sent MacDonald in his stead.

'Tis exceeding gracious of His Lordship, said Josiah. Sure I would have supposed that he would require your own services about such matters of business.

MacDonald’s severe features broke into his very charming smile. His Lordship, he said, finds it answers exceeding well to have me about other matters when he is obliged to convoke with his steward, so that does he wish to delay a decision or decide contrary to the steward’s wishes, he can say that he wishes to consult with his secretary, that is one that understands the intricacies of the law in the matter, or will look up the precedents. For the steward is an ageing fellow that served His Lordship’s late father and is not altogether approving of these new ways.

Josiah laughed. 'Tis an admirable, even diplomatic, device, he said, minded of the way Eliza would declare that, in very proper wifely fashion, she would have to submit this or that matter to her husband’s judgement did she wish to avoid contention over any troublesome business during his absence.

After Mr MacDonald had been persuaded to take some coffee – he confessed that Seraphine’s far surpassed any that came from M. Duval’s kitchens – and a pikelet or two – for, said Madame Clorinda, I doubt not that you have been up since all hours about Milord’s business, indeed, do you help yourself to a chop, or some bacon – the two of them set off in the Raxdell carriage towards the tailor’s.

Josiah said he heard that Mr MacDonald had been most exceeding helpful to Madame Clorinda over this shocking business of Evenden’s low behaviour – was there any service he might do him –

Why, said MacDonald, with a lowering Covenanter look, ‘twas a most entirely shocking matter and His Lordship was most exceeding glad that we might be of service. He paused for a moment and said, What a very fine woman is Madame Clorinda – I had vague theoretical notions, for there have been several philosophers, including female philosophers, have suggested that in the state of society at present, a woman of her occupation makes a more honest trade than those who deploy their wiles in order to marry for wealth and position – but sure I had some very vulgar and commonplace presumptions of what such a woman might be, supposed I should find myself in a scene out of Hogarth when I went call upon her – but upon making her acquaintance, was most agreeable surprised to discover her qualities of mind and of heart as well as the refinement of her taste.

'Tis not every mistress of a household, he went on, would take such concern over the interest of her black cook – I had apprehended from His Lordship that she was a lady that disseminated felicity about her circle, but not how much she entirely maximizes felicity within her sphere.

You are, I am given to apprehend, said Josiah, a follower of Mr Bentham?

MacDonald nodded, and added that he had even met Mr Bentham a few times and had the privilege of converse with him.

They came to the tailor’s – lord, what a proceeding that was! Sure the fellow showed obsequious. But he fancied that he would look very fine indeed when all was done. Would not be able to wear the things at home, of course – What, Ferraby, do you go join Brummell’s set? – but now he got about more in Society, 'twas entirely the thing, he confided. Sir Barton had proposed that he and Eliza should come visit 'em on the Somerset estate during the summer, go see the quarry, mingle a little in their local society, &C. Would be most agreeable.

He even took a little regret that none of his fine new ensembles would be ready by the time of Madame Clorinda’s next soirée: and then grinned inwardly at such foolishness.

There was still no news of Abby Gowing, though rumours that she had been seen in some spaw, at the tables, persisted. But he overheard Hacker murmuring to Madame Clorinda his own belief that Miss Gowing, finding herself with child, had withdrawn into seclusion until she was brought to bed, and complaining somewhat that she had not sought his counsel, for there was one of his fraternity that had a deal of experience with similar cases and was known entire discreet. Madame Clorinda wrung her hands, saying that she said nothing to me, nothing at all, I am most deeply distressed thereby –

At which point entered a handsome soldierly fellow, introduced as a Major Arbuthnot Wallace, lately come from the Cape, a cousin of Sir Barton, that kissed Madame Clorinda’s hand in such a way to suggest ancient acquaintance. Hacker took the opportunity to ask him about some noted surgeon that practised in those parts, sounding somewhat jealous of the fellow, that had performed some very out of the common operation with exceeding success.

Madame Clorinda had forewarned him that she had had a most astonishing letter from Lady Wallace, that was very put about at the on-dit that she kept Sir Barton leashed tightly at her apron-strings, and considered that there could be no objection in the least to his continuing to attend Madame Clorinda’s most exceeding refined and genteel soirées – in particular, no doubt, as she was apprized of the intelligence that Abby Gowing was no longer seen at 'em. Josiah also took the thought that they were becoming associated with a certain political group of reforming tendencies – small yet, not even, he confided, a handful of fellows – but 'twas most encouraging to see that she desired Sir Barton to keep their company.

So he did not express any startlement when Sir Barton came in, most effusive kissed Madame Clorinda’s hand, and instead of going straight to the gaming table as had ever been his wont, spotted Major Wallace and cried, Ho, coz, how do you? Major Wallace revealed that his regiment had orders for Upper Canada – 'twould be a quite horrid change from the Cape.

Came in Sir Zoffany, without his wombatt, that had been deemed unsuited for going into society, given its habit of eating anything, including rugs. But the dear creature was entirely in health, he was pleased to recount.

Josiah minded that he had had some thoughts of having the family painted, especial now that Eliza was back in such health and looking so exceeding fine, and went over to enquire of Sir Zoffany whether there were any artists of his acquaintance that might be agreeable to coming visit for that purpose. He doubted that Sir Zoffany himself would be thus inclined, for he had many commissions already upon hand, and also would he dared say not wish to leave his wombatt. The painter was happy to make several recommendations, and declared that he would be happy to take Josiah around a few studios to see the fellows and their work and talk the matter over with them.

Miss Addington and her fellow-actress Miss Minton had just been persuaded to present some scenes from Twelfth Night – most exceeding charming, even was Miss Addington not wearing those very becoming breeches – when there was a disturbance in the street outside. Some fellow was shouting somewhat in which such words as Scarlet Woman and Whore of Babylon could be detected.

Hacker went to the window and lifted the curtain. 'Tis Evenden, he said, I had supposed him already sailed for Philadelphia to profess chemistry there. I wonder that a professed freethinker expresses himself so very Biblical.

Josiah went over to the window himself. His father was a Dissenting minister, he said. Should I go out to him –

Silence fell and it was no longer possible to see anything of Evenden from the window.

A few moments later Hector came in, to tell Madame Clorinda that, alas, Mr Evenden has most sadly, in his intoxicate condition, crashed his head into the door, bleeds mightily from the nose and sure will have a black eye the morn. Also, he added, he has puked on the doorstep, but Titus is presently cleaning that. Madame Clorinda looked at Hector with a meaningful glance: Josiah was inclined to suppose that she thought – and so did he – that Hector had taken this opportunity to exact some vengeance for the insults to the household.

Sir Zoffany came up and offered to take Evenden home in his carriage: for, whatever his poor ton – taking on Yankee ways already – he owed him a favour for the introduction that brought him his dear wombatt.

Madame Clorinda clasped his hands and said that 'twas entirely too good of him, she hoped that wretch was now entire insensible and gave him no trouble. She turned and nodded to Miss Lewis, that struck up a delightful piece by Mozart upon the piano, and the company returned to conversation, cards, and the supper-table.

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aedifica

I haven't had much to say lately but I'm still enjoying these installments very much.

shewhostaples

Hector's account of Mr Evenden puking on the doorstep is one of my favourite moments of the series, and I am delighted to revisit it through Josiah's eyes.