The Ironmaster's Tale (66)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

 He then said he would go walk a little in the garden with a cigar. Strolling about he came across Roberts upon a similar errand with his pipe, and entered into some converse as to how the gardens did. Why, he said, excellent well for the time of year, but sure they were at present much beset with rabbits. There was a gentleman came visit Mrs Cathcart lately shot a deal of 'em, but still they multiplied.

'Tis the nature of rabbits, agreed Josiah. Might wish I still had the fine ferret I had as a young man. Yet I fancy I might still have the knack of setting snares –

Roberts raised his eyebrows.

Sure I was somewhat wild until I met the future Mrs Ferraby and fell under her good influence, Josiah confessed.

He went into the house and found Eliza rocking a somewhat distressful Clorinda in her arms upon the sopha in the parlour. He told them about the problem with rabbits.

Alas, said Clorinda, Milord did great slaughter when he was here, and I am like to think a deal of Seraphine’s good rabbit stew was conveyed to the poor of the parish by Roberts, but still they come.

Eliza chuckled and said that she could see that their Grand Turk was in quite the greatest longing to prove that he could still set a fine snare.

'Tis indeed the case. Give me some twine or some such and I will immediately go about the task.

What, on a Sunday? cried Clorinda. O, shame of your Sabbath-breaking.

The rabbits, alas, said Josiah with a grin, do not respect the Sabbath. He went to ask Hector if he might supply his requirements in the matter. And indeed he found he still had that skill in his fingers, and the following morn Roberts came and said, those snares showed very answerable. He was considerable gratified.

'Twas a sad thing that they might not linger longer with their darling. But there was a great deal of matters that they were obliged to be about: they had said they would go see Frank depart for the Indies, and then Eliza would go home and take up all her many responsibilities there, while Josiah took upon hand Town business. And mayhap, Eliza said, you might find time to look in upon our darling afore coming home? For indeed one must fret a little for her, even do her household look after her so well.

So they went to the docks and watched with brave faces as the East Indiaman cast off with Frank on board, that waved to 'em as it moved down river.

O, Jos’, said Eliza, a little tearful, sure he is only a boy.

He put an arm around her. Sure when I was his age I was a foolish wild fellow, but look at him – has gained excellent reports at the East India College for his diligence, has a good place awaits him in Madras –

But 'tis such a distance –

'Tis what he desires.

She sighed. Sure I hope Harry and Josh will desire somewhat closer to home.

They passed one night at an inn before she took the stage home.

My dearest, she said, as they dined in their private parlour, I daresay you knew that there was once a fellow laid violent hands upon our darling?

What! – o, she once mentioned to me a vicious brute of a Prussian but I supposed she implied that he had nasty requirements of her. But how came you at that?

Why, there was a book about the parlour that I picked up, and 'twas a tale our dear one had been writing, a novel in the Gothic strain, and one might see that several of the persons in it were based upon members of her set, but there was a very horrid Prince-Bishop and I said, surely, he was not drawn from the life and she came about to tell me the tale, and how Hector, that happened to be in the household that night, calling upon Phoebe and Seraphine about trouble of his own, saved her. Sure I knew that there might have been fellows she found distasteful, but I had not expected her to be in mortal danger.

Josiah sighed. 'Tis ever, one must suppose, a risque in her profession. But now she is in a position, has said so herself, thanks to the good General’s bequest, where she may be very nicely discriminating in dispensing her favours, and also, one may suppose, that will have happened some while ago and she has acquired further experience and apprehension in sounding out men’s characters –

O, I daresay 'tis so. But I do fear so for her.

And I likewise. But, a Gothic novel, you say?

Indeed, excellent fine, as good as any I have read.

My love, I fear you have a little prejudice in favour of anything our darling does.

As if you do not, Jos’ Ferraby!

You find me out entirely, my 'Liza. But sure I am a little troubled at the way she will keep her worries from us; I quite apprehend that 'tis an accustomed habit with her and there has been good reason, but I hope she may come to feel that she may disclose any troubles to us.

Eliza sighed a little. And ask us for help does she require it.

After he had seen Eliza off upon the stage he moved once more into lodgings – sure it was by no means as agreeable as Clorinda’s household! – and was about a deal of matters of business. He went to his club, where messages could be left for him and found a great number. 'Twas immense gratifying, he found, that these days he was the one that was being solicited to meet with this or that one.

Why, here was a note from young Dabney, that he had met in Lord Raxdell’s company, very desirous of convoking with Mr Ferraby’s wisdom and understanding in industrial matters – what could that be? He had supposed Mr Dabney quite entirely one of what Clorinda referred to as the fribble set that gathered around Lord Raxdell, desirous of emulating his exquisite style and his abilities in manly sports, and that, one must observe, he set a most excellent example of good ton and niceness of behaviour.

Well, this afternoon he was to Raxdell House to speak to Mr MacDonald concerning some matters to do with canals – mayhap he might be able to illuminate this business.

He was shown into the office in which MacDonald undertook business. They greeted one another with great amiability, and Josiah thanked MacDonald for the various services he had undertook for Clorinda – also, he added, was most greatly impressed at your ingenuity in the matter of the fountain –

Mr MacDonald blushed somewhat and said, 'twas nothing, he had fancied that there was some quite simple matter of an obstruction that prevented it from playing as it should.

Now gives a very pretty effect. Sure I daresay you would find a deal to talk of with Mr Dalgleish, that is my second in the ironworks, a very ingenious fellow.

MacDonald then cleared his throat and complimented Josiah on having such a prudent and rational spouse that took his association with Madame Clorinda so calmly. Josiah managed to suppress his mirth at the recollection of how very little calmness there had been when Eliza had lately been with Clorinda. But, to this matter of the canal – , he said.

Comments

[rhi]

Thank you for this bright spot in each day! Somehow, Sandy's incomprehension of Clorinda and Eliza's relationship is neatly mirroring Josiah's incomprehension of Sandy and Gervase, at least in my brain. Which keeps reminding me of Sandy's surprise when he came in on E &C and I'm going to be giggling at odd moments for the rest of the day about that, so thank you again!

(I cannot imagine that Jos' ever surprised G & S, but I'll be imagining that and laughing more, I have to admit.)

Thank you for a much more cheerful day!