The Ironmaster's Tale (70)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

He had some concern that they might be in the way to losing Miss Netherne, for one saw that she attracted a certain amount of attention. But he confided that fellows like Lowndes or Abbott still had their way to make and would not be about thinking upon marriage just yet however taken with her they might be; and certainly a curate was in no position to wed; and would Dalgleish, that was entirely in a position where he could afford to marry, go about the matter, for it might settle him. It gave Josiah the greatest concern to hear him talking of some great feats of engineering that were being undertaken in Glasgow or Leeds or in his native town of Belfast, or that he heard that some foreign ruler was endeavouring build up industry in their domains, sure that was a prime field for an engineer – For he quite apprehended how valuable a fellow was Dalgleish to the enterprize – had ever had the knack of understanding machinery, but had begun to come about to see that understanding men was just as material to the business of running an ironworks.

Josiah grinned. He would not be at all surprized had Dalgleish been gently lessoned in that matter when obliged to convoke with Eliza during his own absences.

He minded that he had intended to convoke with Dalgleish to see did he have any advice about that business of the steam-pump about which Mr Dabney had desired his counsel. He took out his little memorandum book to make a note upon the matter

Well, 'twould wait. He knocked out his pipe into the fire-place and made sure the fire was out before making his own way to bed.

Eliza at last returned in the most bubbling of spirits, though, she confessed, rendered a little melancholy at having to abandon their darling in Surrey. But sure, she is entire well, none of those signs that might give cause for concern, exceeding well-looked-after by her people, and oh, my love, would you believe it? Roberts takes an inclination to court Seraphine, and indeed I do not think her indifferent to him.

Why, he is a fine respectable fellow, has a fine trade, I daresay could gain a place anywhere, but I suppose she may feel some hesitation because of the circumstance of Julius’s birth.

Indeed. But, she smiled fondly, I fancy 'tis a matter one may quite safely leave in our darling’s hands and she will come about to contrive.

Oh, I am like to think so!

She was also able to tell him that the imbroglio concerning Miss Addington was quite entire resolved – indeed? – Indeed. I bethought me that Docket would have the entire entrée with Dorcas, being in the same household as her relatives, so I put her to the task –

That was a very shrewd device, my love.

 - and 'twas discovered that Miss Addington was very charitable supporting some lady under the care of a surgeon – Dorcas, being a pious charitable creature herself, described the person as a lady, but, really, when I told all this to Clorinda, she said, o, I will hazard 'tis that encroaching bitch Fanny Minton, that made up to Miss Addington in order that she might introduce her into our set, and then married that second-rate tragedian Gaffney and sailed for the Americas in search of their fortunes. And sure, I am like myself to think encroaching bitch a far more proper term for her.

Josiah raised his eyebrows. I recollect, he said. Used to show exceeding affectionate to her dearest Amelia –

So Miss Addington was, I fancy, in the greatest fret that she would go make trouble 'twixt her and Lady Jane. But her pathetic tale was – and sure I do not know how much of it I believe, and Clorinda wrinkled her nose exceedingly – that before they attained to the Atlantic crossing she discovered that Gaffney was already married and that 'twas thus a bigamous union and she therefore jumped ship at Cork and, she was by no means definite in the matter, at some occasion she acquired the condition for which she was under a surgeon’s care – claims 'twas that bigamous wretch, of course.

Eliza smiled ferociously and folded her hands in her lap. So I went see the person and put her to the right-about. Will, I fancy, be going seek a place in some provincial theatre suited to her talents, once her cure is completed. And Miss Addington and Lady Jane are entire reconciled and we hear no more about in the grave with dear Miss Billston but Miss Addington is a deal too sweet-natured and kind-hearted for her own good, the dear thing.

Josiah laughed. Why, my dear, you become quite the contriver!

I have also, said Eliza, convinced Lady Jane that 'tis entire deleterious for ladies to lie upon a sopha for the full duration of the time they are increasing and 'tis benefical to undertake a little exercize and diversion for the mind &C. And sure Her Grace is in excellent good health, and it is the prettiest thing to see how she and His Grace doat upon one another. O, and did you know, she has been about buying paintings for the Mulcaster collection, that is a very renowned one, and one of the paintings is by Sir Zoffany of a certain lady with a wombatt.

Had heard somewhat of that, said Josiah. 'Twas a very fine gesture to demonstrate how little she felt any jealousy towards one that had been so much gossiped upon in connexion with His Grace.

O, she greatly admires Clorinda! – indeed, I fancy from some things she let drop that she is not the only lady in our circles that does so, and that Lady Wallace has some covert confederacy with her.

Why, I know she writ to Clorinda saying that she hoped she would continue to invite Sir Barton to her soirées, that were in such good style.

Sure anyone of sense that is not blinded by false prejudices must come to a very sound estimate of her value! said Eliza.

One might hope so. And certainly Lady Wallace is a lady of considerable acuity: perceived qualities in Sir Barton that have only lately become apparent more generally.

'Tis so.

He leant over and kissed her. Well, my dearest, I daresay we both feel the lack of our very best third, but I fancy we may come to contrive in the sober matrimonial fashion?

That minds me, our darling gave me a number of kisses &C to convey to our dear Grand Turk, that may bring a little of her presence to us.

Indeed, life would have been exceeding agreeable – Eliza so very well, the difficulties over the children’s education resolved, matters at the ironworks now well under hand after the upheaval of the expansion, improvements in the town proceeding apace – had they not been in such a concern over their darling and in so great a desire to be with her.

But at the present time could not come at any way they might go to Surrey. 'Twas coming up towards Christmas, the boys would be coming home from school for a little while, the family would be all together. Eliza has asked Miss Netherne whether she desired to go stay with family – the young woman compressed her lips and shook her head and looked a little tearful. But 'twould be entire pleasant to have her with 'em, she was quite an entire favourite with the girls.

Comments

[aedifica]

I don't recognize the name, who is "dearest Amelia"?

Poor Miss N-, I'm glad she can stay with the Ferrabys for the holidays. I wonder what's behind that tearful look besides her sister's situation.

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Miss Addington's first name is Amelia.

[aedifica]

Thank you!

[kore]

O, she greatly admires Clorinda! – indeed, I fancy from some things she let drop that she is not the only lady in our circles that does so, and that Lady Wallace has some covert confederacy with her.
Why, I know she writ to Clorinda saying that she hoped she would continue to invite Sir Barton to her soirées, that were in such good style.
Sure anyone of sense that is not blinded by false prejudices must come to a very sound estimate of her value! said Eliza.
One might hope so. And certainly Lady Wallace is a lady of considerable acuity: perceived qualities in Sir Barton that have only lately become apparent more generally.

I love how they have their mutual-admiration-of-Clorinda society, and also like anyone else who admires Clorinda.

[nenya_kanadka]

Yes! 😍 It is entirely the prettiest thing.

(...and I cannot WAIT till Sandy finds out the whole story! 😂)