Mysteries sounded

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

I sit by the fire - for indeed, I am quite chilled - and ring the bell for Hector.

When he comes in I desire him to fetch me some tea but before he goes I say that I understand he has taken up keeping birds.

Birds, madame?

Pigeons, I say, which I understand have become inmates of this establishment without my knowledge. I am sure, I go on, they are excellent fine creatures, for they are Mr F-'s, but I mind me that when Seraphine desired to obtain a cat for the kitchen we had some discourse about the matter first. (And indeed I understand the cat does well, and would receive an excellent character in the matter of the prevention of mice.)

Hector shifts from foot to foot and finally admits that he had expresst some concern to Mr F- about the likely difficulties of communicating should there be severe winter weather and Mr F- had therefore provided several of the pigeons that he maintains for business matters of urgency. Did not Mr F- mention the matter to you, madame?

Perhaps, I say a little drily, he had supposed that one that is my major-domo would already have done so. Yes, yes, I know all this was done out of an entirely proper care, and indeed, it is a very good notion, but I should wish to know what is going on in my household.

Indeed, madame, and it does you credit. I am indeed sorry that you were not properly informed on this matter.

O, say I, when I next write to Mr F- sure I shall chide him too for leaving me in the dark, which I am sure he did not intend. Now, I should be much oblig'd by some hot tea.

At once, madame.

I am indeed touched by this manifestation of forethought, but I will be mistress in my own household and know what is happening. I am merely breeding according to the common lot of woman, and while I may be at times fancyfull I am not in Bedlam or Mr H-'s fine Sussex madhouse nor like to be.

Euphemia comes in with the tea-tray. Like Tibby, her demeanour over these last days has been very chastened, but as she pours me tea she remarks on what a fine, forgiving gentleman Mr MacD- is -

As well as a pretty one, says I. Euphemia giggles and then looks abashed. The practice in this household, I continue, is not to kiss anyone that has not already indicated some disposition towards the matter, but I will allow some license for the customs of the season. Sure I have been a foolish girl with an eye to a pretty fellow myself. (For I daresay Hector has terroriz'd them with predictions that this was the high road to the Magdalen Asylum &C.) Euphemia gives me a little bob and leaves.

It is a great consolation for the dreadfull weather to think that it will keep Mr G- away. I take up my Gothick tale. The sneaking priest to the nunnery, that is in the pay of the Prince-Bishop, endeavours to persuade the abbess to surrender the actress. The poor scholar refuses to betray his confederates. The court fop that is a secret benefactor to the poor and oppresst is visiting the gypsy encampment some way outside of the city walls. The Prince-Bishop sends to the actress that will she yield to him he will spare her brother's life (a device I discover'd in Shakspeare).

Comes in Sandy and I close up the book and put it on the table as if I had been doing my household accounts. He looks extreme chearfull.

O, say I, you have sounded the mystery?

Indeed I have, he says. I was already under some suspicion of what it was from my observations of Prue, and I now find these confirmed.

The matter is, he continues, is that she has developed a weakness of sight and was in terror that this meant that she was going blind. This led her to fear that it was a punishment for some sin and to see if prayer and pious diligence would favour her with a miracle in restoring her sight. However, I prevailed upon her to try on my own spectacles and these made such a difference to her vision that she will quite accept that modern optickal science is indeed a miracle.

Oh, the poor child, I cry, why did she conceal this?

For fear, I suppose, of being turned off from this place, which she likes most extremely, as well as the general fear of her fate should she lose her sight. Anyhow, she should be seen by an oculist and provided with spectacles and then I think there will be less clumsiness and hesitation and very probably rather less piety.

There may be an oculist somewhere in the neighbourhood, I say, for Mr L- the banker is bespectacled and I have seen others in similar case on my visits to the town. I will ask about once this holiday season is past. And I will at once inform Phoebe of the matter. My dear Sandy, I am really most excessive grateful for your sounding out of this matter, for it was causing some bother within the household and giving me concerns. Indeed you have maximiz'd felicity.

Comments

[clanwilliam]

Oh thank goodness. Poor Prue, I can quite understand her terror. And Madame C-, proving that she runs her household, thank you very much.

[rymenhild]

That is a terrific resolution to Prue's issues. She needs glasses! I did not see that coming, but I love it. Good job, Detective Sandy!

[entirelydisregardablelout]

That is a terrific resolution to Prue's issues. She needs glasses! I did not see that coming

Neither did Prue.

[davidgillon]

I will be mistress in my own household

The very essence of Madame C

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

I am mine owen woman, well at ease,
I thank it God, as after mine estate,
Right young, and stand untied in lusty leas,
Withoute jealousy, or such debate:
Shall none husband say to me checkmate;
For either they be full of jealousy,
Or masterful, or love novelty.

Chaucer, Troilus and Creseide.

[sjkasabi]

Stop it or you'll go blind! Poor Prue. I'm glad Sandy has sorted it out and she can go back to some quiet private sinning on her own time.

[azurelunatic]

Glasses are indeed a miracle.