the_comfortable_courtesan

Seraphine goes about quite radiant: the only thing that mars her happiness is the prospect of being united in matrimony by that horrid creature Mr G-, since the law does not recognize the validity of vows exchanged in chapel.

My dearest Seraphine, say I, there are such things as special licences and I will at once find out how one may be obtained, so that you need not be shouted out in church by such a nasty fellow that is like to make difficulties.

Oh madame, she replies, is that not a terrible expense?

Sure you may consider it as a wedding gift from me, I respond, and go away to compose a letter to Sandy desiring him to investigate the matter. I also write to my darlings with this heartening news, which is better than complaining of the discomforts attendant upon my state (sure I am exceeding gratefull for the indoor accommodations).

Mr MacD- writes back that he will immediately look into the question, does it require speaking to the Archbishop of Canterbury himself. (He adds some somewhat uncivil comments concerning the English law matrimonial compared to that of Scotland, and the tyranny of the Established Church.)

He then goes on with the news that Mr O'C- has died, he understands with the full rites of the Romish religion. Mr P- has, as a result, propos'd regularizing his relations with Mrs O'C-; but she has refuz'd, since he is not a Papist, and also because, since she is not living with him in illicit fornication, she cannot see the necessity. He himself supposes that her increasingly profitable connexion of gentlemen interested in certain special pleasures may have some bearing on the matter.

I am much amused by this, but, sure, 'tis precisely true that she does not fornicate with Mr P-.

I continue to write my Gothick tale. The Gypsy Queen fabricates a most tremendous curse to be laid upon the Prince-Bishop, that must be placed on him directly. She persuades the court fop to convey it into the city and get it into the hands of her daughter that is imprisoned in the nunnery.

The fop's sister is the learned nun that keeps the convent library. He prevails upon her to give a small parcel to the imprison'd gypsy. She reveals that her researches show the actress and the poor scholar to be of noble family related to the Prince-Bishop but deprived by evil plots of their inheritance.

The gypsy begs the actress to concede to an assignation with the Prince-Bishop, in which she will take her place (another device out of Shakspeare).

When the Prince-Bishop comes under cover of darkness to what he supposes to be the actress, the gypsy flings upon him the Gypsy Queen's curse, which causes him to run mad and suppose himself tormented in hell. Unfortunately he murders the gypsy, and also the sneaking priest, before he is restrained and confin'd.

The poor scholar is reveal'd the nearest heir. After the Grand Duke has mourned his lost love, he marries the former actress who is of equal rank now her inheritance is discover'd. The naughty novice elopes with a strolling player. The court fop becomes the trusted advisor to the new ruler.

I write FINIS and feel quite bereft.