I did not expire

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

They tell me that there was most extreme concern about my state, but I knew nothing. As if in a dream, I have the vaguest remembrances of half-rousing as my bodily needs were attended to, of being made to drink bitter brews, beef-tea, possets, but sure I did not know who it was that did these things, but faintly resented the disturbance.

One morning I wake up and find myself in my own bed in my own boudoir. The sun shines in. Docket is sitting in a chair by the window, mending some lace.

Docket? I say in a voice that comes out a croak.

Docket leaps up and drops her mending. Madame? she cries, and then bursts into tears. Oh madame, she says, we thought sure we had lost you.

I begin to recollect myself, though sure 'tis a great effort, as if in my weaken'd state I am pushing aside some heavy curtain.

Docket runs to the door and calls, she wakes, she wakes!

Next thing I know is my dear F-s come rushing in, and Mr F- kneels at the bedside, weeping onto my hand, while Mrs F- clutches the other and babbles. O my dears, I whisper, I am so sorry to have troubl'd you thus.

Then I recollect further and ask in weak tones, the child?

O, says Mrs F-, she thrives, is it not fortunate that Seraphine still has Julius at breast?

Oh no, I think (for 'tis too great an effort to speak it), 'tis not fortunate at all I think, she was prepar'd for just such an eventuality.

She waits outside the door, says Mrs F-, may I bid her in?

I give a feeble nod and in comes Seraphine carrying a very small baby. O, I say, I am fear'd I am not strong enough to hold her, but bring her here. Mrs F- takes the child and lays her beside me on the bed.

Have you named her yet? I ask.

We were still in hopes that you would yet come round, says Mr F-, blowing his nose. That parson has been hovering about like a hornet, but we have forbid him the house.

I look at her. O, I say, sure her name is Flora, for she comes in the spring. Mr F- bursts again into tears and I hear confused words such as impetuous, reckless, thoughtless.

Comes in Mrs Black and says she hopes that just because I am awake and taking notice they will not tire me excessively, for sure I must still be very feeble. Indeed, I say, for I am in no disposition to move. She chivvies them out of the room while she examines me, asks searching questions concerning my state, and then says I seem recover'd but still very weak and should not be exhausted with company. O, I say, but may I have Mrs F- with me for a while?

That can do no harm, she says, and there should be one with you still.

In comes my darling. Mrs Black gives her many instructions and says she will get some sustenance sent up at once, for she is sure Seraphine is already about preparation.

Mrs F- comes to sit by the bed and holds my hand, stroking it. O, our dearest love, she says, we have been in such worry about you. I have not seen Mr F- in such a taking since the birth of little Quintus. The whole household has been at sixes and sevens, the girls crying in corners, Hector quite entirely out of temper, sure we thought he would offer to punch the parson for his officiousness, which any could see was entire sneaking vulgar curiosity and desire to interfere. Here is Lord G- R- (for we thought it fit to let him know how matters stood, having stood so great a friend to you in the past months) come down post-haste with Mr MacD- and offering to send for the entire College of Physicians if it would do any good.

With some struggle I lift my arms to look at them. There are no marks as of a lancet, so I think this plan must not have been put in motion. Oh no, says Mrs F-, Mrs Black was most disdainfull of the notion and said that she had known like cases, and what was needfull was to let nature take its course and not have a pack of quacks bothering you with their suppos'd remedies.

Enters Euphemia with a tray which she lays down beside the bed. Oh madame, she says with a sniffle, I am pleas'd to see you well.

Mrs F- lifts me up so that I can take the excellent beef-tea that has come up, it is really very good, altho' I find that my appetite is soon satisfied.

There must be matters that I should be about, but I am still too feeble even to give much mind to what they should be.

Comments

[rymenhild]

Oh, Madame, just lie still and let everyone take care of you!

(And Flora!!! One wonders whether she will have the opportunity to meet the wombatt.)

[lexin]

What a relief!

[kotturinn]

I like Mrs Black! I rather suspect she was the only one not at sixes and sevens. Possibly not Seraphine either, as I have no doubt she would be concentrating a lot of attention on the baby, making sure she got the best possible start in life, as well as looking after her own little Julius. I love the thought of her keeping Julius at the breast in part for "just such an eventuality".

And Docket crying - Docket! Good to see again how much the household care.

Flora!! Oh my, Madame C- :-)

[nenya_kanadka]

Flora! I may have giggled. Wee Flora, welcome to the world! And oh, WHEW, it's good to see Mme C- pulling through.

And Seraphine's cryptic comments about why she was nursing Julius so long are explained! A very thoughtful kindness.

[clanwilliam]

Oh Flora! How appropriate! And so lovely to see how much everyone loves Madame C-. That's quite a family she's built herself there.

[davidgillon]

Docket in tears!

{sniffle}

[clanwilliam]

I do wonder Docket's background. The rest of the household makes sense once you know how long Madame C- and Seraphine have known each other, but where did Docket come from?

We have no idea of her age, perhaps she was a friend and colleague and/or apprentice of Madame C-'s mother? I rather get the impression she's older than Madame C-.

[rhivolution]

Oh, I am so pleased that Flora has arrived safely and that Mme C- has come through. Very pleased indeed.

[castiron]

Yay! Thriving baby, recovering Madame C-, and the whole family and household and some good friends there! I hope Mme C gets a good long rest before she has to wrangle logistics re: their return to town.

[nishatalitha]

Delighted to hear that Madame C is recovering, with a healthy daughter.

Mme C takes such good care of her friends and servants and tis excellent to see that affection reciprocated. I hope that Mme C rests and allows them to take care of her in their turn.