I re-enter society

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

The dear Admiral much praises the kedgeree at breakfast as as good as that which he enjoy’d at the old General’s bachelor parties in Surrey: that would be, I say, because Seraphine obtain’d the receipt of the General’s cook and has now communicat’d it to Euphemia.

He expresses surprize that Seraphine is no longer of the household, and then asks what became of the General’s servants. I explain that his bearer return’d to Madras with a good pension, but that his cook still, as far as I know, runs an eating-house near the docks for his compatriots. Indeed? says the Admiral, I must seek it out for the fellow made the very finest curries I have ever tasted.

He departs with hopes that we may contrive further agreeable encounters before the Admiralty gives him orders.

I apprehend that the S-s are back in Town when Hector brings in a little parcel containing the scientifick essays of Mr T-. Upon glancing through them I can discern most clearly my dear Mrs T-‘s hand in the composition, for from her letters I know her to have a vivid facility in exposition. But I put them aside for later perusal as I still have a deal of correspondence and cards to deal with.

I am interrupted in my task by the anticipat’d arrival of Miss D-, who must be most anxious both to disburse her accumulated budget of gossip upon me and to find out if I can contribute anything for her to convey around. I send for coffee.

She is looking exceeding well, kisses me most affectionate and comments upon my own looks most favourably. I give her my prepar’d tale about my expedition (quite horrid; please do not press me; wish only to wipe it entirely from my mind; Miss G- well-married in distant parts), and she has too much to relate herself to stay upon the matter.

The main burden of her account is, as one might indeed expect, the quite dreadfull conduct of that wicked little b---h Miss A-, and I have the strongest prepossession that she hopes that I will close my door to her, which is a matter I have under advisance, for she has indeed been a very silly chit, but one for whom I retain a certain fondness, so I am as yet not fully decid’d how to proceed.

Mr J- quite explain’d all to her – the exceeding tedium of provincial places when not playing or rehearsing, Miss A-‘s allusions to their earlier relations, sure it seem’d of no more moment than making up a table at cards to beguile the time, but she went on to make a good deal more of it. But when that vixen started making up to Mr N-, well, my dear, I was really no longer in control of myself. Poor Mr N- was quite bewildered by the entire affair, for he is not the kind of man who anticipates advances from young women. You know, she adds, I am really quite fond of Mr N-, and just because I also engage in a little enjoyment with Mr J-, does not mean I wish to give him up to some little trollop that will certain be unable to keep house for him prudently and instead of sitting with him in the evenings will be out at the theatre.

Altho’, she continues, she was being most shocking forward generally among the gentlemen of our set, including, I must tell you, Mr F-. Though, about Mr F-, have you heard this news that his wife has of late bore him a daughter?

I inform her that but yesterday I ran into Sir B- W- in the Park and he conveyed this intelligence. I see Miss D- observe me closely and I apprehend that there is doubtless a book already being open’d on whether I shall receive Mr F- back into favour; or indeed whether I shall continue in his. (For after all, none are to know how very much the dear Grand Turk and I were in quite extreme favour with one another and our dearest love less than a se’ennight ago in Harrogate.) Sure she would very much like to be beforehand with the news.

She quits this line of investigation and says that it did seem as though Lord G- R- might fall to that harpy’s wiles but he escapt the net. I say with a sigh that His Lordship must always have some mistress, but after hearing about Miss A-‘s freakish conduct, am pleas’d he did not light upon her for I do not think she would do for his very exacting taste.

She leaves this topick and moves on to a number of quite subsidiary scandals of no great moment for our set. Then mentions that young Miss K-, that made such a figure of herself last year in pursuit of a coronet, is now turn’d something like Quaker bluestocking, and is living with her sister, the wife of that pleasant fellow Mr S- (who has late receiv’d some very high honour, but Mr N- pros’d on to her about it for an hour together and she does not recollect the detail for she near fell asleep). Mrs S- is said to be an excellent woman, tho’ a little eccentrique in her ways (for while Mr S- is indeed agreeable, his race must tell against him in matrimonial considerations) and does not go out much in high Society tho’ is a great pet of Lady W-. O – but if you have seen Sir B- W- doubtless he told you – the Duchess of M- is in almost daily expectation of presenting His Grace with an heir.

That is most pleasing, say I (for I will not have it put about that I bear her any resentment over dear Biffle, for indeed I do not). When I think what a wild rackety fellow His Grace was when I first met him, it is quite an edifying tale how sensible of his responsibilities he has become.

Miss D- takes her leave. Hector comes in with a note from Lord G- R- extending an invitation to join him in his box for Romeo and Juliet with Mr J- and Miss A-, which is said very fine. His footman awaits a reply. I shall indeed be delight’d, I write. I then go to see if Euphemia can produce a pique-nique for the occasion. She confides that she can, tho’ may not be as fine as those Seraphine us’d to put up.

I request Docket to array me in something suitable for afternoon wear, and take myself to Sir Z- R-‘s studio.

Sir Z- R- greets me with particular warmth, clasps my hands, kisses me upon both cheeks, and declares that the sun has returned at last. I tap him lightly with my fan and call him a dreadfull flatterer. How does the wombatt? I enquire: sure I must pay my respects. Oh, he says, it appears stout and hearty, but I am quite convinc’d the dear creature is melancholick for want of company and desires a mate. I have writ to Mr T- in New South Wales to see if he can provide some suitable candidates.

I do not know how one can tell if a wombatt be in a melancholickal condition, but doubtless Sir Z- R- spends much time about studying his dear favourite. I go to make it my curtesy. It is asleep.

Back in the studio, I spy Mr J-, with whom I should desire a word, but he is at the centre of a merry crowd, so I will wait. I also spy, rather to my astonishment, young Mr Sebastian K- with a group of other young fellows, several of whom I guess from their appearance to be relatives of Mr S-. Altho’ several demonstrate aspirations towards the dandy-set, they appear a good deal more sober in their demeanour than the set around Mr O’C- that he used to habituate. One is proclaiming with youthfull pomposity upon a painting. Master K- turns around and marks me. I amuse myself by giving him a nod and a small smile, at which he blushes mightily, makes an elaborate leg, and is then inundated with nudges in the ribs and questions from his fellows.

Mr de C- comes up to greet me, and asks whether Phoebe is return’d to Town along with me. Indeed, I say, somewhat cautious, remembering Mr E-. I have, he says, a small study for the painting of her I made that I should like her to have, for she is a very fine model, and indeed, I should wish to commission her services further if that is agreeable. That you must discuss with her, I say. Another matter, he says, is that I have a female cousin that is seeking preferment to give French lessons, should you know any that desire them. I say that should any of my connections be seeking such I will certainly advance her interest.

I then see Mr J- moving away from the group he was with, and excuse myself from Mr de C- in order to accost him before he leaves.

I tell him that I have heard all about Miss A-‘s extraordinary behaviour, before he can tell me about it himself, and that I am in hopes that he will help me to obtain an interview with her. Is there some time when she is about the theatre in the daytime? Oh indeed, he says, we are rehearsing a new play – modern stuff, it is hardly Shakspeare but it is just the sort of thing that will take, I confide. He indicates when I might profitably come there. But I hope you have no intentions of violence against her? she has been a silly baggage and caus’d much bother ‘twixt me and Miss D-, but a fine actress so in spite of all I keep her on. Her Juliet is really most affecting. He then looks at me and his lips twitch: even if she does not rouse me back to life in the way I remember you doing. I smite him lightly with my fan: sure we were silly young creatures in those days. No, I may give her such a scold that her ears fall off, but I do not intend to lay violent hands upon her. That, he says, will be far worse to her than any blow she receiv’d at Miss D-‘s hands.

You must know, he goes on, I am sure, that Miss A- has been desperate in love with you this age. My disposition, I respond, does not lie in that direction. You think that consideration weighs with her? he asks. I sigh.

He kisses my hand in farewell.

And then I return home in order to dress to display myself at the theatre, to watch Miss A- perform Juliet. (Sure I know Mr J-'s Romeo well; and consider that he should rather essay Mercutio.)

Comments

[tree_and_leaf]

I do not know how one can tell if a wombatt be in a melancholickal condition, but doubtless Sir Z- R- spends much time about studying his dear favourite. I go to make it my curtesy. It is asleep.

*sporfles*

[clanwilliam]

No doubt Madame C- shall make discreet enquiries as to whether any knows of a wombatt that is looking for a mate.

ETA: And now I'm looking to see who might have had a suitable wombatt in that time period. Help me.

[tree_and_leaf]

This is starting to remind me of the duck-billed platypus that, at a rather later date, accompanied its owner to Trinity.

[clanwilliam]

A cultivated Wombatt, of settled and sedentary habits, desires the acquaintance of a Lady Wombatt, with a view towards matrimony if mutually inclined. He has an excellent establishment and an acquaintance that numbers some of the highest in society.

Address: FELICITY, Kensington.

[elisem]

:claps hands in delight:

[adrian_turtle]

Applause!

[redbird]

Many a person has been desperate in love with someone who they knew was not going to return it, known more surely than from Madame C's public "my disposition does not lie in that direction." We may hope that time, or meeting another appealing woman, will distract Miss A-.

[clanwilliam]

Also, that was a very thoughtful act by Mr de C-!