the_comfortable_courtesan

I am seated at my desk with a good quantity of coffee, and making a determin’d endeavour to clear away the pile of correspondence, when comes in Hector with some further letters and desires a word with Madame.

Speak on, say I.

He declares himself very much prepossess’d by the way Titus conducted himself last night, he has really greatly come on from the idle boy he was when he join’d the household. He confides that there may indeed be advancement for him in this musickal course. That being so, he wonders whether Titus or Mr G- D- have approacht me at all about the proposition that he should take permanent residence in Mr G- D-'s household, where the latter can put him in the way of various usefull employments, keep up his singing, &C.

That would certainly be a sensible course, I agree. I understand that Mr G- D-‘s family have grown exceeding attacht to Titus, and he to them. As we have various matters to address concerning the household, finding another boy for the boots and the rough work may as well be one of them. I am also concern’d about Euphemia, for she is still exceeding young for her responsibilities, tho’ has the cooking side of the affair very much in her hands due to her good training under Seraphine: the collation she sent up for the soirée gain’d very high commendation. I know Phoebe gives her a good deal of assistance over dealing with tradespeople, keeping up the books &C. Prue I understand has become a good deal more steady and greatly diligent in the discharge of her duties, which must take some of Phoebe’s burden from her if she does not have to be continually after her.

But I wonder whether we should bring in an undermaid that could do some of the scullery-work for Euphemia and also assist in the more general housework, and a boy to replace Titus.

Hector concurs that this would be a prudent course and will ask around amongst his connection for those that seek a first place and would benefit from working in a household with our good practices.

I look at the letters he has handed me and see that there is one from Seraphine. Do not go just yet, until I have read this and see if there is any news. Seraphine expresses that she and Roberts are most highly satisfy’d with their place in Lord G- R-'s establishment. M. Duval, it turned out, had long desir’d to quit his post and set up a high-class eating house for the quality, so there was less trouble there than she had anticipat’d. Roberts is most greatly prepossess’d by the task before him, though has the suspicion that some of the under-gardeners at A- have been taking advantage of the head gardener’s inattention to laze about their duties. They will both be coming up to Town within the next fortnight so that she may prepare certain dinners that His Lordship gives, and so that Roberts can attend to the business of the garden and the conservatory at R- House, as well as visit around some nurseries. They would very much hope to pay a visit during that time. She adds in addition that she has successfully wean’d Julius, who is now walking, or rather staggering, and thrives very mightily in the good country air.

Hector fairly beams. This is most excellent news, madame, and I will convey it to the rest of the household, for we all wonder how Seraphine and Julius do. He takes his leave.

I turn to my correspondence, which includes a letter from New South Wales from my dearest Mrs T-: breaking the seal I find that it conveys the news of her lying-in of a very delightful baby girl, that she has named after her dearest Madame C-. Tears start to my eyes. Mr T- is most exceeding fond of the baby, and they both make observations of her, because Mr T- remarks that although philosophers have writ much about the care and education of children, he has never felt that these sprang from direct experience and in particular, lacked those insights gained from motherhood. She adds that looking after one’s own dear baby is an entirely different matter to looking after Madame Z-'s horrid babies, as she call’d those nasty little lapdogs, she is quite sure I have not forgot those canine devils that gave us so much trouble.

I am so happy for her.

I turn to my next letter, which is a missive from Lady W-, who would greatly desire a conclave at Mamzelle Bridgette’s, if this can be contrived. Certainly I need to be going there, for Docket has expressed opinions as to the needs of my wardrobe now that I am longer dressing for Surrey.

At this moment, comes in Docket herself, saying that she has had a most curious message from Williams (that is lady’s maid to Her Grace of M-) containing an enclosure directed to you, madame. She hands it over and I break the seal.

The Duchess of M- would very greatly desire a meeting with me, but is not going out at present, so has contrived with Williams’s aid a means to admit me by one of the side-doors and discreet staircase at M- House, if I could come dresst incognita.

I indite a little note to Her Grace saying that I shall be happy to attend upon her this very afternoon, seal it, and enclose it within a cover addresst to Williams. Docket, I say, you may desire Titus to run this over to M- House at once. Certainly, madame, she responds.

I take a look at her. She seems a little worn and tired, somewhat pale: but I mind me that it is very like that she approaches the grand climacterick period of a woman’s life, that is said to bring about various manifestations. I do not know her exact age, but she had been many years in service among the quality when she came to me. Her previous lady had married and gone to live somewhere that Docket consider’d would not require the services of a crack lady’s maid such as she, and, looking about for a new place, encountered a former fellow in the profession that had turn’d theatre-dresser and happen’d to be employ’d with my mother’s old friend and patron. This was at that moment when I was leaving Madame Z-'s establishment to set up independent and therefore making up my household.

Docket, having observ’d me at the theatre, requests an interview and tells me that I have great possibilities but have the greatest need for one that understands the subtleties of dress; for sure, madame, you could show entirely better than you do. This was something that I very soon prov’d and thus she became part of my own establishment and much valu’d. However, she has always been very reserv’d and private and discloses very little concerning herself.

With her assistance I array myself quite in the Surrey style of one that goes to church and does not intend being look’d upon to the distraction of the congregation and the parson, and set off for M- House. Williams is waiting for me inside that discreet side-door that I know well. This way, madame.

She conducts me to the Duchess’s private sitting-room, in which I find Her Grace sitting exceeding great with child. I curtesy to her, begging her not to rise. She desires Williams to fetch us some tea and smiles at me. Sure the travails of your adventures have not toucht you at all, she says. You remain quite the mirror to antipodean Flora (my tears threaten to rise at the belov’d name but I suppress them).

Over tea she informs me that dear Biffle has confesst all to her about our encounters but sure she has every belief in my own description of them as habits of long friendship and she cannot find it within herself to doubt her dear boy’s loyalty. Indeed not, I say, his devotion to you is quite exceptional.

She blushes. And mine to him. O, we have been so happy these months: all our projects so well in hand and thriving, and really, there was plenty that I could do without injuriously rushing about. But, she goes on, I invited you today for a very particular reason.

She folds her hands in her lap. I feel most exceeding well and do not have any undue fears about my forthcoming ordeal, but nonetheless, one hears that childbirth is ever a perilous undertaking. Should anything happen to me – tho’ why it should when I shall have the best reput’d birth attendants in Town about me – I would like you to look after poor Biffle, for I doubt but that it would be sad comfort he would get from Lady J-. I should also like you, and dear Lady W-, to look about you for a suitable new wife for him should it be necessary.

I have put all this, she continues, in letters I have writ to be opened in the case, &C.

O, my dear, I say with tears in my eyes, sure it will not be needfull, but you know that I have ever had the greatest affection for His Grace and would stand his friend in whatever circumstance. She smiles at me also very tearfull and says that she is entirely assur’d of that.

I think, she goes on, that Lady J- remembers, whereas Biffle was too young, their mother’s death in childbed along with their little brother: she was of an age when such impressions strike deep. It makes her quite unwonted worryfull about the business. Fortunately she now has very many affairs that occupy her as well as that naughty Miss A- to distract her mind. Otherwise I am sure I should be constantly screaming.

But I must not tire Your Grace, say I, and begin to rise. She says sure there are business matters she should be about but she had been beguil’d into reading this new novel that all are speaking of. She wonders was it written by one of your set, for there are some figures that are almost portraits. O, I say, I have not yet read it yet myself but it is certainly much discusst.

I take my leave. Sure she is fancyfull after the fashion of breeding women, as indeed I was myself. But I am toucht by her concern for Biffle.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

rmc28

I hope all is well with Docket.

davidgillon

will ask around amongst his connection for those that seek a first place and would benefit from working in a household with our good practices.

I missed this on first reading. Not simply 'can we find someone who will fit', but 'can we find someone who needs our help to be better than they are'.

So typical of the household.