Suspicion breeds

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

I go about to get up a soirée. My musickal friends come to rehearse and discuss what they might present. Titus is looking most extreme pleas’d with matters. When I question Mr G- D- about this, he say that Titus has been solicit’d as a soloist for a publick performance of Handel’s Messiah, which is most exceeding gratifying and like to lead to other pleasing offers.

Also, he adds, looking over to where Titus, Miss McK, and Miss L- are in convocation, and lowering his voice, he confides that Titus is walking out with some young lady, but not one of those that has been sending little notes. He has, he adds, caution’d Titus that he faces particular difficulties in making a career – for there are those, he goes on, that are like to consider him as a performing monkey rather than a serious artist and he will ever have to prove himself yet more than any other singer – and that imprudence in courtship and marriage can prove most deleterious to ambition.

He sighs a little and I confide, tho’ I do not go about to ask, that his own career has been hinder’d by an early marriage and his wife’s exceeding fecundity.

Why, says I, I am like to suppose that he has receiv’d very similar advice from his uncle Hector. I daresay he will be prudent.

I leave them to rehearsal and go write a little in my novel, which comes along exceedingly.

Do I go into the kitchen of late to convoke with Euphemia about nice little dinners or a fine supper table for a soirée, a pique-nique to take to the theatre, &C, I am like to find her keeping company with Hector, sitting upon his knee, exchanging kisses, sure I feel quite the gooseberry. I would they would make an arrangement for the wedding-day and then settle down.

However, after they have spoke together upon the matter, Hector comes to me to say that they confide that the mews cottage would best answer, but he wonders whether there is some contrivance that might ring a bell in there was there any trouble in the house.

I put this as a problem to Sandy, who is most delight’d to give it his consideration.

As I go about my social round I find myself looking out for ladies that might suit dear Admiral K-. I do not find any that seem likely prospects.

Sure I would confide that I might find possibilities at Lady J-'s musicale, to which I take Meg.

On arriving and after greeting Lady J-, who makes most exceeding pleasant to Meg, that blushes considerable at the attention, I go join the little group that sits together in deep mourning: Martha S-, Viola, and Sebastian K-. Martha and Viola are looking exceeding well, tho’ I perceive that both keep a stock of ginger in their reticules.

Viola says, is this not a fine thing, her brother will be making quite the Grand Tour shortly, in Germany and the Hapsburg dominions, 'tis entirely on business but she confides that he will have some opportunity to see something of these places and the life there.

O, squeeks Meg, I have heard that there is very fine musick in those parts –

Viola smiles and says she confides that Fraulein H- has been singing the praises of her native parts again, for she said the like to her. Sure she herself heard some very fine musick while she was on her wedding journey down the Rhine.

Meg says that that must have been most excellent fine, what a bang-up thing to do. At dancing class there will be those that talk of their sisters’ wedding journeys to Brighton or Bath, or if they are more venturesome, Ireland or Scotland, but sure a journey down the Rhine must quite exceed.

Viola is brought to say a little of the fine sights she saw.

Martha sighs a little, but then says that what matters upon one’s wedding trip is the husband: she and Mr S- went to Weymouth. Perchance 'twas not the most enterprizing excursion, but they had a great fondness for the place as it was where they first met.

O, Martha, says Viola, was that when you met Mr S-, that time we went to Weymouth because dear Mama had heard it was a deal more genteel and select than Brighton?

Indeed, says Martha, you may recall that I was constantly being chidden for running off with my sketchbook instead of promenading about along the Esplanade &C, and one day upon the beach while I was trying to capture some sea-effects in water-colour, I met Mr S-, that was about geologickal investigations there.

Viola gives a little sigh and says 'twas very romantick.

Martha smiles very reminiscent and says indeed 'twas.

Sebastian K- says he recalls that 'twas wigs on the green when Mama found out, and then looks in a little confusion. He recovers himself and says to Meg that he hopes that she will not be about repeating low Irish slang. (I confide that he heard this expression from Mr O’C-, or in his company.)

I look about and note that the company is rather less than usual. However, there are a deal of colds and chills going about, and I daresay that may be the reason.

Come in the musicians and conversation is halt’d.

During the pause while tea and cakes are serv’d, Lady J- comes up to me and says she would be most extreme gratify’d could I give a little Shakspeare reading. Dear Miss A- has been detain’d at the theatre about rehearsing some business.

Indeed, says I, I should be delight’d.

And, dear Lady B-, might I come talk to you about a certain matter?

(I confide I have some notion of what this matter is: sure I did not expect it to reach her knowledge yet, but rumour flies on wings.) Of course, says I, tomorrow forenoon would find me at liberty and I will give myself out not at home to other company.

She takes and presses my hand and says she is most infinite oblig’d.

I give some thought to what I may read, and include the passage concerning Rumour, from the second part of King Henry the Fourth.

The next day comes Lady J- to talk to me on the certain matter, which is indeed as I suspect’d. She is most greatly put about by the slander and fears that it is causing her to be shunn’d among some parts of her acquaintance.

Sure this is a very nasty thing, says I, and I confide I know who is responsible, but I do not think that there is any means of bringing a prosecution, 'twill I daresay be quite impossible to prove it upon any individual.

Also, I go on, I am mind’d to suppose that taking the matter to court would only spread the thing wider.

Lady J- sighs, and drinks some of the exceeding strong coffee I have had Euphemia prepare. Also, she says, I cannot deny that there is some grain of truth there: you know my disposition.

Indeed, says I, but you do not maintain a seraglio of favourites.

Certainly not! she says, but I am concern’d that this foul business will also bring harm to my belov’d Miss A-.

'Tis possible, I concede, tho’ it may be suppos’d that she makes up to you for patronage. Which, I continue to Lady J-'s horrify’d expression, is not in the least true. However, this is an entire imbroglio.

Sure, says I, I have been the victim of similar scurrility in the past. Sometimes 'tis the best thing to ignore it entirely, but else-times one must go about to demonstrate the untruth of the implications.

Lady J- sighs again. Sure I cannot even begin upon thinking how one might do that. But you are so very ingenious, Lady B-, I confide that could anyone contrive it would be you.

Indeed you flatter me! I say. I have been thinking upon it, and I do not yet see my way entirely clear to any stratagem -

That is indeed most kind of you.

- for indeed I am among the several ladies that are also libell’d, tho’ sure the art, can one dignify it with the term, is so very bad that 'twould be a matter of some difficulty to determine which one is meant for whom. But I am setting my mind to work upon the business.

That gives me hope, says Lady J- (sure I hope that her confidence is not misplac’d).

Those that are truly your friends, I continue, will surely stand by you and defy scandal.

She looks extreme gloomy and says, alas, but it also shows up those that will not do so, and that includes those I thought very good friends.

I mention the great spread of seasonal ailments and that at least some of the absences from her musicale may be attribut’d to that.

She sighs and remarks that the matter breeds suspicion on all sides.

Indeed I am unable to contradict her.

Comments

[rymenhild]

Dare I hope that Titus's young lady may be Phillips?

Oh, poor Lady J-. And what cats her so-called friends are, who will believe spiteful rumour.

[davidgillon]

I see my way to a stratagem that blows two problems out of the water with a single broadside.

[clanwilliam]

And a damn good lashing for a scoundrel, I hope.

[davidgillon]

Three problems!

[rymenhild]

Yes, this would be an ideal opportunity to use Chekhov's horsewhip.

[davidgillon]

Applauds!

[clanwilliam]

Genius!

[kore]

Indeed, says Martha, you may recall that I was constantly being chidden for running off with my sketchbook instead of promenading about along the Esplanade &C, and one day upon the beach while I was trying to capture some sea-effects in water-colour, I met Mr S-, that was about geologickal investigations there.

....oh man, that's too adorable.

[violsva]

Meg is adorable.

And congrats Titus!