an unprintable combination of the sacred and the profane

But quite the greatest surprize! There was Bella, became quite a competent aide-de-camp, so that the family had come about to agree that 'twas high time Essie took himself off to Nitherholme to be about electoral business there – fancied that between 'em Her Grace and Bella, with some assistance from Gillie and Steenie, might manage.

So Sallington, with, what one must concede was a look of relief, set off for Wepperell Larches, had promised to go support young Rondegate there for a few days, afore going to the family northern estate, only muttering somewhat about Fendersham, that had finally been shamed into returning to his own neighbouring estate rather than lingering about Town a very unwelcome guest of the Wallaces. Tedious fellow! And no Polly Fendersham, his stepmother, to oil the wheels.

All well there! And here she was, with certain matters she desired to put her hands to, back in her own place, even was it during the season of horrid heavy weather in Town. Beloved Leda in her arms. Contrivances already in motion –

Leda lifted her head to look upon Clorinda, remarked that, there was a frown that would have Sophy give her a scold! and kissed it away.

A little later they rose, and of course Sophy already had all in order for their morning toilette, and they went down to where there was every sign that breakfast was quite immediate forthcoming –

La, there was nothing like a fine breakfast from Euphemia’s kitchen!

Sure there were letters neatly piled on the silver tray atop her desk, but there was matter she should be getting under hand –

Oho, said Leda, reaching for a pikelet and buttering it, here is Lady B has her contriving face on!

Clorinda sighed. Why, this matter of those harpies and their very genteel drawing-room gaming-hell for ladies troubles me exceedingly. Even is there no cogging, 'tis put about that the play is high, and here you already have at least one lady fears she may come to ruin. Wish to have a plot in order – I find Lady Lucretia would entirely have the entrée, but I do not suppose she has any great knowledge of card-play –

Leda put down her coffee-cup. Perchance there is a Miss Leopoldina Harper comes to Town that you are giving a little polish – ?

Clorinda wrinkled her nose. I think not, my love. You have too much other business to be about at present – 'twould be constantly putting a wig on and off and darkening your eyebrows &C – furthermore, I would not permit a well-brought-up unmarried young lady under my chaperonage to attend one of those sabbats. 'Twould quite devastate her reputation. I am astonished Lady Iffling took her sister into that company – though at least she did not play. No, I must cogitate over this –

Leda made an amused snort. Perchance you might persuade young Mr Carter to masquerade? I daresay he learnt the same tricks as Mr Tommie Thorne displayed.

I do not, Clorinda sighed, feel that Flinders Carter, amiable young chap though he is, and doubtless a neat hand with the cards, has the discretion one would require even did he dress up elegant. Very like would burst forth with anecdotes about his Auntie Abby.

One sees that, said Leda, that had only just managed to forestall just such a revelation at one of Clorinda’s soirées. And very much not the set one would wish the intelligence that she is not married to a Russian nobleman at outs with the Tsar to get out among.

Clorinda nodded. But there are other matters I must have settled, first.

So, after she had looked through the letters to ensure that there was naught of immediate urgency, she desired Nick Jupp to drive her to the City.

There she had a useful convocation with Sebastian Knowles over the state of her business affairs – indeed there was nothing to hinder investment in new mining machinery! – and an exchange of family gossip – would not be sending the children to Ollifaunt Hall just yet, Bess and Tom say 'tis quite the bear-garden during the election –

He sighed and remarked that really, 'twas high time they took a little place out o’Town themselves – Highbury was all very well, but somewhere that was a little more of a rural retreat would be agreeable – on the railway –

Do I hear of anything of the like, will mention that you are interested.

She stood up, and they shook hands in farewell, for she did not wish to linger as had other business to be about.

Here was that sober and discreet edifice wherein Cyril Grigson conducted the affairs of Grilsinger and Grigson, that extended to the China Seas and made 'em quite fabulously wealthy.

Mr Grigson was quite entirely in to Lady Bexbury!

Greeted her very warmly, offered tea, that he prepared very ceremonious in the Chinese fashion, and over which they discoursed of indifferent matters while sipping at the tiny cups, afore finally coming to business.

She hoped he found his marriage satisfactory, and his father-in-law not too exiguous.

Grigson gave his small smile and said that Lady Lucretia was turning out quite to exceed expectations, from all one had heard of her sister Lady Iffling. Quite all one could wish. Lord Saythingport occasionally a little tiresome, but the present circumstance may give him a chance to recover somewhat from the expenses occasioned by the late Talshaw.

Clorinda drooped her eyelids, remarking that one had supposed a certain extravagance in that young man.

Grigson groaned. But, he went on, I am most prepossessed by Lord Peregrine – a sober young fellow with a promising head for business.

Very pleasing! But I come to you on something of a mission –

He raised his eyebrows.

I have come to hear of a certain pair of ladies in Society that run quite the gaming-salon for ladies, that is give out, o, very genteel, they are very select in who is admitted, but I have some concerns that this is no matter of an innocent hand or so of cards to beguile the time.

One hears of such things.

The play is considerable high, that even if 'tis straight, gives one to wonder somewhat – the ladies in question are just within the bounds of respectability, not quite yet to be deemed adventuresses. And I apprehend that Lady Lucretia has the entrée, having been introduced there by Lady Iffling – rather improper, to my mind, but she did not play, at least – and I see there a device for investigation. But I would not, of course, propose that she should attend these occasions without I was assured you had no objections.

Grigson smiled broadly. Dear Lady Bexbury, do you have some plan to rout these vipers I am entirely happy for you to make my wife confederate. At present she find time hanging a little heavy – private ladies’ card-parties could surely meet with no objection –

Quite so!

They parted with exceeding good feeling and mutual understanding. La, in times bygone, thought Clorinda, would quite have encouraged a suit from the gentleman!

But 'twas back home and address herself to a matter that Sister Benedict – the quondam Mary Theresa O’Callaghan – wished her judgement upon. Here was Lady Wauderkell had been taking a most extensive retreat at the convent – desired make some recompense – had indited a collection of tales of the childhoods of certain saints, that she hoped might be published for the benefit of the good sisters – did dearest Lady Bexbury, with her literary judgement considered quite of the nicest, and Mr MacDonald, with his knowledge of publishing, think this feasible?

Rather against her will, Clorinda found herself prepossessed by the work – oh, somewhat sentimental, but, she must allow, that woman had ever had a certain fluent facility with her pen. Fancied it would appeal to more than the Romish audience – confided the Ladies Thea and Nora would entire relish it! –

Some means of tying up the business so that O’Neill could not get his hands on any profits must be found – lord, America was very vast and it was taking a deal of a while for the evidence of his previous marriage to come from Chicago! –

Hector brought in the card tray.

Clorinda blinked. Had not expected callers – why, Dodo Casimir, that she dared say lingered at Bexbury House while the Abertyldds went about electioneering at Hembleby – so she nodded to Hector to admit her.

Dodo, one perceived, was not about some mere social visit – seemed in a considerable fluster – Clorinda nonetheless asked the proper formal questions about the family – how Zipsie did – &C&C – while pouring tea and offering the sandwiches and cakes that Dodo scarcely looked at –

Here is Ollie goes get himself into trouble, she burst out – o, perchance is not yet quite in toils, but Pa writes that he is much about with an actress from Bess Ollifaunt’s theatre in Heggleton –

She put down her cup rather forcefully. Encroaching creature that has presumed upon acquaintance from being invited to the Raxdell House parties in her younger days –

La, said Clorinda, I apprehend 'tis young Rosalind Richardson, no, does she not call herself Dalrymple to avoid comparisons with her mother?

– 'tis all the Ferrabys’ fault – rather too democratic –

Indeed, thought Clorinda, remembering the children’s parties including the Roberts’ offspring and those of the de Cléraults and the Marshalls – but at least the parents were respectably married. But, she said, was not the Ferrabys – 'twas Milord – Lord Raxdell – moved by his antient friendship with Danvers Dalrymple to beg an invitation – said Danvers was very put about that his children did not seem to go to nice parties –

And of course he had no children of his own to worry about any establishing of interest! grumbled Dodo, but one saw her already mollified by the invocation of Milord, the glass of fashion and the mould of form, the entire arbiter of good ton among his set. She sighed. Sure Danvers is a more devoted father than many that have gone to church! Even so, we cannot like this for Ollie –

Clorinda with an inward groan said she would think upon this tangle.