And there was Surgeon-Major Hicks, that had devized a system of exercizes – began to think upon these matters when I was in the Punjaub – fancied one might bring wounded men back to nigh about full capacity for service – learnt a deal from certain native practices – that came about to ameliorate matters. Along with occasional champooing by that fine woman Sister Wilson, that had learnt the art from the Dowager Duchess of Humpleforth’s ayah.

Dr Ferraby was greatly reassuring – did not in the least recommend that she should spend the next months lying upon a sopha, but walk in the gardens – and sure, a little gardening would do no harm at all, would be beneficial. Conceded that she might have some particular trouble when eventually brought to bed, but that these days, we had that fine new invention, chloroform.

It was also delightful that dearest Mama, on receipt of this happy news, had declared that of course, was this agreeable to Jimsie, she should move to Trembourne House rather than reside with the Grigsons. Indeed this was a time when one wished the presence of one’s mother – sure, there was Grissie Undersedge, mother of two adorable infants and the most sensible of women, quite in the capacity of an elder sister – entirely superior to Rina! – but even so.

So they were quite the happiest establishment. Oh, even in mourning there were certain duties of rank – especially for Jimsie, that had no desire to imitate his father’s very lackadaisical notion of his duties as a peer of realm, and intended to be conscientious about those. So was having certain quiet meetings with the set about the Duke of Mulcaster and Greg Undersedge’s father the Earl of Nuttenford, as well as reading the newspapers and the reports of the undertakings of Parliament a good deal more closely than he had been wont.

Besides, he – along with Grissie, that had effectively been managing the Trembourne estates for some years – were now able to look them over and think about how they might best be run without having the constant drain of the expense of pandering to the late Earl’s hypochondria. Traveling about spaws all over the continent – visiting quacks –

When Dowager Lady Trembourne retired to the continent following the funeral, it was not said in so many words but there was a belief that there was some highly-placed foreign lover – possibly also had a lucky hand at the tables – able to cover her dress-bills by being known to set the style – 'tis a known thing, Grissie had said – so she was not a burden.

Oh, Grissie would sigh a little over the books, and say that even would it not be somewhat unfamilial to turn Mr Grigson’s uncle and mother out of Carlefour Castle, that was let to them on very agreeable terms, was a still prudent thing.

But indeed, they were all a deal happier.

In particular, Nora – Lady Eleanor Upweston, Jimsie’s younger sister – was positively blithe. Revealed, following her father’s death, that he had been considerably inclined to approve the union being proposed to him by Myo’s father Lord Saythingport, between Nora and his own heir, Viscount Talshaw.

They had all been shocked. Myo had no opinion at all of her eldest brother, that as the heir had been indulged all his life. Lord Gilbert Beaufoyle’s reports of his conduct on the Grand Tour had not been prepossessing, and he had now obtained throughout Society the reputation of a boor and a drunkard. Marry Nora! Quiet, shy, very pious Nora! It was quite horrible.

It also argued how very desperate Lord Saythingport was growing: for Nora would bring no great portion to the match, and it was still being gossiped upon how he had sold Cretia to Cyril Grigson, of no rank at all but exceedingly wealthy from his family’s China trade. However, Cretia seemed very well suited with that match – Grigson a very amiable fellow –

But they could now offer the argument that Nora was in mourning for her father and it would be entire improper to entertain thoughts of marriage for some several months yet.  By which time Saythingport might have contrived to find some wealthy but more lowly born heiress prepared to trade her gold for the eventual rank of marchioness.

So Nora sometimes sang at her lace-making until she came to the realization of what she was about, and blushed at the impropriety.

This particular afternoon the weather was so very fine they had taken their work to the summerhouse in the garden – Nora with her lace-pillow, Grissie with her lap-desk and Edmund and Adelaide playing at her feet, while Myo was about embroidering bookmarks that she might present when solicited for the next raffle or charity bazaar.

For was a day when they were in some anticipation that Lady Pockinford and Thea might call, and 'twas very like that there would be some good cause or other that Dumpling Dora was about!

It was Thea alone that was ushered into the summerhouse.

Mama, she said, has had a message from Rachel Demington that there is some muddle to do with the preparations for the Seamstresses’ Summer Workshops, so rushed off quite willy-nilly to convoke with her on the matter.

She disposed herself in a comfortable lounging chair, and looked about at 'em, and smiled. La, 'tis wicked unfilial in me, but is Mama not here I may enquire whether you, Nora, go visit Aggie and Hughie and see aught of Sister Linnet?

Nora put by her lace-making, so that she might give a lively account of how matters went in the parish of St Wilfrid’s, and add that there was a deal of asking after Lady Theodora.

Thea sighed. Would that I might visit 'em, but I had ado enough over pursuing my singing lessons at Zipsie’s –

At this moment arrived, very welcome, lemonade, just what one would desire on such an afternoon, along with an array of dainty sandwiches and cakes.

After they had refreshed themselves with these, and were still idly nibbling, Grissie remarked that no-one could object to Thea’s joining a married woman friend in her own house for singing lessons.

Thea sighed again. Entirely not, one would suppose. And Mama has come round – but. She looked down into her empty glass.

She looked up again. I am in somewhat of a dilemma.

That was intriguing, thought Myo. Was there some matter of a friend of Lord Rondegate that had spied Thea singing and taken a notion to her?

Thea put down the glass, clasped her hands together, and commenced the tale. Her Grace of Mulcaster had approached Miss McKeown about certain songs that had been composed by Lady Jane Knighton’s late cousin Grace Billston, that she was very desirous of hearing once more. Miss McKeown declared that her voice was no longer fit for the performance – still had copies – mayhap did she ask Zipsie?

So, she had taken the songs to Zipsie, that had been very impressed, and said, why, she could, she dared say, sing 'em, but seemed to her that they were better suited to Thea’s voice. And had tried 'em over with Thea, and they were very lovely songs –

But.

She looked up at her auditors. The words are from poems by Sappho, and was not Sappho a pagan poet?

I apprehend, said Grissie, that she was an antient Greek and thus would not have had the benefits of Christian revelation. But Thea dear, you would not be performing these songs publicly, would you?

Thea shook her head.

Nora gave a little gulp, and cleared her throat, and said, is it for Lady Jane, that is so noted for her good works, and wishes this remembrance of a departed friend, I am not sure one can see any harm. But mayhap I might ask Hughie – and Sister Linnet –

 Thea jumped up to kiss her cousin. That would be an immense kindness.

She desired 'em to tell her of their own news – was there not some matter of looking over one of Myo’s brother’s Oxford friends that might suit Jimsie as a secretary?

Oh, indeed, said Myo, a Mr Averdale, second son of a country squire in the Midlands somewhere – has his own way to make in the world one understands – a very clever fellow that has won scholarships and prizes – already shows a grasp of what the position would entail – proposed that he should come for a probationary period over the summer –

Do you not spend the summer at Worblewood?

Quite so! Will provide a quiet retreat – well, moderately quiet, Mr Chilfer has writ a very kind letter saying that he would be at leisure to come explore what he fancies is our buried Roman villa, and are we having excavations I am like to think Lucie and Lewis will both be very ardent to come and dig – quite aside from the attractions of the trout-stream – Grinnie may have other invitations but of course would ever be welcome –

I wonder, said Grissie with a grin, whether Lady Balstrup intends pass the summer at Attings.

Myo gave a little groan. Though I am more concerned about any gatherings my father purposes at Roughton Arching. At least we shall not be obliged to attend any revels there.

But, she thought, Worblewood was perhaps a little too close to Roughton Arching for Nora’s peace of mind. They had not considered over this problem yet. Mayhap she should go to Monk’s Garrowby with Grissie and Greg though one doubted whether she would find the Merrett uproar congenial.

She would doubtless be happiest with Aggie and Hughie but, the East End, in the height of summer? However, did she stay with the Pockinfords, she was like to feel a persecuted martyr, even was that prig Simon about his travels by then.

Even after so many

Here was all in order for her soirée – it was that moment before one might anticipate any arriving, when even after so many of 'em – la, must be hundreds, thought Clorinda, even did she omit those in her days as a Lady of the Town – and of course she did not count those card-parties she and Abby had held, with the whispered rumours of staking of favours! – No, those had been entirely business. Even after so many, there was a little nervous qualm.

She looked across the chamber to where dearest beloved Leda was setting out cards and counters, and smiled. Oh, it was still – no, maybe 'twas not, for her, a renewed springtime, but it was all the richness of that season Not yet on summer’s death nor on the birth Of trembling winter. Had never anticipated such a thing – had supposed there would still be certain old favourites, mayhap an occasional passing fancy, but not this delight.

Her daring darling – indeed, some of her exploits caused Clorinda a little trembling, but one saw she came off quite unharmed. But it was less troubling that Leda lately, in her character as Babsie Bolton, prime doxy at Dumaine’s, found an entrée into the society of those very exclusive and discreet doxies that resided in fine villas in St John’s Wood. For here was Iffling’s mistress, Marabelle Myrtle, very desirous that dear Babsie should come take tea, and had become quite part of a set of ladies in a similar condition, and, sure, there was a deal of very useful gossip exchanged!

Also she was able to put a deal of good business in the way of Matt Johnson’s agency, whether 'twas within that  sphere of advizing how to be secure against burglary – la, you should see the sparkle they sport, just for a tea-party! – or certain discreet matters such as letters to old admirers that they would wish back in their own hands &C&C.

But tonight Leda was in the character of, o, she is some connexion of that dear old sawbones Hacker that Lady Bexbury takes up, entire genteel and not in the least encroaching, that took banque at the card-table at her soirées and acted as her secretary on occasion, and none would suspect the other characters in which she was known!

She stepped across the room to give her a kiss, breaking off as she heard the door open as Sandy came in. Well, Sandy had seen more than kissing over the time of their acquaintance!

He looked at her and observed with a grin that Lady Bexbury was sporting the fabled Murrampore rubies.

Why, 'tis some while since I did so – and they are very fine although perchance the setting is coming about to be a little old-fashioned in style –

And 'tis not at all so these young men in Lord Peregrine’s set may boast about Oxford of having seen 'em!

What a pleasing set they are – what an excellent young fellow he is –

Indeed, not what one would anticipate from his father or his elder brother – or what one heard about their forebears.

Came in Lydia Marshall, that said, had been reassured that her harp was here, but would wish to ensure that was in tune –

Quite so, my dear, they were handling it very gentle but 'tis ever wise – apprehend that we shall be hearing a new trio of Lady Rondegate’s composition?

Lydy looked up from her strings and tuning key, saying, o, a very fine thing! and seemed about to expatiate further when came quite bursting in Hattie Nixon –

My poor old Nixon is resting a little at the foot of the stairs afore Hector goes assist him up – my dear, before the crowd arrives, what is this brangle 'twixt Lady Inez and Lady Leah? That were ever closer than sisters?

Clorinda sighed. Lovely twin berries on a single stem. No, 'tis like unto a play – here they are, have the most eligible suitors, were entirely minded to make those most acceptable matches – and then both of 'em fall quite besotted by that romantic figure Lord Gilbert Beaufoyle.

Hattie gave a positively raucous laugh. Along with half the young women in Society and a deal of the married ladies! Gives none of 'em the least encouragement – is never more than properly civil – but sure, is very handsome – has that dashing reputation – rumours of a liaison with some foreign fair – accounts for that air of alluring melancholy –

Poor Gillie, thought Clorinda, that now came to understand some of the inwardness of the matter. Indeed he was handsome, that was hardly surprizing in the offspring of Biffle and Viola, though he lacked the classical perfection of his elder brother Lord Rollo. And those tales of duels &C, that grew more and more exaggerated in the telling, must greatly add to his attractions.

But, my dear, before Mr N comes in, do tell me how Hywel does –

For Hattie continued to visit her invalid lover, the former actor Hywel Jenkins. So she reported upon his health, and the state of his spirits, and wondered whether it might be answerable for him to go to Malvern, or would some other spaw, or mayhap the seaside, be more suitable?

This ever-interesting subject broke off as entered Meg and Sebastian Knowles, Sebastian giving his arm to Mr Nixon, followed by the young Rondegates.

Meg and Zipsie went over to Lydy, Zipsie placing the oboe in its case that she had been cradling in her arms on top of the pianoforte.

Then came quite the flurry of guests – Sir Barton and dear Susannah Wallace – alas that Bobbie and Scilla were at present in Firlbrough – and not accompanied by their lingering house-guest Lord Fendersham! had felt obliged to extend an invitation but Clorinda was exceeding glad he had some conventicle or other elsewhere. Compared to Fendersham, the Pockinfords were positively lightminded even were they of the same Evangelical persuasion.

There were Pockinford and Dumpling Dora, with Artie and Rachel, and Thea, and the Lucases – no Hughie and Aggie, that had some matter a-doing in their parish the e’en – and no sign of the prig Simon.

Sir Vernon, that cast one of his diplomatic glances at her rubies.

The Mulcaster House party – Biffle, Viola, Sallington, Gillie – Steenie and several of his set – Viola with Mr Davison and Surgeon-Major Hicks – we were talking over a Mogul manuscript I have just acquired and sure we quite lost track of the time! – no Chloe?

But here were the Lowndes, and Chloe was with them –

Viola looked around and smiled. Chloe has been spending a few days with 'em in Highgate, and being shown over the press &C, now she goes write for 'em.

Excellent well! thought Clorinda, as entered her beloved wombatt child Flora with Hannah Roberts, Ambrose Joliffe, Janey and Geoff Merrett. She fancied there had been one of Janey’s conversaziones of young women interested in intellectual matters.

The Bexburys with the Horrocks – the Abertyldds – ah, Sir Oliver and Ollie must still be in Heggleton – the Casimirs – Cyrus Enderby – Quintus and Sukey – Harry and Lou –

Lord Peregrine and his friends – the Grigsons had a longstanding dinner with City acquaintance that it would be most uncivil to cut, one quite understood.

Lord Iffling! La, had been civil to send a card, having met him at Cretia’s tiffin party, but had not anticipated that he might come.

William and two of his pupils going around offering various refreshments to the company.

Meg had moved to sit at the pianoforte and was playing some suitably light matter.

Hah! Archie South Worpley and Trelfer, standing watching, not quite gaping, as Leda performed card-tricks for 'em. Darting sidelong glances towards the ladies of their hearts, that were keeping a considerable distance 'twixt each other, with occasional mutual glaring, and endeavouring catch the eye of Gillie Beaufoyle.

There was Agnes Lucas, going to pull at Zipsie’s sleeve – oh, wished to make known to her to Mr Davison. Had there not been some mention of Zipsie setting to music those ghazuls that Agnes had turned into English – or that, rather, Viola had translated and Agnes had transformed into English verse? And had not Hannah remarked upon some piece Mr Davison had writ upon Persian music that would forthcome in The Speculum?

Here, a little later than their wont, were the de Cléraults, Raoul and Phoebe along with their daughter Angelique, also an artist, and their son Lucien that was their business manager. Phoebe came over to explain that they had been somewhat detained in family gossip by brother Hector – o, naught to fret about, he now comes about to boast about Patience and Jessamy after all the fretting he was in.

Another tardy party – Julia Humpleforth and Josh, that very fortunate arrived simultaneous with the Samuels and Lady Jane – Clorinda came into some concern that they were growing indiscreet.

She looked about again –

That excellent fellow Enderby had contrived an introduction 'twixt South Worpley and young Mr Thornton over a common interest in lepidoptera – she perceived Mr Averdale in converse with Biffle and Hicks, perchance over matters to do with India – what, there was Iffling making civil to Quintus –

Quintus wearing the polite expression that she feared was common to medical men assailed for professional opinions upon social occasions, had seen it with dear old Hacker! – dared say 'twas concerning the affliction of Iffling’s father the Duke of Werrell.

Mr Nixon, Sir Barton, Sir Vernon and Trelfer at the card-table.

Zipsie was now at the pianoforte, her husband leaning upon it looking very fond.

Came up to Clorinda Lord Peregrine that thanked her very heartily for inviting his friends – 'tis quite the kindest thing – they will be talking of it for months –

Why, one sees they make a considerable impression! – there were Mr Wood and Mr Smithers engaged in some quite passionate discussion with Sandy and Geoff Merrett – I apprehend Mr Thornton will go visit Yeomans about this possibility of tutoring – but, la, let us go hear the music!

For the trio had just assembled and the company were placing themselves to listen.

Really, a great success! Count Casimir quite rushed up to Zipsie afterwards to congratulate her – Meg remarked that they must certainly play it again at her next musical evening –

And a crowning moment – made an entrance Amelia Addington, come straight from the theatre, desiring supper – for she could never eat afore a performance – and then, she said, surely, dear Lady Bexbury, you will gratify us with one of your famed readings from Shakspeare?