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?