Elise Matthesen

Fie, 'tis a day will never come – was entire 'prentice work – but one could see the poor lady felt somewhat cast out into the chilly winds like unto a shorn lamb, even was she left this very comfortable competence. Did not say in so many words but we could apprehend that the ladies in her locality are inclined to be cattish – Mrs Mitchell goes confirm that from matters her maid let drop – And – Leda leant over to help herself to a mutton-chop in the style of General Yeoman’s cook – I could see Maude Coggin’s fingers quite itching to furbish her up a little – would look very well for good dressing – and sighing that was constrained by the restrictions of mourning.

Clorinda grinned as she buttered a pikelet and then considered upon the choice between various of Roberts and Wilson’s superior preserves. But a very sensible woman – did not sit about wringing her hands or hearkening to the gentlemen in the town that I am sure would have been entire delighted to be leant on, but came seek advizers that did not have a dog in the fight.

Tut, Lady Bexbury, that is an exceeding vulgar metaphor!

Dear Matt – Quennells are quite the pillar of probity – and young Mr Q assures me that the late Mr Brackley’s stockbrokers have the most excellent reputation, that Sebastian confirms. Has Mr Abrahams had any insights into the prospectuses yet?

Has been very scathing concerning the ones he has so far looked into! Are the fellows investing their own tin they are like to come to a very sorry state.

They smiled at one another. Sure, thought Leda, it was very agreeable to work thus. How far she had come from hardened Bet Bloggs of Seven Dials. O, Bet had been loyal to her friends, but had not had these, these wider sympathies that Leda had come to from knowing and loving Clorinda. Had learnt that one might be soft and gentle without being weak.

But while it was indeed agreeable to help so amiable a lady as Miss Kirkstall, there were still rogues in the world a deal worse than the fellows offering her business propositions and one dared say in due course their hand and heart. She sighed. Clorinda raised her eyebrows.

O, I was just a-thinking of this nasty business I am looking into, over finding out shameful secrets and then extorting over 'em.

Very nasty, agreed Clorinda. And on the subject of shameful secrets &C, one observes that Blatchett and his parasite Mortimer Chellow have been absent from Society this considerable while. Belinda tells me they have been much seen about racecourses, where doubtless the company is less fastidious.

They both groaned, for though the immediate threat of any damage to Bella Beaufoyle’s reputation had been scotched, there was still the feeling that there was a powder-keg might yet come about to explode, and moreover that there might be other, mayhap even worse, scandals pertaining to Blatchett could come to light.

And that beastly creature Linsleigh is still prowling about the vicinity of Naples, one must wonder what he is about, or mayhap these days is entire the dilettante –

Leda rested her chin in her hands and looked at Clorinda. Did not that beastly creature offer to reveal some scandal about you, before was obliged to flee the realm?

Clorina coloured a little. O, poo-poo, has Sandy been a-gossiping? A matter of some paintings from my youth, of a somewhat improper nature, that are now stored very secret at Nitherholme by dear Sallington –

I should like to see those!

Naughty creature!

But, Leda went on, for would not be distracted, is there aught that might bring you into trouble in this way?

Clorinda did not dismiss this concern lightly. She put on a sober face, looked thoughtful, and glanced over at her desk, where Leda knew that, in a well-concealed secret drawer, were miniatures of her daughter Flora as a child, and certain letters that she could not bring herself to destroy.

I think, she said at length, all is secure – you have give me quite excellent advice, my love! – and sure, I never went about to conceal what I had been, and 'tis so long ago that 'tis almost a romantic tale. There is a little fear for Flora and Hannah’s secrets – but indeed, the one I am in most worry for is Josh. O, I fancy he is exemplary discreet over his liaison with Julia Humpleforth, minds on her reputation, but these matters of saving badgers and foxes – for feelings about the right to hunt &C run very high – did it come about revealed concerning his interference in hunts -  

Leda reached across the table to clasp Clorinda’s hand. La, I have seen that Josh can tame Nat Barron, that now believes 'twas entire his own prudent notion to eschew badger-baiting at Abbetts’ ring. And is ever cautious, has learnt somewhat from his Aunty Clorinda, I fathom, from seeing him in court that time presenting as one with his head entire in the air –

Clorinda smirked a little. Josh, that has quite the keenest eye!

Indeed, one saw that Josh Ferraby might appear a dreamer, but that was because his attention was very acutely upon some matter that others did not note.

But, my love, you go be a little evasive –

Leda wrinkled her nose.  I am to go call upon this fellow Vohle, in my guise as Larry Hooper, desiring him to make a daguerreotype that I may send to my aged aunt, to provide an excuse for looking about his premises, and I am a little concerned that he may penetrate my disguise. You have remarked as to how artists of your acquaintance will note resemblances &C –

Even does he find you out a woman, he will, I fancy, suppose that you are one that chooses to go thus for your own reasons – will not know who you are.

Somewhat reassured, Leda rose and went to kiss her beloved, afore setting off to Covent Garden, and Marie Allard’s house, where she was wont to metamorphose into Larry.

There she found the most unusual sight of Marie sitting quite at her ease, looking positive doating at the child Binnie teaching the dog Pompey some trick or other.

Followed Leda up to where she was wont to transmogrify, to convey that she had excellent good news – not merely that here was Binnie’s Ma, continued to show Dorcas’ pious convert, and had obtained work scrubbing, one might have a little confidence this would last – but that she had been in some dilemma about obtaining schooling for Binnie.

And would you believe it? There is one lately comes take refuge with Molly Binns at Dolly Mutton’s, that was a governess afore her wretch of an employer ruined her, and is quite delighted to take up her old occupation.

Why, that falls out exceptional! Leda contemplated Larry in the pier-glass and fancied he would do. Enquired did Marie ever have daguerrotypes made –

Marie snorted and said, she was not obliged to go tout for trade! These days 'twas all personal recommendation.

What, do these fellows confide over their brandy, do you seek a lady that has a fine fierce hand with the lash, can do no better than Whipping Marie –

More like, they go mutter to Dumaine or other knowing fellows, do you know of any lady that will do such-and-such –

Sure there must be tales that Dumaine could tell!

But Dumaine, they both nodded and agreed, well knew the worth of discretion.

So Larry went about his business to Vohle’s studio, that did not seem to be doing anything in the way of bustling trade at this hour, and found the fellow there busy at making up stereoscopic slides, that he slid into a drawer when he observed that he had a customer.

Larry’s tale was, that the aged aunt in the country that had brought him up, was in a great anxiety to see that he was well, but he could by no means quit Town and travel to visit her, 'twas quite out of the question. So had the thought that sending her his picture, taken quite from the life, would surely reassure her that he was in health.

Vohle, a short darkish foreign-looking fellow that nonetheless had a marked Cockney note in his speech, looked Larry up and down and remarked that indeed he was a fit young chap.

So he discoursed on about the procedure and had Larry stand thus and so with the light falling in such a way, and must not move, and went fiddling-faddling about with the machinery of the thing, did not seem in particular to make very close examination of Larry himself: while acute observation took in the place and where there might be secret hiding nooks.

Then there was waiting about for the thing to be fixed and mounted – Larry wandered about, picked up a stereoscope, and blushed at what it showed. So the production of saucy pictures was, it seemed, proved upon Vohle?

Vohle, while his hands were busy about the task, and without looking at Larry, said did Mr Hooper ever have an interest in earning a little extra at any time, he saw he was a fellow of very pleasing figure – should strip well –

Saw he had seen somewhat of the other business that was about here – and the matter of it was, there was often commissions came – and at present had one upon hand – a gentleman had a fancy to a series of tableaux of a lady of ripe charms and experience that goes about to initiate a promising young fellow into amorous delights –

Say you so!

One could perchance imagine somewhat of the like, had one examined certain of the volumes upon Clorinda’s shelves! But did not suppose Vohle had any apprehension of what would be revealed – sure there were those had quite the taste, one heard, for the presentation of Sapphic amorous delights, but doubted that was required here.

So Larry looked rather shocked, and said, would have to think on’t – extra tin was ever useful –

But would be returning here discreet when Vohle was absent, to have a good poke about!