Inside the circle of friends

Well, said Amelia, dabbing at her own eyes, one can hardly ask poor Hattie to undertake it!

Clorinda sighed. Poor Hattie indeed, she said, one wonders whether she may leave Nixon to his own devices at Margate for the while so that she may even attend the obsequies. Sure the old fellow has shown exemplary understanding of the situation these many years –

That was one problem. But here she found that one of their frets was entirely resolved, as she opened the envelope sealed with an episcopal seal, and discovered that dear Bishop Tanton – + Edgar Wyreminstre – was positive eagerly volunteering to conduct the service. Very proper – was one of the patrons of the Helena Fund – had writ on the elevating power of the theatre – known a scholar of the religious drama of the Middle Ages – entirely suitable.

And here was a letter from dearest Bess, saying all that was proper, but also conveyed that here was Beth in a tremendous fret that she had overtired Mr Jenkins when she visited him and desired to hear Friends, Romans and countrymen – and bore a responsibility for his demise.

O, poo poo, murmured Clorinda, was quite the happiest thing for dear Hywel. Though indeed, one hears of sudden rallying that is a precursor to death – but that was not to be laid to her account.

Came in Hector with a most particular severe expression, bearing a telegram on the silver tray.

He stood by while she read it, with the air of being ready to spring into whatever action was necessary at this latest contingency.

O, really, Hector, do not gloom at me like that! 'Tis quite excellent news – Sandy informs me that that excellent young man Oxton is safely on board ship and departed for Nova Scotia.

Hector broke into a grin. Indeed good news, he said, a most deserving young fellow.

So he was, they might reasonably confide, safe from any malign designs of Blatchett’s, since one did not suppose Blatchett the kind of Gothic villain that had the determination – and the abilities – to pursue his victims to the ends of the Earth. Sent off with a well-provided box, a purse, and letters of recommendation. Just in case it would not suit for him to go work for the Collinses and Arbuthnot Wallace.

So, that was one matter resolved.

And while one could not deem it exactly resolved, for it presented certain further problems, at least Gillie had discovered that this matter of finding out secrets and extorting for money was precisely that – there was no deep plot in play as there had been with the Rathe business. Sir Vernon had been quite cock-a-hoop when disclosing this. So I need not fear that one wished Nottinge to steal state secrets – will advize caution and discretion in pursuing his odd pleasure –

She turned to composing replies to her letters.

Really, she thought, looking at the young man sat vis-à-vis to her in the parlour, sure I wonder should I go be worried about my reputation? For while I know the entire inwardnesses of the matter, here is Lord Gilbert given out a very wild and dissipated young fellow, comes call upon me –

He did not look wild and dissipated at the moment, but concerned, as he recounted to her what he had learnt and had not revealed in full detail to Sir Vernon.

Clorinda got up and stalked about the room, trying to cool her furious emotions. Infamous! she said. I wonder who the scoundrel can be –

But, she went on, seating herself, that is a problem for further contemplation. What we have more immediate upon hand is the plight of Lady Gabrielle.

Exactly.

Hmmmm. Had neither he nor Sir Vernon seen the obvious thing here? That the lady displayed certain talents that could be useful to their purposes? That she regularly travelled to France, where the Mallafrey connexion had relatives, quite aside from the matter of her former governess and the child?

Have advized her that she should talk to you – said Gillie.

Indeed that is a wise course! But alas, I must defer any such conversation until I have buried Hywel Jenkins – and sure, while I have you here, Gillie, is a question might address to you. Do you have any knowledge of Welsh?

Gillie looked a little affronted, responding that had spent several summers in Wales in his schooldays.

Why, then, you might say whether this inscription, that Hywel desired for his tombstone, is correctly writ?

Gillie took the piece of paper she handed him and scanned it. It looks entire correct to me – 'tis the Welsh form, from the service for the Burial of the Dead, let light perpetual shine upon him –

Clorinda suppressed a grin inappropriate to the solemnity of the proceeding, for 'twas an invocation well-suited to an actor.

– and entirely correctly spelt.

Thank you. We may go take it to the monumental mason, then. And to return to the matter of Lady Gabrielle, mayhap she might give it out that she comes to Town to consult some physician.

Gillie raised his eyebrows but did not interrogate further.

But all that business had to be put aside – at this season one could not long delay a funeral! – while they put the matter of laying Hywel to rest in fit order.

O, she could not help but recall that very different occasion: when he had so fetchingly expired as Romeo whilst she, a bouncing young creature running around backstage in her salad days, was helping him with his lines, and she had – not fallen backwards but fallen forwards into an amorous entanglement that had concluded with the gift of her virgin treasure.

But la, what was this! Came in Hector to say, Mrs Nixon was at the door.

Hattie!

Oh, send her in at once! Desire good strong hot tea from Euphemia and – whatever other refreshment she has upon hand – and you might also bring up a bottle of brandy.

Came in Hattie Nixon, dressed very sober was she not in actual mourning. The two women kissed.

But my dear, did you abandon Mr Nixon in Margate!

You will not believe it, said Hattie, commencing to weep, the dear good creature quite urged me to come. Said, there was Mr Jenkins had always behaved very proper – never urged me to fly – never any conduct that would lead to an expectation of crim.con. – apprehends that in France these matters are quite understood – prosed on somewhat of that – I never failed in my duties to him – so, dear Lady Bexbury, here I am.

Came Euphemia with tea, a very well provided cake stand, and the brandy bottle, as Clorinda was revealing to Hattie the Bishop’s very generous offer – the church all arranged with the verger and the sexton &C all on hand – several of his fellow-players will be pallbearers – Amelia and I purposed go to the mason about the headstone this very afternoon as is –

And here, indeed, came the Second Siddons apt upon the moment!

Fell sobbing into her friend’s arms – all very affecting, but indeed, 'twas all very well, but they should get on –

Clorinda heard a faint whisper of memory: Abby’s wicked grin through tears, la, Miss Clo goes bustle about disposing of matters – had that not been when they had been obliged to take on all the business of burying Madame Zelide, under her proper name of Johanna Gowing?

She should let 'em have their cry out, dared say 'twould leave 'em in calmer spirits for all the business they would have to manage –

So there they were, mopping their faces and blowing their noses and putting themselves to rights. She poured them tea, and added brandy, 'twas quite entire medicinal, and said that they should eat somewhat, fasting would do no good –

And Hattie was entire welcome to stay here, would just ring for Dorcas about making up the guest bedchamber –

Whereupon Amelia pouted somewhat and said of course dearest Hattie would be coming spent the night with her, that was, Clorinda admitted to herself, somewhat of a relief, as she was in expectation of Bess’s arrival.

Once they had finished sustaining themselves, and all had tidied up after their excesses of emotion, they departed in her carriage, first to the undertakers, so that Hattie might view the departed, and Clorinda herself might ensure that all was in order for the morrow, and thence to the mason’s yard.

The fellow was entirely agreeable to putting the inscription in Welsh – hah, have had fellows that desire some matter in Greek, at least this is in our usual alphabet – and a very superior headstone was chose, and there was somewhat of sniffling but no breaking down into sobs –

She conveyed Hattie and Amelia to the latter’s very agreeable lodgings – where doubtless Maggy was quite bursting to recount antient theatre tales of Hywel –

That minded her, that Maggy had determined to die in harness, but had now conceded the wisdom of bringing on an apprentice in her trade – But that was business for another day!

She returned home to find that dearest Bess had already arrived and had been took up to the dressing-room so that Sophy could provide her with water to wash away the dust of travel and then brush out her hair.

Dear Bess, said Clorinda, going over to kiss her, I hope the journey was not disagreeable?

Bess snorted. First-class – a railway company in which we hold shares – la, they could not do too much for me!

Excellent well!

Over a light supper they spoke of general family matters – one could not in the least object to this prospect of an alliance 'twixt Chloe and Ferry Lowndes – but over port and madeira grew a little confiding –

Bess admitted to having been desperate in love with Hywel in her girlhood days, that Clorinda had guessed at the time, and she went on to reveal somewhat of her own past history.

Clorinda felt tears impend – not just for Hywel but for all the other departed – her mother – the General – Josiah and Eliza – Docket – Milord – Hacker – the Admiral – the Marquess her husband, that she had known so short a time – the Contessa far away in Naples –

Blew her nose, straightened her shoulders, and minded that tomorrow would require a deal of poise. She should defer her mourning.