Until the Dragon Comes

How very charming, Caroline Kirkstall thought, was Lady Bexbury’s little place in Shropshire! The term ‘hunting-box’ gave one an entirely misleading impression – no doubt had been that when she had inherited from her late husband, but one might see that it had been refurbished by the hand of a lady with the most exquisite taste. O, nothing excessive – quite suited for country living – proper to its purpose as a rural retreat – but one wondered whether 'twould be encroaching to enquire of Her Ladyship whether she had any hints in the matter of decoration.

Supposing, Caroline pondered, that she returned to Mr Brackley’s house and did it up – for now she had ventured so far as to travel to London, and now made this solitary sojourn, she took the thought that she did not have to remain in Droitwich and feel that she was being gossiped upon, and speculations made &C. She was still by no means old, even did she not have such adventurous plans as that Lady Fendersham Lady Bexbury had mentioned, that went a daring voyage to Peru, where her son, that was in the Consular Service, had lately married.

But she might recruit here, in the very pleasant and healthful airs. And to her relief, Merrow was very prepossessed – the two women, Eppie and Dorrie, that looked after the place, might, she conceded, be somewhat countrified, but they kept everything entire spick and span and one could not fault their cooking! The steward, Raggle, most respectful – indeed, Miss Merrow might help herself to anything she fancied from the herb-garden. The countryside very pretty – one was a deal less worried among sheep than cows, was one not? The village a very fine tidy place, better shops than one would have anticipated –

That was reassuring! And also reassuring was the report that Merrow brought back of the local doctor, a Mr Randall – may not be one of your haughty fine physicians but is give out exceeding competent – the cottage hospital quite a model –

Caroline had no particular troubles of health – otherwise she would have took the opportunity of being in Town to consult some leading physician – dared say – well, perhaps not Lord Peregrine himself, but his sister Lady Lucretia or her husband, or indeed the ladies at Mrs Mitchell’s – would have had recommendations – but it was comforting to know that there was a good medical man in the vicinity.

Shops – a small circulating library and reading-room – a school – besides the parish church also a Methodist congregation –

A certain number of what one must consider the better class – besides the doctor, and the parson and the minister, there were the manager of the mine and various others connected with the operation that were of a genteel sort –

And this very day, she found, certain wives had come to leave cards!

Fie, she said to Eppie, that brought them in, do you invite 'em in and we may have tea, and I fancy you can contrive something to’t –

Eppie grinned and said, that we can!

So came in Mrs Marston, whose husband was the manager of the mine, and Mrs Randall, that was the doctor’s wife, and Mrs Parfitt, whose husband was in charge of the smelting-works, and Mrs Carling, that was the parsoness – quite a young woman that Caroline fancied had not been in the place long.

They made very proper condolences upon Miss Kirkstall’s bereavement – my brother-in-law – went with my sister when she married him, to assist in housekeeping – tended her during her illness – remained to support him in his loss – no, they had not been blessed, alas –

Very proper and dutiful, remarked Mrs Marston. There were no prying questions such as Caroline had feared, and she waved them into the parlour chairs.

Mrs Randall advized Mrs Carling not to endeavour to disturb the elderly tomcat Portly that slumbered in a comfortable chair – o, he is quite the local character! Has a deal of temperament but quite the finest mouser are you ever troubled in that way – quite the haughtiest of felines –

Caroline could not help laughing, for that was entirely how they had found him. Not at all a cat to come make obsequious and purring but very much on his dignity. Might in time condescend to come sit upon a lap.

Whereas the little black spaniel Wowzkie was everybody’s friend!

Came in Eppie with the good tea service, and –

Ah, said Mrs Parfitt, I always say, the kitchen here has quite the finest hand with lardy-cake!

One might see Wowzkie look up with a pathetic expression of a poor little doggie that was being entirely starved, an impression quite belied by the sleek well-filled-out coat.

So they sat and drank tea, and eat the good lardy-cake, and what the ladies were most eager to know was did Miss Kirkstall have news of Lady Bexbury?

So she was obliged to say that alas, had seen very little of that remarkable lady – had met her while making a condolence call on Lord Peregrine Shallock at the home of his sister, Lady Lucretia Grigson – Mr Brackley having been his godfather –

This most greatly impressed the ladies and they desired to know somewhat of Lady Lucretia’s house – o, Belgravia? one hears 'tis very fine –

Gave something of a false impression of her Society connexions!

She turned the conversation to enquire about matters in the locality, that sounded to be in a very good way.

The ladies, minding that 'twas a first call, soon rose. In the process of taking their leave, Mrs Marston said that a quiet dinner party could not be improper in Miss Kirkstall’s situation, could it?

While Caroline did not have any authority to consult on the matter beyond her own conscience, she fancied that Nehemiah Brackley would have exhorted her to enjoy a little society, and said that she could not see the least objection, 'twas a very pleasing thought.

Indeed, Merrow was exceedingly gratified at the prospect. Furbished up Caroline’s best mourning wear in the style that had been conveyed to her by that finest arbiter, Miss Coggin of Mamzelle Bridgette.

Will entirely do you good, miss, to get out a little.

So she desired Raggle to put the pony to the gig, and confided that she might manage to drive down to the Marstons’ house herself.

A very eligible residence! Well away from the smoke and fume of the smelting works – that was a fine tall chimney to bear those away, and she dared say thought had also been took for the prevailing winds. Everyone most civilly welcoming – the Marstons, the Randalls, the Carlings, and o, here was a single gentleman, a Mr McAllan that was the chief engineer about the place, that they praised as a most ingenious fellow – would not know how they would get on without him – entire virtuoso in the matter of steam-pumps, had fellows come visit to see theirs –

A Scotsman in early middle age or so, that looked a little melancholy, but made very agreeable to her. Apologized that they had no fine sights to show her other than steam-pumps, to which she responded that the countryside hereabouts was very pretty, but perchance did not compare with his native soil?

Gave a gruff laugh and said that Glasgow in these bustling days was very unlike anything in the works of Scott! but a fine city, nonetheless.

The whole evening most exceeding agreeable – further invitations to come view the hospital – visit the school – take tea at the parsonage – &C&C.

It gave her to wonder whether 'twould be proper to make some return of hospitality, but while she was still musing upon this, a letter arrived under the Bexbury seal, that announced that sure it was very tiresome, and she was put about at having to intrude upon Miss Kirkstall’s solitary retreat, but Her Ladyship was obliged to come look over certain matters at the mine, and thus would be taking up residence for a few days.

Why, thought Caroline, nothing could be more delightful. One supposed that Lady Bexbury would be much took up with the cares of business – for she had been give to understand that she had a very sound comprehension of such matters, not one of your owners that sits in Town and draws dividends, appreciated the importance of investing in machinery &C – but it would be agreeable just to look upon her, quite a refreshment to the spirits.

So here she came, with her black maid Sophy, that Raggle was almost falling over his feet to assist in the disposition of the trunks, and with Leda Hacker, that 'twas very pleasing to see once more. And appeared on excellent terms with Eppie and Dorrie, making jokes about sheep in the kitchen – la, when first I came here they was raising orphaned lambs there –

Enquired whether Caroline had noticed any election turmoil hereabouts? There must be some hereabouts eligible to vote for the county members!

Few enough, remarked Lady Bexbury over her shoulder, that I doubt any agents will consider it worth their time to come canvassing. Cannot recollect any uproar on previous occasions. She sighed. I fancy 'twill be entire different at Tapperbridge –

She turned around. The Mulcasters are old friends, and have invited me to Qualling, she continued. Tapperbridge used to be a sleepy country town, not quite what they called a pocket borough, but they would vote as they thought the Duke would like. But since the coming of the railway has become a very different place.

Sophy came pattering down the stairs, crying that there was hot water brought and Her Ladyship should come and be repaired from the journey.

Merrow soon came on terms of the greatest admiration for Sophy – married to Jupp of the carriage-hire business, but they have the greatest loyalty to Her Ladyship for her immense kindness in the past, would not go sit at home as she could when she might be of service – not in the least haughty – has give me most helpful advice –

Had also, over gathering herbs from the plot in the garden, disclosed that Mr McAllan was a widower, o, a very sad tale – had married a young lady from Glasgow – very happy – then she and the baby died – everyone at the mine wishes he would wed again – not only has a fine salary, holds several remunerative patents –

La, Merrow, said Caroline, blushing, as she was having her hair dressed in this new way suggested by Sophy, do you go match-make?