The lunatic rabbits

Humphrey Thornton could sometimes hardly believe he was not dreaming. After a fortnight or so being congratulated in the bosom of his family and shown about the locality to be boasted upon, had proceeded to Yeomans. For they had said that even though 'twas somewhat of a holiday for the children during the summer months, one should not lose all discipline and 'twould be in order to keep up the habit of a few lessons – and there was also Miss Roberts putting him in the way of literary work – reviews &C – and he would be earning, that was a consideration for the son of a country doctor, that had made his way through Oxford on scholarships and prizes.

His father had enquired, was Miss Ferraby any connection of the physician of that name? – he was her brother? – and the famed explorer and zoologist was another of her brothers? – and Miss Roberts was the sister of that noted botanist? One had quite the greatest confidence in such an establishment.

And, Humphrey had been moved to add, the famed Mrs Veriker is part of the household and eminent savants come call upon her.

So here he was, at this beautiful mansion with its well-kept gardens and charming small park and feeling as if he were in some fairytale, and did he pluck a flower from the wrong bush, or ask the wrong question, there would be a clap of thunder, and he would find himself alone in a howling desert.

The orphans such lively yet well-mannered children – not all, he apprehended, entirely orphaned, Jamie’s father being in the Americas, Theo the son of Ellen, the governess, and one apprehended that little Hari was the offspring of some connexion of the Dowager Duchess of Humpleforth in Bombay, that she was having brought up and educated in England. The rudiments of education already well-established by Ellen – Mrs Marshall – along the principles Miss Ferraby proclaimed.

Mrs Veriker quite the most wonderful of women – as he had told his father, much visited by other botanists, and with an extensive correspondence but also, as Verrie, a beloved honorary grandmother to the children.

Miss Ferraby a little frightening – Hannah Roberts also somewhat daunting, but already becoming the most helpful of mentors in the matter of literary life – must, she said, bring you along to the Lowndes Sunday literary teas – a little quiet at present of course –

He was like to expire with ecstasy – the Lowndes literary teas!

And he was not the only one of their set that found his place in pleasant pastures. While one did not suppose St Wilfrid’s East End parish quite met that description, Wood’s letters therefrom were entirely enthusiastic – work to one’s hand – what an excellent shepherd to his flock is Lucas – what a fine helpmeet is Lady Agatha –

Smithers ensconced in lodgings near the Temple in the anticipation of pupillage with Geoffrey Merrett, that acclaimed barrister, when the law-term opened, and meanwhile provided with work in the form of copying and devilling.

Averdale finding that his duties as secretary to Lord Trembourne came to encompass a great deal he had not expected – matters all round having been sadly neglected under the father in spite of the efforts of Lady Undersedge – but sounded to be enjoying himself.

Shallock, one feared, did not find his lot quite so agreeable – a deal of dreary matters to do with now being the heir – though, he wrote, at least being in mourning precluded any possibility of immediate hunt for an eligible bride, although he was already, one could only say, being shown the studbook.

Humphrey shook his head. Though, the thought struck him, here was his brother, courting a young lady from another medical family, all considered this a very eligible connexion, a most prudent match. Much about the same thing, he supposed. Had there not been somewhat of a flirtation with one of their sister’s friends, that was bound for a governess?

He passed the very fine taxidermied wombatt, that was the like of a household god to the children, that they swore on, descended the stairs, and entered the parlour, where Miranda was instructing Hari in the names of the ivory elephants.

Oh! Humphrey bowed deeply, blushing. The Dowager Duchess of Humpleforth was seated in one of the easy chairs, looking on with amuzement.

She rose and shook his hand. Mr Thornton, well met. Archie – South Worpley – desired me to convey to you this – she took an envelope from her reticule – inviting you to Maraston Towers to convoke about butterflies. As the Towers will be entirely crowded with the Duke’s political set, Archie and his friends are joining my little party in the Dower House –

Humphrey gulped and stammered a very grateful acceptance – would go write at once – how exceeding civil – he and Mrs Veriker had already had some notions about a butterfly garden –

She gave him an enchanting smile. Darling Verrie – I must go see her – I hope she is flourishing?

So, here he was, feeling very much beyond his depth, descending from the trap that had been sent to collect him from the nearest station, at the handsome portico to the Maraston Towers Dower House. That would have seemed daunting enough, but then one saw Maraston Towers itself looming and casting its shadow.

His modest luggage being taken care of – the door opening – bouncing forth therefrom a – one supposed that was one of Her Grace’s mongeese – mongooses? – that came to investigate what was ado, sniffing about his feet and offering to climb up his leg. Came out, past the somewhat flustered butler, Mr Josiah Ferraby, grinning broadly.

He stooped down to pick up the mongoose. Mr Thornton! We met at Lady Bexbury’s. Do you come in and take tea while I go find some secure place for this truant. I hope you left my little sister in health?

Humphrey mumbled something civil, and agreed that he had left Miss Ferraby in quite flourishing condition.

There was a rather terrifying deal of company in the drawing-room, though when he was capable of more sober reflection he realized that there could not be above a dozen individuals at most there, including the Dowager Duchess herself, Lord South Worpley, that handsome young black harpist Lydia Marshall, and others he did not know.

After he had made his bow to Her Grace – and desired not to stand upon ceremony, this was Liberty Hall – South Worpley took him about to make introductions, and he was finally provided with a cup of tea, that came very grateful. Presiding over the tea-service was South Worpley’s sister Lady Augusta Dalistet – one saw the resemblance at once. The dullish brown hair – the somewhat protuberant blue eyes – a nose that was, alas, rather unfortunate in a female face –

She determined his preferences in the matter of tea, poured him a cup, and remarked that he must be Worps’ butterfly friend?

Why, said Humphrey, I apprehend we have that interest in common –

She remarked that she was glad that that her brother took up such an attractive topic of study – had heard of fellows that became interested in spiders – she shuddered – and one that he may pursue at home – she cast a glance at Mr Ferraby, that one must fancy was discoursing of his adventures to a fascinated group –

Perhaps not the time to mention Mr Enderby’s account of the quite spectacular appearance of the butterflies he had seen in Brazil!

But I hear you were at Oxford with Lord Peregrine Shallock, that I suppose we must now be titling Talshaw?

Humphrey conceded that he had indeed been at Oxford with Shallock – part of the same set – rather put about that this matter of succession meant that he was obliged to renounce a College fellowship – very clever fellow – did not neglect sporting prowess but did not make an entire cult of it –

It was very similar to when his sisters had heard of some new fellow in the locality and wished to know what he was like!

The following day South Worpley offered that he might care to take a stroll round the menagerie? Humphrey apprehended that Ferraby was purposing taking groups – should not be entire crowds, that will upset the creatures – in the afternoon, and that this private invitation was, perchance, to discuss the butterfly house proposal without interruption.

In fact, he discovered, this was a matter of further interrogation about Shallock – the question a brother might ask about a possible suitor – had his friends not already heard his plaints about the business of matrimony? One must suppose that he was already being measured up by prospective wives, the poor devil.

No, there was no question of any existing attachment – Shallock – Talshaw – had been in the expectation of taking up this Fellowship – had never been in a wild set at Oxford – dedicated to study –

They leant on the fence of the enclosure in which a rather sullen porcupine was resting, failing even to rattle its quills at 'em. South Worpley remarked that of course the new Talshaw would not at present be attending balls and soirées, but he supposed that a fellow of intellectual interests would be going about to lectures &C?

Humphrey agreed that Shallock was in the greatest anticipation of drinking in the wisdom displayed at antiquarian and archaeological societies, expatiating a little upon the dig in progress at Worblewood – also fancied that the occasional private music party could not be objectionable – his sister Lady Lucretia Grigson quite the greatest friend of Lady Rondegate, that one heard much acclaimed for her talents –

They walked on a little to a paddock where a few goat-like creatures were nibbling at the grass.

South Worpley gave a deep sigh and enquired whether Thornton found women a great mystery?

Humphrey, that had sisters, female cousins, and was also acquainted with their friends, and was now surrounded by the Ladies of Yeomans, did not think that the female sex was really such an obscure matter, but made a sympathetic noise.

This led His Lordship to disclose his troubles with Lady Inez Offgrange, that had seemed so perfectly eligible, the most serious and sensible of creatures, devoted to botany – one had the encouraging example of her sister Lady Rollo Beaufoyle – wonderful looks, the finest dancer –

Goes be quite besotted with Gillie Beaufoyle –

Humphrey apprehended that South Worpley found himself in need of a confidant – he doubted that he would have any profound advice to give, but mayhap could provide a sympathetic ear.