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Authors: Judy Corbalis
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ventured.
‘I should certainly say not.’ She spoke so vigorously, I was startled. ‘He has many excellent qualities and he’s devoted to his studies of Maori lore and legends, but he’s known throughout the colony as a man who nurses a grudge and pursues his opponents with undue ferocity. My husband says that the Governor is not satisfied merely to defeat his enemies but wishes to break them utterly. That’s not the fabric from which an understanding husband is cut.’
Her candour, while it surprised me, made me decide to confide in her. ‘At a gathering at the Mission after church last Sunday I met a Miss Cockcraft who was very … outspoken in what I can only describe as her … condemnation of Mrs Grey.’
‘Ah, Emily Cockcraft. A notorious young Auckland gossip. She’s in no way to be relied upon.’
I was relieved by this. ‘I formed a similar impression.’
‘You may trust,’ said Lady Martin, ‘that I shall at no time breathe a word of our conversation elsewhere. You may have complete faith in my confidentiality. I wish only to assist Mrs Grey.’
‘As do I. Please speak as freely as you wish.’
‘The Greys are not liked by many in Auckland,’ said Lady Martin, ‘partly because they succeeded the FitzRoys, and although Governor FitzRoy was very fixed in his opinions, he was agreeable and entertaining enough in company, and his wife loved society. She gave many very jolly dinners and balls, which, of course, made her popular with the settlers. With so few other events to look forward to, balls and parties are much desired here. And the children were delightful and accomplished. They were altogether a devoted family. My husband always said that provided one stayed away from the topics of religion and the Maori land sales, one could pass a most stimulating evening with FitzRoy. Then, too, the FitzRoys delighted so much in each other’s company. He was most attentive and full of praise for her, and she for him likewise, whereas Governor Grey often speaks to his lady in tones that scarcely suggest the most tender of feelings. Sometimes he resembles an army commander giving orders to a subordinate. We all know woman is man’s supposed inferior, but in this day and age no sensible man believes that in his heart.’
‘You think not?’
‘I’m certain of it. In a new country like this, where men and women must work together to accomplish even the simplest of tasks, ideas of the feebleness of our sex become difficult to sustain. But I’m not so sure the Governor subscribes to such a viewpoint.’
‘I fear not.’
‘It’s been noted by many people how often he leaves his wife alone, and it’s the talk here — for you know how folk love to gossip and make much of little — that he’s charming but cold and thathe forbids her even such simple pleasures as dancing. There’s not enough gaiety or society in Government House.’
‘You’re right.’
‘Now, mindful of these circumstances, I’ve called on Mrs Grey many times and sought to suggest outings, visits and other similar pastimes in order to supply her with some agreeable form of society but’ — she hesitated — ‘it’s a little difficult to speak of. In the normal course of things I shouldn’t presume to appear to criticise her …’
‘Pray continue, I beg you. I shan’t reveal to her one word of our conversation.’
‘I’ve observed her closely since she has been in New Zealand. She’s a clever woman, I believe, not in the least empty-headed.’
‘You judge her correctly. She has many aptitudes. In South Australia, she set herself to learning the Arabic language with great success.’
‘I’m restricted in my ability to walk but, knowing of her interest in flora, I suggested rides together to inspect the Domain. The New Zealand plant life is fascinating and she might gainfully be employed in cataloguing it for publication.’
‘Has she told you that when she was first married and in London, she had her
‘I should certainly say not.’ She spoke so vigorously, I was startled. ‘He has many excellent qualities and he’s devoted to his studies of Maori lore and legends, but he’s known throughout the colony as a man who nurses a grudge and pursues his opponents with undue ferocity. My husband says that the Governor is not satisfied merely to defeat his enemies but wishes to break them utterly. That’s not the fabric from which an understanding husband is cut.’
Her candour, while it surprised me, made me decide to confide in her. ‘At a gathering at the Mission after church last Sunday I met a Miss Cockcraft who was very … outspoken in what I can only describe as her … condemnation of Mrs Grey.’
‘Ah, Emily Cockcraft. A notorious young Auckland gossip. She’s in no way to be relied upon.’
I was relieved by this. ‘I formed a similar impression.’
‘You may trust,’ said Lady Martin, ‘that I shall at no time breathe a word of our conversation elsewhere. You may have complete faith in my confidentiality. I wish only to assist Mrs Grey.’
‘As do I. Please speak as freely as you wish.’
‘The Greys are not liked by many in Auckland,’ said Lady Martin, ‘partly because they succeeded the FitzRoys, and although Governor FitzRoy was very fixed in his opinions, he was agreeable and entertaining enough in company, and his wife loved society. She gave many very jolly dinners and balls, which, of course, made her popular with the settlers. With so few other events to look forward to, balls and parties are much desired here. And the children were delightful and accomplished. They were altogether a devoted family. My husband always said that provided one stayed away from the topics of religion and the Maori land sales, one could pass a most stimulating evening with FitzRoy. Then, too, the FitzRoys delighted so much in each other’s company. He was most attentive and full of praise for her, and she for him likewise, whereas Governor Grey often speaks to his lady in tones that scarcely suggest the most tender of feelings. Sometimes he resembles an army commander giving orders to a subordinate. We all know woman is man’s supposed inferior, but in this day and age no sensible man believes that in his heart.’
‘You think not?’
‘I’m certain of it. In a new country like this, where men and women must work together to accomplish even the simplest of tasks, ideas of the feebleness of our sex become difficult to sustain. But I’m not so sure the Governor subscribes to such a viewpoint.’
‘I fear not.’
‘It’s been noted by many people how often he leaves his wife alone, and it’s the talk here — for you know how folk love to gossip and make much of little — that he’s charming but cold and thathe forbids her even such simple pleasures as dancing. There’s not enough gaiety or society in Government House.’
‘You’re right.’
‘Now, mindful of these circumstances, I’ve called on Mrs Grey many times and sought to suggest outings, visits and other similar pastimes in order to supply her with some agreeable form of society but’ — she hesitated — ‘it’s a little difficult to speak of. In the normal course of things I shouldn’t presume to appear to criticise her …’
‘Pray continue, I beg you. I shan’t reveal to her one word of our conversation.’
‘I’ve observed her closely since she has been in New Zealand. She’s a clever woman, I believe, not in the least empty-headed.’
‘You judge her correctly. She has many aptitudes. In South Australia, she set herself to learning the Arabic language with great success.’
‘I’m restricted in my ability to walk but, knowing of her interest in flora, I suggested rides together to inspect the Domain. The New Zealand plant life is fascinating and she might gainfully be employed in cataloguing it for publication.’
‘Has she told you that when she was first married and in London, she had her
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