Read Online The Last Pleasure Garden by Lee Jackson - Free Book Online

think it will be delightful, Madame Lannier. What do you think, Rose dear?’
    â€˜I do like it, Mama, but I would rather—’
    â€˜ Attendez !’ interrupts Madame Lannier, observing a slight turn by her model. ‘Do not move, my child, please, not yet.’
    â€˜Rose,’ says Mrs. Perfitt, ‘please do not make a fuss. It is quite perfect. Your father will be so proud.’

    â€˜ How much?’
    Mr. Perfitt’s query resounds throughout the Perfitts’ drawing-room.
    â€˜Charles, do not pretend for a moment that you even care about such trifles.’
    â€˜You know I do not hold with such extravagance, Caroline. It will quite turn Rose’s head. She is in the clouds enough, as it is. You saw her at dinner – I could barely get a sensible word out of her.’
    â€˜My dear, we have discussed this,’ replies his wife, reaching for his hand and taking it in hers. ‘One cannot turn up to the Prince’s Ground in some ready-made from Marshall and Snelgrove. This is your daughter’s entrée into Society.’
    Mr. Perfitt replies with a rather indistinct murmur of disapproval.
    â€˜You will come too. And I shall be her chaperon – why, don’t you trust me to keep my eye on her?’
    â€˜I should hope I did.’
    â€˜Well then. You need not worry so. She will be quite safe.’
    Mr. Perfitt looks to the floor, and says nothing. His wife squeezes his hand.
    â€˜I expect,’ he says at length, ‘it is one of those modern articles, all waist and whalebone.’
    â€˜Madame Lannier makes everything to the latest fashion, if that is what you mean,’ replies his wife, smiling gratefully at the touch of good humour returning to his voice.
    â€˜Then I am sure it will be something no decent young woman would wear.’
    â€˜I shall be wearing something similar myself,’ replies Mrs. Perfitt. ‘If you do not think it is suitable . . .’
    â€˜I suppose if she must go, she ought to look her best.’
    â€˜Thank you, Charles,’ says Mrs. Perfitt. ‘Thank you. Oh Lord, that reminds me,’ she continues, ‘I shall need something to settle Madame Lannier’s account. It is due the week after next.’

    Rose Perfitt sits at her desk. Instead of opening her treasured cache of letters, a daily ritual she has already performed, she begins a new missive, addressed to her older sister:
    17 May 1875
    My Dearest Laetitia,
    Just a little note, as I said I would write. Today we went to Lannier’s, an awful bore, though Mdm. made herself very agreeable afterwards. She said I shall look like a princess at the ball – très gentile, n’est ce pas? But I think Mama hopes I shall be a Cinderella. Of course, my dress will not be magicked up, except by Papa’s ten guineas! HE thinks it is all nonsense – poor Papa! I confess, my dear Letty, I am getting so excited about the dancing that I know I shall be quite out of my mind with it on the night; and I cannot believe that three whole days remain until Saturday. I mean to enjoy it like anything. Mama says no-one present will have less than seven thousand a year – she thinks that I shall go fishing out one of them like a prize angler. I cannot say why, my dear Letty, if you can forgive me a little secret, but I do not think such men will ever capture your little one’s heart; but I expect they shall all mark my programme. For I long to dance !! I trust your Mr. Worthing and the boys are keeping well. The weather here is heavenly – I hope it lasts. I shall write to you properly, I promise, once the agony of waiting is over!
    Your loving sister,
Rose
    Rose smiles, satisfied with her prose, folds the letter into an envelope and rings the servants’ bell. Her maid arrives promptly.
    â€˜Can you see this is posted tonight?’
    â€˜Yes, Miss.’

    An hour later, as Rose Perfitt is completing her evening toilette,