_Chronicle for December. First Fortnight._
The music-seller extorts my unwilling respect. He is one of the very few
human beings I have met with in the course of my life who is not to be
cheated. He has taken a masterly advantage of our helplessness; and has
imposed terms on us, for performances at Derby and Nottingham, with such
a business-like disregard of all interests but his own that--fond as I
am of putting things down in black and white--I really cannot prevail
upon myself to record the bargain. It is needless to say, I have yielded
with my best grace; sharing with my fair relative the wretched pecuniary
prospects offered to us. Our turn will come. In the meantime, I
cordially regret not having known the local music-seller in early life.
Personally speaking, I have no cause to complain of Miss Vanstone.
We have arranged that she shall regularly forward her address (at the
post-office) to her friends, as we move about from place to place.
Besides communicating in this way with her sister, she also reports
herself to a certain Mr. Clare, residing in Somersetshire, who is to
forward all letters exchanged between herself and his son. Careful
inquiry has informed me that this latter individual is now in China.
Having suspected from the first that there was a gentleman in the
background, it is highly satisfactory to know that he recedes into the
remote perspective of Asia. Long may he remain there!
The trifling responsibility of finding a name for our talented Magdalen
to perform under has been cast on my shoulders. She feels no interest
whatever in this part of the subject. "Give me any name you like," she
said; "I have as much right to one as to another. Make it yourself."
I have readily consented to gratify her wishes. The resources of my
commercial library include a list of useful names to assume; and we can
choose one at five minutes' notice, when the admirable man of business
who now oppresses us is ready to issue his advertisements. On this point
my mind is easy enough: all my anxieties center in the fair performer.
I have not the least doubt she will do wonders if she is only left to
herself on the first night. But if the day's post is mischievous
enough to upset her by a letter from her sister, I tremble for the
consequences.