Erik and Nora show up only peripherally here, but… it just kept… growing… Copious notes at the end.

1886

Dear Monsieur Lepersan,

Thank you for your very civil reply of the 14th to my admittedly somewhat ungentlemanly inquiry. I suppose it is a misguided sense of duty on my part - you were utterly correct in your intimation that my cousin is well equipped to handle her own affairs. Indeed, I have very often wished she would handle mine! I trust her utterly. And it is because of that trust that I can find it in myself to also trust Our Mutual Friend, for Nora's judgement of people is excellent.

I find myself disposed to also trust you, as your account of Erik seemed most properly weighed and balanced. He is fortunate to count you as a friend. To answer your own question, I do not know what he means to do about my cousin. That they have parted ways for the time being seems fixed, and your own information about Monsieur Moncharmin seems to corroborate exactly what I have heard from Erik regarding his current endeavors. It seems he means to apply himself to his craft. I wish him well on all accounts.

I will be in Paris this October, and would be most obliged if you would consent to a meeting.

I remain, sir, &c,

Daniel Tremblay

.

1890

Dear Sir,

Having recently had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of Madame Siamo, and having heard from Monsieur Siamo some of the particulars of the arrangements that helped bring about this happy event, beg that in the future you might offer some WARNING to an old man. I understand that your responsibilities no doubt limit the time you can devote to such interactions, and so propose the institution of a simple code which might be scrawled across a postcard or sent by telegram. For instance, if I become aware of some action Monsieur Siamo intends to take that you may be interested in keeping abreast of, I will send TRAPDOOR. Please inform me if there is a phrase you wish to use more specifically in reference to your cousin.

I close with my heartiest congratulations on your recent elevation of rank. I followed what international news there was of the Ontario Boundary Act, and thought I could detect in some of the salient points certain matters you were concerned with previously. To that I can only say, well done.

Most sincerely,

N- L-

.

1892

Dear Sir Daniel,

I write, sir, in sincere thanks of the Parcel received most happily on the 24th of last month. Since my retirement, my younger sister Keeps House for me. She is most diligent, and very good humored in a way many of the Fairer Sex cannot lay claim to. However, thanks to her time in America, she ascribes most seriously to the Doctrine of the Teetotaller. Not being a vexatious creature, she does not hold Others to the same standard, but still does not care to include Certain Libations in the Ordering of Provisions.

It was therefore most Provident that I was able to make use of your generous Gift during the Christmas celebrations. In addition to the Vicar and his Wife, and various other genteel acquaintances my sister has contrived to make, there was a Barrister of some note who is accustomed to more Exalted Circles than our sleepy neighborhood can lay claim to. The Port was therefore Most Especially welcomed. Many were the occasions when your Late Honored Uncle served that particular vintage to Distinguished Guests at Farley House. (It was also most fortunate that your Dear Cousin, Miss Farley Madame Siamo, sent a most elegant set of crystal, quite exactly what was needed. She also sent very fine linens, as well as an excellent Ham, and many most wholesome preserves that quite reconciled Sister to the 'superfluous' crystalware.)

While in no way comparable to your generosity, I hope you will enjoy the enclosed as a reminder of Younger Days at Home. With Respectful Regards to Lady Tremblay, and the Misses Tremblay,

I Remain, Yours Most Faithfully,

Aloysius K. Carey

.

1894

Dear Lepersan,

I want to thank you for your last few letters. They have been a respite of good sense in a strange world. The situation I last wrote of, with the Two Emperors posturing over Korea, seems to be coming to a head. Given that the word out of our Empress's government is the holy mantra of trade trade trade, I expect to stay well clear of hostilities. Still, it cannot be helped that a great many of our citizens here have decided sympathies one way or (most usually) the other. I am sending you clippings that may be of interest.

There are a thousand serious matters to attend to, but the Amateur Challenge Cup is imminent, so no one is thinking of anything else. I am conversant on the subject, but as I played field hockey in school and lacrosse at home, am not as invested as my colleagues born on Fair Britannia's Shores.

Forgive my brevity, and accept my word that a longer letter will follow,

Yrs, &c

D Tremblay

.

1896

Tremblay,

I realized that I had not addressed that somewhat elliptical statement in your last correspondence in the body of my letter, and so include this scrap in the envelope to give what thoughts I can on the matter. They are scanty. While I was, in fact, a married man, I have been a widower far, far longer. I can merely speak as an observer of human nature, and it seems that human nature includes the desire to be remembered and reminded of our worth. Even with luxury of long and deep attachment, such as you and Lady Tremblay do enjoy, the desire remains and may indeed be keener than it had been in early days. Do not be overly concerned with the distance— apply yourself to sincerity, and all will be well.

-N

.

1898

Dearest Annette,

As the days pass, our separation wears on me. I wake, and wonder if morning is really morning without your face there to reflect the early sun?

The picture I carry of you in my heart is its own balm, and my only comfort is in studying it, in its most minute detail, in every free moment. The tips of your eyelashes are golden in sunlight, and copper in candlelight, and silver under the glow of the moon. The hands of memory trace the three freckles scattered across your ribs, and then twine with your own fingertips— yours, like Aurora's. Even the ice of your toes on my ankles is made precious by the miles that separate us.

You cannot be contained in mere stolen minutes, but abide with me constantly. The work is dull and hard and ever so important, and I do not think I could manage it without you. We work for progress and peace among man— but I work at it for you, and for the daughters your love has bestowed on me. If I did not think it would provide you with some comfort, and they some hope in the days to come, I would be selfish and leave duty to be by your side always and always and always. There, in your heart, in your arms, is where I safekeep my greatest joy.

If I cannot return by Easter, say you will come to me. I would not grudge your staying home, for comfort and safety, but I know that my longing is yours as well. Delight of eyes and light of my heart, you are my own beloved Anne-Annette, and

I am yours in deepest affection,

Daniel

.

1900

Monsieur Daroga,

We are trying to locate all copies of Siamo's Rhapsodie de Méphistophélès and have it suppressed for the Dignity of the Company. Since you were there for the unfortunate germination of the project, and, I think, the only one sober, do you have any idea what happened to the yellow copy? Or is that a mere figment out of my nightmares?

Hoping to see you Tuesday next at the closing performance.

Your truly,

Didier Moncharmin

.

1902

Sir Daniel Tremblay

Brown's

Mayfair, London

TRAPDOOR NL

.

1904

Nadir Lepersan

16b Rue de Rivoli

1st Arrondissement Paris

ADVENTURESS ADVENTURESS ADVENTURESS ! ALSO BST WSHS & KND RGDS DT

.

1906

Dear Lepersan,

I was sorry that you were not well enough to make the journey into Burgundy. I looked forward to seeing you again after so many years, and I also looked forward to being able to precipitate one of Erik's Disbelieving Owl looks. He never seems to recall we are correspondents of long standing and always seem surprised when I mention you by name.

The wedding was a production on scale with any grand opera worthy of the name. I shouldn't have been surprised. Nora has always been remarkably generous to all of my girls, especially when it comes to their marriages. Besides making settlements for their security, she always pays the utmost attention to things like trousseaus and whatnots. Her attentions to Victoria and Annie were in no way backwards, but I suppose it was to be expected that this one was on a different level. She has been especially fond of Eloise these many years now, besides, of course, being the geographically closest relative. It made such sense for the wedding to happen out of Erik and Nora's house, but there was such quantities of silks and a seed pearls and unseasonable flowers that I am afraid it is raising Expectations in Honorine's breast. Thank God I have a few years to manage that.

Nora said she would make sure you would get a piece of the cake. Anne and I are leaving by way of Marseilles, but I am to be back in Paris next year in preparations for yet another adjustment to the old Honor and Duty. If you think you can escape my company then, you are wrong. I will, however, in recompense bring along good brandy, excellent cigars, and, of course, government secrets for us to mock.

Yrs, &c,

D Tremblay

.

1908

Dear Tremblay,

Nora relayed your message of the 1st, and I am most sincerely pleased to hear you are comfortably situated back in Ottawa. It will be a change, a period of adjustment, for all it is 'going home.' Long have I observed that 'going back' is an impossibility, for we move and change through time in a manner imperceptible—imperceptible, that is, until find ourselves looking at old places and positions with eyes we did not realize were new. But I will not tax you with philosophy, for I know you are still recovering from the journey and the illness. I will call the attached parcel a housewarming gift, for 'a house without books is like a body without soul.' You may find it of some trivial amusement while confined to the sickbed.

I admit I have a somewhat deeper interest in the book, as its author is a young journalist who has recently made some inquiries about certain events that transpired at the Opera Garnier. Not desiring to set him on a story that might bring discomfort to those dearest us, I may have permitted myself the indulgence of recounting some of the more intellectually stimulating incidents of my previous career. He seemed most taken with a particular tale, which involved a very senior colleague of mine, as well as a respectable Lady who had appeared to suffer a violent attack while resting alone in a locked and undisturbed room. The seeds of this has bloomed into this novel. Many of the particulars are preserved, though transferred from Persia to Paris. And, being that it is a novel, there is an element of justice served that eluded us in reality. In my old age, I find I like this sort of polite fiction.

Do not tax yourself, but when you are better, I am most curious to hear your thoughts the likely changes just now being prompted by the Casement Report. I admit some surprise that it seems the Parliament of Belgium may at last have laid in a course of action and thought you might have some perspective on the ramifications thereof. To the end of you recovering your strength, I am also enclosing the recipe for Darius's turnip stew. You may laugh, but I still suggest you undertake to have it served to you, as you are my only correspondent whom I enjoy discussing politics with and it will not do for you to be taken off by lingering cold.

Yours respectfully,

N- L-

.

1910

Dear Lepersan,

I'll have you know that I do not appreciate the tone of your last letter. What has happened to the magical healing properties of turnips? I have been counting on this elixir of immortality for some years now.

For all we are supposed to respect our elders, I firmly choose to disbelieve the numbers contained in your last letter. You are not allowed to be more than a handful of years older than I am myself, which means you are no more than 72, and therefore have no cause for complaint. And since you are SEVENty-two, not that other nonsense number, I am sending a bottle of the '38 Rensselaer cognac to mark the occasion.

My best and most sincere wishes for your continued health and happiness, dear friend, and to many more years to come.

Yrs, &c, with affection,

D Tremblay

.

1911

Sir Daniel Tremblay

Elysium Court

Ottawa, Ontario

TRAPDOOR ! &KND RGDS NL

- When I wrote Stroll, I initially decided to use the Kayverse name for the Persian for ease of recognition, though I had several quibbles. These quibbles grew into outright frustrations as I wrote Sum of Earthly Happiness, and spawned a number of personal headcanons that contorted a name and form of address from a book I've never read into something workable for my world. If you've read Sum, you're probably familiar with my, ahem, logic, but the short form is: Nadir was given his name in honor of the Shah his grandfather served (the controversially brilliant but cruel Nader Shah of the Ashfarid Dynasty.) He held the title of Khan, which is slightly more glorified than what would generally be warranted for an imperially appointed Police Chief (Daroga), but plausible with the right family connections. As Persians of the era did not use surnames, a misunderstanding when he arrived in Europe caused some of his paperwork to give his full name as 'Nadir Khan.' It was probably Darius's fault. It has been a source of exasperation to him for many years. When it became clear he would be staying in France, he had his papers corrected to 'Nadir Lepersan.' You know. Le Persan. The Persian. It's a little tongue in cheek, but so is my Nadir. He thought it would be easier for his French speaking associates than the other likely candidate (Mazandarani.) Poor Darius got saddled with that one.

- Did I write a letter from Carey's point of view for the sole reason of playing around with the nonstandard Capitalizations found in many antique letters? Yes. Yes, I did. Also, the K stands for Kevin. I have a twisty linguistic backstory for that one, too.

- I'd like to think Daniel wrote over the top love letters to Anne during their early marriage, trickled off as the years went by, and then took Nadir's somewhat generic advice as a prompt to start again. Some future Tremblay sprog is going to be going through the family attic and find a whole drawer of letters that make them say, OMG THOSE EDWARDIANS!

- At some point, I knew the names of all of Daniel's daughters. I'd forgotten, and I don't think I left a single note about it anywhere. So. Here. Canonical names for Eloise's sisters.

- Yes, I just made the tale Nadir gives Leroux The Mystery of the Yellow Room instead of Phantom of the Opera. In a deleted part of the letter, he complains that the only part of his character that survives in the protagonist is the shape of his head, which he did not think was kind of Monsieur Leroux!

- If you thought I was going to go all the way through the events of Appendix V, I tried. I couldn't. The unexpected Nadir – Daniel bromance is eternal.