Chapter 84

Fortunately, Mr Collins is not used to a household where the piano is used all day long and life just goes on around it. To him, music is entertainment, something to listen to in respectful silence, which spares them the sound of his voice until he finally realises that the rest of them just chat on, ignoring the lovely sounds emerging from Georgiana's beautiful instrument.

Darcy guesses this is the piece Fielding is studying to play on the Renaissance meeting, for it is like nothing he has ever heard before. It's pleasant to listen to after having been forced to hear out Mr Collins for nearly an hour, making excuses for his presence, admitting to having been sent by Lady Catherine to spy on her daughter, imagining her anger at having her clever ruse seen through before reached their destiny for more than an hour.

Though Darcy soon finds his talent to ignore incessantly repeating noises coming to his aid. Apparently this unique talent of his does not just filter out piano practice, it also helps him to no longer hear Mr Collins' prattle. He doesn't even acknowledge Mr Collins' presence, and the man never notices he is being ignored. Good, it will make the coming weeks easier to bear. And maybe they will be able to foist him off on Jane and Bingley after a week or so.

Though that will be hard on Mrs Collins, she should not be visiting anyone in her state, she should be at home, knitting little garments and dreaming beautiful dreams of motherhood. Oh well, being here with Elizabeth won't do her much harm, life is probably easier here, she must have duties at home, they have a very basic staff at the parsonage.

For now, she's sitting in a cosy corner with Elizabeth, no doubt catching up on months of news. Manners is ready to chat with their male visitor, but does not want to disturb that one's enjoyment of truly superior playing, something Darcy realises may not be mere politeness after all, but the first sign of cultural refinement he has ever seen in Mr Collins.

And in the first moment of silence Mr Collins does prove he has some higher feelings. He addresses Manners, to whom he has been introduced but only shortly, since the music silenced him almost immediately after entering the drawing-room.

'My good and noble sir, please do not think I do not have the highest respect for your fine person and your exalted family, for I do. But I have truly not ever heard music the likes of this before, the tones are so clear and so sweet, it's like a preconception on Heaven. I read about Mr Darcy's patronage in my own patroness' newspaper, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she is Mr Darcy's aunt you know, always allows me to read her newspaper when she and her adoring daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh, are finished with it.

But my good sir, Mr Manners, little did I expect to hear such superiority of execution, such taste in the choice of material. If you'll excuse me my neglect towards you, I must have my cousin introduce me to this master. I so want to tell him how much I admire his playing, before another minute has passed.'

Manners is not insulted of course, but rather excessively diverted. He loves peculiarities as much as Mr Bennet, he is as easily bored as Darcy's father-in-law and seems to have a similar taste in entertainment, though Manners is a lot more diplomatic with people who bore him. Nonetheless he manages to keep a straight face as he observes, 'By all means, Mr Collins, do get acquainted with Mr Fielding and Miss Darcy, better make it quick or they will start another piece.'

'Thank you so much for your understanding, Mr Manners, you seem to be blessed with the fine sensibilities so typical of your superior breed.'

Darcy wonders that his new cousin doesn't just introduce himself to the famous pianist, but apparently even Mr Collins' audacity has his limits. A famous name, impressive connections, stepping over the proper formalities there is all well and good. But apparently a God-given talent inspires such awe in him that he needs a proper introduction by his host. Before Mr Collins can waste any more time bowing and scraping to Mr Manners, Darcy catches his eye and leads the way to the piano.

'Fielding, Georgie, please allow me to introduce Mr Collins to you. He is Elizabeth's cousin and heir to Mr Bennet's property.

Mr Collins, please let me introduce you to my protégé Mr Fielding, master pianist and composer, and soon to be my brother-in-law. And my sister Miss Georgiana Darcy, who is no mean pianist herself.'

It is just incredible, for once the pompous little man, now going on chubby on top of his plainness and abhorrent style of dressing, is absolutely silent. Stricken dumb.

Darcy is immensely surprised, Mr Collins must know of Mr Fielding's descent, Darcy would have expected him to be barely civil to a cow-herds' son. Somehow, to Darcy, this is the most conclusive proof that some people just are above class. Some talents are apparently so valuable they instantly place their possessor at the height of society.

'I'm very pleased to meet you, Mr Collins,' Georgie first breaks the silence. 'I've heard quite a bit about you from my sister-in-law, I've long wanted to meet you, and your lady wife.'

Going out in public has done wonders for Georgie, one year ago she would not have dared to greet a stranger like this, and still everyone would have expected her to address them first due to her superior rank. Being able to talk to strangers has improved her reputation manifold, making it even easier to be nice to people.

And of course she has been in constant company of people who have a natural gift for connecting to people, giving her an excellent example as well as the opportunity to hide behind one or all of them when not in the mood to be social. He's done that himself occasionally, letting Manners or Elizabeth handle certain people or certain situations.

'I hope you haven't been waiting long for us to greet you properly, Mr Collins,' Fielding remarks, 'time tends to come to a halt when we are playing the piano, causing us to sometimes forget common courtesy.'

Yes, some people instinctively know how to reach out to others, and Fielding is most certainly one of them. Such an admirable fellow, and kind as well as talented.

'Thank you very much for noticing me, Mr Fielding, Miss Darcy. It warms my humble heart to be thus addressed by the cream of society.'

A deep bow expresses Mr Collins' feelings much better than words, no matter how many of those he's already used.

'May I tell you, Mr Fielding, how much your music touches me? However grand the attractions of Rosings, the size of its rooms, the richness of its interior, the abundance of its hospitality and of course the charms of Lady Catherine de Bough and Miss Anne de Bourgh, there has always been one thing missing from that grand place. One thing only, mind you, Mr Fielding. And that is music.

Superior music feeds the soul almost as much as true religion does, and let us be honest: after a long day of caring for my parishioners' souls, and a copious meal, what would be more enjoyable than such exalted music? It's the only thing that could possibly improve on Rosings.

Thank you for allowing me to hear your playing, and please do not let my mere presence deter you from continuing your practising, for I suppose to reach your level of proficiency one needs to study from dawn to dusk.'

Fielding and Georgie are controlling their facial expressions admirably, and Darcy's brother-in-law even manages to offer a polite reply. Then they take Mr Collins' advice and continue their playing, the Bach work they have translated to piano. Darcy suspects Fielding of planning to make that the first piece Georgie will play on the stage with him, though his own unsophisticated hearing cannot give him any clue how much she has advanced so far. To him it sounds perfect, but Elizabeth says it needs a lot more work, and not just Georgie's.

Imagine her hearing things like that when her own playing is so much less advanced. Though she is in fact progressing rapidly herself, that even Darcy can hear. The improvements his beloved is making under Fielding's strict regime of practising are positively huge, though she does still play their own favourites, the simple folk-songs she played at Rosings.

He wonders whether they were good enough for Mr Collins' taste to elevate the entertainments of Rosings to perfection for the three weeks Miss Elizabeth Bennet played them especially for Colonel Fitzwilliam. Probably not, Darcy knows Elizabeth suspects Mr Collins of still holding her refusal of his offer of marriage against her, and Darcy guesses rightly so. Even when it has made him a kind of relative to his adored Lady Catherine.

Their tired visitors soon retreat to their separate bedrooms, Charlotte hopefully enjoying her first bath in what may be weeks. When the couple has left the room, the others gather for one last drink, and some strategic planning for the coming weeks.

'I was planning to invite my uncle and both my cousins for dinner tomorrow, but you have a concert in the evening, don't you, Fielding?'

'I have a concert every single night this week, Darcy. I even had an offer for tonight, but it came after your cousin the Colonel asked us to dine with his father, so I offered them next Thursday. The day after tomorrow is a late concert, it starts at ten, we could dine first and take your relatives to the concert afterwards?'

Manners observes, 'Miss Anne and I have planned to wait on the daughters of good friends of mine tomorrow, they're twins, and very accepting of strangers, especially girls with respectable names and a tragic story. I expect them to ask Miss Anne to dinner tomorrow and to visit the concert with them. My presence will not be needed long after the introductions. I'll have to answer the young ladies' thousand questions about Mr Fielding and Miss Darcy, and then I'll come straight home.'

Darcy thinks this over, and concludes, 'Well, we'd better have my uncle and Fitzwilliam the day after tomorrow then, for Anne will want to come over for dinner, too.'

'If things turn out the way I expect, she may not be able to attend dinner here, Darcy, I hope you won't mind. I expect Miss de Bourgh to form a fast friendship with the Blackwood girls and their friends. She may be at home only to sleep and have breakfast, and maybe not even that. Slumber-parties are the fashion among those girls, they may keep her for weeks on end unless your uncle intervenes to take her on outings and family-visits and if I have my way, to see a doctor.'

That is a joke! If Anne doesn't come to dinner where Mr Collins is invited, he'll never get to see her at all! Of course Darcy himself will be the main sufferer for this development, having to entertain Mr Collins all day, but it's obviously the right thing for Anne to be with other girls and have fun, and maybe Mr Collins will give up and go back to Hunsford.

'Oh, poor Fitzwilliam!' Georgie exclaims, 'he'll be stuck with Mr Collins all day!'

She is a smart one indeed, but Manners corrects her gently.

'Don't worry, Georgiana, I will not be away for more than an hour or two. After that I'll amuse myself with Mr Collins. That reminds me, Elizabeth, can we visit your Miss Fillinger before our meeting with the Blackwood family? I think Miss de Bourgh really wants to buy some nice dresses.'

'Of course, Frederick, it will be my pleasure. Do you want Simon to come, too? He is the best, you know.'

'Let's do that, then. We'll pick her up at ten, will that suit you? Going out with your friend in the house, I mean?'

'I was hoping to bring her, too, if you don't mind. I want to gift her a few nice dresses, the one she was wearing will not fit her for another week, let alone two or three, it was too small already. What do you say?'

'By all means, bring her. Then she can tell her Lady Catherine that Miss de Bourgh is doing well and enjoying herself.'

When they are finally seated in Frederick's carriage the next morning, on their way to pick up Miss de Bourgh from her uncle's home, Elizabeth does wonder whether this is not too much for poor Charlotte. But she does need some dresses, she is wearing a different one today and neither it, nor the one from yesterday will be of any use to her for the next three or four weeks, they're already so tight around her belly.

'Are you sure you don't mind taking me along, Eliza?' Charlotte asks with quite some worry. 'I don't want to be a burden on you, and I don't want to be a spy. I just came along to stop Mr Collins from making a complete fool out of himself, forcing his way in at Lord Compton's, or doing something even worse.'

Fatigue has robbed Charlotte of her usual diplomacy towards her husband, but Frederick has enough for two.

'Try not to worry, Mrs Collins, Mr Darcy and I will keep an eye on your husband, you try to enjoy yourself and take enough rest. Before you know it you'll be back home, ready to receive your dear little baby.'

Elizabeth tries to calm her friend, hoping to make her see that no-one will fault her for her husband's behaviour.

'Mr Collins has a lot of respect for gentlemen like Fitzwilliam and Mr Manners here. He'll mind them and keep his quiet. Don't worry, Charlotte, everything will be fine.'

And though Miss de Bourgh seems a bit surprised to find Mrs Collins along on a shopping trip, she is positively friendly.

'Mrs Collins, please don't tell me my mother forced you to follow me to town, I'm so very sorry! How could she, in your condition! Are you feeling quite well? You look a bit paler than usual.'

'Thank you, Miss de Bourgh, indeed I do feel a little out of sorts. I was worried you'd blame me for spying on you. Mr Collins would go, and I dared not stay behind. Besides, I wished to see my good friend Eliza again.'

'Oh no, Mrs Collins, I don't blame you one bit! I know what maman is like, I didn't dare say or do anything for years, and I've my own fortune! Well, those days are gone, and I'm going to enjoy myself. You may tell her that, or not, I don't care. I'll buy myself a few lovely dresses and start exploring society. And you know, Mrs Collins...?'

Charlotte obviously cannot believe her eyes and ears.

'I feel great! I'm hungry at the right times, I love Hannah's cooking, I take a longer walk each morning with my cousin, and I'm going to make friends today.'

'You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that, Miss de Bourgh. You look so much better already,' Charlotte observes, 'You have such a fine colour, and your eyes sparkle. Maybe you'd better buy the dresses with a little room, for you may gain weight quickly if you've an appetite here.'

'True, Mrs Collins, I will certainly consider that. Thank you. And thank you for being a good friend to me the last year, despite my lukewarm reception of you. I don't think I'll be back or we could be friends, but you'll have your little baby to keep you company.'

Charlotte again cannot hide her shock.

'Oh, I'm not planning to go back to maman at all, Mrs Collins. I plan to be married instead.'

She bends over towards Elizabeth and Charlotte, and conspiratorially says, 'I've already met one fine bachelor. Excellent family, connections and fortune, perfect gentleman. What more could a girl want?'

And she winks and inclines her head towards Frederick ever so slightly. Does she mean to catch him? Oh my, that would be interesting at the very least. Frederick either pretends to be occupied with something outside, or he really is distracted. Elizabeth doesn't know, but she knows him, and he is infinitely more subtle than Miss Anne de Bourgh, or even Elizabeth herself, has any idea of. Mr Manners will not be caught unaware.

Choosing dresses for Miss Anne is very easy, Miss Fillinger has several options for very thin ladies and she looks great in all of them. She does choose those that are a bit looser, she obviously doesn't feel comfortable seeing her flat figure, and if she gains some weight they'll improve her figure even more than they do already.

'I'm sorry, ma'am, but I have no dresses ready-made for expectant ladies, they change shape so much in such a short time, and there is hardly any demand.'

Elizabeth anticipated as much, and she inquires, 'Do you have something very loose, that Mrs Collins can pull tight with a sash, or maybe something that can be adapted a tiny bit?'

Simon has been rifling through the collection of ready-made's, and he comes towards them with two large dresses, obviously meant for rather stout ladies.

'Please bear with me, Mrs Collins, I know you're not really this size, but I have an idea.'

Charlotte knows who the real expert is, Elizabeth has prepared her friend for her servant stepping in and giving advice. And sure enough, with a pale blue sash around her belly the loose cream dress looks rather nice, and not too fashionable for Hunsford, or a minister's wife.

'We'll have this one, and the sash to go with it,' Elizabeth states, 'it's my treat, Charlotte, please accept a gift from your best friend. You can wear this up to the last, I'm certain it will be very comfortable.'

The other dress works as well, with two ribbons already attached to both sides pulling the excess fabric away from the top part of the dress, to be tied in the back with a bow. With Simon spurring on her genius, Miss Fillinger now starts to think in possibilities, and she comes up with a snugly fitting beautifully embroidered top of which the skirts are much too narrow.

'I can replace these skirts with fuller ones in half an hour. It's a bit dressy, ma'am, but it would look very good on you indeed.'

Elizabeth is starting to get the hang of this, too, and she can see the end result before her mind's eye.

'Yes, that is exactly what Mrs Collins needs for the entertainment we're planning. Can you have it ready to wear tomorrow?'

Simon has had his instructions before they left, and he brings several hats and caps, for Miss de Bourgh, too. Finding a moment to observe Frederick as he watches his lover work his magic, Elizabeth feels a little thrill of romance. Of course he knows Simon is good at this, he has read the papers, heard the ladies praise Elizabeth and Georgiana, seen the admiring looks and yes, even the envy. Though that might have been due to their walking beside such handsome men.

But now Frederick can see his partner in action, he can see the genius at work with his own eyes. And he totally melts, his gaze one of infatuation and admiration, Mr Manners, who is always good-humoured, but who never gives away the his feelings. Better give him a hint, or someone will notice.

Walking towards him and taking his hand, Elizabeth whispers softly, 'You see why he is the best?'

The expression blanks to his usual kind sedateness.

'Thank you, Elizabeth, for a moment there, I let myself go. I hope no-one noticed.'

And Elizabeth helps him hope.

Both Miss de Bourgh and Elizabeth pay in hard cash, and Miss Anne takes her dresses and hats home with her straight away, she wants to wear some of them immediately. They skip the coffee for Charlotte is exhausted, though she does not admit to it.

'Better have her stay at home and make her take a nap, Mrs Darcy,' Simon says, as he walks beside her while Frederick supports Charlotte. He is very strong, and he feels safe, somehow, even Charlotte doesn't show discomfort walking arm in arm with a gentleman she only met last night.

'Fanny told me she worries about Mrs Collins. She has seen her mother with child often and she says the baby should be lower already. Do you think she is right? Fanny is not the kind for hysterics, but she's not a midwife either. Anyway, I thought I'd tell you, you can keep an eye on Mrs Collins yourself.'

'I'll talk to her, Simon. I know Fanny as a very competent woman. If she sees something to worry about, we'll keep an eye on it and send for a doctor or midwife if needed. Thank you for letting me know, I know you don't like to tell on her but this time it's for the best, she may not dare talk to me, not wanting to meddle.'

Charlotte takes only the slightest convincing to retreat for a nap before lunch.

'You use these days to sleep as much as you need, Charlotte, we will take care of Mr Collins. Wasn't Miss de Bourgh nice?'

'She was, dear Eliza. I'm really glad to see her so much improved already. Imagine her thinking of a husband already. So you really don't mind if I keep to my room quite a bit?'

'Not in the slightest, I can see this morning has been hard on you. And your task here is in a way already finished: you did what Lady Catherine wanted, you talked to her daughter and have assured yourself she is well. You take all the rest you need, for yourself but also for your baby. I've heard they are happier when their mother sleeps a lot.'

'He certainly seems to move about a lot more when I rest. I ache for rest, Eliza, I will see you at lunch, and maybe we can talk again afterwards? I really love being here with you, I'm so glad Mr Darcy turned out to be a good man after all. Thank you for the dresses, Eliza, I love them. They are so beautiful and comfortable.'

After lunch that day, Elizabeth decides to send a note to Jane to ask her to chaperone Georgiana to the concert that night. Charlotte is not up to entertainment after going out that morning, and Elizabeth is determined to stay with her friend. Fitzwilliam has offered to stay at home as well, and Frederick urges them to let him take Mr Collins, so the house will be altogether quiet for Mrs Collins.

Miss de Bourgh will be at the concert, too, she has indeed been invited to stay with the twins and their friends, but Elizabeth convinces Charlotte that Mr Manners can keep Mr Collins in line.

And though Georgiana has some doubts about taking Mr Collins along behind the scenes, Frederick does keep his promise that Eric will not suffer any discomfort from his presence.

'Better he remains here with us than have him on the loose in the crowd, where he may pester Miss de Bourgh and her new friends.'

Mr Collins is tiresome in his admiration of Eric, he can never seem to say anything outright, he has to take minutes to come to the point. But he is very much in awe of his cousin's brother-in-law, leaving him alone when he needs to concentrate on his work, and anyway, Bingley and Jane both take turns talking to him as well.

But Frederick spends the most time on Mr Collins and he even seems to enjoy himself doing so. Well, as long as Georgiana doesn't have to put up with him and he's not bothering Eric, it's fine by her. Tonight is a private party, but a rather large one, in a hired venue with a real stage and, for the first time since Eric's triumph started, with a Zumpe as their main instrument.

'To think I'd be homesick for a Zumpe, my love. It's like meeting an old friend I had lost contact with. I know I have my own but it sounds different in a small room, and anyway, that's just practice. I was so keen on those Italian instruments, but now I'm looking forward to a long trip to the past.'

And he relishes his usual ritual to get to know the piano, adjusting the tuning to his own preference, playing his practice piece to warm up but followed by the latest addition to his own composition. Love and happiness seem to fill the room and when he is done playing there is no applause but silence, as those present have to swallow a few times extra to deal with the feelings Eric has stirred inside them.

Then they applaud after all, especially Mr Collins, who is speechless for a few moments afterwards. Apparently Eric is the only person who can shut him up, a notable achievement.

The concert itself is no different, the virtuous pieces are only slightly less vibrant than on the usual stage-piano, but the romantic works, how they grab the soul. Georgiana supposes the rest have all met cousin Anne in the main hall by now, as the guests enter the venue, while she stayed with Eric behind the scenes. They'll meet the birthday guests after the show, Eric has started to avoid the crowds of eager ladies before the concert.

'They hire me to play music, not to be fawned on and touched surreptitiously. Or openly. I'll talk to them afterwards, Manners can tell them I need to prepare for the concert. They'll call me arrogant, I know, but I cannot play every night if I'm to be prodded and pinched and sampled before I have to perform. It feels demeaning, as if I'm an object, not my own person.'

Georgiana cannot say she's sorry to have him to herself, and Frederick understands, as long as Eric spends some time on his admirers after the show.

During the first stage of the concert Georgiana looks around to scan the crowd, she's actually quite curious to see the twins Frederick set Anne up with, do they really like her, or do they just tolerate her because of her family name?

Ah, that's Anne over there, she looks lovely, they have done something with her hair that is very becoming. Then those dark haired girls on each side of her must be the twins, for they look exactly alike except for their dresses. They're not ideal beauties, their brows are very dark and heavy, and their faces are rather jowly for such young girls, but they look friendly enough, and they have chosen to sit next to cousin Anne instead of each other. It's impossible to see what they think of her, all thee of them are completely transfixed by the music, but Georgiana is certain to meet them after the concert.

Searching the rest of the crowd for faces she knows, she sees several of Eric's most fervent admirers, girls she doesn't care for herself, of course, but as Frederick said, they will make him independent quickly by buying tickets for every single one of his shows. Though this party is invitation only, they're in luck to have their friend invite the musician they idolise.

Maybe she can find the birthday girl, she'll want to talk to Eric no doubt, maybe even kiss him chastely, which Georgiana will try not to mind, they've decided to go for the special licence and a month will see them married. And anyway, she knows Eric only cares about her, he doesn't even really like most of his admirers.

Yes, that must be the birthday girl over there. She's young, Georgiana's age, but she's a lot shorter and plumper and dressed in a rather childish looking fancy creation of pink silk and lace. Is she really wearing a gold crown on her magnificently styled blond hair? She is! Eric will have a fainting spell just after he is nice to her.

To the far end of the room, it's a small venue and rather cosy, she can discern another familiar face, but it takes awhile to put a name to it, it's not one of Eric's known admirers. Then it strikes her. The girl is his original admirer, it's Miss Zumpe! How did she get in here? The Zumpe's are very middle-class, and this party is way above the likes of her! She is not sitting with other girls, but with a man old enough to be her father. Oh my goodness, it must actually be her father, connected to this venue because they have one of his instruments. Well, Mr Zumpe cannot harm Eric in any way, and he has a right to listen to his former protégé's music as much as anyone else.

He seems to enjoy it, of course these are still the virtuous works he loves so much.

Miss Zumpe looks content, she must have made up with her father to visit a concert together. Georgiana will be sure to look back towards them later, when Eric has reached his own concerto. See how long Mr Zumpe manages to listen to that!

But when Eric does start on his own work, Georgiana has real trouble pulling her attention away from him. Is it just the piano, or was it their farewell just before he went onto the stage? The music is so beautiful, so haunting, she really has to force herself to look behind her instead of gazing at her fiancée in adulation.

Miss Zumpe is transfixed, poor girl, she's still very much in love with Eric, though she knows it's hopeless. Or does she? Her father has lied to her before, maybe he managed to convince her there is still a chance. But no, there is no hope in Miss Zumpe's steady gaze, just love and acceptance. For a short moment, the girl looks straight at Georgiana, finding the latter watching her and averting her gaze quickly. Poor Louise.

And Mr Zumpe? He's still there, and he's not disgusted but merely puzzled. He can see the rest of the audience loves this, is totally caught up in it. Maybe he has heard the difference in his own piano's performance, the virtuous work he loves so much very impressive, but the romantic composition heart-rending. Well, whatever Mr Zumpe decides, Georgiana takes one more minute to check on her cousin, who is spellbound, then lets herself be picked up by Eric's playing once again, lost to the world for the rest of the concert.

It's a good thing she is used to leaving the audience at a certain spot in his last piece, for without the habit of getting up and going backstage she would have stayed glued to her seat to the end, leaving Eric without his beloved waiting for him with a kiss and a drink before he joins the crowd.

But as it is, her body rises of itself and walks towards the door that will lead her to the back of the stage. She even finds a moment to turn around and see that Mr Zumpe is still present, but it is very hard to make out his expression. Then she fetches a glass of water for her beloved and moves towards the stage entrance, just in time to receive him in her arms and kiss him ardently.

'This was the best one yet, Eric,' is all she can say with her feelings rising at the sight and feel of him.

'Wasn't it?' is all he replies in triumph.

They stand together for a few minutes, while the applause dies down slowly and voices start to mingle in the concert-room.

'It's time to earn my keep, my love. Will you be at my side?'

'Of course I will, can't let the chubby birthday girl have free rein after all. I must protect my assets.'

She is in doubt whether to tell him the Zumpe's were there, will it matter to him? Yes, he needs to know, what if they want to talk to him? It would be highly indecorous to try and approach the star when allowed to sit in on what is to all intents and purposes a private party, but from what Georgiana has heard, Mr Zumpe is not bound by conventions very much.

'Eric, Miss Zumpe was in the hall, at the back, with an older man I suspect is her father.'

'He was? Imagine him getting access to a private party! Well, if he wants to tell me how bad this was, he can wait his turn. Come, my love, let's face the crowd!'

And he drains his glass in two large gulps, he must be thirsty, then leads Georgiana over the stage and into the throng of people.