A fortune hunter and a ‘goose’
March 1857. Now that the engagement is off, in the eyes of the world Charlotte and her fortune are back on the marriage market. Charlotte is astonished and disgusted to discover she has two new unwanted suitors.
16th Monday.
[...] Went with Sh: and Mrs Abbott to the Miss Campbells’ party. The rooms are a little too small for a dance, at least the back one is, and it got very hot Gen: and Miss Monteath Douglas, Mr Williamson Ramsay, handsome Mrs Hilliard, Mr Dering, who almost ignored my existence to-night, & c. I was not quite in the mood for a dance, however I performed my part, with Capts: King & Doyly, Mr Stevenson, Mr Dashwood &c. Capt. Gordon was introduced to me. He is a horrid looking man, an Indian officer, looking for a rich wife; & consequently has been very anxious to meet me. He engaged me for a dance, but I succeeded in getting away before it came on.
17th
Sholta and Self, took tea with Lady Talbot. Mrs Hughes was there, and the first thing Lady Talbot did, was to put her hand on the lower part of my face & exclaim “Picolomine!” I never heard so much scandal as was talked to-night, by these women. Sholta and I sat and looked at each other till “Captain Gordon” was announced! Mrs H made room for him to sit next to me! He was horridly familiar and attentive, & on our going turned to Sh: without having been introduced to her, & asked permission to call. He tried to put on my cloak, but the dear, good butler wd: not let him have it!
18th
Capt: G called no less than 3 times, without being admitted!
30th Monday
[...] In the evening Sh[olta] and I went with Mrs Abbott to a dance at the Misses Campbell. Charlotte has a cold, so was wrapt in a beautiful scarlet Indian shawl. She approved of my costume, white, with pink flowers, and acacia leaves. The room was crowded at first. Danced with Mr Bryant, Mr Stevenson Mr Campbell, Mr Williamson Kerr, Capt: Collier, Col: Anstruther &c. Was introduced to Lady Dorothea Campbell, whom I thought hansome & nice! It was near two when we left. I cut Captain Gordon, till I was going away, when I bowed!
31st Tuesday
When will wonders cease? I went with Mrs Abbott to hear Madame Scala’s singing class; & on my return received a letter from Mrs Park, enclosing one from Rome, signed W Scott. Found this is to be from William Scott of Ancrum, asking permission to pay his addresses, now that he hears my intended marriage is broken off. I felt rather “dumbfounded” & angry at him for being a greater goose than I thought him, for not waiting a little for however much I cared for him, I could not possibly enter into another engagement, almost before I am done with the other, with any feeling of propriety. Here is another charming letter for me to answer! Oh! Dear! Went with Mrs Abbott in my now open carriage for the first time, asked for Lady M Beade who has just got a son, left some cards, called for Sh[olta] then to C’s, saw them all Mr Campbell is so very agreeable to me, that, I begin to have suspicions! Had a letter from M. who is very sorry not to have me, but thinks I am doing right in not going to Brighton, wh[ich] is a consolation, & an ans: to prayers. What a good God is He who “hears the prayer”! I wish I cd love Him and serve him better!
