Exit The Actress_ A Novel Part 2

Early-six a.m.

Rose came home at dawn this morning and, thinking I was asleep, undressed in daylight. I gasped when I saw her bruised collarbone and forearms.

Rose turned, swiftly covering herself with her chemise. "It is not as bad as it looks, Ellen," she said tersely, pouring water from the china pitcher into the basin. "Go back to sleep."

In the morning I found the cloth she had used to wash bundled at the back of the wooden washstand. Blood. Blood. So it is as bad as it looks. So it is as bad as it looks.

January 19 (bitterly cold) The news: Fourteen people froze to death in the village of Highgate, a five-legged cow was born in Chelsea, and the king asked his new queen to accept Barbara Castlemaine as her First Lady of the Bedchamber. She refused! Bravo!

January 21 The news: The farmer in Chelsea is charging fourpence a head to see the five-legged cow. "Less than a penny per leg," Grandfather said. "That is reasonable." The Dutch have inflated the price of lace to more than seventeen shillings a yard, and Queen Catherine relented! Mother says a wise woman accepts. Rose says the young gallants are calling it the "Bedchamber Crisis." Are those her customers-young gallants?

ST. C CLOUD, FRANCETO M MY BELOVED BROTHER, HIS R ROYAL M MAJESTY K KING C CHARLES II D' A ANGLETERREFROM P PRINCESSE H HENRIETTE-ANNE, D d.u.c.h.eSSE D' O ORLeANS, THE M MADAME OF F FRANCEJEUDI, 19 J JANVIER 1663 Charles, Is it true what Louis tells me? Did you really install your mistress into your new wife's household? It is one thing to seduce one of your queen's existing ladies-these things are common enough at court-but to ask your wife to accept your present mistress as one of her ladies? Unheard of. Such things are not common enough at court-but to ask your wife to accept your present mistress as one of her ladies? Unheard of. Such things are not comme il faut, comme il faut, dearest. These breaks in decorum threaten the delicate balance of conduct in which we live. It is said here that she is grieved beyond measure, and to speak frankly, I think it is with reason. dearest. These breaks in decorum threaten the delicate balance of conduct in which we live. It is said here that she is grieved beyond measure, and to speak frankly, I think it is with reason.

I am not preaching fidelity (I well know that such things are not within bounds for kings), but I am urging prudence and discretion. Do not be ruled by Lady Castlemaine's petty spite. You cannot believe that her vengeful nature will be satisfied with only this. You set a dangerous precedent, my love!

a bientot, Keep well, Minette Note-Louis has nearly completed the Orangerie-orange, oleander, pomegranate, and palm trees. He has also begun the Menagerie-the pelican is named Pocket.

Une autre note-Portuguese cuisine is said to be simple and fresh and good for digestion.

January 30 (hungry!) No oysters to sell. Today the whole country kept a solemn fast in remembrance of the late king's murder. Funny that now that the king is restored, it is called murder: three years ago the punishment for mourning the late king's execution was imprisonment. Grandfather, a true Cavalier, fasted despite his frail health. Twice I tried to filch some cheese from the sideboard, and twice Grandfather caught me. Unusually stern, he was not not amused. amused.

SOMERSET H HOUSE, LONDONTO O OUR DAUGHTER, PRINCESSE H HENRIETTE-ANNE, d.u.c.h.eSSE D' O ORLeANS, THE M MADAME OF F FRANCEFROM H HER M MAJESTY Q QUEEN H HENRIETTA M MARIAJANUARY 30, 1663 30, 1663 Ma fille, Just a brief note, my darling, to tell you that I think of you and all my fatherless children today above all days. I know I need not remind you to keep the fast and have ma.s.ses said for your dear father's soul. James has joined me here for a private ma.s.s-it must be private, as Charles insists we conceal our religion. I know you pray as I do that G.o.d will also turn Charles's soul to the Catholic religion and stop all this Anglican nonsense. I know your father died in that faith, but there is no reason to follow him-he was in error.

I pray for your father, who died so bravely here in London fourteen years ago today. I think of how he said good-bye to your brother Henry and your sister Mary (so young!), bidding them to look upon Charles as their sovereign. I think of how he must have felt waking in our bed in St. James's Palace, our own home, on that cold morning and then climbing out the window of his beautiful Banqueting Hall (he loved that room) to that high platform to face that ghoulish crowd, waiting in the street. How he lay down his n.o.ble head upon that common block, forgiving the executioner, who never had the courage to reveal himself. Charles, to this day, cannot discover his ident.i.ty-coward. Know that your father loved you sincerely, although you do not remember him. Know that he thought of you on that terrible morning: of the loveable baby you were and the gracious, principled woman you would become. We must keep our promise and abide by his last word to Bishop Juxon and "Remember."

With fondest love, cherie, cherie, Maman, Her Majesty Queen Henrietta Maria Her Majesty Queen Henrietta Maria Monday, February 2, 1663-Candlemas (warm and cloudy and my thirteenth birthday) Meg, who sells oranges in Covent Garden, Orange Moll, as she is known, stopped to speak to me today. I was wearing a white smocked chemise under my new yellow pointed bodice that laces in the back, back, a present from Rose. Grandfather said I looked like a field of daisies. a present from Rose. Grandfather said I looked like a field of daisies.

"Turn, turn, so I can see!" encouraged Meg. I obliged, twirling in my new clothes. "Ah, fresh and sweet and always a favourite with the customers. How do you like selling oysters?"

"They are smelly and the walk to the market is tedious and Mr. Morton is overly ... forward." I answered candidly. Will I ever learn to be discreet?

"I'll bet he is. How would you like to sell oranges instead? I need one more girl for Mr. Killigrew's new theatre in Bridges Street." She held out a fat, round orange. "For the birthday girl."

"Thank you!" I said, pocketing the sweet fruit. China oranges are such a luxury; I would save it to share with Grandfather.

"You'd best understand," she said, catching my chin in her hand, "I sell fruit, not girls. The minute you sell yourself, you work for someone else." She looked hard at my face, her expression searching and fierce. Then, breaking into a smile, she patted my cheek. "No, I can see it. You don't have the vanity to go bad. Not like your sister over in Lewkenor Lane. She was always going to go that way." I must have shown my surprise, for she laughed a kind, enveloping laugh. "Oh yes, sweeting, I've been watching you."

So it is decided: I will give up the Octopus and become an orange girl.

Note-If Candlemas day be dry and fair-but it was cloudy, so six more weeks of hard winter.

Orange Girl Ellen

By Most Particular Desire THEATRE R ROYAL, C COVENT G GARDEN.

Audiences Brilliant and Overflowing Are Invited to Attend the Revival of THE H HUMOUROUS L LIEUTENANT.

A Tragicomedy by Mr. Beaumont and Mr. fletcher This Present Wednesday, May 7, 1663 It will be repeated tomorrow, Friday, and Sat.u.r.day next PRESENTED B BY MR. T THOMAS K KILLIGREW,.

LEASEE AND R ROYAL P PATENT H HOLDER.

To be Performed by: THE K KING'S C COMPANY (E (ESTABLISHED 1660) 1660) With: Mr. John Lacy, Mr. Michael Mohun, Mr. Theophilus Bird, And: Mr. Nicholas Burt, Mrs. Margaret Hughes, and Mrs. Anne Marshall PERFORMANCES B BEGIN AT 3 3 O'CLOCK DAILY O'CLOCK DAILY

When I Begin to Work

Friday, May 8, 1663 (day after the opening, and my second day!) We stand with our backs to the stage. We line up and face out, and as the audience piles in-we begin. Each girl has her own technique. Alice Winthrop tugs down her bodice until she is nearly bursting out, leans low over the young men in the pit, and, breathing in their ears, asks them if they might care for an orange. Of course Of course they might-unless she has been eating onions. Lily Beale (Mad Lil) used to sell oranges at the Duke's Theatre (the Opera) and so is known to the regulars and has her patter down perfectly. She targets couples: "Go on, Mr. Weathercombe, buy your lady a lovely China orange! Don't you be too cheap to treat her to something sweet." Lil could sell water to a fish. they might-unless she has been eating onions. Lily Beale (Mad Lil) used to sell oranges at the Duke's Theatre (the Opera) and so is known to the regulars and has her patter down perfectly. She targets couples: "Go on, Mr. Weathercombe, buy your lady a lovely China orange! Don't you be too cheap to treat her to something sweet." Lil could sell water to a fish.

Meg, her skirts pinned high on her stocky frame to allow her greater mobility, is everywhere everywhere up and down the aisles, selling oranges, delivering messages, chatter, chatter, chatter: hats with the ladies, hunting with the men-and spreading gossip faster than any news sheet. She keeps a close eye on her girls, deciding where we stand and how many we sell, and when she feels like a pitch isn't working she invents a new one. Laughing at my inexperience, she calls from the aisles: "You don't have to do much. You've got the goods. Little bit sweet, little bit sharp: always honest, and pretty as a peach. Just get out there, and they'll flock to you!" up and down the aisles, selling oranges, delivering messages, chatter, chatter, chatter: hats with the ladies, hunting with the men-and spreading gossip faster than any news sheet. She keeps a close eye on her girls, deciding where we stand and how many we sell, and when she feels like a pitch isn't working she invents a new one. Laughing at my inexperience, she calls from the aisles: "You don't have to do much. You've got the goods. Little bit sweet, little bit sharp: always honest, and pretty as a peach. Just get out there, and they'll flock to you!"

And they did did flock to me. I sold my basket before the end of the first act! I also sold some of Alice's share, as she got waylaid on Jack Parson's knee in Fop's Corner through much of the second act-Mrs. Parson had stayed home with a head. I sold twenty-six oranges, ferried three love notes-one was rejected unopened by a thick-necked woman in a sour green dress-and brought a lovely girl in a lavender lawn gown a rose from a man in the gallery with a bushy moustache. Then I got to watch the third act from the footlights. It was flock to me. I sold my basket before the end of the first act! I also sold some of Alice's share, as she got waylaid on Jack Parson's knee in Fop's Corner through much of the second act-Mrs. Parson had stayed home with a head. I sold twenty-six oranges, ferried three love notes-one was rejected unopened by a thick-necked woman in a sour green dress-and brought a lovely girl in a lavender lawn gown a rose from a man in the gallery with a bushy moustache. Then I got to watch the third act from the footlights. It was marvellous. marvellous.

LONDON GAZETTE.

Sunday, May 10, 1663 Most Deservedly Called London's Best and Brilliant Broadsheet The Social Notebook Volume 73 Ambrose Pink's recollections of an evening of theatre Darlings, On Thursday last, London's beau-monde witnessed the King's Company's first performance in its new and delightful Theatre Royal in Bridges Street (so much better than the fragrantly cramped hard-benched extennis court of old). Sumptuously cushioned boxes with thick curtains (tres prive) (tres prive), a hidden musicians gallery-somewhere under the floor-boards-ingenious but a bit m.u.f.fled, a veritable constellation of wax candles (mon Dieu, the cost!), delicious fruit sellers, and lavish curling gilt galleries gave one the feeling of being entertained inside an enormous and very pleasant golden egg. Dear Tommy Killigrew has outdone himself. Light-footed Lacy in the t.i.tle role and naughty little Nan Marshall in the role of Celia only added to the entertainment. A triumph. the cost!), delicious fruit sellers, and lavish curling gilt galleries gave one the feeling of being entertained inside an enormous and very pleasant golden egg. Dear Tommy Killigrew has outdone himself. Light-footed Lacy in the t.i.tle role and naughty little Nan Marshall in the role of Celia only added to the entertainment. A triumph.

In the audience: the dashing Prince Rupert (in a pink lutestring coat with silver lace), seen tete-a-tete avec tete-a-tete avec clever d.i.c.kie Rider, the master builder of the theatre. In the centre box was the Great Mrs. Hester Davenport, old Roxelana herself (peach taffeta-rather too many ruffles, I felt); and tucked in a corner box was crafty Will Davenant, rival manager of the Duke's Company (in his habitual black silk kerchief and low-brimmed clever d.i.c.kie Rider, the master builder of the theatre. In the centre box was the Great Mrs. Hester Davenport, old Roxelana herself (peach taffeta-rather too many ruffles, I felt); and tucked in a corner box was crafty Will Davenant, rival manager of the Duke's Company (in his habitual black silk kerchief and low-brimmed chapeau chapeau -surveying the compet.i.tion, no doubt). Tommy Killigrew, beware! -surveying the compet.i.tion, no doubt). Tommy Killigrew, beware!

a bientot, dearests, dearests, Ever your eyes and ears, Ambrose Pink, Esq.

Sat.u.r.day, May 23-Theatre Royal (rainy) t.i.tania, Bottom, Helena, Demetrius, Hermia, Lysander, Oberon, Puck. Act One: Enchanted Forest. Act Two: t.i.tania's Bower. These words are beautiful. beautiful.

PALAIS R ROYAL, PARISTO M MY BROTHER, KING C CHARLES II D' A ANGLETERREFROM P PRINCESSE H HENRIETTE-ANNE, D d.u.c.h.eSSE D' O ORLeANS, THE M MADAME OF F FRANCE29 MAI 1663 My dearest, For shame, my darling. I know that you have been "supplementing" your wife's English lessons, for there are several filthy words that your queen included in her last letter that could have only only come from you. That is terrible, Charles, to teach her such things and not tell her what they mean. However much it amuses you, you must correct this! come from you. That is terrible, Charles, to teach her such things and not tell her what they mean. However much it amuses you, you must correct this!

Bon anniversaire, my dear! my dear!

Je t'embra.s.se, Henriette-Anne Note-The doctors say I am in good health.

Sat.u.r.day, May 30 (Midsummer Night's Dream) Tonight, just before the audience came in, Peg Hughes, in her costume as the honest fairy Puck (deep green hose, moss-green tunic, pale golden wings), came out from the tiring rooms and, leaning down from the stage, bought an orange from me. Meg saw it and refunded the money immediately-actors, actresses, and Mr. Killigrew get complimentary fruit. Always. Always. A terrible mistake I shall not make again. Still, we spoke for a few minutes, and then Mr. Booth hurried her away for places. A terrible mistake I shall not make again. Still, we spoke for a few minutes, and then Mr. Booth hurried her away for places.

PALAIS R ROYAL, PARISaMON FReRE, K KING C CHARLES II D' A ANGLETERREFROM P PRINCESSE H HENRIETTE-ANNE, d.u.c.h.eSSE D' O ORLeANS, THE M MADAME OF F FRANCE3 JUIN 1663 My dear, Have you listened to none of my admonishments, and not only added Lady Castlemaine to your queen's household but also moved her apartments closer to your own? I was given to understand that her apartments faced the street on the other other side of the Privy Garden from your own. Are they now side of the Privy Garden from your own. Are they now adjoining? Mon Dieu! adjoining? Mon Dieu! I know you care for your new wife's feelings. Would you treat her as Philippe treats me? He is forever parading his young men before me. I know you care for your new wife's feelings. Would you treat her as Philippe treats me? He is forever parading his young men before me.

With my love, Henriette-Anne Tuesday-Theatre Royal (hot and sticky and smelly) So, what I know: The Actors Charles Hart and John Lacy: the two great leads. Hart, a man hung on an enormous frame, with thickly waved brown hair (although he often wears a periwig), has a booming voice and says he is the great nephew of Shakespeare-but then everybody says that. Lacy, a surprisingly nimble, bluff Yorkshire man was trained as a dancer before the war and never keeps still. the two great leads. Hart, a man hung on an enormous frame, with thickly waved brown hair (although he often wears a periwig), has a booming voice and says he is the great nephew of Shakespeare-but then everybody says that. Lacy, a surprisingly nimble, bluff Yorkshire man was trained as a dancer before the war and never keeps still.Theophilus (Theo) Bird and Edward (Teddy) Kynaston: before the war, both trained in the old style to play the female parts, although Theo, with his great drifts of snowy hair, must be at least sixty and so trained a half century ago. Theo is married to comely Anne, the actor and manager Will Beeston's daughter, and she is forever patching everyone's costumes and blacking their boots. Teddy is delicately featured, sweet-tempered, and very fond of Theo. before the war, both trained in the old style to play the female parts, although Theo, with his great drifts of snowy hair, must be at least sixty and so trained a half century ago. Theo is married to comely Anne, the actor and manager Will Beeston's daughter, and she is forever patching everyone's costumes and blacking their boots. Teddy is delicately featured, sweet-tempered, and very fond of Theo.Nicholas (Nick) Burt: also trained to play ladies but plays the hero very well (a good thing, since he is well over six feet high). He is pleased that King Charles has brought height back into fashion. also trained to play ladies but plays the hero very well (a good thing, since he is well over six feet high). He is pleased that King Charles has brought height back into fashion.Michael Mohun: also a leading man but smaller and somewhat owlish. He is married to Theo's daughter Eliza. also a leading man but smaller and somewhat owlish. He is married to Theo's daughter Eliza.Robert (Rob) Shatterell: lives quite close to us in Playhouse Yard. lives quite close to us in Playhouse Yard.William Cartwright: haven't met him yet. haven't met him yet.

The Actresses Mrs. Ann (Nan) Marshall and Mrs. Rebecca (Becka) Marshall: sisters. Becka is the elder. Apparently, they are the daughters of a Presbyterian minister. One would never guess with their lewd talk and constant flirting. They are neither subtle nor pretty enough to make it endearing. sisters. Becka is the elder. Apparently, they are the daughters of a Presbyterian minister. One would never guess with their lewd talk and constant flirting. They are neither subtle nor pretty enough to make it endearing.Mrs. Elizabeth Weaver: the eldest of the women. She takes pains to hide her enormous hands and feet. the eldest of the women. She takes pains to hide her enormous hands and feet.Mrs. Elizabeth (Lizzie) Knep: small and bird-like. Teddy says she has a risque past, but I have yet to see evidence of it. She does have an invalid husband who is always gambling away her money. small and bird-like. Teddy says she has a risque past, but I have yet to see evidence of it. She does have an invalid husband who is always gambling away her money.Mrs. Kathleen (Kitty) Mitch.e.l.l: pretty brunette with a sweet disposition and a fine actress (specialising in doomed heroines) but softly spoken and pretty brunette with a sweet disposition and a fine actress (specialising in doomed heroines) but softly spoken and impossible impossible to hear beyond the pit. to hear beyond the pit.Mrs. Margaret (Peg) Hughes: direct, popular, bright, and full of fun. And, they say, the first woman to act upon the stage-Desdemona. direct, popular, bright, and full of fun. And, they say, the first woman to act upon the stage-Desdemona.

Later This afternoon, Peg and Teddy heard me on the stairs and called me in to join them in the tiring room. Teddy was having trouble fixing his wig (he swears his head is too small to carry off a man's wig, but I thought he looked splendid), and Peg needed me to help lace her into her silk wings. I did my best to appear nonchalant, but in truth I was delighted. Everything about their world fascinates me.

Note-Peg loved the new way I tied her wings (crossed over in the back with a bow) and has asked me to help her dress again tomorrow!

When I Glimpse Grandeur

June 7, 1663 (Whitsunday) In the tiring rooms: Theo, who tried to sit quietly while Teddy painted his face with Venetian ceruse, announced, "The queen is with child." Teddy heralded his announcement with trumpet noises and ended up spitting on Lizzie.

Kitty, applying more crayon bleu crayon bleu to her eyelids, looked up and said, "Maybe now she will settle in and stop being so ... so ... foreign." to her eyelids, looked up and said, "Maybe now she will settle in and stop being so ... so ... foreign."

"She is is foreign," said Theo, trying not to laugh and crack his face. Teddy gave him a stern look. "It's not her fault. But she does seem to be adjusting. Still no ale but at least she has changed her dreadful hair." foreign," said Theo, trying not to laugh and crack his face. Teddy gave him a stern look. "It's not her fault. But she does seem to be adjusting. Still no ale but at least she has changed her dreadful hair."

"Is it true?" asked Kitty, outlining the delicate veins on her bosom. "What he said when he saw her?" She turned to me. "Too much?"

"Maybe overdone just here," I offered, wiping the harsh blue stripe off her throat-Kitty's eyesight is not good. "What who said when he saw her?"

Teddy reached for a fresh pot. "Ugh, you don't know? Bonnie Charlie. He said that instead of a beauty they had brought him a bat. Theo, honestly, if you don't sit still, I will leave you to do this on your own, and then where will you be?"

"No! He didn't! Because her hair..."

Theo, between clenched teeth, said, "Well, when she first arrived it did look like she might-"

"Take flight?" Teddy quipped, flapping his brushes in the air like great bat wings and getting powder on Lizzie. "Someone "Someone has had a word with her, thank goodness. She is wearing it has had a word with her, thank goodness. She is wearing it a la negligence a la negligence now-very chic." now-very chic."

"Bravo, Braganza!" Theo cried without moving his lips.

"And now she will have a baby," I said, handing Teddy Theo's wig and taking up my basket. "She must be so relieved."

Teddy licked his thumb and pasted the wig to Theo's head. "Oh, I think it is more than relief. I think she's in love love."

Lady's Household Companion A Complete Guide to an Englishwoman's Home Venetian Ceruse For a suitably pale complexion: Take a stone mortar and grind white chalk or white lead into a fine powder.Mix in white of egg and a cup of vinegar until it becomes a thick paste.Sc.r.a.pe face clean or not and apply generously.Reminder: Do not smile or laugh to protect the creaseless finish.Friday, June 12 (The Committee still on) This morning, before the audience came in, Lacy was on the stage trying to teach Peg La d.u.c.h.esse, La d.u.c.h.esse, the latest dance in London-French, of course. Lacy says it is the latest dance in London-French, of course. Lacy says it is magnifique magnifique! Peg says it is impossible. She has such trouble, being left-handed, and kept turning the wrong way at the top of the figure, but Lacy was patience itself. Teddy and Theo joined in. Teddy took the lady's part (he prefers the ladies' parts-more twirling) and then called me up to make up the set with Nick Burt. My pinned skirts felt patched and shabby next to their starchy silks, and my boots were too heavy for dancing, but I leapt onto the stage anyway. Meg and Lil thumped out the rhythm from the pit. Da, dum, dum, da, dum, dum and demi jete and change. Da, dum, dum, da, dum, dum and demi jete and change.

"Do it barefoot, barefoot, Ellen!" Teddy called from stage right. "You cannot Ellen!" Teddy called from stage right. "You cannot pas de bourree pas de bourree in boots." in boots."

Although I did not know the steps, I watched closely and caught on quickly, and in the end Lacy used Nick and me to demonstrate the proper form. We would have been magnifique, magnifique, too, if we hadn't collapsed into giggles. too, if we hadn't collapsed into giggles.

Sat.u.r.day, June 13 (first performance of The Faithful Shepherdess) Theatre has been in an uproar all the morning as they put together the new scenery for Shepherdess Shepherdess. Mr. Rider, the master builder, was in, directing the mayhem and showing the managers how to work the new machinery (very expensive and very noisy) to drop the flats from above. It is all very modern, and the flats are huge although not quite dry. I caught Mr. Fuller touching up the last of the fluffy sheep just before the doors opened.

Note-The queen is not with child. She was mistaken. How sad.

Wednesday, July 1, 1663 Excitement in the house tonight: at the end of the first act of Oth.e.l.lo, Oth.e.l.lo, Lady Castlemaine in a watered crimson silk gown and tall Frances Stuart-she is a Lady Castlemaine in a watered crimson silk gown and tall Frances Stuart-she is a giant giant of a woman-slipped into the royal box. The ladies in the pit were pulling off their visors, the latest fashion, to get a better look at of a woman-slipped into the royal box. The ladies in the pit were pulling off their visors, the latest fashion, to get a better look at la belle Stuart la belle Stuart. She is said to be the most most beautiful woman in Europe. The king was not with them, but the audience still shouted for the play to start over. What a bore. That put us an hour behind. beautiful woman in Europe. The king was not with them, but the audience still shouted for the play to start over. What a bore. That put us an hour behind.

Afterwards we went off to the Bear for supper. I tried to hide my excitement at the invitation. Usually Meg's girls do not join the actors after the performance. The cast still do not know their lines as apparently they haven't done Oth.e.l.lo Oth.e.l.lo for a year and a half. They ran the words all through the meal as is their custom but still managed to carry on a conversation as well-confusing. All the non- for a year and a half. They ran the words all through the meal as is their custom but still managed to carry on a conversation as well-confusing. All the non-Oth.e.l.lo talk was of Castlemaine and her young rival- talk was of Castlemaine and her young rival-la belle Stuart.

Theo (Iago) pulled off a piece of the crusted farm bread and said, "Apparently, they arrived in the new light caleche caleche that the king has given Frances Stuart. Becka saw it pull up." that the king has given Frances Stuart. Becka saw it pull up."

Teddy, taking the jam and b.u.t.ter away from Theo (he is encouraging Theo to lose some weight), said, "Mmm, I saw it, dark green and ebony, very chic very chic."

Nick (Ca.s.sio), piling his plate with pasty, and chicken, and stew, and bread, and and jam, jam, and and b.u.t.ter, said, "Clever Stuart kept the coach but refused the king!" b.u.t.ter, said, "Clever Stuart kept the coach but refused the king!"

Peg (Emilia), drinking only coffee, offered thoughtfully, "That's the way to do it, I reckon. Be the only one to say no. It'll drive him mad. He will offer her anything anything."

Teddy ordered a dish of roast carp, a fruit tart, and a mug of raspberry sack for me, and a huge slice of iced nutmeg cake for himself. He has a terrible sweet tooth.

"Eat," he commanded. The company also think I am too thin, although my bodice size has has increased since winter. Rose measures me at least once a week. increased since winter. Rose measures me at least once a week.

Monday-Drury Lane Half an inch! Rose has begun to sew me a new gown of pool-blue linen and is saving the stiff bodice for last-just in case my size should continue to improve. Heigh-ho. improve. Heigh-ho.

HAMPTON C COURT, ENGLANDTO O OUR DEAR SISTER, THE M MADAME OF FRANCE, P PRINCESSE H HENRIETTE-ANNE, D d.u.c.h.eSSE D' O ORLeANSFROM K KING C CHARLES IIJULY 5, 1663 5, 1663 How sharp you are, my dear. Yes, Lady Castlemaine's apartments have moved, but then so have some of my own (or they will as soon as the renovation is complete). The nurseries were just too far for me to see the children as often as I like. My bedchamber is moving to the river-front adjoining the queen's apartments-unfortunately, that puts Catherine between my bedchamber and Lady Castlemaine's, but Catherine is a sound sleeper. You see, I am not so unkind as you believe. I do worry that the sound of my children would upset Catherine, but she is making a sincere effort to befriend them. My wife sends for me just now to dance, so I must end and can only add that I am entirely your Affectionately, Charles July 10, 1663-Drury Lane Drat. I missed the excitement. I took my half-day on Wednesday, and naturally on that day the king and his bosom friend, the known rakeh.e.l.l George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, attended the early performance. Teddy reported that the king wore lavish lace cuffs, a long, narrow rhubarb-pink-striped waistcoat, high-heeled court shoes with wired wired grosgrain ribbon ( grosgrain ribbon (quel glamour-Teddy swooned), and a knee-length embroidered surcoat, which he removed immediately and slung on the back of a chair. The king's hose were true white, Teddy was careful to mention-Teddy is very particular about hose. The king's thick black hair hung in long ropey curls, and he laughed loudly and freely. In the second act, Lady Castlemaine joined them in the royal box. Kitty reported that she wore an overly garish sunset-orange taffeta gown embroidered with gold thread, sat on the king's knee, and twisted her fingers through said ropes of hair. Theo says that the performance lasted an additional two hours on account of the royal visitors. He also said that Castlemaine and Buckingham are cousins ... glamour-Teddy swooned), and a knee-length embroidered surcoat, which he removed immediately and slung on the back of a chair. The king's hose were true white, Teddy was careful to mention-Teddy is very particular about hose. The king's thick black hair hung in long ropey curls, and he laughed loudly and freely. In the second act, Lady Castlemaine joined them in the royal box. Kitty reported that she wore an overly garish sunset-orange taffeta gown embroidered with gold thread, sat on the king's knee, and twisted her fingers through said ropes of hair. Theo says that the performance lasted an additional two hours on account of the royal visitors. He also said that Castlemaine and Buckingham are cousins ... close close cousins. Does that cousins. Does that mean mean...?

Later-Drury Lane (raining) Improvement! Rose is letting out the new bodice a bit more-just in case. Tried some of Peg's rice powder this evening-awful. I looked as if I had fallen face-down in a flour vat.

When We Suffer a Terrible Rumpus

July 20, 1663-Official Notations for Privy Council Meeting on This Day to Be Entered into the Log-book Notations taken by Secretary of State Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington Insufficient business was conducted this morning. The Privy Council held discourse on only items one and two of our eleven-item memorandum. The excluded nine items will be herewith attached to tomorrow's (July 21, 1663) meeting, thus greatly increasing that day's business. His Royal Majesty was much involved in writing small notes to the Lord Chancellor, Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, on the matter of his journey to Tunbridge Wells. For the purposes of record I obtained the notes, and they are contained herein: Lord Chancellor: I suppose you will go with only a light train?

His Royal Majesty: I intend to take nothing but my night bag.

Lord Chancellor: Yet you will not go without forty or fifty horses?

His Royal Majesty: I count that as part of my night bag.

Nothing further to report.

Secretary of State Henry Bennet, Earl of Arlington July 25, 1663 (hot!) The excitement is over. The season is done. The king and and queen queen and and Castlemaine Castlemaine and la belle Stuart, and and la belle Stuart, and the rest of the court have deserted London for Tunbridge Wells. Elizabeth, ever discreet, says the queen is eager to take the restorative waters there to benefit her the rest of the court have deserted London for Tunbridge Wells. Elizabeth, ever discreet, says the queen is eager to take the restorative waters there to benefit her health health. Becka, never discreet, says she is going there to cure her difficulty. difficulty. In In Romeo and Juliet Romeo and Juliet rehearsals this morning-the fight scene: rehearsals this morning-the fight scene: Lacy, ch.o.r.eographing the fight, said breathlessly, "I'll bet the king can cure her difficulty difficulty. What is he up to now? Five? Six b.a.s.t.a.r.ds? How old is Jemmy Monmouth now? Thirteen? Oh, I need to sit a minute." He thumped heavily onto Juliet's prop bed-too heavily, as the lightly constructed bed creaked loudly.

Peg, forgetting her cue and letting her sword drop with a bang, said, "Well, it's not her fault. The king has to actually spend time in her bed to cure that that difficulty. Yes, yes, I know, difficulty. Yes, yes, I know, En garde! En garde!"

Teddy lay on the stage and fanned himself with his script. "Perhaps she does not quite quite know what is supposed to happen? After all, in that prissy Catholic country, who would have told her? Lacy, I'm not sure you are meant to know what is supposed to happen? After all, in that prissy Catholic country, who would have told her? Lacy, I'm not sure you are meant to recline recline on that bed." on that bed."

Nick, who was practicing his footwork downstage, chipped in, "Castlemaine's in a delicate way all the time; perhaps she could give her some pointers? Is it left, parry, left, or the other way round?"

"The other way round," Lacy called without sitting up.

"Well, we certainly know that it is not the king who has a difficulty, difficulty," Teddy said, blowing out his cheeks and turning to watch the scene. "My G.o.d, this heat! Left! Left! The The other other left, Peg!" left, Peg!"

Peg, turning the wrong way, missed her mark again.

Much later In the interval Lizzie Knep came down with her courses and was unable to perform the last act, and Mr. Hart himself himself sent Meg to find sent Meg to find me me. I was whisked backstage and quickly stuffed into Lizzie's dancing costume; she is small like me, but her slippers were too big-I packed paper in the toes to make them fit. Hart came striding offstage and abruptly said I would be led out to dance La d.u.c.h.esse La d.u.c.h.esse but to a slow sombre beat, in the final scene, by Benvolio (Nick) and then left to stand at the back and silently feign to weep when the Prince (Theo) makes his speech and they bring in the dead lovers (Kitty and Mr. Hart). but to a slow sombre beat, in the final scene, by Benvolio (Nick) and then left to stand at the back and silently feign to weep when the Prince (Theo) makes his speech and they bring in the dead lovers (Kitty and Mr. Hart).

"Remember," he said briskly, "you are playing a lady of the court: head up, languid eyes, soft fingers but a strong grip on your partner, supple neck, straight spine. Think: seduction. Do not not make a misstep." With that, he turned and, frowning at the stage, ferociously concentrated upon his entrance. It is extraordinary how still he stands in private before launching himself into public vitality. I felt fidgety and slight next to him, and I wished he had not given me so much instruction and just left me to do it as I did the other day. Standing in the wings, I thought seriously about being sick, so great was my fear. At least it would be Nick who would partner me as I had danced with him before. Hopefully, in these fine clothes, no one will recognise me. make a misstep." With that, he turned and, frowning at the stage, ferociously concentrated upon his entrance. It is extraordinary how still he stands in private before launching himself into public vitality. I felt fidgety and slight next to him, and I wished he had not given me so much instruction and just left me to do it as I did the other day. Standing in the wings, I thought seriously about being sick, so great was my fear. At least it would be Nick who would partner me as I had danced with him before. Hopefully, in these fine clothes, no one will recognise me.