My Particular Friend footnotes: The Start of the Affair 3
Beginning at Visitors:
Miss Woodsen, how it grieves me to continue to fail in my duty as hostess, but again Mrs Fitzhugh and I are off. However, I shall be gone only shortly, I promise. In fact, it would give me great pleasure if you would join me at the Lower Rooms at three o’clock.
Lower Rooms: the older of the two assembly rooms in Bath
At this she fluffed up like a pigeon taking a chill. ‘I am Lady Dalrymple, as you should know, child.’
There is, of course, a Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple mentioned in Persuasion (but no mention of a niece):
The Bath paper one morning announced the arrival of the Dowager Viscountess Dalrymple, and her daughter, the Honourable Miss Carteret; and all the comfort of No. –, Camden Place, was swept away for many days; for the Dalrymples (in Anne’s opinion, most unfortunately) were cousins of the Elliots; and the agony was how to introduce themselves properly.
‘Goodness, you look very excited, Miss Woodsen,’ my friend said, after we had called for tea and buns.
buns: ah, the Bath bun, looking for all the world like a hamburger bun to this American. Perhaps I should have had mine as a sweet bun with cinnamon butter.
‘Odd, I had expected no woman with a cat. No matter. I’m sure you were all politeness. Now, we are done with our tea and I must leave you again for a short time. However, I should consider it a great pleasure if you would join me again at eight, in the Upper Rooms, and you will see the outcome of all your efforts to-day.’
Upper Rooms: the newer of the assembly rooms in Bath