To Master Gosling [Arrives late at the 15th of April]

[Heather O`Roarke]

A footman brought the following message:

The Countess Atherstone invites you and your partner to the Christening of her son Caleb Henry on Saturday the 18th of April at Westminster Abbey at Noon for a brief ceremony.

There will be a party of celebration in Chelsea at O'Roarke Hall at 9 PM.

[William Gosling]

William's reply returned the next day, in neat, elegant, small type and with a daisy pinned to the paper,

Dear Lady Atherstone,

I pray this finds you safe, well tended to, and, perhaps the most precarious of my wishes, happy. I shall, of course, attend, in concordance with both my desires and what I had said earlier. And, should you have a moment to spare at the celebration, I anxiously await your tour of the daisies of O'Roarke Hall. I look forward to seeing you then, though if we should run into each other before then it would, of course, be a happy occurrence.

Precor Benedictiones Filium,*
G.A.D.**
William Gosling

*I pray for blessings for (your) son,
**Gulielmus Anserculus Dominus, meaning Master William Gosling (though it could also be taken to mean 'Lord')

[Heather O`Roarke]

On the late afternoon of the 17th runners were send throughout London, each carrying the same message:

The Countess Atherstone regrets to inform you that due to a malady she is forced to cancel all festivities in honour of her son's Christening on the 18th of April.