‘And now look! George and William have actually chosen to spend the whole of this week with me, which hasn’t happened for years. They came with us to the Strand – and heavens knows how we would have survived it without them – even though they have no especial responsibility to us now. And they have just taken Mary out to the park – fear not, Miss A is there as her chaperone – which seems to me so enormously kind. And on top of all that, we have Ned asking to join us for dinner … Is it not touching?

‘I knew we were close, but had no idea until this season that they would, well …’ She gave a little laugh which she hoped was suitably modest, and flicked her fingers. ‘… flock quite in the manner they have.’

Lady Banks opened her mouth to speak, then thought for a moment and closed it again. She stared into the fire, smiled to herself, shrugged.

Then up she spoke: ‘And is there anything else you might like to mention? Anything at all?’

‘I – no – I can’t think—’ Fanny looked nervous, and flushed.

‘Then I shall say it myself.’ Lady Banks returned to her embroidery. ‘I hear your dear husband is somewhat unwell.’ She reached for her thimble. ‘Ague of the face this time, or something other?’

‘Yes, the ague – or so I believe.’ Fanny felt uneasy.

‘Quite what that is exactly, I cannot possibly imagine, though I am sure it brings with it the most acute form of suffering, eh?’ She picked at her stitching. ‘But to my point: this is something you might want to make a note of, in future.’ And groped for the thread. ‘It will crop up every time, as it did with poor Annabella – do not be offended, my dear. Dead and buried, dead and buried.’

Now Lady Banks was warming to her subject, the embroidery was back in her lap.

‘By the time she got to her third, of course, it was how she knew. Sir Edward’s own health would suffer some hideous collapse and – lo! – the dear lady would discover she had started a baby.’ The jowls wobbled in emphasis. ‘Of course, we should still call Dr Maton here, to be on the safe side, but I think he will only confirm what we already know.

‘Congratulations, my dear. It is the most excellent news. Another little Knatchbull! Let us hope it comes out just like our dear Mary Dorothea.’