Mr Soughton commenced with some ‘very interesting observations’ he had been reading about on the subject of Mr Davy’s safety lamp and firedamp in mines. Mr Newbold’s eyebrows instantly rose, since this was a most unusual topic to discuss with ladies, although he himself, as the owner of mines, was well aware of the invention and its uses.

‘Apparently the metal gauze or mesh has to be of a certain specific size to prevent the firedamp igniting when in contact with the flame.’

‘I am not, myself, much in favour of diaphanous fabrics,’ responded Miss Clifton, in a repressive tone. ‘My cousin Lucilla has a gown of spider gauze over satin, but it is so prone to catching upon the slightest splinter of wood or damaged fingernail that it had to be darned quite obviously after being worn but twice. It is also used far too much by ladies, and I use the term loosely, who choose to dampen their skirts in order to make them cling in a most unseemly fashion.’

‘Firedamp is of course not the only concern when underground. There is also the danger of a lack of air, or bad air. Many deaths have been occasioned by it, but unless one can provide good air, it is impossible to prevent or predict.’

‘I am never happy having a fire in my bedchamber for that very reason,’ Miss Clifton declared.

Henrietta blinked, and inadvertently stared at Mr Newbold, who looked as stunned, but was struggling not to laugh. Miss Clifton then continued.

‘One can never trust menial servants to ensure that the coal is not damp, and thus gives off billows of smoke, which, however frequently one has the chimneys swept, eddies into the chamber and is both unpleasant to the nose and leaves deposits upon fabrics.’

‘It is quite remarkable how the industry of man has enabled him to reach deposits, not only of coal, but tin, and other ores, and also of precious stones, but I find it interesting that we in, as Shakespeare called it, “this sceptr’ed isle”, do not have the frippery of gems but solid worth of ores and coal.’

‘I do not believe in such things, myself.’

This brought Mr Soughton up with a start, and interrupted his own train of thought. ‘You do not believe in geology, ma’am?’

‘I said nothing about geometry. I said I do not believe in spectres, or anything of a supernatural nature. It stems from ignorance, and indeed is unchristian. Those who do believe are creating thoughts in their own heads.’

Mr Soughton was, for a moment, speechless. Finding it difficult to return to his own discourse, he turned to Henrietta, who was attempting to eat whilst controlling the urge to giggle.

‘Miss Gaydon, you live in the Marches, I believe.’

Henrietta nodded, and affirmed that she did.