The Buccaneers

In London, a large barouche brings Lady Brightlingsea to Miss Jacqueline March’s very small Mayfair house. Miss Testvalley is with Miss March but exits when Lady Brightlingsea arrives. Upon learning that the departing visitor was Miss Testvalley, Lady Brightlingsea recalls having recommended her and notes that the governess had also been with the Marable girls at Tintagel. Miss March also mentions Miss Testvalley’s recent American post with the St. George daughters. Lady Brightlingsea connects this with her earlier cable to Miss Testvalley about Lord Richard’s marriage. Lady Brightlingsea outlines financial difficulties: Mr. Closson has failed to continue paying his stepdaughter’s allowance and had not paid settlements. Now, Lady Brightlingsea fears that the young couple owes money, so she asks whether the St. Georges might help. She criticizes American manners and expresses uncertainty about their beauty and training, then invites Miss March to Allfriars and shares her desire to match Lord Seadown with a suitable wife. She describes Lord Seadown’s costly entanglement with Lady Churt and hints that a rich American might be a better solution for him.

The narration recounts Miss March’s “great tragedy” (80), which involved a broken engagement and her subsequent role as a helpful intermediary for American visitors.