The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 4

Emma and her tenant, the photographer Niall Pierce, communicate by passing notes through a hole in the wall between their attic bedrooms. Pierce warns Emma that he plans to give out his studio address to clients and friends. Emma suggests that he use the main house address and that the maid, Agnes, can deliver his mail. Concerned that his correspondence will become a hassle, Pierce announces he will provide a large basket to be placed in the hall to collect it, a precaution Emma finds amusingly excessive.

Emma meets her friend Mary Bairrage in Regent’s Park. Mary recounts being taken to a revue by a man named Jack, which is forbidden by her landlady. Emma then updates Mary on recent events, including Archibald’s recovery and the surprising friendship between her tenant, Pierce, and the Duke of Islington. Mary teases Emma for being social rather than studious, prompting Emma to defend herself by mentioning her book of Emerson’s essays and her study of Latin phrases.

Their walk is interrupted by an encounter with Emma’s banker, Mr. Penury, and his wife, Mrs. Rebecca Penury. Mr. Penury explains that his wife has been voluntarily silent for nearly a decade, a decision that impresses both Emma and Mary. Before parting, Mr. Penury reminds Emma of their upcoming meeting on the 17th to review her accounts.

An alarmed Agnes awakens Emma after discovering nine empty spirits bottles on the front steps, each containing a single pink rose. Recalling Lady Trewartha’s dinner, Emma deduces they are a gift from “The Reprobates Ten” (7). She reasons that the vicar would not have left an empty spirits bottle on a congregant’s doorstep, accounting for the missing 10th bottle.

Later, Emma visits her childhood rival Roland Sutherland to check on his broken arm. Misunderstanding his status as an invalid, Agnes bakes a cake for the wealthy man. At Sutherland House, Emma and Roland share the cake and trade witty remarks. Emma informs him that, due to their pleasant afternoon, she is officially removing him from her Enemies List.

Emma’s cousin Arabella visits her. Arabella reports that her mother, Aunt Eugenia, has compiled a list of seven “very eligible” and nine “somewhat eligible” men as prospective suitors. Cousin Archibald briefly interrupts their conversation, and Arabella expertly dismisses Archibald by leveraging her charm and beauty. 

In this society, it is considered inappropriate for unmarried women to be in the presence of unmarried men without a chaperone. For this reason, Emma previously invented a fictional chaperone named Agnes (not to be confused with her maid of the same name) to appease her aunt. Arabella warns Emma that Aunt Eugenia is growing suspicious about Emma’s supposed chaperone. While observing men in the street below, they spot Pierce. Arabella is immediately taken with his appearance and cheekily suggests Emma marry him.

Emma observes that Agnes has been preoccupied, but Agnes’s mood improves after she has a brief, polite exchange with the Duke of Islington, who was on his way to visit Pierce in his studio. Later, Emma hears the men laughing and feels left out.

Emma is summoned to her Aunt Eugenia’s home, where she finds her aunt and Arabella preparing to leave London. Aunt Eugenia intends to spend the winter in the country securing a wealthy husband for Arabella from a list of prospects. She tasks Emma with keeping her informed about high society news in her absence. She also commands Emma to order a new, fashionable wardrobe at her aunt’s expense, insisting Emma’s appearance must not tarnish the family’s reputation before Arabella is engaged. Eugenia forbids Emma from her “unladylike” pursuits of studying and being lighthearted. Before departing, she insults Emma’s heritage because she considers the Portuguese and Irish to be inferior to the English.

With her aunt and cousin gone, Emma enjoys a feeling of “universal peace.” She reflects on her friendships with Mary, a painter named Saffronia March, and especially Pierce. A comfortable, informal pattern has developed between her and Pierce; they frequently share tea, and he has joined her for dinner three times in September. She recalls a recent conversation in which he called her “strange,” defining the word as “memorable, and compelling” (22).

Emma attends a Sunday service led by a preacher named Young Hawkes. Inspired by the sermon, which included readings from the Bible and a Wordsworth sonnet, she decides to reflect on ways she could improve her moral character. The effort is short-lived, as she gives up after only 20 minutes. For the rest of the afternoon, Emma lies in bed reading Much Ado About Nothing. She reveals how beloved the preacher is by recounting how another parishioner prayed for whatever calamity necessary to keep Young Hawkes at their parish, a sentiment with which the narrator silently agrees.

Only two letters arrive for Pierce, making the large correspondence basket he provided seem overly dramatic. Emma takes the mail to his studio, where he is busy with his camera after photographing a mother and daughter. He declines her offer of tea, explaining he needs to process his photographic plates before his next session but promises to show her his darkroom soon. When Emma teases him about the near-empty basket, he smiles and warns that she will eventually “rue the day” (24).

On September 11, Emma observes Cousin Archibald, who is sitting on the hall stairs because his leg is bothering him. In his discomfort, Archibald complains about humanity. This tirade has an unexpected effect on the narrator, who reports that it causes them to like humanity more and, in turn, to like Cousin Archibald less.

Late at night, Emma and Pierce exchange notes. Having just read Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay on friendship, Emma declares she will hold Pierce to its high ideals. They trade quotes from the essay, agreeing that true friends should challenge and provoke each other rather than simply agree with one another.

Emma receives a note from a con man named Jack, who informs her he is cashing in the first of two favors she owes him. He will visit the next day with a “costume” and instructions for a task she must perform on the evening of September 15. Emma is filled with dread, comparing the summons to being ferried across the river Styx.

Jack arrives at Lapis Lazuli House with a red velvet dress, heeled boots, and silk stockings. He instructs Emma to wear the outfit to a dance hall called The Drunken Duck the following night. Her task is to deliver a valuable ruby and diamond bracelet to one of his associates by simply wearing it on her wrist and allowing the man to take it. When Emma refuses, Jack threatens to use his influence against her friends Saffronia March and Damian Spencer. He concedes they are off limits when Emma pushes back, but she ultimately agrees because of her prior debt to him.

Pierce interrupts their meeting, and Emma quickly gets him out of the room to prevent an introduction. After Jack leaves with instructions about her transportation, Emma hides the costume. She and Pierce share dinner, but neither mentions her mysterious visitor.