There arrived towards the middle of December when the country roads and fields were covered with a light dusty dressing of snow at Oakland park a parcel and letter addressed to Lady Ann. This was as a result of a secret visit she had undertaken during the early months of the season to a certain Mr. Paterson publisher of Amen corner London although she had left strict instruction that the ever attentive Mr. Paterson was only to contact her directly only in case of extreme necessity she was not displeased to hear from the worth craftsman for it had been six months since the first visit and she had quite given up of ever hearing from Mr. Paterson..

Missive

Madam,
I have great pleasure in sending you ten copies of the first imprint of the work which you saw me upon during your visit to London.

If it pleases your ladyship next time you are in town to call directly and at your earliest convince at my place of business

Your obedient servant

James Paterson
Publisher

Upon opening the package Lady Ann was pleased to see that the volumes mentioned in the missive were indeed of a fine quality opening the cover of the first book she was delighted to read the words on the front face the title of which was

THE PEER

BY A LADY OF QUALITY
Dedicated to one who has been the most loyal and diligent of friends and constant companions for upward of five and twenty years.

To the noblest gentleman Sir Thomas Sterley, I humbly dedicate this small work of fiction in the hope that this small work might bring to the noble gentleman many hours of pleasure and joy from a most ardent admirer.

Lady Ann begun to turn the pages of the small volume every page bringing an expression of delight to her countenance as she viewed the printed words. Just then the object of the dedication happened to step through the door.

“I perceive my dear that you have some thing of significance to tell me for your expression betrays amusement and joy,” said Sir Thomas. “Indeed good husband I have some thing to show you I know that you have been busy these many years writing a volume on the birds, it brings you great joy and I have found in the odd occasion time to write a small volume of romance which I have dedicated to you,” she said as she put into his hands the small book.

Opening the volume Sir Thomas was surprised to see the dedication, as he read a smile began to crease his lips. “'pon rep my dear you are the most surprising of creatures,” said he taking her in his arms he kissed her most heartily upon the lips.

“Pray this works of fiction what is its nature?” he asked as he stepped away from his wife. “It is but a short fiction of romance concerning a peer of some 50 years who after many years finds love and affection of a young noble woman, a brave man a soldier in the late wars who has done his duty to the country and is now retired into the country,” she replied “It sounds some what familiar” remarked Sir Thomas as he leafed through the pages. “I will own that it has a certain sense of fact from true life,” she replied.


“I see a case of size has arrived from Tom which must need your attention,” said Lady Ann. “I have not heard of it pray where is it?” Sir Thomas enquired. “When it arrived I had it moved into the library for I thought it must be some thing of significance,” she replied.

“”I shall have to go and see, pray excuse me my dear,” he said.

“Upon entering the library Sir Thomas was met by the sight of a six foot tall box which in size looked very much like a large oversized coffin taking a poker he genteelly began to pry open the box.

He was much taken by the content of the box for it contained a stuffed ostrich with full plumage. The sight of which made sir Thomas’s heartbeat with sheer delight with in the box he found a letter which he opened with great expectations.

Missive
From: Thomas Sterley Esquire 18 June 1815
Cape Town
Cape of Good Hope

To: Sir Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surrey
England

Dearest Papa,
I have recently returned from a trip into the interior of this vast country having seen many new and wonderful things. One scarce knows where to begin to give account for here there are great herds of animals which roam across planes for half a day with never an end in sight. I have sent you this ostrich which I bagged while out hunting. There is an excellent dresser of game here who did me the service of setting the animal for preservation. I do so hope that this object will bring you many hours of joy and pleasure.

I have also the honor to inform you sir that you will shortly be a grandpapa again as Arabella is with child. Which I expect will arrive in due season. We have with the help of dear Mrs. Aitcheson of whom Arabella has previously written found a midwife who will be available for the confinement.

Pray give our sincere affections to all at Oakland Park

Your obedient son

Tom

After placing the bird with a little difficulty in the best position to display its qualities Sir Thomas bestirred himself to write to his eldest son

Missive

From: Sir Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surrey
England

To: Thomas Sterley Esquire 16 December 1815
Cape Town
Cape of Good Hope

Dear Tom,

In reply to your last I must inform you that events of the greatest significant’s have occurred Sophia has been well wed to Captain Aubrey of who you first wrote when you went to the Colony. Mary has had her coming out which was a great occasion. I believe that it wont be long before there are a number of gentleman callers coming to here to pay there respects.

Mamma has had a volume published which I believe will meet with singular success for I have just this morning come to hear of it. Most surprising to find that she had done this I am sure that she will write to you before to long and tell you all about it.

I have almost completed my volume on the birds of Southern England and have high hopes of its success, when I take it to Amen corner when next I am in London on business.

My most hearty congratulations on the forthcoming arrival of the addition to your little household I am sure your Mamma will be most sad to hear that she will not be there for the birth. For she and Lady Sarah were companions of a most close nature for most of there lives I am sure that when you return to Oakland’s your mamma will lavish many a fondness upon the child and Arabella of course.

Pray give Arabella our sincere affections

Your papa

Thos Sterley.


Missive

From: Lady Ann Sterley
Oakland Park
Surrey
England

To: Thomas Sterley Esquire 16 December 1815
Cape Town
Cape of Good Hope

Dear Tom,

Have just this moment sat down to write to you about the wonderful news as you are know I have for many years been writing in my books. When we were last in London I took one of my writings to a publisher in the town. Who agreed to look at it. Much to my delight in the post today I recived a letter from the good man who has published at his own expense the volume with a short dedication to your dear papa. Who I must confess to it in good stride that I had published before him. I am sending one of the volumes I recived with this letter.

Mary has become quite social having this last fortnight three gentleman callers who have visited. Papa informs me that Arabella is in the family way. What can I say upon this happy occurrence? It is with regret that I wipe a tear from my eye to think her dear mamma will not be here to see the happy arrival. When you come home we will make a happy occasion of the child and spoil him or her as the case maybe with many affectionate kisses and pinches.

My affectionate greetings to Arabella

Your Mamma

Ann Sterley

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