It would seem that Mister Rachman would prefer to listen rather than speak; often a wise decision for one who is inevitably seen as something of an outsider.
Despite her experiences in France, the men discussing politics dismiss Miss Davenport's views, primarily because of her sex.
"To paraphrase the great Doctor Johnson," one portly gentleman of advanced age remarks, "A woman speaking of world affairs is like a dog walking on its hind legs. It is not done well, but you are surprised to find it done at all."
There is much amusement, primarily among those of the male sex. Mister Witherly is quick to offer his sympathy for the way she has been treated.
By way of contrast, Miss Carrow's opinion as to the authorship of the works generally ascribed to the Bard of Avon excite much interest and lively debate. Some defend the honor of Shakespeare, others dismiss him as an "upstart crow" and claim that his writings were actually created by others. (One eccentric fellow states firmly that the true author was none other than Queen Elizabeth; a notion which finds no support from others.)
In any case, Miss Carrow wins admiration for offering a compelling topic for discussion.
Doctor North has also impressed the other guests with a well-reasoned and convincing argument for the intellectual rights of women. Although a few of the men remain skeptical, they admit that he has presented a strong case. The ladies, many of whom fancy themselves, sometimes with reason, as sophisticates are delighted by his praise for their faculties.
Overall, the four adventurers have navigated the treacherous shoals of society adequately. It is true that there have been a few mishaps, but that is only to be expected. Remarkably, Miss Carrow has managed to avoid any
faux pas. For this reason, she is invited to serve as a representative for the group.
Once the majority of the guests have departed for the evening, Miss Carrow and her companions are invited to a private audience with His Grace. It seems he is eager to display the contents of his Cabinet of Curiosities, previously mentioned during the game of billiards. This is a large and expertly wrought piece of furniture, in which a wide variety of unusual items are displayed behind glass.
Some items represent the Animal Kingdom.
Specifically, there is the nest of a paper wasp; a dried starfish and a dried seahorse; the mummified body of a curious animal, seemingly part mammal and part reptile, from the newly colonized and mysterious land of Australia; the gigantic and gaudy feathers of a bird native to the southern part of the Americas; and, frightful to behold, a hideously deformed fetus, preserved in a jar.
There is also an item from the realm of Flora.
This takes the form of a large, deep red, irregular ball of resin derived from a tropical tree. (Mister Rachman will be able to recognize this as
jerang, a product obtained from the rattan palm, said to have beneficial medical properties.) The substance is popularly known as Dragon's Blood.
Some curiosities are of a mineral nature.
To wit: An oddly shaped black pearl; the fossil of a peculiar worm-like creature of ancient times; a large diamond; a nugget of gold; a tiny stone said to have fallen from the sky; an unusual, bright blue lump of clay; arrowheads chipped from flint, found in the American colonies; a piece of bone-white coral from the coast of Australia; and a lumpy, roughly spherical rock which has been split open to reveal a beautiful crystalline interior of many colors.
Lastly, there are various oddities which fall outside these categories.
Specifically, there is a small mirror of remarkable clarity; an iron maiden, serving as a grim reminder of medieval horrors; and a peculiar book, bound in an unfamiliar type of leather, and filled with writing in no known language.
The guests are free to examine these items and to make inquiries as to what might be known of them.
His Grace nods to Miss Davenport. "I failed to win the ebony blossom from you, due to your Oriental friend's skill at billiards." Turning to Miss Carrow, he continues "I have reason to believe that you possess another unusual item. Unless I am misinformed, you have about your person a vial containing an elixir said to possess unusual properties. I wonder if you would be willing to exchange it for something in my collection. Feel free to discuss this with your companions while they examine my collection."