Summary:November 1883

This page contains a brief summary of Emma's journal for every day in November of 1883.

November 1st

November 1st is All Saints' Day, and both Emma M. Lion and Niall Pierce wake to the recurring celebratory bells. The two take breakfast in the breakfast room before Pierce leaves to photograph Westminster.

November 2nd

Parian spills a can of paint while painting the trim of his rooms violet. Emma discovers Cousin Archibald told Parian that she had died. As it is All Souls' Day, Emma visits the church. Later, she and Saffronia March view the fiery sunset caused by the eruption of Krakatoa on Primrose Hill.

November 3rd

Emma sends a letter to Arabella, who is at Spencer Court. She requests advice upon acquiring a duke, a photographer, and a vicar.

November 4th

Guy Fawkes Night approaches. At church, Hawkes warns the parishioners not to look for him in his rooms (if he is caught, he will be hanged in effigy). Pierce agrees to attend Guy Fawkes Night with Emma.

November 5th

It is the day of Guy Fawkes Night, and Emma goes for a walk. Later, she receives a return letter from Arabella, who confronts Emma about Maxwell's burial. Pierce complains to Emma about the necessity of a bonfire for Guy Fawkes Night.

November 6th

It turns out Emma never made it to the bonfire, as she fell asleep. Pierce and Agnes fuss over her, and Emma also discovers Charles Goddard came looking for her, but Pierce scared him off. After another rest, Emma takes tea at the Reed & Rite & overhears a conversation about the Roman, sparking anew her desire to see him. She pens a letter to Arabella.

November 7th

Emma invites Mary for dinner, who arrives instead for tea. They discuss Emma's possible avenues of employment and send the list to Mr. Penury.

November 8th

A return letter from Arabella, who questions the acquisition of a vicar. Near midnight, Agnes appears with a cake (as it is her birthday), and Emma throws an impromptu celebration with Parian, Pierce, and Islington.

November 9th

Emma attempts to study Latin, and writes to Arabella, defending Hawkes.

November 10th

Mr. Penury requests to share the possible employment list with his wife. Emma returns odds and ends to the Reed & Rite.

November 11th

Emma has decided upon a scheme to begin tracking the Roman. After the Sunday sermon, Emma pleads with Mr. Harper (owner of the newspaper) for a subscription. Cousin Archibald has gotten Lapis Lazuli banned from the newspaper, so Emma and Mr. Harper set a date for the appeal.

November 12th

A letter from Arabella, suggesting Emma's "chaperone" Agnes Dowd post a letter to Aunt Eugenia. Emma does so, asking Saffronia to again forge the letter.

November 13th

Emma asks Islington to be her first character reference. He agrees, after "moderate hazing". They settle upon Hawkes to provide the second.

November 14th

Emma and Pierce are invited to Islington's for dinner next Thursday. Emma receives a note and ten pounds from Mrs. Penury, for the entertaining quality of her list. Pierce will be in Norfolk; he is to leave on the 18th.

November 15th

It is the day of the appeal. Emma arrives at the Cleopatra just before Islington (amidst a new drinking song featuring the woman called Lion), and await Hawkes, who arrives precisely on time. After an arduous back and forth, Lapis Lazuli is reinstated to the Gazette.

November 16th

Mrs. Penury and Emma schedule tea for December 5th. Emma reads a letter aloud from Maggie, Islington's sister, to Pierce.

November 17th

As Pierce packs for his trip, he discovers the advertisement placed in the paper seeking the whereabouts of the Roman and confronts Emma. They have an argument and Pierce injures himself.

November 18th

Emma has a headache and stays home from church. Agnes mentions the Roman moving.

November 19th

Cousin Archibald returns from Bath, and he requests an allowance of Emma in a conclave. She laughs and declines.

November 20th

Emma acts as moral support for Mary, who is to discuss notes with the widowed Professor Fletcher. She has been posing as a male until now, but the professor takes the news well.

November 21st

Emma's lacking social stature and average looks secures her an invitation to Lady Sheridan's dinner the 17th of December.

November 22nd

Dinner at Islington's. Agnes readies Emma like a proper ladies maid.

November 23rd

A pleasant yet argumentative walk with Islington around Regent's park. A candle is lit for her father.

November 24th

Pierce's promised letter arrives.

November 25th

Tea with Mrs. Burns, a member of the Watchers of Whereabouts. Emma also spars with Islington after church.

November 26th

Emma happens upon a grieving Lord West in Regent's park and promises to host a memorial service for his now-dead favourite sweet pea.

November 27th

Preparations for the service ensue. Hawkes is found, furniture is rearranged, food is prepared, and her new wardrobe is procured.

November 28th

The day of the funeral. Cousin Archibald is on his best behaviour. Islington appears out of the blue. Lord West becomes somewhat infatuated with Emma.

November 29th

Pierce returns. In Emma's grieving state, he says he cannot take a portrait of her for Christmas. She challenges him to take one anyway.

November 30th

The photograph is indeed as sad as he said. Hawkes prescribes the sea and a boat and gives her his remaining luck.