Welcome to Episode 3 of The Matrimonial Ladder, a rare Regency proto-graphic novel first published in 1825. If you have not yet read Parts 1 & 2, I suggest you click on The Matrimonial Ladder in the sidebar and scroll down to read from the beginning.
Last week, we left Henry and Maria on their honeymoon. The gilt was already beginning to wear off the gingerbread. Now they have set up house together, but they don't look very happy.
Last week, we left Henry and Maria on their honeymoon. The gilt was already beginning to wear off the gingerbread. Now they have set up house together, but they don't look very happy.
Rumination
An Evening tête a tête you next shall see,
No friendly chat succeeds departed Tea,
Blue burn the Candles and the Nymph looks blue,
And rumination serves them but to rue
An Evening tête a tête you next shall see,
No friendly chat succeeds departed Tea,
Blue burn the Candles and the Nymph looks blue,
And rumination serves them but to rue
Alteration
No more a social walk the morn employs
A greasy novel constitutes her joys
No more a social walk the morn employs
A greasy novel constitutes her joys
Alteration
While he poor soul condemned alone to saunter
Dines with some friend & empties his decanter.
While he poor soul condemned alone to saunter
Dines with some friend & empties his decanter.
This cannot end well.
Irritation
Returned at eve, unnumbered queries wait him,
And she who loved so late appears to hate him;
From trifles light as air, the quarrel swells,
The husband bullies and the wife rebels.
Returned at eve, unnumbered queries wait him,
And she who loved so late appears to hate him;
From trifles light as air, the quarrel swells,
The husband bullies and the wife rebels.
Disputation
Fierce and more fierce, the wordy contest grows,
Taunts, gibes and sneers, and every thing but blows;
Each to a separate couch in rage retires,
Whence sleep is banished by vexatious fire.
Fierce and more fierce, the wordy contest grows,
Taunts, gibes and sneers, and every thing but blows;
Each to a separate couch in rage retires,
Whence sleep is banished by vexatious fire.
Is there any hope for them? Tune in next week for our final episode. To be sure not to miss it, please subscribe to my newsletter or like my Facebook author page fb.me/catherinekullmannauthor to be kept informed.