Dear Responsible,
Responding to a letter in WW feels foolish but, perhaps in light of my own sense of responsibility I felt it appropriate at this time.

I am a woman of 21, with some property and income of my own such as I might never need be induced into marriage. And while my heart and affections could be prevailed upon to make a match truly of happenstance and the heart, it is not perhaps the type of match my parents would have made for me.

I know it was the intent of my father to make arrangements for my future life which did not occur on account of his untimely death shortly after my debut. As such, I feel it is incumbent upon myself now to make those arrangements. I am a woman of good reputation, and social to a degree that is right and proper for my age and station. I will admit that the debutante season holds little pleasure for me. I came up in school in Ravenclaw house which I should hope assures you of my ability to carry on an intelligent conversation.

We might be fully companionable together if the mood were to strike us.

Kind regards
Ms. Reputable

Witch Weekly

  

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Lady is a wonder

Mr. Aldous Crouch,
Witch Weekly is pleased to inform you that your recent submission to our Lonely Hearts article has generated a response. Witch Weekly is devoted to providing help to all of our readers, no matter what their social disadvantages, and we are delighted to provide this service to the lovelorn in our magical community. We hope that you will be able to create a happy ending with our help, instead of being doomed to a tragically lonely life.

Please see the enclosed letter and advise us whether you will need your advertisement repeated in further issues of our magazine.
Y. Ventus
Editor in Chief
Witch Weekly

Aldous Crouch

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233rd February, 1890

To Miss Reputable,

I do not imagine responding to such a letter to be any more foolish than placing such an advertisment, and I confess I am pleased, honoured even, that you have elected to respond to mine.

Please correct me if I misinterpret your meaning, but I must ask—might I read your letter to suggest that you have lost both your parents? I pray you do not think me too frank in asking, but if that is indeed the case, than I feel for you: I have a younger sister, you see, who was also orphaned before her twenty-first birthday, and so have witnessed firsthand the particular difficulty it can be for a young lady to lose her parents in the springtime of her life.

Myself, I am a man reserved in a position that requires me to be quite the conversationalist. I have spent many years balancing my personal inclinations and my occupational requirements, and I hope you do not think me immodest in saying that I do so quite well. I find myself obliged to find myself a companion who is much the same, for I would hate to disappoint any woman with either side of myself.

If you think we might find mutual pleasure in continued correspondence, please do feel encouraged to write to me again.

Awaiting your reply,

R.

  

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —

Dear R,
Indeed sir you are not mistaken, my mother pre-deceased my father by a number of years. I am sorry truly that your sister, and thusly yourself have also been in this unfortunate position. It is strange to think of oneself as an orphan despite being quite grown. Although I am sure your sister is glad to have had the comfort and company of a brothers affections. I had the misfortune of being the only surviving of my parents children. This has proven to be both a blessing and a curse for I am as financially secure as any lady need be, but I have no close kin.

By your description of your personality and habits, we might indeed be well suited for each others company. For my part, I take greater pleasure in intimate gatherings of friends than I do in large public balls, but attend such gatherings as I might be invited to attend, or where social obligation requires my participation. I consider myself to be socially adept, I believe I can conduct an intelligent conversation and with all expected social graces.

In truth I take the most personal pleasure in quieter habits, and quieter people. That is not to say that I am a recluse, but rather that an evening with friends and intimate company, talking or playing games is preferable to dancing or showy affairs. I consider myself to be a warm and affectionate person but one not suited to the type of showy passions that might make a match of affection at a ball or the like. I hope this does not read as too candid for it is a fine line in correspondence such as this in being honest and open...and being too much.

Warm Regards
Miss R.

Aldous Crouch

  

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Lady is a wonder

25th February, 1890

To Miss Reputable,

It appears as though you and I are of similar mind on the matter of how time ought to be spent, though I suspect you have more leisure to choose you company than I myself do! Tell me, have you been fortunate enough in your years to form friendships upon a similar ground? I often wish my own were less showy than they often seem to be.

Though it is not a desirable club in which to take membership, I do believe we adult orphans bear a unique maturity and sense of responsibility that can only truly be appreciated by those like us.

Sincerely,

R.

  

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —

Dear R

In that fact I am truly blessed, my time, for the most part is my own. My father left behind a prosperous business of which I take no part in its day to day management, leaving me to my own interests and pleasures – of which plants form a large portion. My green house and orangery form the principle centres of my days, there is little that compares to the sort of contemplative quiet that is found in an orangery.

For my part, I have been blessed with friends who may not be of a similar mind, but at least respect my inclinations even if they do not understand them, and will allow me to spend an evening in talk, rather than forced into dancing or other displays.

Although more friendships of a quieter nature are never to be spurned, and at the very least it appears as though we might make for a modest sort of friendship and if at an event in the future, you might call upon me to make for an ‘unshowy’ conversation if showy companions prove to be too much.

Regards
Miss R.

Aldous Crouch

  

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Lady is a wonder

10th March, 1890

To Miss Reputable,

Family concerns aside, it appears as though you have largely been blessed in life, for which I confess myself rather envious. You wrote me first that you felt it your responsibility to secure a suitable match for yourself in the absence of a paternal figure. I wonder, though—is it the desire for what is done or the desire for companionship that drives you?

Sincerely,

R.

  

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —

Dear R,
My family would want me to seek a companion in life.  I have the financial independence which might lead a woman in my position not to seek a life mate but I believe that the felicity of finding someone with whom I can share the intimacy of my life would bring me joy and I  believe  I could make someone else happy in turn. 

I am, as you rightly point out, blessed in many other areas of my life, save someone with whom to share my inner most thoughts.  I hope to be able to share every aspect of myself with another person, and be that person for another. 

What is your motivation for seeking to match your life with another's?

Sincerely
R

Aldous Crouch

  

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Lady is a wonder

25th March, 1890

To Miss Reputable,

I have twin motivations, if I am to be honest. The first and most prominent is the desire to provide sound footing so that my family's good name might continue into the new century—or even the new millennium—and persist after the years have left me no more than a memory. This is the motivation, I think, of all true gentlemen, for it is we alone who are granted this privilege, but also we alone who bear this burden.

My second is rather softer in nature, but I do desire a companion with which to share my life. As my siblings start their own families, I cannot help but feel their absence, though I remain in regular contact with them still. This motivation is one I often feel unable to share with them, for it is not my intention to cause them to feel anything like guilt.

Sincerely,

R.

  

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —

Dear R,
I understand, on both accounts, as an only daughter I remember my fathers disappointment in not having had a son of his own. The things that are a mans to teach to his children that, even though he loved me dearly, he could not have taught to me. It must be such a natural inclination for a man to want his name to carry on. The ancient greeks believed that once a man had both sons and grandsons he was truly immortal, so the feeling is one men have had since the beginning of time. And while I am sure the duties of uncle would be well filled by someone as considerate and contemplative as you seem the role of a parent is such a unique and special role. After all a child may have many uncles, or indeed aunts, but only one father and mother.

I would imagine that a man who has led his family through grief, and has been the families head for so long would be well practiced in the requirements of fatherhood. I would imagine that your siblings, even as they start their own families, will remember to whom they owe the stability and guidence that has allowed them to find their own happiness. Guiding others towards their happiness is a gift onto itself.
Kind Regards
Miss R.

Aldous Crouch

  

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Lady is a wonder

5th April, 1890

To Miss Reputable,

You are very kind to say so of one you know so little about. I must, however, have it noted that I think any man who begrudges a lack of male offspring to be misguided in his ambitions. The life of a daughter is different to that of a son, but not lesser.

Sincerely,

R.

  

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —

Dear R
I believe sir, if I am not too bold to say, that your letters have revealed rather a deal about your personality, and while I might not know you if I were to pass you in the street I think I have the measure of your personality at least. You ought to give yourself a deal more credit than you seem to. You strike me as someone who is, perhaps, a little too hard on themselves.

If all you have told me is true then you have a great deal to be proud of.
Kind Regards
Miss R.

Included is a small, formal looking boutonaire of
bluebell -humility and constancy
Mrytle - family, home and duty.
Fern - sincerity


Aldous Crouch

The following 1 user Likes Benevolence Crouch's post:1 user Likes Benevolence Crouch's post
   Aldous Crouch

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Lady is a wonder

12th April, 1890

To Miss Reputable,

I fear your conclusions might be more upon the mark than I am inclined to admit, and I find it rather remarkable that one who is, in essence, a stranger should have a better measure of me than those with whom I interact daily. You have, I think, a knack for understanding people that most individuals, regardless of their sex, could only wish for.

Sincerely,

R.

  

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— Aldous walks with a cane and pronounced limp as the result of a splinching accident. —

— graphics by lady ❤ —

Dear R.
You are kind to say, too generous perhaps but a lady is always pleased to be the subject of a compliment so I shall of course accept it.

You seem to have been very honest with me, and for that I thank you, it has been lovely to be able to be so honest with someone else in turn. You will forgive my saying sir, but you seem lonely and for that I am sorry, your letters have given me great pleasure in getting to know you. As to my knowing you, it is easier to wear your heart on your sleeve when you are not looking into someone eyes, and I should be pleased, in the very least, to be thought of as your friend

Sincerely
R.

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Aldous Crouch

  

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Lady is a wonder