Every candle which was to be burned that night (including the tallow candle,which she said was a good enough bed-light for Fitzroy)she stuck into the candlesticks with her own hands,giving her own high-shouldered plated candlesticks of the year 1798the place of honor.She upset all poor Rosa's floral arrangements,turning the nosegays from one vase into the other without any pity,and was never tired of beating,and pushing,and patting,and WHAPPING the curtain and sofa draperies into shape in the little drawing-room.
In Fitz's own apartments she revelled with peculiar pleasure.It has been described how she had sacked his study and pushed away his papers,some of which,including three cigars,and the commencement of an article for the Law Magazine,"Lives of the Sheriffs'
Officers,"he has never been able to find to this day.Mamma now went into the little room in the back regions,which is Fitz's dressing-room,(and was destined to be a cloak-room,)and here she rummaged to her heart's delight.
In an incredibly short space of time she examined all his outlying pockets,drawers,and letters;she inspected his socks and handkerchiefs in the top drawers;and on the dressing-table,his razors,shaving-strop,and hair-oil.She carried off his silver-topped scent-bottle out of his dressing-case,and a half-dozen of his favorite pills (which Fitz possesses in common with every well-regulated man),and probably administered them to her own family.