Matilde
| Matilde Flat | |
| Relatives | Archibald Flat (brother) |
|---|---|
| Monikers | Cousin Matilde |
| Residence | Bournemouth |
| Introduced | Emma: Vol. 1, 6 March 1883 |
| First Mentioned | Emma: Vol. 1, 5 March 1883 |
“Fortunate? Three years as a companion to Cousin Matilde? Fortune could not in all good conscience be called upon. ”
—Emma M. Lion on Matilde Flat[1]
Matilde or Cousin Matilde is the sister of Archibald Flat. For three years before moving to London, Emma M. Lion worked as her companion.[1]
History[edit]
Marriage[edit]
At the time that Matilde's brother, Archibald Flat, was permitted to stay at Lapis Lazuli House after the death of his wife, Matilde expressed the desire to come and live with him. Archibald refused to allow her, thus she was forced to marry a man she disliked.[2]
Emma M. Lion as Companion[edit]
At some point in 1880—after finishing school at Fortitude Preparatory School for Girls, Emma M. Lion was employed by Matilde to serve as her companion. It was agreed between Archibald, Matilde, and her that Emma would forgo drawing on her salary, and instead allow it to accumulate in the bank into a "Tidy Sum." This was to allow her some security for when she turns twenty-one and moves permanently back to London as the inheritor of Lapis Lazuli.[1]
The Great Burning of 1882[edit]
As Emma was under Matilde's employ, it was Matilde's responsibility to provide Emma's clothing. Matilde believed that "an insufficiently funded young woman" should not have any color in her wardrobe, and elected to provide Emma clothing that was either black or brown. When Emma received her wardrobe, one brown coat had a lining with a slight floral pattern. Upon seeing the floral pattern, Matilde commented that she thought it immoral for a poor girl to have flowers on her coat. Emma intentionally and jokingly mishears Matilde as saying "immortal". When Matilde chides her, Emma responded in a mocking imitation of Matilde's tone. Soon after the exchange, Matilde sent Emma to the butchers. When Emma returned, she found Matilde in the middle of the process of burning every journal, letter, and word Emma had ever written. It was an action that Emma compares to the burning of the Library of Alexandria.[3]
After Emma's Departure[edit]
About a month after Emma's permanent departure for London, Matilde wrote to Archibald accusing Emma of stealing her best silver. She wrote that until the silver was returned, she would not pay Emma's three-year owed salary for serving as her companion.[4] After Archibald's treachery surrounding Emma's inheritance is revealed, Archibald agrees to write Matilde and demand Emma's salary whether or not the silver is returned.[5] However, he eventually decides to visit Matilde and settle the matter in person.[6]
Relationships[edit]
Family[edit]
Archibald Flat[edit]
While Archibald refused to allow Matilde to come live with him after the death of his wife,[2] they maintained a relationship through visits and correspondence.[7][6]
Others[edit]
Emma M. Lion[edit]
Emma and Matilde's relationship is based entirely on necessity, as Emma needed to make a living between the time she left school and the time she would receive her inheritance at twenty-one.[1] After "The Great Burning of 1882", Emma swore that she would never return to Matilde's home after she was released from her employment.[3]
Notes[edit]