In Homer's epic the Odyssey, Calypso intended to grant Odysseus immortality so he would remain on her island forever.
Yet Odysseus still intended to return home to see his wife, whom he could foresee would be old and faded by then. She had waited for him for twenty years.
Many people had gathered in the sitting room, both young women and people like Maria Edgeworth, who was already in her thirties and considered an old maid in this era.
Maria Edgeworth was eagerly discussing a topic with another somewhat older woman. When they saw Georgiana approach, they both stopped talking and bowed to her.
"Good morning, ladies." Georgiana walked over.
"Good morning," Maria and the old maid replied together.
"What were you discussing?"
"This is Miss Elizabeth Lamont. We were discussing her newly published book," Maria introduced.
"What book is so interesting that you have both neglected breakfast?" Georgiana asked.
Madame de Vaudey had tables covered in white cloth set out, with sandwiches, coffee, and other buffet dishes upon them. Guests could chat while drinking coffee.
Lamont glanced at Edgeworth. After a brief hesitation, the latter said, "It is a collection of dialogues, between an Ionian hat merchant and a gentleman."
"Oh, what did they discuss?" she asked casually, assuming they had been discussing fashionable matters concerning hats.
"The Enclosure Movement, madam. But they live in the sixteenth century, during Queen Elizabeth I's reign. What purpose do you think she had in encouraging the Enclosure Movement?" Edgeworth said.
Georgiana was too stunned to speak.
"The farmers believed that flocks of sheep were the source of every evil, because their increase surpassed that of all grains, driving agriculture out of the countryside. The gentry became pasture owners, the income from land increased, and rents rose. Farmers had to pay more to