A Moment of Comedy

There were a lot of romantic goings-on at Place Vendôme. As noted previously, de Boyve was an enthusiastic matchmaker, and as will be discussed later, her housekeeper was said to procure less formal arrangements for the male guests.

De Boyve set out to encourage a match between Lister and Mr. Franks, by including them both in group outings that were carefully paired to thrust them together. Lister appears to have been oblivious to the matchmaking for a long time. In her letters, she mentions Franks only briefly on first acquaintance, and they never engaged in formal visits. She saw Franks as useful for masculine information, such as a recommendation for a tailor, but there is never any of the socializing that she engages in with women.

Franks upped his game by inviting Lister to visit him in Ireland. Initially she expressed interest, turning the subject to her brother who had died in Ireland. But when Franks then turned the discussion to marriage, Lister’s response made it clear that she would never consider that position and the invitation was dropped. They had no further contact after leaving Paris.