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No. 1 · Hearts · Boston, 1888 · Door locked

The Lamplight Society

A Victorian parlour game about not wanting things — every heart you take is a point against you.

Read the filesThe house book
The files · six on record, one open

Who’s at the table

Six regulars in a gaslit Beacon Hill parlour. One of the surnames you may already know from New York.

  1. File HEA-01

    Mrs. Honora Ashby

    The Hostess

    Founder
    Age
    52
    From
    Beacon Hill
    Occupation
    Widow. Keeps the society’s book
    The club says

    Nobody has ever seen her lose her temper, or her place in the ledger.

    “We don’t discuss money at this table, Julian. We simply write it down.”

  2. File HEA-02

    Julian Ashby

    The Brother-in-Law

    Member
    Age
    34
    From
    Beacon Hill
    Occupation
    None to speak of
    The club says

    Charming, idle, and living on an allowance his sister-in-law sets each quarter.

    “I never take the Queen. She generally takes me.”

    Also on file · family · Stage Nine →
  3. File HEA-03

    Prof. Silas Whitcombe

    The Electrician

    Guest
    Age
    47
    From
    Cambridge
    Occupation
    Lecturer in electrical science
    The club says

    Tells anyone who will listen that gaslight is finished. Says it loudest in the Ashby parlour.

    “Enjoy the lamps, Mrs. Ashby. They won’t be here long.”

  4. File HEA-04

    Miss Cora Lindqvist

    The Typewriter

    Guest
    Age
    24
    From
    Gothenburg
    Occupation
    Typist, a law office on State Street
    The club says

    Types everyone’s letters. Swears she doesn’t read them.

    “I only type them, Professor. I don’t read them. Much.”

  5. File HEA-05

    Mr. Quan Shing

    The Merchant

    Member
    Age
    41
    From
    Canton; Harrison Avenue
    Occupation
    Tea importer
    The club says

    One of the few men the law of 1882 still lets come and go. He comes and goes with great care.

    “In my experience, Professor, everything is here for a short while.”

    Also on file · family · The Blue Lantern →
  6. File HEA-06

    Dr. Ezra Pell

    The Physician

    Member
    Age
    60
    From
    Salem
    Occupation
    Physician to half of Beacon Hill
    The club says

    Attended the late Mr. Ashby, and plays every Thursday opposite his widow.

    “Nothing to worry about. Nothing at all. Your lead, Mrs. Ashby.”

  7. File HEA-??

    The empty chair

    Name on the file

    Applicant
    Age
    —
    From
    you tell us
    Occupation
    you tell us
    The club says

    Mrs. Ashby has not been introduced. Mrs. Ashby would like to be.

    Nothing yet. Give it a week.

The house book

Where hearts came from

A Victorian parlour game about not wanting things — every heart you take is a point against you.

At the table
Four players, no partners. Dodge the hearts, and dodge the Queen of Spades harder.
Our room
Gaslight, flocked wallpaper and a Beacon Hill parlour where everyone is polite about the scores.
Seats
4 players · every seat for itself
  1. c. 1750Reversis is the rage in Spain — a game won by taking as little as possible, and the likely ancestor of Hearts.
  2. 1880sHearts turns up in America. The 1887 Standard Hoyle says it has only been played “for the last five years” and is probably German.
  3. 1909Black Lady adds the Queen of Spades as a penalty card and the pass before play — and quietly becomes the Hearts everyone knows.
  4. 1990sWindows ships it from 3.1 to Windows 7. Strictly speaking, what millions played at the office was Black Lady.

The clubs and their members are fictional; the games’ histories are not.