18 January

No chance at all to speak to Peter today. We had excessively boring neighbors (!) over. It was the most absolutely tedious affair. But Uncle Jack did say it was terribly necessary for me to learn the finer points of the social graces. It is true that I don't often engage with society, but after all, I am sure that the Hertfordshire set is *hardly* of the same calibre as proper London society. I shall certainly be obliged to speak to Uncle Jack about introducing me properly. This is of course so that I may be able to make friends on my own after Peter and I have eloped.