31 January

I think I will make Francine my new ladies' maid. She is a most sensible girl and very gay and amusing. Her sister Maggie is, sadly, a bit plain of speech but also thoroughly sensible. More sensible, in fact, than Francine. Francine has been consoling me very sweetly. I am afraid I could not help but turn pale at the mention of P's name, and she ran to get me a sip of water immediately and then later brought me a darling bouquet of meadow flowers. What a sweet and loyal child! Peter nowhere to be found. Men are *so* cowardly!