14 July

Uncle Jack still gone. I guess I know what that means. I must find a way out of this today. Must discover some fun. I have only just escaped from dear Miss Prism by telling Dr. Chasuble a little white lie. I informed him that Miss Prism had a slight headache and suggested a "stroll." He said he would "Hang upon her lips!" Then he called her *Egeria*! Said it was a reference to the *pagans*! I think he has been making love to her!

!!!!!! Ernest is here!!!!!!! At last! And he is exactly as I imagined him. He says I am the "visible personification of absolute perfection" and then he proposed! 3:00pm More later. No, now I am to be a married woman, I will put aside childish diaries once and for all.

(Ed's note: there follow no more entries, and documentary evidence has not been found to provide any further information on a Cecily Cardew, aged 18, from Hertfordshire.)

5 July

Uncle Jack has gone to London again as of yesterday. That is why I was obliged to suffer through German all day yesterday. Horrid German! Miss Prism is *quite* excited about our voyage to Germany this autumn. We will travel via steamer to Hamburg, and bu private train car from there. Miss Prism is most concerned that I should make a favorable impression on Germany. I am interested in making a favorable impression upon Ernest. I really must admit I am entirely fascinated by the idea of travelling on a steamer. Travelling by steamer is quite the thing.

4 July

Horrid German today. I asked Miss Prism why I can't learn a *nice* language, like maybe French for instance. Miss Prism says German is a respectable language. Miss Prism says French is indecent and indeed that the French natives are not only indecent but also uncharitable and it is because of them that we no longer own the colonies. I don't much mind people who are indecent, but I don't at *all* approve of people who are uncharitable. It is wrong, and besides, it gives us no excuse for a ball!

3 July

Horrid lessons of absolutely *all* kinds today. Miss Prism is *quite* a mood. Dr. Chasuble is quite overwhelmed with christening this week and so unable to take Miss Prism off my hands. Finally found time between tea and dinner to receive a letter from Ernest. He says he certainly *hopes* that I will refuse attentions from any boys besides him, as it is not proper to receive gifts from one to whom one is not engaged. I certainly will be obliged to firmly say, but sweetly, sorry.

1 July

Today I asked Miss Prism if she thinks I am pretty. Miss Prism said all good looks are a snare. Indeed, she *always* says good looks are a snare. I suppose that is why she doesn't much like dear Dr. Barnaby. I wonder if Ernest is good looking. I'll bet he has dark, curly hair like Uncle Jack's and a simply *devastating* scar across his left cheek.

Miss Prism has informed me that Uncle Jack was most taken with Ralph and has said he (Ralph, not Uncle Jack) would be quite a suitable match. Oh Bother!

29 June

Singing lessons have been suspecned for the time being. Miss Prism feels it is better that way, as it will allow me to debut at the beginning of next year's season with a full repertoire. Naturally, I am disappointed, but Ernest writes to say that he is very excited bu the news, as it will allow him to find a way to be present for my debut. Oh, my darling boy! How proud he will be of me. I am sure he will race across the room with flowers for me and cry "Brava!" (that's Italian) with all his darling heart.

28 June

Singing lessons all day. Miss Prism still cross. Weather charming!

27 June

Miss Prism in a sweeter mood today at breakfast after I asked her how she was feeling on this fine morning. We even went for a short stroll together to wish a fine morning to Dr. Chasuble. I even sang a matin to him, and he was quite entirely amazed. Speechless, even. After we left him, Miss Prism noted that my spirits have been high of late and said she is quite pleased that I have given up my entire *obsessions* with Ernest and with Peter. She says she felt quite sure I would never have thrown my life away on a male beauty in distress.

26 June

I am preparing to sing at the Arbuthnots' in a few days' time. Miss Prism feels that I should practice more at reading the notes and learning the words. On this point I really must disagree. Absolutely *anyone* may learn *notes*. *I* sing with great expression and style. As a result, Miss Prism and I have entered into quite a row—she refused to allow me a third piece of cake at tea. Really, I can't see what good *starving* me does! Miss Prism is *quite unreasonable*.

Dear Ernest writes to say that he simply cannot wait to hear me sing.

22 June

Tomorrow is Midsummer's Eve. I do hope I shall be able to attend the bonfire at night. Miss Prism does not approve of bonfires.

Lessons on all fronts today and my great disappointment is the Miss Prism feels I am not quite ready to sing in public as of yet. I had *so* hoped to sing for the Marquess' evening party! But I concealed my annoyance masterfully. That is good practice for evening parties.

Ernest writes to me that he will dream of me on Midsummer's Eve.

14 June

My dear dear darling guardian has consented to found a farmers' fund in *my name*! I am not interested in philanthropic work myself, but I do like having my name on things, especially things concerned with eating.

Lessons not *so* very bad today. Miss Prism *quite* relaxed today, and let the conversation slip to my long-lost Ernest, who has not written to me in so long that I despair he has been killed or kidnapped. When I asked Miss Prism about kidnappings, though, she became *quite agitated* and said she needed to pray. Poor Miss Prism must be worried about dear Ernest too.

12 June

Uncle Jack quite often seems a little bored when he is with me and Miss Prism. I wonder what he is thinking about. He is fine when he is just with me.

Lovely tea today with more rose petal sandwiches. I am *devoted* to rose petal sandwiches.

11 June

Today, dear Miss Prism has taken me to sing for Dr. Chasuble. After I practiced my scales and my two pieces, Miss Prism stayed on to play the rector's piano forte a bit longer, and I went for a stroll in the garden and watered the roses until Moulton came along and took the watering can away from me. Really, if he does not want anyone watering the garden, I can't understand *why* he leaves the watering can out so very often. Miss Prism says it is because he is a bit senile. Miss Prism loves Italian.

8 June

Lovely day, and I distracted Miss Prism from these entirely *incessant* lessons by taking her from a walk through the garden and as far as the schools. On the way back, we ventured into the rectory for a short prayer (that Ernest shall return safe and soon) and a chat with *dear* Dr. Chasuble, who kept Miss Prism after. Rest of day alone. Uncle Jack spending an *excessive* amount of time in his library. He is becoming entirely *hermitish*! But tomorrow we will get him out at last. Tomorrow Uncle Jack and I travel to the Arbuthnots' for the week-end. *Two* evening parties! I hope Rupert will be there.

7 June

Lessons all day, including singing. I don't understand a word of what I am saying, but Miss Prism assures me it is of no great importance. Miss Prism says most people don't ever know what they are saying, even in their own language. Indeed, she said it is never a good idea to know *quite* what one is saying in a foreign tongue.

5 June

My dear guardian has decreed that I will begin singing lessons with Miss Prism, who is most excited indeed about the prospect of introducing me to "the fine art of musical composition." As a result, I am obliged to practice upon the piano forte so that I might accompany myself at evening parties.

No response from Ernest.

2 June

Today, Miss Prism and I took a day trip to Queensberry, wher ewe had tea with Old Lady Arbuthnot and her dauther Veruca. I am afraid I did not care for Veruca so much after all—I thought her a bit too *forward*, but I did find her brother Rupert *quite* amenable indeed. He rushed in from fox hunting halfway through tea, *quite* flushed and with his hair all a-muss. I felt my heart go pit-a-pat. And I will see him again, for I am invited to an evening party at their home next week. I think I would like to hunt for foxes! I love fox-fur stoles!

1 June

Uncle Jack, Miss Prism and I took tea to the near hill and had a lovely day, except that Uncle Jack seemed rather bored. Dear Uncle Jack never gossips. I think it would do him so much good to gossip sometimes.

28 May

Quite possibly the most boring day ever. Miss Prism entirely *missing* today, and Uncle Jack entirely confining himself to the library all day again. Merriman *hovering* everywhere I went. Nothing to do outside. Dr. Chasuble engrossed in christenings. Finally went and sat by Uncle Jack in the library. Excessively boring.

P.S. It's spelled "celibate"—and it means a person who is not married and has no relations. I am a celibate.

27 May

Miss Prism absolutely refused to speak about Ernest today. In fact, she called him "unspeakable." She is unhappy today, and Dr. Chasuble is away, so I asked her if she is in love with Dr. Chasuble. She said *certainly not*, he is a celebate! and then spoke *most ferociously* on the impudence of the natives (in India) and then ended lessons early. I wonder what has got her so *nervous*?