28 June

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

18 June

Dear Ernest is very annoyed at all the evening parties I have gone to in his absence and has entirely *refused* to speak to me about his travels until I tell him absolutely *everything* that has happened. Of course, I have nothing at all to hide, so I will tell him nothing. I do like a bit of sulkiness in a man, but snits are another matter entirely.

Uncle Jack back this evening in a most agreeable mood! He promises to take me for a nice drive tomorrow unless the weather prevails.

13 June

Read a recent *Times* this afternoon after tea. Weather gloomy out, so I stayed in at doors. The main story was about the agricultural depression. I am not used to read about matters of money, but they seemed to be speaking of country matters. Apparently, there is *quite* a *crisis* in Agriculture with prices being too low and farmers and the families not being able to eat. How dreadful not to be able to eat! I am entirely devoted to eating. I must speak to Uncle Jack about adding the farmers as a new philanthropy.

31 May

Uncle Jack and I have been taking the most *lovely* long walks nearly every day, I *do* like walking. Oftentimes before I have walked alone in order to think about things (like what Ernest must look like or what clothes I should wear the next day) but it is quite pleasant to walk with dear Uncle Jack as well. We like to talk about the weather.

15 May

Tonight our household presents the Annual Charity Ball for the NAACP (the National Association for the Advancement of Charitable Persons), hosted by dear Uncle Jack and presided over by the Honourable Lord Alfred Douglas, Marquess of Queensberry. We will have roast squab and asparagus with new potatoes, preceded by a lobster bisque and followed by a hazelnut torte. I wonder if cook will put bacon on the asparagus like last time. She wrapped it round and secured it with a toothpick. I do so love bacon. I feel everything is better with bacon on it. After dinner, an auction and dancing, on the veranda if the weather is right. Full moon tonight.

12 April

We all (Uncle Jack, Miss Prism, Dr. Chasuble, Mudie and I) went for a long stroll in the park toady. The weather was charming until just before tea, but we made it indoors *just* in time! Then it cleared again in time for tea, which we took in the garden. Mudie has been quizzing me about all my activities—she wants to know all about what young girls do in the country. *I* want to know all about what young ladies do in the city!

7 April

Weather charming.
Less left of Mudie's novel than previously, but still an awful lot left. She comes soon!
Weather dreary.
No letter from Ernest today.
I had so hoped for one.
Perhaps tomorrow.
Weather charming.
Lessons out-of-doors.
Weather dreary.
Tea indoors.
Weather charming.
Weather dreary.
Weather charming.
Our weather is so changeable!

2 April

Confined indoors due to the beastly rain. I *must* devise a plan for escape to London and my dear Ernest. But of course I must not get wet, so I will not go today. Besides, Uncle Jack has returned and watches me very carefully. I am so afraid he may suspect. I certainly hope Ernest has not let any hints out!

New maid—Maxine. The first letter of her Christian name bodes not well.

I think Ernest must be a gambler. That would be very *reckless* and *dashing* of him!

29 March

Excessively long letter from Ernest today. He has written to tell me what form his pining for me took during every moment that we were apart. What a dear, sweet boy he is! How wonderfully thoughtful and kind! I will never hurt the poor dear boy again. How he has suffered for his silly little Cecily!

Weather no longer so charming.

28 March

Ernest and I have *so* much catching up to do, I despair of ever succeeding. We have lost so very much time in this past week. I have missed so much of his life—I just don't know whether we will *ever* catch up.

Geography today with Miss Prism. I wonder what her first name is. Francine has been dismissed after I told Uncle Jack that it was she who had upset me. Naturally, her sister went with her.

Charming weather.

24 March

Nasty rain all day. Uncle Jack in a terrible mood. Why is it that when I am feeling rather gloomy, I am made to go to my room, while Uncle Jack is allowed to run amok about the whole house? No one seems to care at all that my heart is broken over losing my poor, dear Ernest. When will I be allowed to mourn my great loss? I cannot properly grieve with all the *to do* in the place. It really is quite inconsiderate of Uncle Jack not to think of me at this time. He is not to be appeased. What an ogre he has become of late.

23 March

Consoled myself with a long walk today, back to the old barn where Peter and I were wont to meet in my younger, more innocent days. How tragic it is to be a formerly engaged girl. Still, I know I did the right thing. It is a far, far better thing I do than to allow my honor to be held up to question in any way. Still, aye me!

Weather really lovely today!

Later—two charmingly imploring letters from Ernest. But I must be firm in my decision.

22 March

Today I broke off my engagement with Ernest. I feel it is better to do so.

The weather still continues charming.

21 March

Entirely charming weather, but still I am quite troubled by the matter of the snake. I always feel that a really proper man must always be very naughty indeed but not actually *frightening*, and now I fear a poor girl cannot trust *any* man *at all*!

Francine no help at all. I believe the beastly girl enjoys upsetting me. I must return to my plan not to share *any* more confidences with her until she learns to converse properly and not upsettingly.

Did manage to sit up for some tea this afternoon.

20 March

Uncle Jack gone just for today and part of tomorrow. Weather entirely charming today, so we held lessons out-of-doors, and Dr. Chasuble came by to take Miss Prism for a walk to "keep fresh her complexion." Little Francine kept me company, and we were having such fun behaving like sisters until she told me in confidence to whom the snake belongs. She says it was *Peter*(!) and that all the Marys saw it too and that's why they are no longer here. What a wicked, wicked girl she is! I will nevermore believe her lies. I took to my bed at once.

19 March

My 18th birthday, and not yet married. This is a source of great sadness for me. I shall be obliged to speak to Ernest about setting a date *right away*. I must admit I had hoped he would have done so *for* my birthday, but the dear boy is so forgetful! He bought me the most beautiful little bangle with a true lover's knot. I have promised him always to wear it. I also received several new dresses, a small and very lady-like string of pearls, a little prayer book from Dr. Chasuble, A Young Lady's Book of Manners (1895 supplement) from Miss Prism and a *3-volume novel* from Mudie. Charming weather.

18 March

Terrible dream last night! I dreamt that Ernest took me to a masquerade. He was dressed as a Vampyre (!), and I was a Fairy Princess—with the most beautiful gossamer wings! I discovered that I could fly, quite cleverly, and then so could Ernest! So we flew over London and landed in a terribly dirty and smelly location, where Ernest cornered me entirely and pulled out from under his cape a snake, which bit me. I awoke feeling *most* weak and tingly. I fear I am in great danger. Weather still charming.

24 February

Miss Prism has decided that since I am to study with Dr. Chasuble every day, she will relocate *her* day lessons to the rectory for now.

Horrid Geography!

Horrid weather. We were entirely *sopping* by the time we arrived at the rectory, and after all, Dr. Chasuble was too busy with christenings (as usual) to give any lesson of any kind.

I know animals don't have souls, but I think they deserve to go to heaven anyway. I think it would be so cute to baptize the little lambs when they are born!

12 February

I have decided to allow Ernest to write to me. Oh, I do hate long-distance relationships—they are so very painful!

Weather charming.

9 February

It rained off and on this morning, and Uncle Jack is gone again, so I was trapped not only doing German lessons with Miss Prism, but indoors! It is always so much nicer in the garden, even in the cold early Spring—Dr. Chasuble often happens by. Indoors, only Merriman drops by, and then only to bring tea or letters, which in any case are always for my dear *absent*(!) guardian.

I asked Miss Prism what Mr. Worthing the wicked had done this time, but she was quite mum on the subject and forced me to decline irregular verbs for the remainder of the day. I was obliged to come up with his indiscretions on my own.