Monday Oct 24.
Bro, dear Bro, is gone to some place near Overbury, to the Miss Martins I think, to shoot with Mr. Martin.[1] He does not come back to us until tomorrow night or the next day morning. I hope that he may miss us, less than we must miss him. Bummy has sent Gent to Ledbury. So I shall have my letter!— What kind of letter is it likely to be?—
My squirrel was found this morning, asleep under the cushion of my chair. Suppose I had sate down upon him!— He is growing more & more civilized, & has eaten out of my hand several times. I told Annie that she might have him, if she liked it. Now that he has become so tame, I hope she wont like it.
Gent has returned from Ledbury: & no letter for me!— What can be the meaning of that?
Miss Boyd & Annie have arrived!— Perhaps Annie will propose staying. What shall I do?--
She has proposed it—she is going to stay. I drew Bummy into my room & told her how it was; & she was not argumentative about it. Henrietta was quite angry!!. I cannot help it. Annie has brought a letter for me from Mr. Boyd—beginning “dearest Porsonia”—
Miss Boyd & I walked round the park, & into the garden, until I, for one, was completely tired—& into every corner of the house besides. She took off her gloves, that she might feel with her hands, my staff of Marathon. I liked her all the better for that bubbling up of enthusiasm— After she had tired me, she said that my recompense should be in the manner of a Troubadour; & she let me lead her into the library where she told me a story yclepped “The mountain & the lovers,” from the lais of Marie.[2] Her voice & manner are unpleasing & ungraceful: but her language is so accurate & ready, that anyone with his eyes shut, wd. suspect a book of being before her. She dined with us at two; & went away at five. Annie, I am to take to Ruby Cottage tomorrow morning. Hurrah!--
Guitar playing & book binding in the evening; the whole to conclude by Arabel & Annie sleeping together in the Turkish room.
1. James Martin had three unmarried sisters living near Overbury Court, his father’s home, about 15 miles east of Hope End.
2. Marie de France, 13th century Anglo-Norman poetess. This particular Lay, entitled “Les Deux Amants,” appeared in an English translation by Mary Mathilda Betham, The Lay of Marie (London, 1816).