Saturday Sept. 10th.

We did not get away from Hope End until nearly half past ten, which provoked me: but, oh shade of Marcus Antoninus, be it known to thee, that it did not put me out of humour. Henrietta was on the high horse literally; & Arabel & Bummy & I in the wheelbarrow, having a basket of sandwiches & puffs under our immediate chaperoneship— Sent the horses down to Barnets,—& walked along the right side terrace. As soon as we arrived at the spot above Mr. Boyd’s house, I & a little basket of grapes & geranium cuttings began our descent, by slipping. I got safely thro the first gate, when two little black & white dogs with open mouths, began to chase me,—& I, tho’ I had never seen Diana, fell into a fright. I trembled from head to foot, when I got into Mr. Boyd’s house. Was soon sent for by Mr. Boyd, who told me that he had fancied the probability of my arrival today. I always like to hear that.

I had scarcely begun to finish Γαια Φιλη[1] when Mr. Addison[2] arrived, & Miss Boyd, as a consequence, came into Mr. Boyd’s room. So then we were interrupted; & Mr. Boyd asked her to read the newspaper to him, during which time, I sate dumbie.

She need not have stayed so long in the room as she did; but that was not Mr. Boyd’s fault—nor mine. Finished the γαια Φιλη. Nothing said about my reading any more—which disappointed me!— Mrs. Boyd came in to the room to give the weather a good character, & to propose Mr. Boyd’s going out. I seconded her proposition. No!—he wd. not go out until after dinner. After dinner--before after dinner, a message came to me—“As soon as I had dined, Mr. Boyd wished me to go to his room”. Dined as soon as I could, à fortissimâ. Talked about the Romans,—& agreed about the close of the 5th. chapter seeming to lean to the general redemption doctrine—& agreed & disagreed on some other points. He asked me to read with attention the 17th of John, & the commentary of Chrysostom on some verses in Romans, & to beat Gregory’s cover a little, on the subject of election.

To be sincere with myself, today was not so pleasant & happy a day, as many, I have spent with Mr. Boyd. He does not--but I will not!-- I forgot to say that I observed to him—“So you were determined to be vindictive after all”— “What do you mean?” I soon told him what I meant—that I alluded to his reception of Arabel the other day!— She did not, when she came for me, go into his room,—for which she is not to blame, in my opinion. Mrs. Boyd & Miss Boyd walked up the hill with us, & accompanied us even to the Wyche. Got home at ten minutes past seven. I am tired, & not in very good spirits. I am very extravagant both in my expectations & feelings!--

1. The poem she began reading with H.S.B on 5 September.

2. Believed to be William Addison, surgeon, of Great Malvern, author of A Dissertation on the Nature and Properties of the Malvern Water (London, 1828).


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