Dear Diary,Shocking news! Farmer Clamp's cock will rise no more. By the time I was aware I had overslept it was already lying limp. I did not hear the shot that killed it but Fanny did. Rumours abound as to who it was that fired the deadly shot but in truth no one really knows. It was indeed a rude awakening for Father's Willie. The poor little mite was trembling in Father's hands as he gently stroked its head, in his lap, at breakfast. Fanny and I spent much of the afternoon practising our waltzing in the dining room. The Parson called in this eve after visiting the Clamp's to offer his heartfelt condolences on their loss. He expressed his desire to meet Old Tom's successor and patted little Willie's head enthusiastically. I am not so easily fooled, well, not since Mrs Norris's recent contrivance and I believe the real reason for his visit was more of an inclination for getting his hands on Mrs Crutchlow's buns!
Dear Diary,As the mornings darken why is it that Farmer Clamp's cock rises earlier? Such an irritation that intrudes upon my slumber. I borrowed the stable lad, Ned, for part of the morning, once again, to help me pump the Pastor's organ whilst I played upon it. On the way home I encountered Miss Noring cantering upon a grey mare. I am not certain which shocked me more, the fact that she was wearing breeches or that she was riding astride rather than side-saddle as a lady should. This afternoon Father returned from Netherton with the pup which he has named Willie and brought news from Mr Ashforth. I am invited to Netherton to make acquaintance of his Goolies and he is to journey back to Thrushcock Grange with me. I shall go Saturday and return Sunday with my good friend. How I have missed him!
Dear Diary,I spent the morning in rustic pursuits. I used to do it with Fanny but now am more often forced to do it alone. Indeed Fanny was down at Cobbler's End helping her new close acquaintances trim their own bushes. Father, again, departed for Netherton to collect his new dog that has now been weaned. He carried with him my reply to Mr Ashforth entreating him to come.
Dear Diary,Two epistles of note today. The first bore the news that Mr Ashforth is still to come but that he has been detained. It seems that while dismounting in Netherton last week he was caught by the Goolies and they insisted that he partake of their hospitality as they are good friends of his Family. I have never heard of these Goolies but apparently they are people of no little fortune. So Mr Ashforth has been dragged away from me by the Goolies. I cannot wait for him to come. I long to hear his tales of Canada and how he ate beaver whilst there. The second epistle is good news indeed and bore news of one of Mr Pratt's balls. He is to hold one on December 7th and we are invited. What joy! Mrs Crutchlow is making what she calls 'bangers' for dinner. I must confess there is nothing I like more than a hot sausage inside me on a cold evening.
Dear Diary,It was a damp and miserable day but I desired solitude so dressed warmly and took myself down to the lake to fish. I had just got my tackle out and was fiddling with my rod when I was aware of eyes upon me. I turned and espied a beautiful vixen watching me from the path. Her sleek, amber coat was wet and shining and I noticed she was breathing heavily. For the briefest of moments we gazed into each others eyes and then she was gone. Almost immediately after, I heard the hounds approaching. Quickly, I removed my boots and filled them with water and proceeded to douse the path with water back and forth as far as I could in the little time I had before the hounds arrived. They were still swarming the path searching for the scent when the first horseman arrived. I feigned ignorance when he asked if I had seen anything of a fox. He remarked upon the stoutness of my rod and he was tempted to dismount and handle it for himself. I returned the favour by complimenting him on his lovely mount. He said he had also been lucky enough to ride her mother. At that moment the hounds, once more picked up the scent and took off. He bad farewell and continued after and was followed by several other riders on less attractive steeds. My appetite for fishing had gone and I restowed my tackle and returned home.I received the good tidings from the stable lad this eve that the hunt had returned without a kill. I could have embraced him heartily had he not been shovelling manure.
Dear Diary,The plot is revealed. When I heard the barouche draw up just before lunch I thought that Mr Ashforth had finally come, but no. The carriage brought Mrs Norris' niece, Miss Pott. I assumed that her visit was out of concern for her Aunt's health. I have been a fool. I should have realised when Miss Pott was seated beside me at lunch the manipulation that was afoot. It was not until I was requested to escort Miss Pott on a tour of the grounds , that I finally realised the extent of the plot. I am sure Fanny knew nought of what Mother and Mrs Norris had planned. I am convinced Mrs Norris is in good health and is only here to oversee the match making. Miss Pott is agreeable and without a doubt, also, a pawn in this game. I am aware that she holds me in a higher esteem than I at present feel for her but I enjoyed her company though forced as it was. We talked balls and I was astonished at her experience of balls for someone so young. When she departed I was happy only in that Mrs Norris departed with her and her smelly beast also. I have remained taciturn, this evening, despite enquiring looks from my Mother and retired fairly early to my chamber. I am sure I have not seen the last of Miss Honey Pott.
Dear Diary, Such a miserable day. Mrs Norris and her foul fiend were omnipresent. She seems to be in good health when sat chatting with Mother but strangely ails whenever I appear. Fanny went to call upon the ladies at Cobbler's End and I heard the scratching of Jane's quill coming from her room. Father asked if I wanted to go shoot pheasant but I suspect I would have been more a human gun dog than hunting companion. I feel in fairly low spirits this evening and have retired to bed early. I feel something is afoot. Let us see what tomorrow brings.
