Jump to new as of September 16, 1999
Entry 1 Posted on Wednesday, 4 August 1999
Monday
May 7th, 18--
Markham Abbey
Riteton, –––––– shire, England
Oh, but I do hate writing in diaries! It has always seemed so very silly. But I now must speak of all these happenings to someone, and not another person cares! Susan (The Nurse) has little George and Jamie to watch, and Mama has poor Papa to worry over. Aunt Frances is away to Bath and the Lewises quitted Morton Grange Monday last. I am quite at a loss without my dearest Anne. Mr. Lewis did not think of their coming again, although I will try most earnestly to persuade him to let Anne come to stay this Autumn. She has sent three letters to me since their quitting Morton, and I to her I have sent four. Dear Anne! How I miss her. Oh, but it is nearing three and then I must stop and go help Susan with the boys. (Jamie is but three and George but five.)
Now what shall I write of? Of the tenets at Morton? Of Jamie's tumble down the stairs yestereve? (Causing no harm to himself but giving Papa and Mama a dreadful fright.) Shall I write of Susan's plans to marry Will, the son of Sir Huntly's Groundsman? (Sir Huntly lives at Watt Park but three or four miles from here.) Or, shall I tell of Charles Huntly's plans to marry me? Insufferable man! He asked Papa Thursday last. I do not at all wish to marry him, though. He is so proud and treats his servants ill, so the Groundman's son said. I do not think, no, I know I shall not accept him. I shall no more think of him.
Morton Grange–the scene of so many dear hours spent with Anne–is let by a family of two daughters, two sons and their mother. The eldest is a girl, twenty-six and very sickly looking. Next is a young man, twenty-two and very well looking, indeed. Then comes the other boy, twenty and rather plain and fat. Last is a sweet girl, seventeen. I hope to make her acquaintance soon. How do I know all this? They called upon Mama en masse yesterday while I was writing a letter to Anne. Susan was there with the boys and so told me all. And the Jamie fell while Mama was talking to them. She almost fainted. Papa–who is still not well from his fever–felt very weak, and George, the little villain, laughed. I saw our neighbors as they were leaving so know Susan's descriptions to be correct. I must go!
Augusta Jane Markham
PS. Is that how one closes a diary entry? I'm sure I don't know how to. It shall have to do.
Entry Two
Thursday, May 10th, 18--
Markham Abbey
Riteton, –––––shire
England
I have met the tenets of Morton Grange at last! Mama wanted me to buy some purple ribbon in Riteton for her bonnet. (She did not think poor Susan could chuse the right color.) I did so want to meet our neighbors, so took the way past Morton. As I passed the entry, out came the two Misses Hart and their eldest brother. We exchanged greetings, soft, kind ones on the part of Miss Catherine, the youngest; cooler ones from the eldest, Miss Isabelle Hart and jovial ones from their brother, Mr. John. Miss Catherine asked if I was walking towards Riteton and when I replied in the affirmative we set off together. A rather merry party we made, excepting Miss Hart, who sniffed at our laughter.
We parted at Riteton, I entering Weslye's Shoppe and they walking on through the village. After buying Mama's three yards of ribbon, I went home hoping to meet with the Harts again. But in this I was disappointed and upon going up the walk I heard Mama's voice coming from an upstairs window. In that she sounded upset I could have no doubt. Susan, who seldom raised her voice, could also be heard talking loudly. I went up stairs to find them all in the hall. Mama was in great distress, Jamie howling, Susan frowning and George running about madly. I could not discover the cause of it from either Mama or Susan, and so went in search of Papa, who, I found, had hid in the north sitting room. Upon finding him and asking the source of the chaos above, he shook his head, smiled and bid me sit.
He told me that one of Mama's close friends, when she was a child in Hertfordshire, was named Jane Bennet and after Grandfather moved from Hertfordshire, they lost contact with each other. Mama had found Jane, now Mrs. Charles Bingley, and invited her and her husband to visit. Just after I had left for Riteton, a post arrived to inform Mama that Mr. and Mrs. Bingley would be here tomorrow afternoon from their home at Rowanwood Park, Lancashire. I do love it so when visitors come! Mrs. Bingley sounds quite kind and sweet, from what information Mama gave me this evening. George is quite happy, as the Bingleys have a small boy, whom I think is named Darcy. (What a strange name! Probably a family one, though. I cannot think Mrs. Bingley would name her child such if it was not!) It is quite late now, and Susan wishes to go to bed. (She does not like to until I have.)
Augusta Jane Markham