'Bout to Leave

Friday, 14 September 1810

‘Twas a second time I performed in a theatre, but ‘twas a first in Italy. Gilbert recently turned two-and-forty and wanted the play to be perfect.

He seems pleasant and gay within my performance, as he hosted a ball for English and Venetian society. He gave me a handful of syllabubs. Alas, a splendid dessert! We’d be leaving Venice to-morrow, but it will be few weeks arriving thither.

Returned to Astley

Monday, 24 September 1810

We returned to England, yet Elinor and Oliver stopped by in Ufton—‘twas ne’er a good-by. We’re headed to Astley instead of Penworth. Gilbert refused to answer and remained cold-hearted whilst holding my hand.

Pamela welcomed me upon my arrival, yet Gilbert interrupted her by shoving her from me. He yelled to her that she and Augustus shall be leaving Astley by Friday. 

He seems too cruel since I feared of being punished. He attempted to poison Elinor despite we weren’t courting. He treatment towards his daughter was ne’er vague to imagine. If I were Pamela, it wouldth been much worse. 

I wrote a letter to Mother upon hearing Gilbert’s treatment of Pamela and Augustus leaving. Gilbert already noticed the letter. He yelled at me as I called him out of his treatment of his daughter. He gave me an excuse of her illegitimacy, and he dothn’t want people to know much of her.

He’th threatened me if I told Mother about Pamela, I would cause further scandal. 

The Diary

Tuesday, 25 September 1810

I’th borrow Peggy’s diary from Pamela. She agreed upon reading it, yet she told me ne’er show it to Gilbert. I had to finish reading Peggy's diary before ‘twas too late as Pamela stopped staying in Astley. 

I read the diary dated from 1792 when Peggy was nineteen, accompanied by her brother Angus during his stay in Venice, possibly during her or brother’s grand tour. She received letters from her dear older sister Mary occasionally, telling Peggy about her children, Agnes and Nicholas. I have noticed that both of her siblings’ names were familiar—one of them was my uncle’s, and the other was Mother’s. They called her Agnes.

Alas, Margaret Lennox was Aunt Agnes! I was horrified, ‘Twas just—I had ne’er left words for this. Mother was right, I must stay away from him. 

I must ask Pamela if I should keep the diary before fleeing from Astley, but I should return ‘fore the day. Gilbert caught me escaping till he stopped.

I fled to the moors 'till I could reach Kirksborough, Grandpapa’s estate. Grandparents are present, so as Uncle Angus. I have told him about Aunt Agnes. 

I was fortunate to write letters to Mother about poor Pamela’s condition. I told her she must take care of her as she did to me and Agnes. Thankfully, he allows me to stay till Mother arrives.

Uncle Angus heard my conversation with Grandpapa about Aunt Agnes. From Uncle’s account, he caught Gilbert being affectionate towards Aunt Agnes. She and Gilbert disappeared, yet Aunt Agnes changed her name to Margaret Lennox and married her against her will.

The Cemetery

Wednesday, 26 September 1810

Mother was horrified of her son being sickly. I am not stricken with sickness, but she frets I discovered upon a horrid discovery. We must go to the cemetery, looking for Aunt Agnes’ grave before heading to Astley.

I saw Pamela visiting the grave of her mother. I saw Aunt Agnes looking at us. Grandfather was in sorrow, after of searching for his dear lost daughter.

Mother was asking if she was Pamela—Pamela replied with agreement.

We returned to Astley, and I was vexed—Mother ordered me and Grandpapa not to enter. I heard my mother arguing with Gilbert, mostly about me and Aunt Agnes—I heard insults from Mother. I secretly disobeyed her by entering Astley for not leaving Hamlet without me. 

Mother returned to the carriage, whilst Augustus came along by sitting beside our coachman, Mr Percival Fletcher. We returned home, yet Pamela dothn’t seem glad as she missed Astley, an old home. 

Dear Sister Pamela

Friday, 29 September 1810

Three days after bringing Pamela to Penworth, Mother sent letters to Father, asking if she wanted Pamela as her daughter. I was lucky enough I had another sister in the household, but Alec wasn’t amused of it. 

Mother hired Ms Grover, a governess who took such care of my older sister Agnes. She dothn’t seem cruel one. She enjoyed listening to Pamela’s blabbering of King Arthur and works from Dark Age. 

She handed out Aunt Agnes’ diary to dear Mother as a gratitude for raising her as my sister. Mother sobbed upon reading her dear sister’s diary.

Miscellaneous artwork:

Margaret Lennox on the Oak Bed, by Sir Lawrence Campbell, 1805 (private)

Fact about this painting: This portrait of Lennox was privately commissioned by his friend Gilbert O'Vile. It was one of the unfinished paintings of Sir Lawrence Campbell, and the last piece he painted of Lennox as his muse.