Saturday, 10 June—Return of an Old Friend

My love and friendships mayhaps be faded or inseparable. I have been with Daniel since we entered Trinity as we were close as lovers. It has been years since I departed from Benjamin Hawkins, a friend from Eton and a grandson of the Marquis of Stratsberry. I saw Benjamin as my older brother since I never had older brothers as I only have older cousins who are all ladies. I only have Alexander as my brother yet three years younger than me. Benjamin has been sending letters after we separated since he stayed in Woolwich upon preparation for joining the military. From the letters he sent me, he announced his courtship with Lady Désirée de Guerre, second youngest daughter of the Marquis de Guerre, who is a fellow friend of my family. Her father is a French aristocrat who earned his title of Marquis during his exile from a revolution. Her mother was a lady-in-waiting of the poor late Queen of France—Marie Antoinette. Her father was a former companion of the King of France who was executed by the revolutionaries. Alas, he was a great lad until he was exiled in England as his family were unable to return to France until the dreaded war shall be gone. 

Monday, 12 June—Invitation to the Ball 

A year passed after my father earned the title Earl of St Ives as the title of Viscount Mousehole is passed to the eldest surviving son of the earl. Father has not returned hither as a year passed after earning these honourable titles. He went against the Emperor of the French, and the King of Spain. Alas, An invitation has been received! The ball was hosted by the Marquis of Stratsberry. He invited me, Mother, and Uncle Charles to a ball in Manchester. The ball shall start by Saturday evening, yet I was gay upon to see my dear friend Benjamin and his grandfather again.

Sunday, 18 June—A Ball in Manchester 

I was accompanied by Uncle Charles and Mother to the ball yesterday evening. I have met other people who claimed to have connections with Father or Uncle Charles. The Marquis and Marquise de Guerre were present whilst their daughter Lady Désirée was ne’er been seen from the ball. The Marquis and Marquise shown gratitude since she has been staying at Woodside; she rejected invitations to cotillion balls unless ‘twas hosted by her dear Mother and Father. I approached Benjamin as he introduced Miss Elinor O’Vile, the eldest daughter of Sir Seamus O’Vile, Bt.; and also a dear friend of Lady Désirée de Guerre. The name of O’Vile was familiar as it was the surname of Mr Gilbert O’Vile, a renowned dramatist known for his plays of  Pluto and Proserpine: A Romance. I was keen upon dancing with her at the ball as I offered her a dance which she accepted. So I danced with her once; and she called me to visit Ufton on Wednesday.

Wednesday, 21 June—A Long Stay to Ufton 

Elinor introduced me to her father as a new friend; for she has left to seek her cousin Oliver and Isobel, her pug. Oliver was left by his father, to be raised by his uncle, aunt, and his cousins. Sir Seamus never wanted me to question the young lad’s father and mother. It seems his father left for war; or perhaps he might be deceased, along with his poor wife; or mayhaps ‘tis possible that his father was quite busy with his work. I left Elinor from the drawing room as I was touring Ufton with her father as he guided me to the other rooms and the garden. I quite enjoyed the plain old shrubbery of the garden; yet Sir Seamus told me to come inside to stay hither for a fortnight before I return to Cambridge.

Wednesday, 28 June—Elinor’s Poor Peculiar Uncle

‘Twas a week after Sir Seamus offered me to stay hither. Elinor and I strolled on the gardens in Ufton as I met a familiar man. He was an actor and dramatist of a play I saw in Bath. As a young lad, I wanted to go to the theatre in Bath with Uncle Charles to see his plays; but Mother forbade me to see his plays in the theatres as she wanted me to stay in Penworth with my tutor, Mr Raymonds. As she forbade me to go, I was ne’er sure what the reason was. I have written a short poem for actor:

A stroll to the garden Led me to a queer fellow. A poor dramatist was in burden, For I had to follow.

I never knew that handsome fop had a close relation with Elinor. Mr Gilbert O’Vile is a renowned writer, dramatist, actor and theatre manager; yet not much renowned as Charles Dibdins. I never saw his plays since I only read his books when I was in Eton and Trinity, until I saw him acting in one of his melancholic plays. Elinor introduced him as their uncle which made me question for a well renowned man, known for his plays. His manners complimented as he described me, ‘You were quite handsome as a courtesan, my lord. You’ve reminded me of her.’ as he vaguely reminds me of her, possibly referring to his dearly departed wife and renowned actress, Margaret Lennox.

Thursday, 29 June—A Giddy Invitation

Gilbert left a short letter a day after he stayed hither for a day. Elinor told me he headed to a manor in Barkham or Astley Manor, a manor once owned by the late Baronet until her uncle returned to England with his departed wife. Once I opened a short letter, I would have thought of an invitation to a ball or a news; but rather, an invitation for a dinner, in private!

Lord Mousehole, 

You must see me in Astley by fortnight, specifically, to arrive at twilight. Ne’er tell this to your mother nor anyone within society since this dinner is just between me and you. This is a private invitation to a dinner as a congratulation as my niece’s friend or suitor if I were not mistaken. 

Best regards, &c.