April 2, 1895
Dear Diary,
I have a secret that I shall never breathe to a single soul! Today was so exciting that I shall endeavour to do it justice. I actually have two secrets, both of which I shall put down in writing and only hope that by some twist of fate this is a magical diary so if anyone finds it and tries to read my secrets they will only encounter a blank page because my words will have mysteriously disappeared. Perhaps this is too much to wish for but a girl can dream, can’t she? Anyways I am distracting myself again, an odious habit as mother reminds me almost daily.
My first secret is that once in a very great while I try my luck to sneak out of the house. I have actually only done this a few times so I suppose I am not so very wicked but it is the most riveting thing. I have not done so in some time but the thoughts and questions to know more about why Uncle Edward sailed to China and to find out everything there is to know about the world my cousin is coming from became too much for me and I had to find out more.
So today while mother was resting and Miss Bolton was visiting her aunt I slipped out to go to the London library in St. James Square. When I slip away, it’s usually to this grand place full of books on so many different topics I could get lost for hours except that I always have to try to be back before Mother and Miss Bolton finish their activities and notice I’m missing. Oh my dear Diary, this is when my next secret and greatest moment of my life began!
When I reached St. James Square I was about to enter the library when suddenly something caught my notice. Across the square there was a carriage, it was just an ordinary carriage mind you but the thing that made me gasp was the sight of my Uncle Edward going up the stairs of the bank! I knew he was the one from a portrait mother kept of him on her dressing table that she always looked at and sighed and shook her head as if her twin brother (did I mention that before? I feel that I have not) was the biggest disappointment to her in the world, however I always saw a look of affection hover in her eyes. Anyways, I felt so sure that my cousin from China must be inside waiting for him so I rushed as close as I dared because I dared not be seen by him or their driver, who was not paying attention anyways. Hiding behind another carriage that was empty, I got a rash idea, and I grabbed a handful of gravel and tossed it towards the window of my Uncle’s carriage and then held my breath hoping that whoever was inside would look out and I could catch a glimpse. I felt like I just had to see this cousin for myself.
I hadn’t been able to get any information about her from mother and father and I was hoping against hope she would be my age. I desperately want a bosom friend! I was disappointed at first because no face came to the window and I began to doubt if someone was actually inside. I thought perhaps my uncle had left my cousin somewhere and gone to the bank alone, but unwilling to give up hope, I tossed another stone towards the window and kept peeping out from my hiding place behind the carriage. I nearly fainted from excitement when I saw a face appear at the carriage window and then the door opened and out came a furious looking girl, however, dear diary, in spite of the angry flush on her cheeks she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen! Her dark hair and eyes were in stark contrast to my own fair hair and blue eyes and she wore a trim traveling gown of Prussian Blue. She marched across to where I was hiding and demanded what I was doing. For a moment, I was speechless, which would have surprised mother who says I can never be quiet when she wishes, and then I flung my arms around the startled girl and said quite excitedly, with no thought that I might send her into a fit of hysterics, and said, “My dear! I am so glad you have finally arrived! I have waited for this moment for months!” I fear I startled her too greatly since I never even considered she probably knew nothing about me or even that I existed for she gave a gasp and grew rigid.
However at my invitation, we linked hands and ran into the library where we could talk without being seen by Uncle Edward and having my “wicked wanderings” (as I was sure mother would call them) discovered and reported to my parents. Her name is Maud! And she is nothing like I envisioned a heathen to be! In fact I think mother was simply ridiculous to even imagine such a thing! I do believe I act more the heathen than my sweet cousin ever could.
I wished I could ask her a million questions right then and there but I shook myself back to reality and whispered urgently, “Maud, you and I are going to be the best of friends, I can feel it! They are horridly stuffy and strict of course, but I do believe we will have the most exciting time. Just don’t let mother get to you, she does say the most odious things sometimes. She even said you were a heathen, which is utter rot if you ask me, but if you are I shan’t mind a bit for that would be so diverting! Anyways don’t mind her even one bit!” Then I told her I had to go because I realised it was getting late and Miss Bolton would be coming to find me soon to sit and work on my needlepoint. I kissed her on both cheeks and rushed away.
I’m sure I was still fairly glowing with excitement and when I had snuck back inside, and thrown my hat in my room, I rushed downstairs to father’s library in search of a fountain pen to write everything down, and nearly collided with him when I entered in my haste. He caught me laughing and said, “My dear Irene, I do think your cheeks are the same color as your gown” (which was rose colored of course, my favorite color) “Are you quite alright!” I hurried to tell him I was fine, only I wanted to finish my lessons before Miss Bolton returned, requested a pen of him and sat down to write this entry.
I must go now as Miss Bolton sent our maid Cynthia to fetch me but I shall write again soon!
Farewell, glorious day!
