I may yet be discover'd taking fences

'Tis most extreme delightfull to return to Northamptonshire where I may spend a se’ennight or so remote from politicks or matters within Society and among my circle that I must attend to. There will be a little company – Belinda says sure they owe their neighbours a dinner and 'twill be a treat for 'em are you there.

'Tis very civil of you to say so, my dear; and I daresay you would desire me to be about reading 'em some Shakspeare?

Why, 'twas very much appreciat’d when you did so –

Sure I am pleas’d to hear that, for I fear’d that most were for a jig, or a tale of bawdry, or he sleeps.

Belinda laughs. No, indeed, they will go say they have heard that Lady B-'s readings are esteem’d in quite the highest Society, but she will show most condescending in other company and do entirely the like, does not show herself haughty at all. But, my dear, I will not go on and tell you what they say of your charms - that will be the fellows – or your exceeding fine dress – the ladies, over their tea-cups – for I daresay you will go accuse me of flattery.

I apprehend that I am a raree-show for the locality!

'Tis so, I confide.

And how does Josh? – for I arriv’d late enough of the e’en that he was already abed.

O, very well indeed! I confide that his health improves considerable day by day. Rides extreme well upon Boots – I am like to think we may come to seeing how he takes his fences before long – is most extreme conscientious about feeding the pigeons - will romp with the dogs – sit with the stable-cat, that can be a wild vicious creature, purring upon his knee, never offering to scratch – is most apt at picking up what I show him of horse-doctoring – is quite in love with the little badger -

That sounds like Josh! says I.

- and will tells us about wombatts, and the wild beasts he saw in the menageries in Town, very amiable.

He is most greatly fond of animals.

And treats 'em most exceeding gentle.

Comes in Captain P- and greets me very civil, hopes I have been able to be of some assistance to the bereav'd. I sigh and say mayhap time will moderate their sorrow, but indeed 'tis a hard thing – firstborn child, a promising fine infant – I have got them out of Town and among friends, but 'tis little enough. Sure I should like to go shake Mr de C-'s family, that cast him off for marrying Phoebe.

They both consider this shocking.

But on another matter, says I, to take our minds away from such distressing things, I would seek your advice about the hunting box on my Shropshire property. 'Tis no fine mansion, but 'tis in repair. Is a most excellent agent oversees the place, inspects to ascertain are any works requir’d, has a thoro’ spring-cleaning undertaken each year. So 'tis entire habitable. I am like to suppose that there are those might like to take a lease of the place.

Some fine hunting in those parts, says Captain P-, also I daresay good shooting. Sure there are fellows might take a fancy to reside there. Indeed there are those might wish a retreat from society...

Indeed it seems a remote place, tho' I daresay there is some county society, that I did not go into, for I only made a flying visit that was to do with my mine.

Captain P- looks thoughtfull, and says he will mention it around.

I express myself exceeding gratefull, adding that as I anticipate having to make some lay-out upon a new steam-pump at the mine, I should perchance need a little extra income.

Belinda laughs considerable, and says it still seems to her most amuzing that dear C- becomes an industrialist.

Sure, says I, I confide I could go describe to you the operation of a steam-pump, for 'twas most detail'd recount'd to me by Mr D-, that is Mr F-'s partner and a most remarkable engineer.

Belinda continues mirthfull and says sure 'tis one way to obtain a lady's interest.

She then says, turning to Captain P-, do you not think that C- would look extreme well upon Blackthorn? I confide she could quite handle him.

O, says I, indeed dear Jezebel makes me appear a far better horsewoman than in truth I am.

Why, says Captain P-, I quite confide that you disparage your capacities. Sure I should like to see you upon Blackthorn.

Well, says I, I will be persuad’d in the matter, do the both of you confide I shall not go break my neck.

They both laugh and say that sure I am a better equestrienne than I give out. I say, perchance, and would they care for me to read 'em a little Shakspeare?

Next morn Sophy brings my chocolate and remarks upon what a fine day 'tis. I groan, for did it rain I might have some excuse not to go ride upon Blackthorn.

Comes in Josh and greets me with great warmth and comes sit upon the bed to tell me all that has been toward with him since I left and to look with interest upon the chocolate.

O, he cries, is this not quite the primest place?

I look at him fondly and say I hope he does not over-do.

Oh no, he says, I still take a little rest in the afternoons, but indeed I feel a deal better.

Sure he looks a deal better, and is quite certain a deal livelier.

He recounts to me what an excellent fine pony is Boots, and how he comes on riding with Aunty Belinda’s instruction. Is she not the most bang-up lady? She rides even better than His Lordship! Why are ladies not allow’d to be jockeys?

I confide, says I, that even if they were, your Aunty Belinda would be a little too large, for you must have notic’d that jockeys must be very small and light: that is why Ajax no longer pursues that line of work, he grew too heavy.

Josh looks sad at this thought. Indeed she is a fine tall lady, he says at length. But sure many ladies are smaller, I do not see why were they as fine horsewomen they should not be jockeys.

'Tis one of those many matters that are suppos’d fit only for the masculine sex, says I: I daresay did you require to understand the philosophickal arguments concerning it, you might ask Mr MacD- to explain them to you.

Josh remarks that 'tis exceeding silly, 'tis like the fellows at school who say girls cannot play cricket: he dares says they would think a deal different did they have Bess or Meg bowl at 'em, they cannot have sisters do they suppose that.

Have some chocolate, says I, I see that you eye it longingly.

O, thank you, Aunty C-! Sure this is excellent good chocolate.

Indeed, says I, Sophy has quite got the knack of it. And now, my dear, do you run along and go feed the pigeons have you not done so, and I will see you shortly for a ride.

Josh says that he has already fed the pigeons, but he goes write a letter to Mama and Papa, because there is a deal to tell them that would be too much for a pigeon to carry.

Let me know when you require to send it, says I – tho’ perchance your Papa already provid’d you with a few frankt covers?

Josh nods and says sure, he did. And he is mind’d to write to Bellairs just so that he can send it frankt by Papa.

I tousle his hair and he goes.

Sure this morning I have less appetite than usual for my breakfast, tho’ there are fine fresh eggs that have been laid less than a day ago, perchance even this morn. I am somewhat frett’d by this proposition that I should ride Blackthorn, that is a handsome creature that I have seen in the paddock, but a deal taller than my lovely Jezzie and I confide also a deal less sweet-natur’d.

But I go have Sophy array me in my riding-habit, which she remarks greatly becomes me, and take myself into the stableyard.

Ajax has Blackthorn ready for me to mount – Josh and Belinda are already mount’d and Josh looks eager to be away.

A little spirit’d, says Ajax in undertones, but entirely no temper or malice, Your Ladyship.

Thank you, Ajax, says I, as I find myself higher above the ground than I am us’d, and Blackthorn not so quiet under me as dear Jezebel, but shows eager to be off.

We move off, and I do not fall, which gives me somewhat of encouragement, tho’ I am oblig’d to be quite attentive to Blackthorn, that even at a walk seems somewhat impatient.

Belinda turns to Josh and says, show your Aunty C- how well you are managing at a trot - Josh urges Boots forward and indeed, he shows very well indeed, but that I cannot give him the attention I should like, for I must accustom myself to a gait that is not quite that of sweet Jezzie, or that placid to sluggishness creature Trantum that I rode at Lord P-’s.

But as we move out into open country I find myself becoming exhilarat’d. O, I think, I quite entire see why they should desire this for me, 'tis really extreme agreeable. Sure my lovely Jezzie is entirely the best girl for riding in the Park, where there is a deal of distraction and dogs &C, that I confide would be like to cause Blackthorn to bolt, but for a ride in this circumstance, o, excellent fine.

I smile at Belinda, that draws up alongside me upon Messalina and say that she was quite entire right. She laughs. Why, she says, at this rate we shall have you taking fences and following hounds.