It was fairly late when I awoke. To my annoyance, I found that my husband had eluded me yet again. He'd gone out riding with Mr Garth, ostensibly to inspect some portion of the estate, and wouldn't be back till much later. I was therefore left to employ my day in such unexceptional activities as writing letters, embroidery and painting. By late afternoon Hardley still hadn't returned, so I walked out with Louisa, who wished to inspect the succession houses. I soon grew bored of this however, and went for a little stroll on my own. And then wished I hadn't, for I was confronted in a very few minutes by a much dishevelled and out of breath Sally. 

 'I saw you from a window and ran all the way down,' she explained unnecessarily.

 'So I apprehended. But we can't ta...

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