Tuesday, pebt'Uary 13th, 1894. 



KNOCK at bedroom door. Man enters to 

 say that breakfast is ready. Seems sur- 

 prised to find me in bed. He brought me 

 my hot water half-an-hour ago. I was then awake, 

 he says, and asked him the hour. I jump out of 

 bed. Make hasty toilet. Pity ! Sure to be a lot of 

 ladies at the " meet." No time for breakfast. Cram 

 some food into my pocket. Will eat it on the way 

 to covert. Can't. Horse too fresh. Try to think 

 a ride before breakfast very enjoyable. 



On the road nothing worthy of note occurs, except 

 that I have to dismount to take a stone out of 

 horse's foot, and in regaining his back, my breeches 

 give way at the hinder part of the thigh. Rent, 

 however, scarcely visible when I am in the saddle. 

 Meant to have sported leathers to-day, but in my 

 hurry caught up the cords, laid out in readiness for 

 wet weather. Marvelling much at such an over- 

 sight, I put my hand to my chin. I have not shaved. 

 And from the glimpse which I get of a broken and 

 wavy brim, I am convinced that it cannot belong to 

 the bran new hat, bought for this especial occasion. 

 Cannot venture to take hat off to determine the 



