4 September.-They have made a good job of the chandeliers for the hall and great saloon. Gerald says they can have the tapestries from the Blue Room-they will look well on the upper landing, I think-have sent them to be overhauled and cleaned, which they badly need. (Peter would say, so do my pronouns, but I know quite well what I mean. Ahasuerus sick in Franklin’s bedroom-funny how fond he is of her, seeing she doesn’t really like cats.
7 September.-Peter wires he will be back next week. Harriet insisted on taking me out to dinner and standing me champagne. Said, hilariously, her last opportunity, as Peter doesn’t care for champagne. Condoled with her on loss of freedom in brief and witty speech (brief for me, anyway). Should like to see Helen taking me out to dinner and listening to a speech.
14 September.-Peter came back. He dined somewhere with Harriet and then came round to see me-alone, so nice of them, because of course I had said, bring her too. P looks thin and tired, but I think that must be Mussolini, the weather or something, because he obviously has no doubts about anything (except the League, naturally)-and it struck me so much that he sat absolutely quiet for near two hours without fidgeting or saying very much, so unusual because as a rule peas on a hot shovel are nothing to it. Very sweet about what I had done as regards the house. Will leave it to me to engage staff, as Harriet not experienced. They will need about eight servants, besides Bunter and the housekeeper, so I shall have a nice busy time.
15 September.-Harriet came round this morning to show me her ring-big solitaire ruby-old Abrahams had it cut and set specially to instructions. Poor H. laughed at herself because when Peter gave it to her yesterday she was looking at him and ten minutes afterwards, when challenged, couldn’t even tell him the colour of the stone. Said she was afraid she never would learn to behave like other people, but Peter had only said it was the first time his features had ever been prized above rubies. Peter joined us at lunch-also Helen, who demanded to see the ring, and said sharply, ‘Good Heavens! I hope it’s insured.’ To do her justice, I can’t see that she could have found anything nastier to say if she’d thought it out with both hands for a fortnight. She then went on to say she supposed they intended to get married quietly before the Registrar, but Peter said, No, he would as soon be married in a railway-station waiting-room, and that if Helen had developed religious scruples she need not lend her countenance to the proceedings. So Helen said, ‘Oh, I see-St George’s, Hanover Square, I suppose’-and went on to arrange everything for them, including the date, the parson, the guests and the music. When she got to ‘The Voice that Breathed o’er Eden,’ Peter said, ‘Oh, for God’s sake, cut out the League of Nations!’ and he and Harriet began to invent rude rhymes, which left Helen rather out of it, as she never was good at drawing-room games.
16 September.-Helen obligingly presented us with a copy of the new form of marriage service, with all the vulgar bits left out-which was asking for trouble. Peter very funny about it-said he knew all about the ‘procreation of children’, in theory though not in practice, but that the ‘increase of mankind’ by any other method sounded too advanced for him, and that, if he ever did indulge in such dangerous amusements, he would, with his wife’s permission, stick to the old-fashioned procedure. He also said that, as for the ‘gift of continence’, he wouldn’t have it as a gift, and had no objection to admitting as much. At this point, Helen got up and left the house, leaving P. and Harriet to wrangle over the word ‘obey’. P. said he would consider it a breach of manners to give orders to his wife, but H. said. Oh, no-he’d give orders fast enough if the place was on fire or a tree falling down and he wanted her to stand clear. P. said, in that case they ought both to say ‘obey’, but it would be too much jam for the reporters. Left them to fight it out. When I came back, found Peter had consented to be obeyed on condition he might ‘endow’ and not ‘share’ his worldly goods. Shocking victory of sentiment over principle.
18 September.-Must really say ‘Damn!’ Disgusting newspapers have raked up all that old story about Harriet and Philip Boyes. Peter furious. Harriet says, ‘Only to be expected.’ Was horribly afraid she might offer to release P. from engagement, but she controlled herself nobly-expect she realises it would nearly kill him to go through that again. Think it is probably fault of that Sylvester-Quicke woman who tried so hard to get hold of Peter-have always suspected her of writing gossip-column for Sunday papers. Helen (coming down strong, but heavy-footed, on family side) determined that best plan is to have colossal Society wedding and face it out. Has decided, for reasons best known to herself, 16th October most suitable date. Kindly undertaken choice of bridesmaids-our own friends, as H.’s friends ‘obviously impossible’-and offered loan of house for reception-also ten villas belonging to impoverished nobility for honeymoon. Peter, losing patience, said, ‘Who’s getting married, Helen? You or we?’ Gerald tried to take Head of Family line-well snubbed all round. Helen again gave her views, and ended by saying, ‘Then I take it the 16th is settled.’ Peter said, ‘Take what you like.’ Helen said she would take her departure till he chose to realise she was only doing her best for them-and Gerald looked so imploring that Peter apologised for incivility.
20 September.-Agent reports price for Talboys settled. Many alterations and repairs needed, but fabric sound. Agreement to purchase with immediate possession-present owner to be left there till after honeymoon, when Peter will go down and see what they want done and send the workmen in.
25 September.-Situation, what with Helen and newspapers, becoming impossible. Peter upset at idea of St George’s and general hullaballoo. Harriet suffering from return of inferiority complex which she tries hard not to show. Have held up all invitations.
27 September.-Peter came to me and said that if this went on they would both be driven mad. He and H. have decided to do the whole thing quietly, without telling anybody except their own personal friends. Small wedding at Oxford, reception here, honeymoon in some peaceful spot in the country. I have readily agreed to help them.
30 September.-They have fixed up with Noakes to have honeymoon at Talboys, nobody to know anything about it. Apparently N. can clear out at short notice and lend all furniture, &c. I asked, ‘What about DRAINS?’ Peter said, Damn drains-no drains (to speak of) at the Hall when he was a boy (well I remember it!). Wedding (Archbp’s licence) on the 8th October and let Helen think what she likes till last moment-also newspapers. Harriet very much relieved. Peter adds, anyway, honeymoon in hotels disgusting-own roof (especially if Elizabethan) much more suited to English gentleman. Fierce bustle about wedding-dress-Worth’s-period gown in stiff gold brocade, long sleeves, square neck, off-the-face head-dress, no jewels except my long earrings that belonged to great-aunt Delagardie. (N.B. Publisher must have come well up to scratch on new book.) H. to be married from her College (rather nice, I think) tremendous wirings and swearings to secrecy. Bunter to go ahead and see that all is in order at Talboys.
2 October.-We have had to cancel Bunter. He is being dogged by pressmen. Found one forcing his way into Peter’s flat via service lift. B. narrowly escaped summons for assault. P. said, better take Talboys (including drains) on trust. Payment completed, and Noakes says he will have everything ready-quite accustomed to letting house for summer holidays, so it should be all right… Helen agitated because no invitations yet sent out for 16th. Told her I believed 16th not yet officially settled. Helen asked, Why the delay? Had Peter got cold feet, or was that girl playing him up again?… I suggested, wedding their own affair, both being well over age… They are taking no servants but Bunter, who is a host in himself, and can do all they want with local help. I fancy Harriet rather shrinks from starting off at once with a strange staff, and Peter wants to spare her. And Town maids are always a perfect nuisance in the country. If Harriet can once establish herself with Bunter she will have no further trouble with domestics!