The Secret Chronicles of Henry Dashwood, Vol. 2

I hauled myself out of my seat and strode briskly out of the library to take up Charles' invitation to join him for coffee in the common room. Wasting no time, I plumped myself into an armchair next to him and said: 'There's only one question I want to ask you, old chap. Do we go to Devon on Friday or shall we wait until the following week end?' Morley Hall, South Devon, October 25th, 1901 (Before Dinner) From the date above this entry, diary, you will note that Charles and I wasted no time in hastening down to assist Cassandra and Fanny rid themselves of their unwanted suitors. Even if it had meant cutting a lecture or two, we would still have booked tickets on the fast London train. However, Dr Barnes was slightly indisposed and cancelled his Friday seminar. If we return by Monday evening, all we will miss will be an economics lecture and Joshua has promised to supply us with his notes so we will not fall behind in our studies. The only disappointment is that Charles and I have both had to drop out of the college football team's game against Oriel, but unless I am much mistaken, Charles and I may well find ourselves involved in physical sport of another kind tomorrow night. We're in fine fettle for any such engagement for Charles and I left Oxford at eight o'clock this morning and we arrived here by tea-time. What a difference the railway has made to travel.

Journeys which took my parents several days can now be accomplished in a matter of hours, and I am convinced that once perfected, the internal combustion engine will herald a similar revolution in this new century. On the other hand, we'll need to build many more roads to accommodate the growing numbers of motor vehicles and it will be a great shame if we sacrifice the beauty of the countryside. I grant that scientific progress should not be impaired, and there is no doubt that fellows like Julian Clayton derive great fun from driving their motor cars at tremendous speeds of up to forty miles an hour on the better roads. Yet how much more pleasant it is to relax in the luxury of an express train where one can stretch the legs, read a book or simply stare out of the window and then stroll slowly down to the refreshment car for a snack or slap-up meal. Certainly, this is how I enjoyed the journey. A footman met us in a dog-cart to convey Charles and myself on the last mile and three quarters to Morley Hall on the outskirts of the tiny village of Alston. Cassandra was waiting for us at the entrance to the imposing old mansion and I was immediately struck by the striking beauty of this shapely girl.

Charles had told me that his cousin was stunningly pretty and he had not exaggerated by a whit, for Cassandra is blessed with a finely formed face framed by a mass of shiny brown hair which falls in ringlets upon her shoulders. Her eyes are also a deep shade of brown and her clear complexion shows off her aquiline nose and full, sensuous lips. She was wearing a tightly fitting white blouse which accentuated her high, thrusting breasts and I had to tear my eyes away from her heaving bosoms as she ran forward to greet us.

'Charlie, how lovely to see you,' she cried as she threw her arms around him and gave him a huge welcoming hug before she turned to me and held out her hand. 'And you must be Henry Dashwood, I've heard so much about you from Charlie that I feel like I'm meeting an old acquaintance.' 'You're very kind, Miss Morley,' I replied as I shook her hand but she immediately said: 'Do call me Cassie, Henry, all my friends do and you will be my friend, won't you?' 'Oh yes, I would be honoured to be counted in that company,' I exclaimed and the lovely girl escorted us into the house whilst the footman took down our cases from the dog-cart. 'Polgrave, put Charles's case in the blue guest room and Henry's in the bedroom next to it,' Cassie instructed the footman as we followed her into the drawing room where a maid was standing behind two polished cake-stands, waiting to serve tea. Then she turned to us and added: 'Papa has had to go up to London on business and won't be back until tomorrow afternoon, but Mama will be here shortly. This summer she has been attending an art class in Brixham and hopes to bring back her latest picture with her when she returns in about half an hour.' As it happened, Mrs.