August 28, 1822

Today was my first, and last riding lesson.

At first everything was going well. My new horse, Buttercup, was sweet. She liked the treat I got her, and got along well with our hound Betsy; until Betsy started barking at something in the woods, and startled her. She began to neigh, and stood up on her hind legs, causing me to fall.

I hit my head. And after that everything went black. The last thing I remember seeing is two red dots staring back at me. I woke up not even an hour later but Marnie was livid. Once Marnie stopped wailing she made me promise not to get on a horse again. And vowed to replace my riding lessons with something less dangerous.

The doctor said that there wasn't any serious damage to my head, but my foot was sprained, and I won't be able to walk on it for a week or two.

Some good did come out of this though. We’re all going out to the country estate in a few days, while I recover, even father got some time off of work to come.

Dissipate everything that happened, I hope that we don't get rid of Buttercup. I know that Marnie will strongly advocate for selling her, hopefully I can convince mother to go against this.

No matter what happens, at least I’ll still have Betsy.

- Cybelle