10th January 1826

Papa has received a letter from the Navy Pay Office about his pension and been told to go to Somerset House on Friday. Mama asked rather pointedly if it was good news. Pa said he very much hoped that it might mean a little more money. Mama, in turn, said that she had hoped a lot of things when she swore her wedding vows; but that it was much more likely that he would be dismissed with empty promises and we should all be cast into the streets like a pack of unwanted puppies, and crushed beneath the wheels of an enormous waggon.

Papa said, ‘My dearest Betsy, fear not, something will turn up.’

Mama sighed and said, ‘Yes – the bailiffs.’

Still nothing from Forsythe. I do not care if his father is a Margrave or Mallard. I have now lost all respect for the nobility.