& found to our horror only Captain Vernon - none of the others having been heard of. Blanch can not imagine the cause of Alexander’s defection - Captain V. is an old bachelor: seems goodhearted & is said to be able to dance. Fred looked so particularly well & in good spirits. He was so kind as to ask me to ride with him the next day which I should very much have liked but the horse I was to have has not been ridden by a Lady & Marianne did not wish me to, altho Fred says it is extremely quiet however. Today Friday is so drizzling   From the book:The Habit and the Horse, 1860