After the Mansion House Ball. Carrie offended. Gowing also
offended. A pleasant party at the Cummings'. Mr. Franching, of
Peckham, visits us.


May 8.--I woke up with a most terrible head-ache. I could scarcely
see, and the back of my neck was as if I had given it a crick. I
thought first of sending for a doctor; but I did not think it
necessary. When up, I felt faint, and went to Brownish's, the
chemist, who gave me a draught. So bad at the office, had to get
leave to come home. Went to another chemist in the City, and I got
a draught. Brownish's dose seems to have made me worse; have eaten
nothing all day. To make matters worse, Carrie, every time I spoke
to her, answered me sharply--that is, when she answered at all.

In the evening I felt very much worse again and said to her: "I do
believe I've been poisoned by the lobster mayonnaise at the Mansion
House last night;" she simply replied, without taking her eyes from
her sewing: "Champagne never did agree with you." I felt
irritated, and said: "What nonsense you talk; I only had a glass
and a half, and you know as well as I do--" Before I could
complete the sentence she bounced out of the room. I sat over an
hour waiting for her to return; but as she did not, I determined I
would go to bed. I discovered Carrie had gone to bed without even
saying "good-night"; leaving me to bar the scullery door and feed
the cat. I shall certainly speak to her about this in the morning.

May 9.--Still a little shaky, with black specks. The Blackfriars
Bi-weekly News contains a long list of the guests at the Mansion