After a morning of listening to my ladies chattering aimlessly, even foolishly, about the various men at court, I feel even more miserable than I did upon waking up this morning. Someone, I think it was Ann as I scarcely remember any conversations in detail, mentioned the king. She described his manners and deportment as excellent and was about to become lyrical about his looks when I silenced her swiftly with the threat of dismissing her from my household if she persisted. That silenced her completely and she uttered not one syllable more all morning. Most of the others were quiet, too, after that and when I announced that I was feeling low in mood and their inane chatter was pulling me down further, silence ensued. I like silence these days; it is less hard to bear than conversation. My
