August 1901,
My, poor, poor, Rebecca. Several times I have had to rescue her from George Roth, and his long winded stories. Time and time again I look around whatever room we all find ourselves in, and there is he and Rebecca in a corner, she pretending to listen intently, he rambling on with some piece for nonsense. I helped make excuses for Rebecca which she, of course, politely refused. But, after the appropriate amount of time, she leaves with me anyway. She is simply too sweet to tell him to his face what a bore he is. During our walks, I try my best to give her advice on how to politely turn him away. She always scolds me, playfully telling me he is not as bad as I make him out to be. She also accuses me of being the same as him! She says I talk of my cases with Holmes just as much, if not more, than George talks of his travels. While I do not believe her to be one to make up false claims, I do not see how I monopolize conversations the way George does. After all, I am asked about Holmes. No one has to ask George to regal us with his many tales of heroic feats in strange lands. He is more than happy to talk regardless of his audience. He talks because he is enamored with the sound of his own voice.
The mention of Holmes burdens my heart. He has not attempted any communication with me since I have been away, nor I with him. I do admit to missing his wit and general company. It is however, easier without him near. Around him I become transfixed, my brain rattled, and my senses lost. Away from him, my thoughts have cleared and are now full of nothing more than Rebecca. To this end I am planning to destroy the early parts of this diary tonight. I do not wish to simply tear up the pages, and risk their being found. Instead, I have located the main furnace and shall go there to destroy the evidence while everyone else has gone for their constitutional after supper. When the deed has been done, and everyone has returned, I shall propose to Rebecca in front of the Ellington's and George Roth. I wish the Ellington's to bear witness to the happiness they have brought me. For George Roth, I can only hope that this will be the definitive answer to where Rebecca's heart truly lays.