• The Journal of a Young Girl


    September 15, 1888 London, England

    Today I began to work as a maid in the Duke’s household. I know people say my kind isn’t allowed to read and write. But being a young orphan on the streets of London, I was lucky enough to be found by a kind old gentleman. He taught me how to read and took care of me. Although some years later he died and left me to my own again.
    Let’s hope I can pull through with being a maid. I am now assigned to the Duke’s oldest son, Alex White.


    September 30, 1888

    I’ve been looking after the young master Alex for approximately fifteen days and I have seen many things that no lady my age should ever see. I am starting to reconsider my choice of being a maid. He calls on me day in and day out. He expects me to dress him. Feed him and wash him. I can’t take it anymore, he’s the same age as me and he acting like a three year old.

    October 4, 1888

    I have declined the offer to stay on board. My head has begun to pound and my eyes blur. Old thoughts keep appearing that I don’t remember. It is all confusing and I have developed a sleeping problem do to staying up late with the young master, says the Doctor. So I have prepared my pack and decide to find a new kind of work. Maybe I can work in a theatre as a dress maker.

    October 8, 1888 (Written on October 24)

    As I walked down the street I saw the Thames in the light of the midnight sun. Shadows in the darkness dance across the water. I look across and see a male shadow and I turn. There running behind me is Alex. I was in shock. I stumbled backwards and fell. Everything went black.

    October 24, 1888 Later

    As I regained consciousness, I was fully aware of someone sleeping beside me. As I shifted in the bed I found myself face to face with Alex! It confused me so I looked around at my surroundings. What I found was Alex’s grand chamber.

    October 25, 1888

    After I woke up the Duke found it necessary to call on the doctor. The doctor’s diagnosis is that I had lost all memory since I was six. I told him my memory was coming back in sleep. I told him of my mother and the discussion we had about the marriage between me and my best friend Alex. Our age was so alike we were like brother and sister, separated by one day.

    October 27, 1888

    I have been having a great recovery, I have discovered that my name is Denna Rothery twin sister Megan was told of rowdy followers who were looking to rebel against our family. My father worked for the Duke as an assistant and was his best friend. We ran out into the street. As we stumbled on the cobblestones, I slipped on the train of my night gown and fell to the ground. I went numb. My sister fell beside me and we were un- conscious. We were found several hours later. Still asleep. I have lost all memory up until this past two months.

    November 1, 1888

    I have asked about Megan, they tell me she was in the same condition as I was but is recovering well. Who would have thought that she was working as a maid in this house to. I can hear someone at my door. I must see to what they want.

    November 3, 1888

    This will have to be my last entry, due to lack of room on the pages. I now only have a little paper left so I will write small. I am due to be a married woman by the New Year. I shall be the happiest lady in London. My betrothed is Alex. I am happy and shall be till the day I leave this world. That shall still be long off. Sincerely, Denna Rothery