1st February

Dear Cecelia,

This morning I was struck by a marvellous idea whilst perusing the literature in my cabin. One of the brochures is dedicated to onboard activities and makes mention of a well-stocked library which is sure to satisfy even the most discerning bibliophile among us. I do so enjoy reading and there is nothing quite like the smell of old books, except perhaps the smell of new books!

I knocked on the door of Jack’s cabin along the way to invite him along. Quite why I bothered to ask.. of all the.. uncivil.. I had obviously roused him from his bed and judging by his air of incivility, he is not much of a morning person. He answered the door dressed only from the waist down, yawned, scratched his stomach as he stretched and said that if I wanted to lose my pretty little head behind a stack of dusty ancient tomes, then I was welcome to do so but to leave him well out of it. He promptly closed the door. I almost knocked again, but then, I’m ashamed to say, reacted instead by actually flouncing away in a bit of a huff. Well then, I shall take back every word I ever uttered in his favour.

Oh my, Cissy, this library is vast. It is decorated rather tastefully, rich and earthy colours with gold trim and there is a persian rug on the floor which is similar to the one Father has in his study at home.The shelves are of a burnished mahogany and thus far, every book title that I have been able to summons from the recesses of my mind is right here in this room. The lofty stacks require me to stand on the ladder if I am to come close to reaching the topmost shelves. The books which most interest me are those which discuss elements of Lemurian history, or more specifically, the possible location and significance of the Living Tree. By jove, sis, I think I have a plentiful supply of books which will see me through a month of Sundays. I have retired to the more comfortable of the two claret brocade armchairs with my heavy stack of leatherbound reference material and will begin reading shortly. I imagine that my reading will devour the better part of my day.

I shall take tea in the library if I am to take it at all.

Elizabeth.

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Good gracious, sis, I appear to have stumbled upon the key at last! Jolly good show. I thought I might be her until dusk, but already I am making headway. The first of my book selection was not altogether unpleasant to read, with its lively descriptions of life in Lemuria, but proved to contain very little of note which pertained to the Tree. By the third book I was beginning to suspect that I was heading down the wrong track with this line of reasoning and was becoming rather bored with the whole affair. After a spot of tea, I had perked up enough to tackle the fourth book, a slim, handbound object of the softest camel-coloured leather. The pages, a velvety parchment.

There are many strange markings tooled along the spine and the very front cover is embossed with the sigil identical to the one in my meditation. The pages contain much that is written in a language unfamiliar to me, though it does not appear to be ancient. I will need to study the journal at length in order to be able to decipher its contents.

On my exit from the library, I approached the librarian. An elderly, beak-nosed woman, reminiscent of a small wren, chirpy and lively, she greeted me in such a friendly manner that I did warm to her immediately. I passed my find across the counter to her and stated that I would like to borrow the book for a while.
‘Oh no, my love, we do not lend such books to our passengers.’
‘But you are a library, are you not?’
‘Yes, dear, but for me to lend you a book would suggest that you are planning to return it at some point.’
‘I will return it! I’m an honest sort.’
‘Yes, dearie, I can see that you are. This book, however, is to be given. It is yours to keep.’
‘Oh.. well, I am most grateful, dear lady.’

So, I am the owner of this compact journal of secrets. I am impatient to know what lies within.  There is much studying to be done, Cissy, but first I must eat. I am simply ravenous, and the che’s specials in the dining room are delights to be savoured indeed!

Elizabeth.