Memoirs of Miss Sidney Biddulph: Extracted from her own Journal, and now first publishedSheridan, Frances Chamberlaine
General
Memoirs of Miss Sidney Biddulph: Extracted from her own Journal, and now first published
Sheridan, Frances Chamberlaine
English fiction -- 18th century
When we had done breakfast, I told Mrs Gerrarde, that as I feared she
was a good deal fatigued, if it was agreeable to her, we would remain
where we were for that day; and that I would by all means have her think
of taking some rest. She said she was extremely tired, and should like
to get a little sleep. I think, madam, you had better go to bed, said
Mrs Lamb; I have a very quiet chamber ready, where no noise in the house
can disturb you. Shew me to it, answered Mrs Gerrarde, with a tone of
weariness and ill-humour. The woman obeyed; I followed: she carried her
to the door of the room where the maid was, and throwing it open, Mrs
Gerrarde, who supposed she was attending her, went in: I stepped in
after her; Mrs Lamb withdrew.
Mrs Gerrarde's astonishment at the sight of her maid, is past
description. Rachael! in a tone of admiration. Rachael, who did not
think there was any thing unexpected or extraordinary in their meeting,
quite at a loss to guess at what her mistress wondered, answered her in
her turn with some surprize. Madam! and waited, expecting she would give
her some orders; which finding the lady did not, the maid asked her,
very composedly, Would she please to undress? I hope, Madam, said I,
stepping forward, that Mrs Rachael has taken care to bring you every
thing you may have occasion for; I shall leave you in her hands, and
wish you a good repose. Strange, astonishing creature! said Mrs
Gerrarde, looking at me with less anger than surprize. I bowed, and left
the room.
I ordered Mrs Lamb to have an eye to my prisoners; and heartily tired as
I was, between dancing and travelling, I undressed and threw myself into
bed. I slept till six o'clock in the evening; then rose, and put myself
into a habit fitter for my journey than that in which I came; and which
I had sent in a post-trunk before me, by the messenger whom I had
employed to apprize Lamb of my coming.
Mrs Gerrarde was not yet stirring. I called for Rachael, and asked her
how she had come off with her lady, upon telling her the manner of her
falling into my snare. Rachael told me her lady wondered mightily at my
art, and said I was the _strangest gentleman_ that ever was born. My
friend Rachael softened the expression I fancy; I am sure Mrs Gerrarde
did not call me a strange _gentleman_. She said her mistress smiled two
or three times at her relation, particularly at my giving her the keys.
I found, upon the whole, that my conduct in securing to her her money
and her jewels, together with the attendance of her maid, had a good
deal appeased her resentment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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