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
I had been ruminating on my project all the way as I rode. When we
arrived at Boulogne, I found myself a little out of order, having caught
cold; and as I was really somewhat feverish, a thought started into my
head, that this illness might aid me in my design. When we came to our
lodgings, I made my excuses to Mrs Gerrarde for not being able to attend
her: I told her I found myself ill, and must be obliged to go to bed.
She said she was _very sorry_, and perhaps she spoke truth.
I left her in possession of her new apartment with her maid Rachael.
Their being strangers to the language of the country cut off all
communication with the people of the house, who could not speak English.
I introduced Pivet to them, whom they had never seen before (for he had
taken particular care to keep out of their view during the whole
journey), as a gentleman who was to be their interpreter; and having
thus settled my household, I retired to my bed-chamber.
Not well, nor sick enough to go to bed, I threw myself however down on
it; and after revolving in my mind all the occurrences of the three or
four past days, I started up again, sat down to my desk, and have given
you, my Bidulph, a faithful narrative of my proceedings down to the
present period of time, being November 20, eight o'clock in the evening.
You may soon expect to have the second part of this my delectable
history; 'Shewing how Orlando, not being able to prevail, with all his
eloquence, on the as fair and beautiful, as fierce and inexorable,
Princess Gerrardina, to put the finishing hand to his adventures and
most wonderful exploits, did, his wrath being moved thereby, like an
ungentle knight, bury his sword in her snow-white, but savage and
unrelenting breast; whereat, being stung with remorse, he afterwards
kills himself.'
Would not this be a pretty conclusion of my adventures? No, no, Sir
George, expect better things from thy friend. I hope my knight-errantry
will not end so tragically. But hasten to make my peace with that
gracious creature your sister: yet why do I name her and myself in the
same sentence? She cares not for me, thinks not of me, or, if she does,
it is with contempt. I said this before, and I _must_ repeat it again;
but tell her, what I have done was with a view to promote her happiness.
Oh! may _she_ be happy, whatever becomes of me. I know the means I have
used will make her angry; but try to make her forgive the means for the
motive's sake. Tell her as much of this wild story as you think proper;
but do not let her see it in my wild rambling language; that is only fit
for your own eye.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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