Memoirs of Miss Sidney Biddulph: Extracted from her own Journal, and now first published — John Shaqi
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 am very sorry for your sake, Sidney, said he, that our mother is of so
inflexible a temper; you have lost by it, what you will have reason to
regret as long as you live. Such amazing obstinacy! such unaccountable
perverseness! I do not want to shake your filial obedience; but I, for
my own part, think that nothing but infatuation can account for your
mother's conduct--Does she want a man without passions? Or have _you_
filled your head with such chimærical notions as to--I interrupted him
(for my brother is not always nice in his choice of words);--Dear Sir
George, say no more; I am very well contented as I am. I will not
increase your uneasiness, said he, by telling you what Faulkland has
suffered on this occasion. If ever love was carried to adoration, it was
in the breast of that generous, charming fellow--but you have lost
him--and I have lost him; thanks to my wise scrupulous mother for that.
I begged of him to drop the subject. My mother came in to us again. Sir
George bid us good night, and wished us a good journey. The parting was
cool enough. I am glad, however, there is not a total rupture. I believe
he will continue in our house in town for a time, at least.
Patty Main, who gladly accepted of the offer of my service, came home to
me this evening. She is grown very tall and genteel. I hardly know how
to treat her as a servant; but the good girl is so humble, that she does
all in her power to make me forget that I ever knew her in a better
situation; but in this she fails of her purpose, for it only serves to
remind me the more strongly of it: she is so ready, and so handy, that
she does twenty little offices that do not belong to her place, and
which are not expected of her. My mother is exceedingly pleased with
her, and says it is such a happiness to have about me a young person
virtuously brought up, that she almost considers her as one of the
family.
_Grimston-hall, August 8_
We arrived here yesterday, and met a most friendly reception from the
lady of this mansion. But before I say any more of her, I will hasten to
a more interesting subject. I have got Mr Faulkland's letter to my
mother; she has just put it into my hands; and while she walks in the
garden with lady Grimston, I will make haste to transcribe it. Thus it
is:
Madam,
I submit to the sentence you have passed on me. I am miserable,
but do not presume to expostulate. I purpose leaving England
directly; but would wish if possible (a little to mitigate the
severity of my lot), to convince you, that the unhappy rejected
man, who aspired to the honour of being your son-in-law, is not
quite such a criminal as he now appears to you.
To Sir George's friendship I know I am much indebted for
endeavouring to vindicate me. It was not in his power, it was not
in my own; for you saw all which I, in unreserved freedom, wrote
to him on the subject of my acquaintance with Miss B.
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