The Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 3 of 5)Burney, Fanny
History
The Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 3 of 5)
Burney, Fanny
France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799 -- Refugees -- Fiction; Historical fiction; Refugees -- Fiction; War stories
Yet this fatigue and disgust might have been passed over, as local
evils, had they ceased with the journey; and had she then been at
liberty to look at what remains of the venerable old castle; to visit
its ancient chapel; to examine the genealogical records of the long
gallery; to climb up to the antique citadel, and to enjoy the spacious
view thence presented of the sea: but she immediately received orders to
give exercise to Bijou, and to watch that he ran into no danger: though
Selina, who assiduously came forward to meet Mrs Ireton, without
appearing even to perceive Juliet, officiously took young Loddard in
charge, and conducted him, with his aunt, to a large expecting party,
long arrived, and now viewing the citadel.
CHAPTER LVIII
Relieved, nevertheless, through whatever means effected, by a
separation, Juliet, with her speechless, though far from mute companion,
went forth to seek some obscure walk. But her purpose was defeated by
the junction of a little spaniel, to which Bijou attached himself, with
a fondness so tenacious, that her utmost efforts either to disengage
them, or to excite both to follow her, were fruitless; Bijou would not
quit the spaniel; nor the spaniel his post near the mansion.
Not daring to go on without her troublesome little charge, the approach
of a carriage made her hasten to a garden-seat, upon which, though she
could not be hidden, she might be less conspicuous.
The carriage, familiar to her from having frequently seen it at Miss
Matson's, was that of Sir Jaspar Herrington. Not satisfied, though she
had no right to be angry, at the so measured politeness which he had
shewn her the preceding day, when further notice would have softened her
mortifying embarrassment, she was glad that he had not remarked her in
passing.
She heard him enquire for Mrs Ireton's party, which he had promised to
join; but, affrighted at the sound of the citadel, he said that he would
alight, and wait upon some warm seat in the grounds.
In descending from his chaise, one of his crutches fell, and a
bonbonniere, of which the contents were dispersed upon the ground, slipt
from the hand of his valet. It was then, and not without chagrin, that
Juliet began further to comprehend the defects of a character which she
had thought an entire composition of philanthropy and courtesy. He
reviled rather than scolded the servant to whom the accident had
happened; and treated the circumstances as an event of the first
importance. He cast an equal share of blame, and with added sharpness,
upon the postilion, for not having advanced an inch nearer to the
stone-steps; and uttered invectives even virulent against the groom,
that he had not come forward to help. Angry, because vexed, with all
around, he used as little moderation in his wrath, as reason in his
reproaches.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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