The Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 5 of 5)Burney, Fanny
History
The Wanderer; or, Female Difficulties (Volume 5 of 5)
Burney, Fanny
France -- History -- Revolution, 1789-1799 -- Refugees -- Fiction; Historical fiction; Refugees -- Fiction; War stories
'The effect upon my spirits of this rescue from an existence of
unmingled horrour, was so exhilarating, so exquisite, that no sooner was
my escape assured, than, from an impulse irresistible, I cast my ring,
which I had not yet dared throw away, into the sea; and felt as if my
freedom were from that moment restored! And, though innumerable
circumstances were unpleasant in the way, I was insensible to all but my
release; and believed that only to touch the British shore would be
liberty and felicity!
'Little did I then conceive, impossible was it I should foresee, the
difficulties, dangers, disgraces, and distresses towards which I was
plunging! Too, too soon was I drawn from my illusion of perfect
happiness! and my first misfortune was the precursor of every evil by
which I have since been pursued;--I lost my purse; and, with it, away
flew my fancied independence, my ability to live as I pleased, and to
devote all my thoughts and my cares to consoling my beloved friend!
'Vainly in London, and vainly at Brighthelmstone I sought that friend. I
would have returned to the capital, to attempt tracing her by minuter
enquiry; but I was deterred by poverty, and the fear of personal
discovery. I could only, therefore, continue on the spot named by the
Marchioness for our general rendezvous, where the opening of every day
gave me the chance of some direction how to proceed. But alas! from that
respected Marchioness two letters only have ever reached me! The first
assured me that she was safe and well, and that the Bishop, though
forced to take a distant route, had escaped his pursuers: but that the
commissary was in hourly augmenting rage, from Lord Denmeath's refusing
to honour the promissory-note, till the marriage should be authenticated
by the bride, with the signature and acquittal of the Bishop. The second
letter,--second and last from this honoured lady!--said that all was
well; but bid me wait with patience, perhaps to a long period, for
further intelligence, and console and seek to dwell with her Gabriella:
or, should any unforeseen circumstances inevitably separate us,
endeavour to fix myself in some respectable and happy family, whose
social felicity might bring, during this dread interval of suspense,
reflected happiness to my own heart: but still to remain wholly
unknown, till I should be joined by the Bishop.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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