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
But the pilot, who, after being well paid for his information, had
himself absconded, delayed all proceedings till he was found out, by
Riley, upon the Salisbury-road. He evaded giving any further
intelligence, till the glitter of a few guineas restored his spirit of
communication, when he was brought to confess, that his master was in
that neighbourhood; where they had received assurances that the fugitive
herself was lodged. Sir Jaspar instantly, then, took the measures of
which the result, seconded by sundry happy accidents, had been so
seasonable and prosperous. 'And never,' said he, in conclusion, 'did my
delectable little friends serve me so cogently, as in suggesting my
stratagem at your sight. If you do not directly name, they squeaked in
my ear, her brother and sister, she may demur at accompanying you: if
her brother and sister honour your assertion, you will fix the matchless
Wanderer in her proper sphere; if they protest against it,--what giant
stands in the way to your rearing and protecting the lovely flower
yourself?--This was the manner in which these hovering little beings
egged me on; but whether, with the playful philanthropy of courteous
sylphs, to win me your gentle smiles; or whether, with the wanton
malignity of little devils, to annihilate me with your frowns, is still
locked up in the womb of your countenance!'
He then farther added, that Riley had accompanied him throughout the
expedition; but that, always exhilarated by scenes which excited
curiosity, or which produced commotion; he had scampered into the inn,
to witness the culprit's being secured, while Sir Jaspar had paid his
respects at the chaise.
With a disappointed heart, and with affrighted spirits, Juliet now saw
that she must again, and immediately, renew her melancholy flight, in
search of a solitary hiding-place; till she could be assured of the
positive embarkation of the commissary.
In vain Sir Jaspar pressed to pursue his design of conveying her to her
family; the dread of Lord Denmeath, who was in actual communication and
league with her persecutor, decided her refusal; though, while she had
believed in Sir Jaspar's commission for seeking her, neither risk nor
doubt had had power to check the ardour of her impatience, to cast
herself upon the protection of Lord Melbury and Lady Aurora: but she
felt no courage,--however generously they had succoured and
distinguished her as a distressed individual,--to rush upon them,
uncalled and unexpected, as a near relation; and one who had so large a
claim, could her kindred be proved, upon their inheritance.
Her most earnest wish was to rejoin her Gabriella; but there, where she
had been discovered, she could least hope to lie concealed. She must
still, therefore, fly, in lonely silence. But she besought Sir Jaspar to
take her any whither rather than to Salisbury, where she had had the
horrour of being examined by the advertisement.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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