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 letter was from Gabriella, and sad, but full of business. She had
just received a hurrying summons from Mr de ----, her husband, to join
him at Teignmouth, in Devonshire; and, for family-reasons, which ought
not to be resisted, to accompany him abroad. Mr de ---- had been brought
by an accidental conveyance to Torbay; whence, through a peculiarly
favourable opportunity, he was to sail to his place of destination. He
charged her to use the utmost expedition; and, to spare the expence of a
double journey, and the difficulties of a double passport, for and from
London, he should procure permission to meet her at Teignmouth; where
they might remain till their vessel should be ready; the town of
Brixham, within Torbay, being filled with sailors, and unfit for female
residence.
Gabriella owned, that she had nothing substantial, nor even rational, to
oppose to this plan; though her heart would be left in the grave, the
English grave of her adored child. She had relinquished, therefore, her
shop, and paid the rent, and her debts; and obtained money for the
journey by the sale of all her commodities. She then tenderly entreated,
if no insurmountable obstacles forbid it, that Juliet would be of their
party; and gave the direction of Mr de ---- at Teignmouth.
Not a moment could Juliet hesitate upon joining her friend; though
whether or not she should accompany her abroad, she left for decision at
their meeting. She greatly feared the delay in receiving the letter
might make her arrive too late; but the experiment was well worth trial;
and she reached the beautifully situated small town of Teignmouth the
next morning.
She drove to the lodging of which Gabriella had given the direction;
where she had the affliction to learn, that the lady whom she described,
and her husband, had quitted Teignmouth the preceding evening for
Torbay.
She instantly demanded fresh horses, for following them; but the
postilion said, that he must return directly to Exeter, with his chaise;
and enquired where she would alight. Where she might most speedily, she
answered, find means to proceed.
The postilion drove her, then, to a large lodging-house; but the town
was so full of company, as it was the season for bathing, that there was
no chaise immediately ready; and she was obliged to take possession of a
room, till some horses returned.
As soon as she had deposited her baggage, she resolved upon walking back
to the late lodging of Gabriella, to seek some further information.
In re-passing a gallery, which led from her chamber to the stairs, she
perceived, upon a band-box, left at the half-closed door of what
appeared to be the capital apartment, the loved name of Lady Aurora
Granville.
Joy, hope, fondness, and every pleasurable emotion, danced suddenly in
her breast; and, chacing away, by surprize, all fearful caution,
irresistibly impelled her to push open the door.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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