The Magnolia gazette., 1881-12-23

an idle, pleasure-loving society like that
then existing at Bath.
IL was stated that Capt Matthews
took advantage Of Miss Linley's youth
and Of his close intimacy with the fam
lily to win 40 much upon her affections
that she was afraid 20 complain to her
father Of his conduct, for fear Of mourning
that fathers violent temper.
Several persons called Mr.. Linley's at
tention 10 tho singularly persistent man
ner in which the Captain attended Miss
Linley in public; but Mr.. Linley affect
cd 10 treat all such communications with
ridicule. Whether he was fearful of
offending so valuable a friend ne Mat
thews was 10 him, or whether he really
believed, as he said, that his daughters
youth protected her from the dangers
pointed ont TO him, ia not known either
way, he did not interfere.
While preparations were going on for
Miss Linley's marriage with Mr.. Long
she withdrew from public singing and
while the envy Of her own sex and the
chagrin Of the other, who had SO hotly
contested for the prize, were at their
height, most unexpected turn was
given TO the affair by the bride-elect,
who. almost at the eleventh hour-
"when her dresses were all made and
the day for the ceremony fixed sud
denly declared her resolution to break
the contract.
II ii believed that the moneyless vet
fascinating Richard Sheridan--to whom
Miss Linley had confided her unhappy
relations with Matthews-had at this
time made stronger impression on her
heart than all her other suitors put to-
gether.
Certain il is that she appealed to Mr..
Long with such entreating earnestness
to release her-alleging most solemnly
that her affections could never be his
that this gentleman, though over
whelmed with disappointment, not only
generously resigned her, "but took upon
himself to be the responsible cause of
breaking off the match, at the same time
paving her e3, 900 as an indemnity for
the breach of covenant"
Such an extraordinary termination
naturally created intense excitement in
the fashionable world. Samuel Foote,
always on the alert for suitable sub-
iects Tor omic representation, seized on
y
cidents into an amusing comedy, under
the title Of The Maid Of Bath
In the meantime Sheridan had made
such progress in the favor Of the benuti-
full but half-distpacted Miss Linley that
he ultimately persuaded her that the
only way to get out Of all her difficulties
was to fly to France and take refuge in
convent.
This, he averre.l, was the only chance
she had Of escaping the Odious atten-
tions of Matthew's, who, since the
rupture with Mr.. Long, had shown
signs of renewing Ius former most un-
welcome familiarity.
AT this period the enchanting Eliza
beth was only eighteen; her chances Of
making wealthy match were, as we
have seen, abundant; yet she consented
to Sheridans pleln, and thus gave q de-
cided proof that the influence Of the tai
ented yet penniless Richard Sheridan
was stronger than the attractions of sub
stantial wealth
She knew she was legally bound to
sing for her father till she was one-and-
twenty; but, as she intended to recon-
pense him out OF the money MIR. Long
had settled upon her, she felt no
scruples to deter her from the proposed
flight, and one evening, while her
| father, eldest brother and younger sister
were engaged at a concert from which
she had been excused attending on
the plea of ill-health, Sheridan conveyed
her in n sedan-chair from her fathers
house 20 post-chaise which waited for
them on the London road, and in which
she found the wife of one of Sheridan's
servants whom he had, with delicate
consideration, persuaded to accompany
Miss Linley in their flight.
The fugitives ultimately arrived at
Lisle, whittier the alarmed and enraPed
Mr.. Linley had followed them.
After an explanation and reconciliation
with Sheridan, it was finally decided
that the truant daughter should return
to England with her father, to fulfil
some engagements which he had en-
!, tered into on her account.
Sheridan accompanied the party. and
no sooner had they arrived home than
he had to challenge Capt Matthews to
duel.
During their absence from England
the Captain had pphlished some scurril-
Olih nl'dlh uh{ hllU MISS Linz
ley in the Bp
Son Sleerij Matthews
hastened NJ Sheri-
dan followee Alace.
the result beins yCed
for his life, and agreou, his
hbelous stataments. 49,
No sooner had the excitement OF this
affair somewhat cooled down, than Mat.
thews, urged on by his friends, who
were extremely dissatisfied with the first
encounter, sent, in his turn, challenge
to Sheridan, and second duel was
fought. The accounts of this are so
conflicting that il is difficult to come to
any decided opinion about it. One
thing is clear, Sheridan was rather. dam
gerously wounded, and, when Miss Lin
ley was informed Of this, it is said she
let out the secret Of her heart by ex-
nlo1Ysn .yarr r,ocyinpoAaIxv