Theodora, A Novel

by Dorothea Du Bois

Lucy Cogan, Lucy Cogan

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781000455298
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literatur
• Subtopic: Literaturkritik des Mittelalters & der Frühen Neuzeit

Theodora, A Novel by Dorothea Du Bois, published in 1770, is an entertaining and frequently shocking tale of a young woman's efforts to regain her position in high society after her aristocratic father's abandonment of and denial of marriage to her mother. The two-volume work is a thinly-veiled fictionalisation of Du Bois's eventful personal history and the novel represents just one prong of what was a very public campaign to assert what she believed was her rightful place among the nobility of Ireland and Britain. Central to the narrative of Theodora is the powerlessness of women in the face of a system, moral, social and legal, that was designed to enshrine and protect patriarchal interests. In this manner Theodora exposes the gross injustices of eighteenth century society. This scholarly edition of Du Bois's novel introduces readers to a unique voice in women's writing of the eighteenth century that has been undeservedly dismissed by literary history for far too long.

Theodora, a Novel

In two volumes.

Vol. II.

By the Right Honourable

Lady Dorothea Du Bois

Adversity’s a school, – wherein we’re taught,

To form and regulate, the growing thought.

The Author.

LONDON:

Printed for the Author, by C. Kiernan, in Fullwood’s-Rents, Holborn.

M.DCC.LXX.

Theodora,
a
novel

DOI: 10.4324/9781003150794-5

AT the conclusion of our first Volume, we left Theodora in the midst of party and dissention, raised in the family on her account. The servants were all inclined to serve her before Lucinda, which naturally heightened Madam’s jealousy, and piqued her pride, in so much, that, every day, her enmity to Theodora gathered new force; and gave that unfortunate young Lady fresh cause of dissatisfaction. But to proceed with our story:

Theodora frequently wrote to her father on this head, and made the most piteous complaints to him; but he, either never got her letters, or else was deaf to their contents, until the unhappy young lady was almost reduced to a state of despondency; when one day there rode up to the door a gentleman attended by one servant, both extremely well mounted, and dressed accordingly. He enquired for the three daughters of the Earl of Volpont, by their titles, requested he might see them, and as an inducement to make them comply, sent word that his name was Brutus; that he was an old school-fellow of their father’s, who had heard of their situation, and came purposely to make them a tender of his service.

A drowning person, they say, will catch at a straw; Theodora thought that Providence, no doubt, had sent her a friend in this gentleman; who, though a stranger to her, she immediately admitted, and received with a grateful transport; saying, thank heaven! she had now found a new friend! This gentleman’s appearance and figure fully answering his assertions, she could have no reason to doubt the sincerity of his professions. He was tall, lusty, and well looked, seemingly above fifty.

He accosted Theodora with great respect, and politeness; expressed with warmth his concern at seeing her in such a place as that; wondered much that his old friend Varilius would let such a charming young creature live one moment under a roof with a wretch that had been subject to his brutal will; and who, no doubt, would leave no scheme unpractised, to withdraw her from the paths of virtue. He therefore advised her, with the cordiality of a father, not to listen to the evil council of an abandoned woman, but to be strictly on her guard, not to make acquaintance with any one that was on a footing of friendship with Lucinda; (whose name he had enquired, as not knowing it) particularly of the male sex, as it might prove of the most fatal consequence to her honour.

These salutary instructions were so pleasing to the unsuspecting Theodora, that she (never considering that the devil can preach, though he cannot practise) readily believed all he said, to be the mere dictates of the ripened understanding of a worthy man, attained to by long experience. She thanked her monitor, with becoming grace; and as dinner was just ready, prayed him to take share of it. This he readily agreeing to, they dined; their governess bearing them company from the first, by Theodora’s desire; who never chose to receive any gentleman, without such present as might prevent any insult being offered her.

After dinner, Brutus declared, he was so attached to their interests, that he would, if he could find one, take a lodging in the village where they lived, on purpose to be nigh them, on any emergency: he therefore proposed to take a walk in search of one. This Theodora not readily assenting to, her governess told her, she and one of her sisters might go, and that there was not the least impropriety in so doing. So with the sanction of her old directress’s approbation; she, with her sister Eliza, went with the gentleman, through the garden the back way into the town, that they might not be seen by that whited wall, as he called Lucinda; whom he saw by chance, he said, as he came in.

The way lay through a meadow, and as they went, the little Eliza diverted herself, with picking up daisies and butterflowers. Brutus took this favourable opportunity to launch forth into Theodora’s praise; but she, ever a foe to flattery, told him, she always suspected the sincerity of those, who too highly praised her self as generally partial; but that her glass, more honest than he, had never presented her with any thing in her own face, or form, that seemed to merit the smallest admiration, or in the least, served to inspire her thoughts with vanity; which she as much despised, as she did its abettor flattery. This sentiment so pleased Brutus, that it put him quite off his guard; and catching her in his arm, he pressed her, in a manner new to Theodora, with rapture to his breast, and swore she was the loveliest creature in the world. But to his no small surprise, extricating herself from his disagreeable grip, she gave him, in return for his fine compliment, a pretty smart slap on the face; saying, no man should dare to treat her with such freedom, with impunity; that she imagined him a friend, and that the disproportion of their years, she thought, exempted her from any assaults of that nature; but she was glad she had in time found out her error.

More amazed now than ever; he begged a thousand pardons; said, that her youth, her innocence, her wit, and personal accomplishments, were sufficient to warm the breast of an anchoret;¹ but that he would, for the future, lay such restraint on his wishes, as never more to offend her. He swore he was glad he had made this experiment, as it fixed him in the opinion, that her virtues and her prudence as much surpassed her years, as did her sense; which, he foresaw, would, one time or other, gain her the admiration of the whole world. In short, he made so many handsome apologies, and seemed so concerned, for the offence he had given, that Theodora promised, on his never attempting the like again, to think no more of what was passed. No lodging being to be had, they returned home and drank tea; after which, he took his leave with profound respect, leaving Theodora perfectly satisfied, that he was a very worthy, honest man.

This Brutus made them frequent visits, until at last, he ventured to request, they would fix a day to dine with him at Hampstead. (They were now grown quite familiar with him; that is to say, the two youngest Ladies and their governess; but Theodora always kept him at a very great distance; and though the rest refused not some trifling presents from him, he never could prevail on her to accept of any thing.) His invitation was accepted by the governess, whom he promised to treat with claret, of which she was extremely fond. The day was fixed. Theodora being always fond of riding, chose to go in that way; and proposed that the rest should go in a one horse chaise, to be led by a servant, while the steward attended herself. Every thing being got ready, and the day arrived, they set off.

Theodora being a good horsewoman, she and her attendant arrived at Brutus’s a quarter of an hour before the rest; he received her with vast civility; and an elderly woman appearing, she told the young Lady, that it was best to walk upstairs, to adjust her head dress. This she acquiescing with, the woman helped her off with her riding coat, and went to hang it up behind the bed; on which Theodora said, there was no occasion to hang it up there, as she would want it in the evening. In the evening, replied the woman? Why I understood from the Captain, you were to stay here all night. What Captain? cried Theodora. Why, Captain Brutus, said the woman. It is the first I heard of it, answered the other; but pray, madam, be so good as to give me my Joseph;² and tell me how long he has been in your house. About a fortnight, or three weeks, replied the woman: Theodora thanked her for the trouble she had given her; and taking her coat in her hand, went down stairs, hearing her sisters come to the door.

While Brutus was complimenting them, she took the opportunity, without being observed, to speak to the steward, charged him not to drink, to keep within hearing, and to have the horses ready at a moment’s warning. All which he promised faithfully to observe; and she returned into the room where Brutus and the rest were; but in a situation of mind easier to be imagined than described. Her fears were alarmed, her suspicions roused, she dreaded she had inconsiderately plunged herself into a difficulty she hardly knew how to extricate herself from, and was uncertain of the event.

All these quick revolving in her mind, and yet obliged to conceal them, for fear the discovery might prevent her putting her desires into execution, she appeared as composed as she could; and soon after, an elegant dinner was served; she strove to eat, but could not; the agitation of her mind was too great, to suffer her to eat or drink with any degree of appetite.

During the time of dinner, she observed Brutus took care to ply her governess well with claret, and that she began to be intoxicated; at which she was greatly troubled. He endeavoured to make this young Lady drink, but besides her natural aversion to liquor, she was now on her guard; and all he could do, she would not take more than one glass.

But now, gentle reader, judge the terror and dismay that struck the heart of Theodora; on seeing three tall, ill-looking fellows enter the room they were in, who saluted Brutus with great familiarity, by the title of Captain. – Oh! thinks Theodora, if such are your intimates, surely you are all highway-men; she thought it now high time to decamp; for which reason she got up, and walked about the room, during which time she heard one of them give the following play-house whisper: Egad captain, she’s a delicate bit, a delicious morsel! The other bid him hush. – At this instant, Theodora being near the door, laid her hand on the lock, on which Brutus started, and asked where she was going? Only a little way, said she, with a forced smile, and a significant free nod of her head; I’ll be back again presently. – Interpreting her meaning to be quite different to what, in truth, it was, she was suffered to withdraw, without difficulty.

She put on her riding-coat, and hat, the instant she left the room, and looking for the steward, found him in readiness with the two horses. She clapped her foot in his hand, and mounted, before any one had taken the alarm; when the capering of her Rosinante³ brought Macheath⁴ to the windows, who, immediately with his gang, rushed out of the house, each attempting to lay hold on her; but she avoided them as well as she could; and her guard being by this time mounted, she put her beast to its full speed, and her attendant drawing a pistol from his holster, bid them touch his lady if they dared, and so saying, followed her. They were presently out of sight, and kept the same pace till they got home, which was better than four miles, inclusive of a disagreeable heath.

When Theodora alighted, she was unable to stand, it was then when the danger was past, that she felt the effects of her fright. As soon as she got into her own room, she fainted; and when recovered, she wept bitterly, which eased her a little; next she fell on her knees, and gave God the glory of her preservation, beseeching him evermore to bless, protect, and keep her in his faith and fear. Her trusty maid had by this time learned the cause of her agitation of spirit, and said she had a good mind that morning to put a stop to their visit; but she had no notion there could be any danger as they were all together.

Theodora hearing her say this, asked what reason she had for it; she replied that the day before, the servant of Brutus being in the kitchen, he asked her how old her eldest young lady was; that she answering, between fourteen and fifteen, he replied with a smile, oh! that that will do well enough; my master loves a tit bit. She asked him his reason for saying so; but he answered he did not know; and on her asking him a second time, he said his master seemed to like her, and he did not know but it might be a match; only he feared she would think him too old for her. Her servant agreeing with that, said, she hoped her young lady would get a better husband; on which the discourse dropt; but she declared it raised some distrust in her, particularly as she had hints given her, from whom she would not tell, that he did not go by his right name: moreover, that he had formerly been a member of the hell-fire club;⁵ which was the wickedest society that was ever instituted, and consisted of the most profligate men in the kingdom. Theodora, upon hearing this terrifying account, ordered herself to be denied whenever he came; which her servant promised to do, and also to give it to him tightly, as she termed it, the first time she saw him.

While they were thus discoursing, the governess, and the two other young Ladies arrived; the latter extremely frightened on Theodora’s account, and the former totally deprived of sense through liquor, which Theodora beheld with concern; and when every other person, laughed at the ridiculous figure she made, could have wept at the scandal it reflected on her sex.

Nothing certainly can be more odious, than the sin of drunkenness; nor a greater insult to humanity, than to deprive it of that reason, that distinguishes it more than form, from the brute creation. It is degrading in men, but abominable in women, thus to swallow an enemy, that robs them of every guard to virtue, and renders them liable to the insults of tasteless lust. In my opinion, the woman that grows enamoured of this vice, is a bane to society; and should be held in a greater degree of detestation, than the common prostitute, who is free from it. For she who seeks not to stifle reason by the fumes of liquor, has a chance of one time or other seeing her errors, and reforming. But drunkenness is seldom or never to be conquered; and leaves its votaries a hapless prey, to the brutal desires of every villain.

Theodora’s sisters informed her, that when she was gone, Brutus stormed like a madman; and so soon as his horse could be got ready, with his companions, went in pursuit of her; that as they did not meet them in the road, they were afraid the ruffians had overtaken her, and carried her to some other place, but were quite overjoyed to find that she had escaped.

The next day he came again to see them, when the faithful Garven went open mouthed, to give him his promised salute. She told him her Lady was not at home to such a villain as he; and that she had given orders to be denied, whenever he came. She reproached him with his wicked intentions, gave him to understand she knew who he was, and mentioned the honourable club, of which he had formerly been a worthy member. He cursed, swore, damned, and called the poor woman, by the most opprobrious names. As soon as he had sufficiently vented his spleen upon her, and found there was no further chance of success, in the villainous scheme, that was laid against the innocent Theodora, he boldly took off the mask, and dismounting, without any ceremony, went into the house; where he was received as an intimate acquaintance, by Lucinda and her mother, who was then with her.

The black conspiracy was then explained, and viewed with horror by all; As for Theodora, she would not after that, walk even in the garden alone. Lucinda now sent orders to the kitchen, at the peril of the cook, and servants, not to let the victuals go up to Theodora, until she had first dined; but they not heeding her threats, were carrying dinner up to Theodora, as usual, when she intercepted, and forced it to be brought into the parlour. After she, and her friends had dined, it was sent up all cold and disfigured. The young Lady’s spirit, however, could not brook to eat after such persons; and her sisters following her example, put up for that time with a dinner of dry bread. The next day, Cross having sent word when dinner was ready, Theodora and her sisters went into the kitchen, had the cloth laid, dined there, and then sent in the meat to madam.

The landlord of the house, hearing how they were treated, having been before to see them, came again, and brought with him plenty of provision from London, which he ordered to be put into the best larder, and the key given to Theodora; who was now a strong housekeeper, and had her dinner every day an hour sooner than Lucinda.

The worthy landlord, sent them fresh provisions twice every week, at which, they were quite happy for some time. But this transient felicity was of short duration; for one Sunday being at church, and having left a quarter of lamb to be roasted for their dinner, they returned at the hour they expected it would be ready. But how great was their surprise, and resentment, when they found their meat was seized by the parlour gentry, who it seems liked it better than their own. To perfect this larceny, they had broke open her larder; and left them not so much as a bit of bread to eat, but what they had swept away.

When they found the young Ladies were returned, Lucinda and her companions, by way of apology, set upon Theodora, and gave her such abusive language as she was little acquainted with, and quite incapable of returning; on which, she attempted to retire to her apartment: But behold, all the doors were loc...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title Page
• Series Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• A brief chronology of Dorothea Du Bois and the contested inheritance of 6th Earl of Anglesey’s Estate
• A note on the text
• Theodora, A novel Vol. I.
• Theodora, A novel Vol. II.
• Appendix A “A True Tale” from Poems on Several Occasions (1764)
• Appendix B The Case of Ann Countess of Anglesey, Lately Deceased … (1766)
• Bibliography