“Jan. 31: A daughter of a gentleman of fortune, in the vicinity of St. James’s Street, absented herself from her father’s house on Thursday morning, and, as it is supposed, has decamped with an officer belonging to a regiment of cavalry. The lady, who is twenty-three years of age, does not appear to have made any particular preparation for her flight. She walked out as usual before breakfast, but without a servant maid who was used to attend her. She did not return, of course, at her usual time, and her absence caused no small degree of anxiety for her safety. It was ascertained, however, in the course of the morning, that a chaise from the city had been waiting upwards of two hours in Berkeley Street, Piccadilly, which had at length conveyed away a lady answering the description of the fair fugitive, and who was accompanied by a gentleman. No other traces of the parties were discovered yesterday, but that they had taken the Bath road. A secret correspondence, it seems had subsisted between the parties during a fortnight. The gallant is a lieutenant in a regiment of dragoons.”
– The Lady’s Magazine, February 1807
