Free Fraudsters and Charlatans by Linda Stratmann Page B

directions to search for her.
    Obtaining a lift with a carrier, Mary arrived that evening at the Pack-Horse Inn, Bath. Had she really wanted to blend into the crowd, all she had to do was dress in European clothes and speak English, but she was still unable to let go of Caraboo. Her arrival at the inn and inability to speak English (she drew a picture of a tree to indicate she wanted a cup of tea) excited considerable attention, and it was only a matter of time before a gentleman realised who she was, and sent word to Dr Wilkinson. He arrived the following morning to find her at breakfast, and at once sent a message to Elizabeth. Another arrival was the gentleman who had so faithfully recorded Caraboo’s adventures before reaching England. When Mary recognised her visitors she immediately concluded that the game was up, and burst into floods of tears, burying her face in a handkerchief. It would have been just like her to turn from tears to laughter as soon as she realised that they still believed in her. After breakfast she disappeared again, but Wilkinson discovered her walking in the street. He was concerned about her being mobbed, and to his relief two respectable ladies kindly agreed to take her under their protection, removing her to a house in Russell Street.
    Caraboo adapted happily to her new situation and took her place in the fashionable drawing room as a pampered pet. Naturally her new benefactors could not keep this coup to themselves but had to display their exciting novelty to society. Ladies of fashion arrived at their door and crowded the room, all fawning on the princess. Banknotes were strewn before her, but she pretended not to know what they were. One lady, conscious that she was appearing before royalty, knelt at her feet, another took her delicately by the hand, and a third had the temerity to beg a kiss. It was all Mary could do not to burst out laughing. It was as this delightful scene was being enacted that the door opened to admit Elizabeth Worrall.
    As soon as she saw the lady whose kindness she had abused, Mary prostrated herself on the floor to ask her pardon. Her grace and obvious emotion had a melodramatic touch that the onlookers found deeply affecting. She explained, as best she was able, that she had only left Knole because she missed her homeland, especially her father, husband and child, the existence of the latter two having not been previously disclosed. Elizabeth’s heart melted, and that evening they returned to Knole together.
    Well aware that she would not be able to continue the imposture much longer, Mary determined to confess all. The next morning she followed Elizabeth into her dressing room, and to that lady’s surprise turned the key in the lock. They were alone and uninterrupted, so this could have been the moment; but her courage failed her and she said nothing.
    Mrs Neale, Mary’s former landlady, having read about Caraboo in the newspapers, called that morning upon Dr Mortimer to voice her suspicions. She testified to Mary’s remarkable memory, saying that after attending church together Mary had been able to repeat all the points of the sermon. In the evening Mortimer spoke to Elizabeth, and before he left the wheelwright’s son also arrived at Knole. Elizabeth’s distress and feeling of betrayal can only be imagined, yet she kept her head and decided to obtain firm proof of imposture before taking any action. It must have been an effort for her to behave as if all was well, but she did so, and the following morning announced that she was taking Caraboo to Bristol to finish the sitting for Edward Bird’s portrait. Instead, the carriage took the ladies to the home of Dr Mortimer, where Mrs Neale and her daughters were waiting. Elizabeth chose not to confront Mary with the Neales but spoke to them herself, and having obtained the proof she needed, saw Mary alone.
    When Elizabeth told Mary she knew she was an impostor, Mary, in a last-ditch