Wildblood of the Vale (Young Dick), a friend of Sir Geoffrey Peveril.--Sir W. Scott, Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).
Wilde (Johnny), a small farmer of Rodenkirchen, in the isle of Rügen. One day he found a little glass slipper belonging to one of the hill-folk. Next day a little brownie, in the character of a merchant, came to redeem it, and Johnny Wilde demanded as the price “that he should find a gold ducat in every furrow he ploughed.” The bargain was concluded, but before the year was over he had worked himself to death looking for ducats in the furrows which he ploughed.--Rügen Tradition.
Wildenhaim (Baron), father of Amelia. In his youth he seduced Agatha Friburg, whom he deserted. Agatha bore a son, Frederick, who in due time became a soldier. Coming home on furlough, he found his mother on the point of starvation, and, going to beg alms, met the baron with his gun, asked alms of him, and received a shilling. He demanded more money, and, being refused, collared the baron, but was soon seized by the keepers, and shut up in the castle dungeon. Here he was visited by the chaplain, and it came out that the baron was his father. As the baron was a widower, he married Agatha, and Frederick became his heir.
Amelia Wildenhaim, daughter of the baron. A proposal was made to marry her to Count Cassel, but, as the count was a conceited puppy, without “brains in his head or a heart in his bosom,” she would have nothing to say to him. She showed her love to Anhalt, a young clergyman, and her father gave his consent to the match.--Mrs. Inchbald, Lovers’ Vows (altered from Kotzebue, 1800).
Wildfire (Madge), the insane daughter of old Meg Murdochson, the gypsy thief. Madge had been seduced when a girl, and this, with the murder of her infant, had turned her brain.--Sir W. Scott, Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).
Wilding (Jack), a young gentleman fresh from Oxford, who fabricates the most ridiculous tales, which he tries to pass off for facts; speaks of his adventures in America, which he has never seen; of his being entrapped into marriage with a Miss Sibthorpe, a pure invention. Accidentally meeting a Miss Grantam, he sends his man to learn her name, and is told it is Miss Godfrey, an heiress. On this incident the humor of the drama hinges. When Miss Godfrey is presented to him he does not know her, and a person rushes in who declares she is his wife, and that her maiden name was Sibthorpe. It is now Wilding’s turn to be dumbfounded, and, wholly unable to unravel the mystery, he rushes forth, believing the world is a Bedlam let loose.--S. Foote, The Liar (1761).
Wilding (Sir Jasper), an ignorant but wealthy country gentleman, fond of fox-hunting. He dresses in London like a foxhunter, and speaks with a “Hoic! tally-ho!”
Young Wilding, son of Sir Jasper, about to marry the daughter of old Philpot for the dot she will bring him.
Maria Wilding, the lively, witty, high-spirited daughter of Sir Jasper, in love with Charles Beaufort. Her father wants her to marry George Philpot, but she frightens the booby out of his wits by her knowledge of books and assumed eccentricities.--Murphy, The Citizen, (1757 or 1761).
Wildrake, a country squire, delighting in horses, dogs, and field sports. He was in love with “neighbor Constance,” daughter of Sir William Fondlove, with whom he used to romp and quarrel in childhood. He learned to love Constance; and Constance loved the squire, but knew it not till she feared he was going to marry another. When they each discovered the state of their hearts, they agreed to become man and wife.--S. Knowles, The Love-Chase (1837).