Wildrake (Roger), a dissipated royalist.--Sir W. Scott, Woodstock (time, Commonwealth).
Wilhelmi´na [Bundle], daughter of Bundle, the gardener. Tom Tug, the waterman, and Robin, the gardener, sought her in marriage. The father preferred honest Tom Tug, but the mother liked better the sentimental and fine-phrased Robin. Wilhelmina said he who first did any act to deserve her love should have it. Tom Tug, by winning the waterman’s badge, carried off the bride.--C. Dibdin, The Waterman (1774).
Wilfer (Reginald), called by his wife R. W., and by his fellow clerks Rumty. He was clerk in the drug-house of Chicksey, Stobbles and Veneering. In person Mr. Wilfer resembled an overgrown cherub; in manner he was shy and retiring.
Mr. Reginald Wilfer was a poor clerk, so poor indeed that he had never yet attained the modest object of his ambition, which was to wear a complete new suit of clothes, hat and boots included, at one time. His black hat was brown before he could afford a coat; his pantaloons were white at the seams and knees before he could buy a pair of boots; his boots had worn out before he could treat himself to new pantaloons; and by the time he worked round to the hat again, that shining modern article roofed in an ancient ruin of various periods.--Ch. iv.
Mrs. Wilfer, wife of Mr. Reginald. A most majestic woman, tall and angular. She wore gloves, and a pocket-handkerchief tied under her chin. A patronizing, condescending woman was Mrs. Wilfer, with a mighty idea of her own importance. “Viper!” “Ingrate!” and such like epithets were household words with her.
Bella Wilfer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfer. A wayward, playful, affectionate, spoilt beauty, “giddy from the want of some sustaining purpose, and capricious because she was always fluttering among little things.” Bella was so pretty, so womanly, and yet so childish that she was always captivating. She spoke of herself as “the lovely woman,” and delighted in “doing the hair of the family.” Bella Wilfer married John Harmon (John Rokesmith), the secretary of Mr. Boffin, “the golden dustman.”
Lavinia Wilfer, youngest sister of Bella, and called “The Irrepressible.” Lavinia was a tart, pert girl, but succeeded in catching George Samson in the toils of wedlock.--C. Dickens, Our Mutual Friend (1864).
Wilford, in love with Emily, the companion of his sister, Miss Wilford. This attachment coming to the knowledge of Wilford’s uncle and guardian, was disapproved of by him; so he sent the young man to the Continent, and dismissed the young lady. Emily went to live with Goodman Fairlop, the woodman, and there Wilford discovered her in an archery match. The engagement Was renewed, and ended in marriage.--Sir H. B. Dudley, The Woodman (1771).
Wilford, secretary of Sir Edward Mortimer, and the suitor of Barbara Rawbold (daughter of a poacher). Curious to know what weighed on his master’s mind, he pried into an iron chest in Sir Edward’s library; but while so engaged, Sir Edward entered and threatened to shoot him. He relented, however, and having sworn Wilford to secrecy, told him how and why he had committed murder. Wilford, unable to endure the watchful and jealous eye of his master, ran away; but Sir Edward dogged him from place to place, and at length arrested him on the charge of theft. Of course, the charge broke down, Wilford was acquitted, Sir Edward confessed himself a murderer, and died. (See Williams, Caleb.)--G. Colman, The Iron Chest (1796).
⁂ This is a dramatic version of Godwin’s novel called Caleb Williams (1794). Wilford is “Caleb Williams,” and Sir Edward Mortimer is “Falkland.”