Chapter Dormer to Dougal of D by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Dorriforth, a young handsome catholic priest (afterwards lord Elmwood). He was the gardener of Miss Milner, the heroine of the novel, who falls in love with Dorriforth. Miss Milner has a quick tongue and warm heart, but is for ever on the verge of wrong-doing; Dorriforth is grave and inexorable.—Mrs. Inchbald: A Simple Story (1791).

Dorrillon (Sir William), a rich Indian merchant and a widower. He had one daughter, placed under the care of Mr. and Miss Norberry. When this daughter (Maria) was grown to womanhood, sir William returned to England, and, wishing to learn the character of Maria, presented himself under the assumed name of Mr. Mandred. He found his daughter a fashionable young lady, found of pleasure, dress, and play, but affectionate and good-hearted. He was enabled to extricate her from some money difficulties, won her heart, revealed himself as her father, and reclaimed her.

Miss [Maria] Dorrillon, daughter of sir William; gay, fashionable, lighthearted, highly accomplished, and very beautiful. “Brought up without a mother’s care or father’s caution,” she had some excuse for her waywardness and frivolity. Sir George Evelyn was her admirer, whom for a time she teased to the very top of her bent; then she married, loved, and reformed.—Mrs. Inchbald: Wives as they Were and Maids as they Are (1797).

D’Osborn (Count), governor of the Giant’s Mount Fortress. The countess Marie consented to marry him, because he promised to obtain the acquittal of Ernest de Fridberg (“the State prisoner”); but he never kept his promise. It was by this man’s treachery that Ernest was a prisoner, for he kept back the evidence of general Bavois, declaring him innocent. He next employed persons to strangle him, but this attempt was thwarted. His villainy being brought to light, he was ordered by the king to execution.—Stirling: The State Prisoner (1847).

Doson, a promise-maker and promise-breaker. Antigonos (grandson of Demetrios the besieger) was so called.

Dot. (See Peerybingle.)

Do-the-boys Hall, a Yorkshire school, where boys were taken-in and done-for by Mr. Squeers, an arrogant, conceited, puffing, overbearing, and ignorant schoolmaster, who fleeced, beat, and starved the boys, but taught them nothing.—Dickens: Nicholas Nickleby (1838).

The original of Dotheboys Hall is still in existence at Bowes, some five miles from Barnard Castle. The King’s Head inn at Barnard Castle is spoken of in Nicholas Nickleby by Newman Noggs.—Notes and Queries, April 2, 1875.

Doto, Nysê, and Nerinê, the three nereids who guarded the fleet of Vasco da Gama. When the treacherous pilot had run the ship in which Vasco was sailing on a sunken rock, these seanymphs lifted up the prow and turned it round.—Camoens: Lusiad, ii. (1569).

Douban, the physician, cured a Greek king of leprosy by some drug concealed in a racket-handle. The king gave Douban such great rewards that the envy of his nobles was excited, and his vizier suggested that a man like Douban was very dangerous to be near the throne. The fears of the weak king being aroused, he ordered Douban to be put to death. When the physician saw there was no remedy, he gave the king a book, saying, “On the sixth leaf the king will find something affecting his life.” The king, finding the leaves stick, moistened his finger with his mouth, and by so doing poisoned himself. “Tyrant!” exclaimed Douban, “those who abuse their power merit death.”—Arabian Nights (“The Greek King and the Physician”).

Douban, physician of the emperor Alexius.—Sir W. Scott: Count Robert of Paris (time, Rufus).

Double Dealer (The). “The double dealer” is Maskwell, who pretends love to lady Touchwood and pr ofesses friendship to Mellefont , in order to betray them both. The other characters of the comedy also deal doubly: Thus lady Froth pretends to love her husband, but coquets with Mr. Brisk; and lady Pliant pretends