Chapter Benefit-Play to Berinthia of B by Brewer's Readers Handbook

(Henriette d’Orléans, daughter of Charles I. of England, married Philippe duc d’Orléans, brother of Louis XIV. She was brilliant in talent and beautiful in person, but being neglected by her husband, she died suddenly after drinking a cup of chocolate, probably poisoned.)

Beresina . Every streamlet shall prove a new Beresina (Russian): meaning “every streamlet shall prove their destruction and overthrow.” The allusion is to the disastrous passage of the French army in November, 1812, during their retreat from Moscow. It is said that 12,000 of the fugitives were drowned in the stream, and 16,000 were taken prisoners by the Russians.

Beril. (See Beryl.)

Beringhen (The Sieur de), an old gourmand, who preferred patties to treason; but cardinal Richelieu banished him from France, saying—

Sleep not another night in Parin,
Or else your precious life may be in danger.
   —Lord Lytton: Richelieu (1839).

Berinthia, cousin of Amanda; a beautiful young widow attached to colonel Townly. In order to win him she plays upon his jealousy by coquetting with Loveless.—Sheridan: A Trip to Scarborough (1777).