Early in life, she ran away and adopted the persona of Gabriela Marie de la Balmondière, claiming to be Chilean-born with French and Spanish roots—complete with an accent she maintained throughout her life. This bold self-fashioning intrigued many and added mystery to her character. Though her true English origins were revealed later, Gabriela’s life story reflects a fascinating blend of fact and theatrical fiction, making her one of Masham’s most intriguing historical figures.