They had suffered, 'tis true,
the engagement to subside, hostile as they ever were to it; but when
on the death of the ninth lady of Barbazure, the noble baron remarked
Fatima at the funeral, and rode home with her after the ceremony, her
prudent parents saw how much wiser, better, happier for their child it
would be to have for life a partner like the baron, than to wait the
doubtful return of the penniless wanderer to whom she was plighted.
Ah! how beautiful and pure a being! how regardless of self! how true
to duty! how obedient to parental command, is that earthly angel, a
well-bred woman of genteel family! Instead of indulging in splenetic
refusals or vain regrets for her absent lover, the exemplary Fatima at
once signified to her excellent parents her willingness to obey their
orders; though she had sorrows (and she declared them to be tremendous),
the admirable being disguised them so well, that none knew they
oppressed her. She said she would try to forget former ties, and (so
strong in her mind was DUTY above every other feeling!--so strong may
it be in every British maiden!) the lovely girl kept her promise. "My
former engagements," she said, packing up Romane's letters and presents,
(which, as the good knight was mortal poor, were in sooth of no great
price)--"my former engagements I look upon as childish follies;--my
affections are fixed where my dear parents graft them--on the noble, the
princely, the polite Barbazure.
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