girl’s regard, a helpmate being then considered as a chief requisite, and not, as in the present false hair-brained theory of economy, an incumbrance to a household.
The sweet Mela, to be sure, was blooming more like some rare exotic, than a hardy plant in the open air. She lived in seclusion under maternal sway; she visited neither public walks nor rooms, and was seldom seen above once a year beyond the precincts of her native city. This was in direct opposition to the present matrimonial and manœuvring system. The existing race of matrons are better informed; they consider their daughters’ charms as available capital, to be brought into circulation; and not like the poor maidens of other days, to be kept under durance and duennas, though good matrimonial speculators knew well enough where the treasure was to be found. The lady Brigitta sighed for the period when she should thus be liberated from her servile Babylonish captivity in the narrow street—when she and her fair daughter were to be transported back into the land of milk and honey.
The charming Mela was justly considered by her mother, as worthy of the highest station; and she spared no pains in developing her natural fine qualities by every advantage of education.
Standing one day studying the weather at his window, Frank caught a glimpse of the lovely Mela
C 2
