England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
He left it to me to fix the day for the marriage, and he entreated
that I would make it as early a day as possible. I had a touch of the
heartache when I thought of parting with Felicia, and being left at home
with nobody but Judith. However, I got over it for that time, and,
after consulting my daughter, we decided on naming a fortnight after Mr.
Marmaduke's arrival--that is to say, the twenty-first of June. This
gave Felicia time for her preparations, besides offering to me
the opportunity of becoming better acquainted with my son-in-law's
disposition. The happiest marriage does indubitably make its demands
on human forbearance; and I was anxious, among other things, to assure
myself of Mr. Marmaduke's good temper.
IV.
June 22d.--The happy change in my daughter's life (let me say nothing
of the change in _my_ life) has come: they were married yesterday.
The manse is a desert; and sister Judith was never so uncongenial a
companion to me as I feel her to be now. Her last words to the married
pair, when they drove away, were: "Lord help you both; you have all your
troubles before you!"
I had no heart to write yesterday's record, yesterday evening, as usual.
The absence of Felicia at the supper-table completely overcame me. I,
who have so often comforted others in their afflictions, could find no
comfort for myself. Even now that the day has passed, the tears come
into my eyes, only with writing about it. Sad, sad weakness! Let me
close my Diary, and open the Bible--and be myself again.
June 23d.--More resigned since yesterday; a more becoming and more pious
frame of mind--obedient to God's holy will, and content in the belief
that my dear daughter's married life will be a happy one.
They have gone abroad for their holiday--to Switzerland, by way
of France. I was anything rather than pleased when I heard that my
son-in-law proposed to take Felicia to that sink of iniquity, Paris. He
knows already what I think of balls and playhouses, and similar devils'
diversions, and how I have brought up my daughter to think of them--the
subject having occurred in conversation among us more than a week since.
That he could meditate taking a child of mine to the headquarters of
indecent jiggings and abominable stage-plays, of spouting rogues and
painted Jezebels, was indeed a heavy blow.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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