women there is the danger that fixed ideas, and other
people's opinion, and the force of custom may limit lives which might
have been complete in greater things, though perhaps less perfect in the
lesser. People in the abstract are sincere enough in wishing fulness of
experience and of happiness to those dearest and nearest to them; but we
are only human beings, and when the time comes and the horrible necessity
for parting approaches, our courage goes, our hearts fail, and we think
we are preaching reason and good sense while it is only a most natural
instinct which leads us to cling to that to which we are used and to
those we love.

Mr. Edgeworth did not attempt to influence Maria. Mrs. Edgeworth
evidently had some misgivings, and certainly much sympathy for the
Chevalier and for her friend and stepdaughter. She says:--

Maria was mistaken as to her own feelings. She refused M.
Edelcrantz, but she felt much more for him than esteem and
admiration; she was extremely in love with him. Mr. Edgeworth left
her to decide for herself; but she saw too plainly what it would
be to us to lose her and what she would feel at parting with us.
She decided rightly for her own future happiness and for that of
her family, but she suffered much at the time and long afterwards.
While we were at Paris I remember that in a shop, where Charlotte
and I were making purchases, Maria sat apart absorbed in thought,
and so deep in reverie that when her father came in and stood
opposite to her she did not see him till he spoke to her, when she
started and burst into tears.... I do not think she repented of
her refusal or regretted her decision. She was well aware that she
could not have made M. Edelcrantz happy, that she would not have
suited his position at the Court of Stockholm, and that her want
of beauty might have diminished his attachment. It was perhaps
better she should think so, for it calmed her mind; but from what
I saw of M. Edelcrantz I think he was a man capable of really
valuing her. I believe he was much attached to her, and deeply
mortified at her refusal. He continued to reside in Sweden after
the abdication of his master, and was always distinguished for his
high character and great abilities. He never married. He was,
except for his very fine eyes, remarkably plain.

So ends the romance of the romancer. There are, however, many
happ