er as that which had occurred to the Squire, only with
somewhat more qualification and reserve. "Signor Riccabocca had behaved
very handsomely; and though a daughter of the Hazeldeans of Hazeldean
might expect a much better marriage in a worldly point of view, yet as
the lady in question had deferred finding one so long, it would be
equally idle and impertinent now to quarrel with her choice--if indeed
she should decide on accepting Signor Riccabocca. As for fortune, that
was a consideration for the two contracting parties. Still, it ought to
be pointed out to Miss Jemima that the interest of her fortune would
afford but a very small income. That Dr. Riccabocca was a widower was
another matter for deliberation; and it seemed rather suspicious that he
should have been hitherto so close upon all matters connected with his
former life. Certainly his manners were in his favor, and as long as he
was merely an acquaintance, and at most a tenant, no one had a right to
institute inquiries of a strictly private nature; but that, when he was
about to marry a Hazeldean of Hazeldean, it became the Squire at least
to know a little more about him--who and what he was. Why did he leave
his own country? English people went abroad to save; no foreigner would
choose England as a country in which to save money! She supposed that a
foreign doctor was no very great things; probably he had been a
professor in some Italian university. At all events, if the Squire
interfered at all, it was on such points that he should request
information.

"My dear madam," said the Parson, "what you say is extremely just. As to
the causes which have induced our friend to expatriate himself, I think
we need not look far for them. He is evidently one of the many Italian
refugees whom political disturbances have driven to our shore, whose
boast is to receive all exiles of whatever party. For his respectability
of birth and family he certainly ought to obtain some vouchers. And if
that be the only objection, I trust we may soon congratulate Miss
Hazeldean on a marriage with a man who, though certainly very poor, has
borne privations without a murmur; has preferred all hardships to debt;
has scorned to attempt betraying her into any clandestine connection;
who, in short, has shown himself so upright and honest, that I hope my
dear Mr. Hazeldean will forgive him if he is only a Doctor--probably of
Laws--and not, as most foreigners pretend to be, a marquis, or a baro