He had changed his name, and taken
up his residence at Rotterdam, where he had insinuated himself
into the good graces of an ancient and rich burgomaster, and, by
his handsome person and graceful manners, captivated the
affections of his only child, a very young person, of great
beauty, and the heiress of much wealth. Delighted with the
specious attractions of his proposed son-in-law, the wealthy
merchant--whose idea of the British character was too high to
admit of his taking any precaution to acquire evidence of his
condition and circumstances--gave his consent to the marriage.
It was about to be celebrated in the principal church of the
city, when it was interrupted by a singular occurrence.
Captain Falconer having been detached to Rotterdam to bring up a
part of the brigade of Scottish auxiliaries, who were in quarters
there, a person of consideration in the town, to whom he had been
formerly known, proposed to him for amusement to go to the high
church to see a countryman of his own married to the daughter of
a wealthy burgomaster. Captain Falconer went accordingly,
accompanied by his Dutch acquaintance, with a party of his
friends, and two or three officers of the Scotch brigade. His
astonishment may be conceived when he saw his own brother-in-law,
a married man, on the point of leading to the altar the innocent
and beautiful creature upon whom he was about to practise a base
and unmanly deceit.
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