Chapter Marguerite Gautier to MARIANA of M by Brewer's Readers Handbook

but just as they were about to be married the marchioness of Berkenfield claimed the foundling as her own daughter, and the suttler-girl had to quit the regiment for the castle. After a time, the castle was taken by the French, and although the marchioness had promised Maria in marriage to another, she consented to her union with Tonio, who had risen to the rank of a field-officer,—Donizetti: La Figlia del Reggimento (an opera, 1840).

Maria [Delaval], daughter of colonel Delaval. Plighted to Mr. Versatile; but just previous to the marriage Mr. Versatile, by the death of his father, came into a baronetcy and large fortune. The marriage was deferred; Mr. (now sir George) Versatile went abroad, and became a man of fashion. They met, the attachment was renewed, and the marriage consummated.

Sweetness and smiles played upon her countenance. She was the delight of her friends, the admiration of the world, and the coveted of every eye. Lovers of fortune and fashion contended for her hand, but she had bestowed her heart.—Holcroft: He’s Much to Blame, v. 2 (1790).

Maria [Wilding], daughter of sir Jasper Wilding. She is in love with Beaufort; and being promised in marriage against her will to George Philpot, disgusts him purposely by her silliness. George refuses to marry her, and she gives her hand to Beaufort.—Murphy: The Citizen (1757).

Maria Theresa Panza, wife of Sancho Panza. She is sometimes called Maria, and sometimes Theresa.—Cervantes: Don Quixote (1605).

Mariage Force (Le). Sganarelle, a ric h man of 64, promises marriage to Dorimène , a girl under 20, but, having scruples about the matter, consults his friend, two philosophers, and the gipsies, from none of whom can he obtain any practicable advice. At length, he overhears Dorimène telling a young lover that she only marries the old man for his money, and that he cannot live above a few months; so the old man goes to the father, and declines the alliance. On this, the father sends his son to Sganarelle. The young man takes with him two swords, and with the utmost politeness and sang-froid requests Mons. to choose one. When the old man declines to do so, the young man gives him a thorough drubbing, and again with the utmost politeness, requests the old man to make his choice. On his again declining to do so, he is again beaten, and at last consents to ratify the marriage.—Molière: Le Mariage Forcé (1664).

Mariamne , a Jewish princess, daughter of Alexander and wife of Herod “the Great. ” Mariamnê was the mother of Alexander and Aristobulus, both of whom Herod put to death in a fit of jealousy, and then fell into a state of morbid madness, in which he fancied he saw Mariamnê and heard her asking for her sons.

(This has been made the subject of several tragedies: e.g. A. Hardy, Mariamne (1623); Pierre Tristan l’Ermite, Mariamne (1640); Voltaire, Mariamne, 1724.)

MARIAN, “the Muses’ only darling,” is Margaret countess of Cumberland, sister of Anne countess of Warwick.

Fair Marian, the Muses’ only darling,
Whose beauty shineth as the morning clear,
With silver dew upon the roses pearling.
   —Spenser: Colin Clout’s Come Home Again (1595).

Marian, “the parson’s maid,” in love with Colin Clout who loves Cicely. Marian sings a ditty of dole, in which she laments for Colin, and says how he once gave her a knife, but “Woe is me! for knives, they tell me, always sever love.”—Gay: Pastorals, ii. (1714).

Marian, “the daughter” of Robert a wrecker, and betrothed to Edward a young sailor. She was fair in person, loving, and holy. During the absence of Edward at sea, a storm arose, and Robert went to the coast to look for plunder. Marian followed him, and in the dusk saw some one stab another. She thought it was her father, but it was Black Norris. Her father being taken up, Marian gave evidence against him, and the old man was condemned to death. Norris now told Marian he would save her father if she would