Parable of the Ship’s Master, Letter II of Frankenstein

Some years ago he loved a young Russian lady, of moderate
fortune; and having amassed a considerable sum in prize-money,
the father of the girl consented to the match. He saw his mistress
once before the destined ceremony; but she was bathed in tears,
and throwing herself at his feet, entreated him to spare her,
confessing at the same time that she loved another, but that he was
poor, and that her father would never consent to the union. My
generous friend reassured the suppliant, and on being informed of
the name of her lover instantly abandoned his pursuit. He had
already bought a farm with his money, on which he had designed
to pass the remainder of his life; but he bestowed the whole on his
rival, together with the remains of his prize-money to purchase stock,
and then himself solicited the young woman’s father to consent to her
marriage with her lover. But the old man decidedly refused, thinking
himself bound in honour to my friend; who, when he found the father
inexorable, quitted his country, nor returned until he heard that his
former mistress was married according to her inclinations.
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