Posted by Jenna on July 14, 1997 at 13:28:41:
In reply to Re: courting posted by Jessamyn on July 13, 1997 at 13:28:42
In other words, making somebody think you're going to propose to them is almost as binding as actually doing it.
That's why everybody considers Emma so ill-used when Frank Churchill turns out to be engaged to someone else. Women were supposed to be able to practically bank on an engagement when a preference was displayed toward them.
Thanks for that information, Jessamyn. It's quite interesting how much the definitions of 'honor' and 'integrity' have changed. :)
Another interesting tidbit I've read was that once an engagement had been established, it was legally binding for the man. If he called it off, there was cause for monetary compensation on the lady's part. If the reverse were to occur, the man would receive no such 'severence fee.'
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