That reminds me of Pride and Prejudice, where Mr. Collins asks Elizabeth Bennett to marry him because she's the oldest daughter, and then asks Charlotte Lucas to marry him, because he thinks he should be married and she's nearby. And Charlotte says yes, knowing all this, because it will get her out of her parents' house.
And also of the 19th century U.S. custom of pioneer men, if their wives died in childbirth, writing back east and asking for a younger sister's hand in marriage. And getting it. Sometimes more than once; I assume there were other women who said "no, he's already killed my two beloved older sisters, I'll take my chances here."
no subject
And also of the 19th century U.S. custom of pioneer men, if their wives died in childbirth, writing back east and asking for a younger sister's hand in marriage. And getting it. Sometimes more than once; I assume there were other women who said "no, he's already killed my two beloved older sisters, I'll take my chances here."