My father's family, to the humblest cousin, felt themselves set up by the match he had made; and the boy was happy enough, displaying a watch and chain for the first time in his life, and a good coat on week days.

As for his fiancee, he could have no objection to her, as he had seen her only at a distance, and had never spoken to her.
When it was time for the wedding preparations to begin, news came to Yuchovitch of the death of the bride-elect, and my father's prospects seemed fallen to the ground.

But the undertaker had another daughter, girl of thirteen, and he pressed my father to take her in her sister's place.

At the same time the marriage broker proposed another match; and my father's poor cousins bristled with importance once more.
Somehow or other my father succeeded in getting in a word at the family councils that ensued; he even had the temerity to express a strong preference.

He did not want any more of the undertaker's daughters; he wanted to consider the rival match.