Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/59

Rh mind and tastes, spite of the love she felt for her uncle, inclined her to the European side, was very beautiful, inheriting the fair skin of her grand-father, with the dark eyes and locks of her grand-mother, and could not help expressing the disgust she felt for every suitor for her hand her uncle approved of. In her walks and drives she had frequently observed a young Dutch officer attentively regarding her, and this circumstance inspiring her with the desire of marrying a European, she ardently hoped that the young soldier would pay his addresses to her, little doubting that she would be able to gain her uncle's consent to such a union.

The Dutch officer had, indeed, frequently attempted to speak to Meeda, but so closely was she watched by her anxious relative, that, really aspiring to be her suitor, he saw that his only chance of obtaining her hand lay in openly demanding it of the wealthy uncle. He accordingly did so, and his surprise exceeded all bounds when he was informed