CHAPITRE II - Mode ( Fashion ? ) of common marriage between honorable people.

When the moment came to marry a girl, the relatives ( parents ? ) have to produce her ( it ? ) the most possible; welcome those who come, accompanied with their relatives ( parents ? ) and friends, to look for the hand; and, under a some excuse, present her ( it ? ) to them adorned well.

When the demand is made by intermediaries, the relatives ( parents ? ) of the girl invite these persons to have the bath and to have dinner, but adjourn their answer, not to seem too much pressed.

The pretender has to withdraw in case of bad forerunners; for example if, as we present his ( her ? ) demand, the girl sleeps, shouts or is absent in the house.

The pretender has to make his ( her ? ) friends act with the relatives ( parents ? ) of the girl; they denigrate by all the average possible his ( her ? ) rivals and rent ( praise ? ) him ( it ? ) himself ( itself ? ) until the exaggeration, especially under the reports ( connections ? ) to which the mother of the girl attaches most importance.

One of the friends, _sous the disguise of an astrologer _ [39], forecasts the future prosperity and the wealth of the pretender, by showing the forerunners and the happy signs, the good influence of planets, convenient entrance ( entry ? ) of the sun to the most favorable sign of the zodiac, the convenient stars and the marks ( brands ? ) of good fortune-teller on its body.

Other accomplices awaken the jealousy of the mother, by insinuating him ( her ? ) that the pretender has luck ( chance ? ) to make a more advantageous marriage, even though it would not be [40].

When the relatives ( parents ? ) agreed on the marriage, this one comes true according to the rites prescribed by the holy book for four wedding sorts (App. N 1 and 2).

[ Note (39): we see that, already in this time, the astrology was a means of deceit and charlatanism of a general custom ( usage ? ).]

[ Note (40): he ( it ? ) appert from there that the trickery and the lie were in any occasion of the means authorized and even advised by Brahmanes.]