Rosalie Darlton

Example of:
The sundered lover

Featured in:
The Patriot Scouts; or, The Green Mountain Boys

Rosalie Darlton, a young woman and fervent patriot during the American Revolution, inconveniently has a Tory father with whom she lives in Vermont. When she becomes romantically involved with their neighbor and fellow patriot, Clarence Winsdale, her father strongly disapproves. In order to separate the young people, Rosalie's father takes her on an extended visit to Boston. Meanwhile, the fighting between the colonists and the British breaks out in earnest, and Clarence takes up arms for the colonies. Clarence is stationed in the vicinity of Boston while Rosalie is there, and they meet behind her father's back.

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[Clarence's] attachment was declared, and though no engagement ensued (as Rosalie declined consenting to it without her father's consent), he had the satisfaction of knowing that it was reciprocated, and that, when circumstances should permit, it might be promulgated to the world. (14)

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However, Rosalie's father has taken advantage of their time in Boston to find a more prosperous and Tory suitor. His choice is young man named Trevorgy, who already has a reputation for his service as a British officer, and he is most assuredly not to Rosalie's taste.

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He was immensely wealthy, an American by birth, though in feeling he was rancorously opposed to his own countrymen, and he "crowned his thoughts with his acts," by accepting a commission in the royal service, and was among the most unscrupulous in performing his duties. (14)

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When Trevorgy's duties take him to Washington, Rosalie and her father leave Boston and return to their home. Trevorgy learns from a captured colonial officer that Rosalie's affections belong to Clarence, and he fears for his chances of marrying her. After some time, Trevorgy visits the Darlton house and renews his advances, particularly pushing his suit through Rosalie's father.

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"… I have promised Captain Trevorgy this evening that this unnatural war between the rebellious colonies and the mother country once over, you will consent to become his wife."
Rosalie, as she replied to her father, gave Trevorgy a look that made him feel abashed. "You should have hesitated," she said, "to have given a promise which you know I could not nor would not endorse." (61)

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Trevorgy dies in battle, and when it becomes clear that the Americans will win the war, Rosalie's father adjusts his political feelings accordingly. Clarence distinguishes himself in battle, and Rosalie's father finally consents to the match, though he never becomes a favorite with Clarence.

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To Clarence, the connexion with Mr. Darlton himself was no inducement to matrimony, though the prospect of calling Rosalie his own was irresistible; and … six months after, he clasped her to his breast as his wife. (93)