Chapter 2, A Fine Romance Summary and Analysis

"The Courtship": Michael's father finished school and went to university in England, and so Mervyn Ondaatje wrote home that he had been admitted to Queen's college. But nearly three years later his parents discovered that he had not passed the entrance exam, and had been living off of their money in England, reading and studying, but only what interested him.

When his parents heard, they decided to confront him and leave for England with his sister Stephy. He avoided terrible retribution however, as he had become engaged to Kaye Roseleap, Stephy's closest friend in England, and when his parents visited he behaved perfectly.

Mervyn returned to Ceylon while his parents arranged the wedding and after two weeks there he told his parents he was engaged to Doris Gratiaen. His parents were furious and social problems...