The Invention of Wings

This part begins six years later, when Sarah is 18 years old and her sister, Nina, is six. Nina, or Angelina, is Sarah’s godchild, as Sarah’s mother kept her promise. Sarah is on the marriage market and spends her time in a social whirl. Sarah is expected to attract a husband and marry.

Nina is beautiful and intelligent, and Sarah encourages her to be fearless as well. Sarah teaches Nina to hate slavery and to understand why it must be ended. She has poured her life into raising Nina; they love each other dearly. Nina even calls Sarah “Mother.”

Burke Williams begins to call on Sarah. She is very attracted to Burke, though she doubts that she is attractive enough for him. She reports that she is very plain, with red hair and freckles. Eventually, Burke asks Sarah to marry him, and though he is not well-to-do enough for her family, they allow the engagement. Soon, however, Sarah’s brother, Thomas, discovers that Burke has similar “engagements” with several young women. Burke has developed these multiple engagements as a prank, in order to attempt to have sexual relationships with the young women, who believe that they are about to be married. Sarah is heartbroken.