Rachael was a little hesitant about this.

"I am really pleased to meet you but to get to know a young man in this way, through a matchmaker, I am not sure…" she demurred.

"A shadchante ? No, I just want to become your sister-in-law.".

Rachael had to admit to herself that she was intrigued at the prospect of meeting a young man from a foreign land.

"So how do I meet him without it being too obvious ?" she asked, unable to suppress a blush.

"The family with whom we are staying is giving a party. I'll make sure you are invited, as my guest. Then, we'll see what will be.". "If I can, I will come. I'll let you know," replied my sister.

Rachael came home in a state of dizzy excitement and related the whole episode. Although we had some reservations about the type of party this might turn out to be, we realised that this could be a good opportunity for her to perhaps establish a future for herself. We therfore agreed that she should go, if something appropriate could be found for her to wear. I myself had nothing, but I then remembered my employer, who had a heart of gold and some beautiful dresses.

"I'll get you a dress," I told my sister.

So off I went to visit my employer who, as luck would have it, had just returned from an afternoon tea and was wearing an elegant dress. I looked in awe at that beautiful dress and imagined how stunning Rachael would look in it. But first, I had to obtain it for her.

" Gitel, I would like to ask you a favour. I have an older friend who has to go to a party but does not have a dress. She has exactly the same figure as you. Would it be possible to borrow your dress?"

"With pleasure, with pleasure. She can keep it as long as she needs." she smiled.

So home I trotted with my trophy and when my sister put it one, she looked gorgeous. We knew she'd be the belle of the ball. As it turned out, she was equally smitten with Raphael, the brother, and indeed, they fell in love, just as his sister had hoped.

Unfortunately, this was only a short time after my father's death and a rather awkward time for Rachael. Raphael visited her almost every evening and took her out. I had never seen her so happy. As the time for his departure drew near, he wanted to introduce her to his father.

"Listen, you are about to leave Warsaw. There is really not much point to my meeting your father. It has really been a pleasure to spend time with you but I am not ready to commit to anyone who is about to leave for another country," Rachael told him.

"Do you think that is all there was to us ? I will not leave unless you meet my father. He really wants to meet you, too." Raphael was adamant. "Come with me. It's quite all right. I come from a very religious home and you know my sister."

Well, Raphael's father was indeed pleased to see such a young and beautiful girl, who also came from a religious home.

"I want you to become betrothed before we leave," he told them.

"With respect, sir, I cannot become engaged to someone I barely know and who is about to leave for Belgium." my sister pointed out.

After much discussion and Rachael refusing to budge from her position, the father conceded with a sigh.

"Good. We will not sign anything for the moment. Among Jews, thank G_d, a promise is as good as a contract.

"As long as Raphael writes to me regularly and sends me the papers I need to come to Belgium, I will not look at another man,"

Rachael finally agreed.

Soon after, Rachael received travel documents as a prospective bride. However, when she went to the Belgian Consulate to lodge them, she was informed that they were inappropriate. She could only travel to Belgium as a wife, not as a bride. Crushed, Rachael returned the documents and Raphael had to organise false papers which stated that she was his wife. It took over a year, but my sister finally managed to travel to Belgium and marry Raphael Marjenberg.