They answered that they did not agree with me, and as it concerned their own happiness alone, they had a perfect right to decide the matter for themselves.

This shows the extreme limit to which the Americans carry their theory of independence.
Unless I am greatly mistaken, I fear this is a typical and not an isolated case.

I believe that in many cases, after they had made up their minds to marry, the young people would inform their respective parents of their engagement, but I question if they would subordinate their own wishes to the will of their parents, or ask their consent to their engagement.
Now let us see how all this is managed in China.

Here the parties most interested have no voice in the matter.

The parents, through their friends, or sometimes through the professional match-makers, arrange the marriage, but only after the most strict and diligent inquiries as to the character, position, and suitability of temper and disposition of the persons for whom the marriage contract is being prepared.