Rizal arrived in Biarritz, France in 1891 where he was welcomed by the Boustead family. He developed an affection for Nellie Boustead, the younger daughter, and intended to propose to her. However, his proposal failed because he refused to convert from Catholicism to Protestantism for her, and her mother did not approve of Rizal. While in Biarritz, Rizal finished writing his novel El Filibusterismo and retired from the Propaganda Movement, deciding to practice medicine instead. When Rizal left Europe, Nelly sent him farewell letters wishing him well.

1. Chapter 18
Biarritz Vacation and Romance with Nelly Boustead (1891)
With the Bousteads in Biarritz.
Rizal arrived in Biarritz at February 1891. He was warmlywelcome by Mr. Boustead because of his talents
and was treated with friendliness andhospitality. Writing from Biarritz to Mariano Ponce on February 11,
1891 he said:
³
I have put on much weight since I arrived here; my cheeks are no longer shrunken as before for the reason
that I go to bed early and I have no cares
´.
Romance with Nellie Boustead.
Rizal having lost Leonor, came to entertain considerableaffection to Nellie, prettier and younger daughter of
the Mr. Boustead. He found Nellie to be areal Filipina, highly intelligent, vivacious in temperament and
morally upright. He told hisfriends about his love for Nelly except for Blumentritt, and his intention to
propose to her.Antonio Luna, who had previously loved and lost Nelly, encouraged Rizal to woo and marry
her.He wrote a letter to Rizal, saying good things about Nellie and congratulates him for being oneof a kind
to Nelly.With encourage, Rizal courted Nelly. Unfortunately his marriage proposal failed for two reasons:(1)
he refused to give up his Catholic faith and be a protestant and (2) Nelly¶s mother did not likeRizal as a
son-in-law. Although they did not get married, they parted as good friends. WhenRizal left Europe, Nelly
sent him farewell letters, saying her wishes and prayers for Rizal.
El Filibusterismo Finished in Biarritz.
On March 29, 1891, the eve of his departure fromBiarritz to Paris he finished the manuscript of
El Filibusterismo
, and wrote a letter toBlumentritt.
Retirement from the Propaganda Movement.
Rizal retired from the Propaganda Movement.He decided to publish his second novel, to practice his
medical profession and when he becamefinancially independent, he expected to make more
vigorous campaign for his country¶sredemption. On May 1, 1891, he notified the Propaganda authorities in
Manila to cancel hismonthly allowance and devote the money to some better cause, such as education of a
youngFilipino student in Europe.
Romance with Nellie Boustead.
Rizal having lost Leonor, came to entertain considerableaffection to Nellie, prettier and younger daughter of
the Mr. Boustead. He found Nellie to be areal Filipina, highly intelligent, vivacious in temperament and
morally upright. He told hisfriends about his love for Nelly except for Blumentritt, and his intention to
propose to her.Antonio Luna, who had previously loved and lost Nelly, encouraged Rizal to woo and marry
her.He wrote a letter to Rizal, saying good things about Nellie and congratulates him for being oneof a kind
to Nelly.
With encourage, Rizal courted Nelly. Unfortunately his marriage proposal failed for two reasons:(1) he
refused to give up his Catholic faith and be a protestant and (2) Nelly¶s mother did not likeRizal as a son-
in-law. Although they did not get married, they parted as good friends. WhenRizal left Europe, Nelly sent
him farewell letters, saying her wishes and prayers for Rizal.