She had thought better of him.

Happily, however, she was not left to weigh and decide between opposite inclinations and doubtful notions of right; there was no occasion to determine whether she ought to keep Edmund and Mary asunder or not.

She had a rule to apply to, which settled everything.

Her awe of her uncle, and her dread of taking a liberty with him, made it instantly plain to her what she had to do.

She must absolutely decline the proposal.