She liked his attentions, and she coveted the dignity of matrimony; but she had never been deeply in love with Jolliffe.

For one thing, she was ambitious, and socially his position was hardly so good as her own, and there was always the chance of an attractive woman mating considerably above her.

It had long been in her mind that she would not strongly object to give him back again to Emily if her friend felt so very badly about him.

To this end she had written a letter of renunciation to Shadrach, which letter she carried in her hand, intending to send it if personal observation of Emily convinced her that her friend was suffering.
Joanna entered Sloop Lane and stepped down into the stationery-shop, which was below the pavement level.

Emily's father was never at home at this hour of the day, and it seemed as though Emily were not at home either, for the visitor could make nobody hear.