"Young people when they have set their minds upon it do so generally prevail at last!" These had been her words, and they discomforted him greatly.

She had thought the marriage to be possible.

Had she not almost expressed an opinion that they ought to be allowed to marry?
And if so, would it not be his duty to take his girl away from Lady Cantrip?
As to the idea that young people, because they have declared themselves to be in love, were to have just what they wanted,--with that he did not agree at all.

Lady Cantrip had told him that young people generally did prevail at last.
He knew the story of one young person, whose position in her youth had been very much the same as that of his daughter now, and she had not prevailed.

And in her case had not the opposition which had been made to her wishes been most fortunate?
That young person had become his wife, his Glencora, his Duchess.