If it became known that she had taken a step such as few women would have dared to take--deliberately setting an example of new liberty--her position in the eyes of all who knew her remained one of proud independence.
Rhoda's character was specially exposed to the temptation of such a motive.

For months this argument had been in her mind, again and again she decided that the sensational step was preferable to a commonplace renunciation of all she had so vehemently preached.

And now that the moment of actual choice had come she felt able to dare everything--as far as the danger concerned herself; but she perceived more strongly than hitherto that not only her own future was involved.

How would such practical heresy affect Everard's position?
She uttered this thought.
'Are you willing, for the sake of this idea, to abandon all society but that of the very few people who would approve or tolerate what you have done ?' 'I look upon the thing in this way.

We are not called upon to declare our principles wherever we go.