She herself had for years maintained an exaggerated standard of duty and merit; desirous of seeing Everard in a nobler light than hitherto, she endeavoured to regard his scruple against formal wedlock as worthy of all respect.
'I can't answer you at once,' she said, half turning away.
'You must.

Here and at once.' The one word of assent would have satisfied him.

This he obstinately required.

He believed that it would confirm his love beyond any other satisfaction she could render him.

He must be able to regard her as magnanimous, a woman who had proved herself worth living or dying for.
And he must have the joy of subduing her to his will.
'No,' said Rhoda firmly.