From that point of view it would have been far wiser to persist in rejecting legal marriage, that her dependence upon him might be more complete.
Later, if all went well, the concession could have been made--if, for instance, she became a mother.

But then returned the exasperating thought that Rhoda had overcome his will.

Was not that a beginning of evil augury?
To be sure, after marriage their relations would be different.

He would not then be at the mercy of his senses.

But how miserable to anticipate a long, perhaps bitter, struggle for predominance.