She began to regret that she had thrown them together.

Her own ideas of reforming him had never contemplated any such intimacy as now existed between the young man and her sister.

The side of his nature which he had always shown her had been one of respectful attention to her wishes; so much so that she had been greatly encouraged in her efforts to make something more of him than even his best friends predicted could be done; but she had never for one instant intended that her friendly interest should go any further, nor could she have conceived of such an issue.
And yet Jane did nothing to prevent the meetings and outings of the young couple, even after Maria's and Max's departure.
When Martha, in her own ever-increasing anxiety, spoke of the growing intimacy she looked grave, but she gave no indication of her own thoughts.

Her pride prevented her discussing the situation with the old nurse and her love for Lucy from intervening in her pleasures.
"She has been cooped up at school so long, Martha, dear," she answered in extenuation, "that I hate to interfere in anything she wants to do.
She is very happy; let her alone.

I wish, though, she would return some of the calls of these good people who have been so kind to her.