Why should there have been pressure, unless there were reasons against her marrying him?
And yet, if she chose to take him, who would have a right to complain of her?
Hugh Stanbury had never spoken to her a word that would justify her in even supposing that he would consider himself to be ill-used.

All others of her friends would certainly rejoice, would applaud her, pat her on the back, cover her with caresses, and tell her that she had been born under a happy star.

And she did like the man.

Nay;--she thought she loved him.

She withdrew her hands from her brow, assured herself that her lot in life was cast, and with hurrying fingers attempted to smooth her hair and to arrange her ribbons before the glass.