Could there be anything nobler than to struggle on with her, if she only would be willing?
But then she was young; and should she yield to such a request from him, she would not know what she was yielding.

He turned again, jumping from rock to rock till he reached the bank, and then made his way again up to the withered oak.
"You would not have repented it if you had come down with me," he said to Nora.
"I am not so sure of that," she answered.
When they started to return she stepped on gallantly with Priscilla; but Priscilla was stopped by some chance, having some word to say to her brother, having some other word to say to Mrs.Trevelyan.

Could it be that her austerity had been softened, and that in kindness she contrived that Nora should be left some yards behind them with her brother?
Whether it were kindness, or an unkind error, so it was.
Nora, when she perceived what destiny was doing for her, would not interfere with destiny.

If he chose to speak to her she would hear him and would answer him.

She knew very well what answer she would give him.