She has been interested, excited, touched.

That, he can always achieve with any woman, if he pleases.

But time and change soon wear down these first fancies of youth.

There is no real congruity between them--there never, never could be.
But supposing it were not so--supposing Lucy could be reached and affected by Manisty's pursuit, still Eleanor was safe.

She knew well what had been the effect, what would now be the increasing effect of her weakness and misery on Lucy's tender heart.