And that sort of independence is not alone the result of marriage.

In Veronica's case, a slowly developed strength had been suddenly set free to act, by an accidental emancipation from all semblance of restraint; and the emancipation was so complete that even in the widest interpretation of the law, no one could have now claimed a right to control or direct her actions.
She was nearly twenty-two years of age; she had a great position in her own right, and she was immensely rich.

It was not until long afterwards that she learned how many offers of marriage had been refused for her by her aunt and uncle.

For the present, the fathers and mothers of marriageable sons were waiting until three or four months should have elapsed, for they generally guessed that there had been a catastrophe of some sort at the Palazzo Macomer after Bosio's death; and, moreover, as has been seen, it was impossible to ascertain the proper person to whom to address any such proposal.
The consequence of it all was, that Veronica was absolutely her own mistress, and free to go and come, and to do what seemed right in her own eyes.

As she had told the cardinal, when she and society should discover that they needed each other, they would try and agree.