There was her own case; had she for an instant suspected how flimsily based was her own idea of herself and of her place in the world ?--the "world" meaning, of course, "the set." As is the rule in "sets," her self-esteem's sole foundation had been what she had, or, rather, what the family had, and now that that was gone, she held what was left cheap indeed--and held herself the cheaper that she could feel thus.

At the outset, Arthur, after the familiar male fashion, was apparently the weaker of the two.

But when the test came, when the time for courageous words was succeeded by the time for deeds, the shrinking from action that, since the nation grew rich, has become part of the education of the women of the classes which shelter and coddle their women, caused Adelaide to seem feeble indeed beside her brother.
Also--and this should never be forgotten in judging such a woman--Arthur had the advantage of the man's compulsion to act, while Adelaide had the disadvantage of being under no material necessity to act--and what necessity but the material is there?
Dory--his love misleading his passion, as it usually does when it has much influence before marriage--reasoned that, in the interest of the Adelaide that was to be, after they were married, and in his own interest with her as well, the wise course for him to pursue was to wait until time and the compulsion of new circumstances should drive away her mood, should give her mind and her real character a chance to assert themselves.

In the commission to go abroad, he saw the external force for which he had been waiting and hoping.

And it seemed to him most timely--for Ross's wedding invitations were out.
"Two weeks," said Adelaide absently.