He offered her marriage.

She refused.

He left the town indignant, but returned to renew his proposal, which she ultimately accepted.
Their marriage followed.

Up to this date her path through life had been comparatively a smooth one; but from this hour onward through many long and painful years, it was crowded with difficulties and anxieties.
"My father's fortunes appear to have begun to wane soon after his marriage.

At that time he would have passed, I suppose, for a rich man, according to the estimate of riches in those days.