Had Cynthy Ann been less submissive and scrupulous, she might have broken away from this restraint, but in truth she was censuring herself for having any backsliding, rebellious wish to talk with Jonas after she had imagined the idol cast out of her heart entirely.

Her conscience was a tank-master not less grievous than Mrs.Anderson, and, between the two, Jonas had to go away without leaving his message.

And Julia had to keep her breaking heart in suspense a while longer.
Why did she not elope long ago and get rid of her mother?
Because she was Julia, and being Julia, conscientious, true, and filial in spite of her unhappy life, her own character built a wall against such a disobedience.

Nearly all limitations are inside.

You could do almost anything if you could give yourself up to it.