He had allowed the priest to talk him down in every argument, and had been actually awed by the girl's mother, and yet he was determined that he would not yield.

He felt more strongly than ever, now that he had again seen Kate O'Hara, that it would not be right that such a one as she should be made Countess of Scroope.

Not only would she disgrace the place, but she would be unhappy in it, and would shame him.
After all the promises that he had made he could not, and he would not, take her to Scroope as his wife.

How could she hold up her head before such women as Sophie Mellerby and others like her?
It would be known by all his friends that he had been taken in and swindled by low people in the County Clare, and he would be regarded by all around him as one who had absolutely ruined himself.

He had positively resolved that she should not be Countess of Scroope, and to that resolution he would adhere.