She was, in reality, less deceptive in that respect than in others.

She had a degree of the joy of possession, or she would not have been a woman at all, and, in fact, would not have married.

She had wanted a home and a husband; not as some women want them, for the legitimate desire for love and protection, but because she felt a degree of mortification on account of her single estate.

She had had many admirers, but, although no one ever knew it, not one offer of marriage, the acceptance of which would not have been an absurdity, before poor Harry Edgham.

She was not quite contented to accept him.
She had hoped for something better; but he was good-looking, and popular, and his social standing, in her small world, was good.