It was as much as to say, "Well, I don't care so long as I get my money." She was unmarried, and her lonely condition had worked up her spirit into a strong attitude of defiance against all masculine odds.

She had once considered men from a matrimonial point of view.

She had wondered if this one and that one wanted to marry her.

Now she was past that, and considered with equal sharpness if this one or that one wanted to cheat her.
She had missed men's love through some failing either of theirs or hers.

She did not know which, but she was determined that she would not lose money.