Wilbur had brought a letter of congratulation from his partner.

It was absolutely impossible for her to draw back except for that ignoble reason: the reinstatement of herself in her own esteem.
She could not possibly receive all this undeserved adulation and retain her self esteem.

It was all more than she had counted upon.
She had opened Pandora's box with a vengeance and the stinging things swarmed over her.

Wilbur sat on the verandah with her and scarcely took his eyes of adoring wonder from her face.

She had sent the little girls to bed early.