It would still be painful to her to do so, but in a much lesser degree than heretofore.

She would have to endure certain obvious, though groundless, inferences from which her delicacy would shrink.

But she was free to marry him now, and that made all the difference as to the explanation she would have to give.

A little courage was all that was needed, just enough to make a small sacrifice for him.

She would certainly have that amount.