He should always feel affectionately towards her; her very faults gave her an interest in his eyes, for which he had blamed himself most conscientiously and most uselessly when he was looking upon her as his future wife, but which the said conscience would learn to approve of when she sank down to the place of a young friend, over whom he might exercise a good and salutary interest.

Mrs Denbigh, if not many months older in years, had known sorrow and cares so early that she was much older in character.
Besides, her shy reserve, and her quiet daily walk within the lines of duty, were much in accordance with Mr Farquhar's notion of what a wife should be.

Still, it was a wrench to take his affections away from Jemima.

If she had not helped him to do so by every means in her power, he could never have accomplished it.
Yes! by every means in her power had Jemima alienated her lover, her beloved--for so he was in fact.

And now her quick-sighted eyes saw he was gone for ever--past recall; for did not her jealous, sore heart feel, even before he himself was conscious of the fact, that he was drawn towards sweet, lovely, composed, and dignified Ruth--one who always thought before she spoke (as Mr Farquhar used to bid Jemima do)--who never was tempted by sudden impulse, but walked the world calm and self-governed.