Grace was getting tired of this pretense; she wanted something simpler and dignified.

For the most part, the dalesfolk looked happy and she had come to envy them.

They had their troubles, but they were troubles all mankind must bear, and they had joys one did not properly value at Tarnside: human fellowship and sympathy, and freedom to follow their bent.

A shepherd's daughter, for example, could marry whom she liked and was not forced to accept a husband who had wealth enough to satisfy her parents.
Grace blushed as she thought of Alan Thorn and contrasted him with Kit.
She did not want to marry yet; but perhaps, if Kit were not a working farmer's son--She pulled herself up, with a smile, for it looked as if she had not broken free from the family traditions.

After all, it did not matter if Kit were a farmer's son.