Then you saved his life at considerable risk, which, of course, is tremendously in your favour, or would be, if you cared about him.
But if you don't really want to marry him it would be kind to stand back and let Mary have a chance.

Of course it would be an immense advantage to Mr.Ferrars to marry Mr.Selincourt's daughter, for I fancy he is very poor, although he is such a cultured gentleman; and money does make a great deal of difference in the comfort of one's daily life." "Indeed it does, my wise, practical sister.

Really, your argument is not half bad, and is well worth my best consideration, which it shall have," said Katherine; then giving her sister a good-night kiss, she dived into bed and promptly went to sleep, or at least pretended to do so, which was the same thing in its effect on Mrs.
Burton, who soon went to sleep herself.
In reality there was little rest for Katherine that night, for she was faced by a problem that had never even occurred to her before.
If she followed the desire of her own heart, she stood in the way of two people.

True, she might make Jervis Ferrars happy with her love, more especially as she was quite sure that he cared for her.
But would there ever come a time when he might be tempted to wish for more worldly advantages, and to long for the power that money brings?
Lying there in the twilight of the northern summer night, which was never in that month quite dark, Katherine faced the future with a steady, single-hearted desire to do the right thing at all costs.

She felt herself doubly bound.