Her resolve was made, and his words were powerless to swerve her from the purpose of her soul.
After Dr.Gresham had gone Iola went to her room and sat buried in thought.

It seemed as if the fate of Tantalus was hers, without his crimes.

Here she was lonely and heart-stricken, and unto her was presented the offer of love, home, happiness, and social position; the heart and hand of a man too noble and generous to refuse her companionship for life on account of the blood in her veins.

Why should she refuse these desirable boons?
But, mingling with these beautiful visions of manly love and protecting care she saw the anguish of her heart-stricken mother and the pale, sweet face of her dying sister, as with her latest breath she had said, "Iola, stand by mamma!" "No, no," she said to herself; "I was right to refuse Dr.Gresham.

How dare I dream of happiness when my poor mamma's heart may be slowly breaking?
I should be ashamed to live and ashamed to die were I to choose a happy lot for myself and leave poor mamma to struggle alone.