On the last occasion, he was quite aware that he had behaved badly, and was now in her black-books.
No--there was nothing to be done, except to let this wonderful woman have her own way! If she wanted to cut down the woods, let her!--if she wanted to amuse herself by rebuilding the village, and could find the money out of the estate, let her!--it would occupy her, attach her to the place, and do him no harm.
Yes, attach her to the place; bind her! hold her!--that was what he wanted.

Otherwise, how hideously uncertain it all was! She might go at any time.

Her mother might be ill--old ladies have a way of being ill.

Her brother might be wounded--or killed.

Either of those events would carry her off--out of his ken.