If she made such a marriage, it should be, it must be, on public grounds.
Her friends must have no right to blame her.
Then she stole a glance at the tall, quiet gentleman beside her.

A man to be proud of from the beginning, and surely to be very fond of in time.

"He would always be my friend," she thought.

"I could lead him.

He is very clever, one can see, and knows a great deal.