"What am I to wait for?
If you all were kind to Valerie West she might, perhaps, consent to marry me.

But it seems that even our own family circle has not sufficient authority to protect her from our friends' neglect and humiliation....
"She warned me that it would be so, long ago.

I did not believe it; I could not comprehend it.

But, somehow, Lily has made me believe it.

And so have you.