Her position in the world was now a lonely one.

She was herself an only child; her father and mother were both dead; and, excepting cousins, her one near relation left alive was a maternal uncle living in London.
These particulars were all related simply and unaffectedly before Mr.
Carling ventured on the confession of his attachment.

When he made his proposal of marriage, Mrs.Duncan received it with an excess of agitation which astonished and almost alarmed the inexperienced clergyman.

As soon as she could speak, she begged with extraordinary earnestness and anxiety for a week to consider her answer, and requested Mr.Carling not to visit her on any account until the week had expired.
The next morning she and her maid departed for London.

They did not return until the week for consideration had expired.