Alreadyhermindwasbusywithbenevolentplansforherfriends，orratherwithonemagnificentplan——whichwassimpletoo——
theywerealltogetmarried——atonce——directlyshegotback。
Marriage，marriagethatwastherightthing，theonlything，thesolutionrequiredbyeveryonesheknew，andagreatpartofhermeditationswasspentintracingeveryinstanceofdiscomfort，loneliness，ill-health，unsatisfiedambition，restlessness，eccentricity，takingthingsupanddroppingthemagain，publicspeaking，andphilanthropicactivityonthepartofmenandparticularlyonthepartofwomentothefactthattheywantedtomarry，weretryingtomarry，andhadnotsucceededingettingmarried。
If，asshewasboundtoown，thesesymptomssometimespersistedaftermarriage，shecouldonlyascribethemtotheunhappylawofnaturewhichdecreedthattherewasonlyoneArthurVenning，andonlyoneSusanwhocouldmarryhim。Hertheory，ofcourse，hadthemeritofbeingfullysupportedbyherowncase。Shehadbeenvaguelyuncomfortableathomefortwoorthreeyearsnow，andavoyagelikethiswithherselfisholdaunt，whopaidherfarebuttreatedherasservantandcompanioninone，wastypicalofthekindofthingpeopleexpectedofher。Directlyshebecameengaged，Mrs。Paleybehavedwithinstinctiverespect，positivelyprotestedwhenSusanasusualkneltdowntolacehershoes，andappearedreallygratefulforanhourofSusan’scompanywhereshehadbeenusedtoexacttwoorthreeasherright。Shethereforeforesawalifeoffargreatercomfortthanshehadbeenusedto，andthechangehadalreadyproducedagreatincreaseofwarmthinherfeelingstowardsotherpeople。
ItwascloseontwentyyearsnowsinceMrs。Paleyhadbeenabletolaceherownshoesoreventoseethem，thedisappearanceofherfeethavingcoincidedmoreorlessaccuratelywiththedeathofherhusband，amanofbusiness，soonafterwhicheventMrs。Paleybegantogrowstout。Shewasaselfish，independentoldwoman，possessedofaconsiderableincome，whichshespentupontheupkeepofahousethatneededsevenservantsandacharwomaninLancasterGate，andanotherwithagardenandcarriage-horsesinSurrey。