The Black Robe Book the Second Chapter 2

In which the lively Mrs. Eyrecourt, possessed of a keen eye for advantage and a resolute energy, interrupts a subdued assembly to entreat her daughter Stella to seize an unexpected romantic opportunity with Mr. Romayne, whose earnest affection offers a promise of happiness amidst the pressures of societal expectations. The young lovers withdraw to a quieter conservatory, where they exchange tender vows and navigate the delicate balance between maternal ambition and their own desires for a modest union, contemplating how best to reconcile their differing views on marriage with the demands of family and friendship.