Mr. Knightley observes that Mrs. Churchill's death was rather fortuitously timed for Frank. I wonder what would have happened if Mrs. C. had lived on for several more years. How long would Jane have hung on, and how long would it have taken Frank to come clean and tell his aunt that he was engaged? Jane must certainly love Frank deeply to go along with this secret engagement, but I wonder if she had any kind of time limit in her own mind. If it dragged on much longer, people might have started to wonder why she wasn't looking for work as a governess, and indeed, some prospective employers might hold her age and lack of experience against her. And of course she's not looking for other suitors. Was it fair of Frank to hold her to this secret betrothal?