but how about comapring him to Henry? The loss of Eliza,his bank with the attendant local shame, ending his days as a curate ?

Or to Edward who though materially rich lost a wife( a beloved one too) in childbirth.He did not remarry,did he?

James also lost a wife who was much loved.And he never gained the hand of Eliza....

I'm sorry,Line but for me this is just one of Tomalins sweeping statments that makes my teeth go slighlty on edge.