When I read your post my first thought was that La Norris would thoroughly approve of your penchant for walking. She would undoubtedly find something else to reprove you for though - too uppity perhaps? - or thinking without her permission?

Seriously though, my comment about escape was made in jest, but in practice it would be very difficult for any young woman without money or the skills and temperament to be a governess. Even Mary with her £20,000 needs someone respectable to live with and has limited options. This puts me in mind of Anne Elliot in Persuasion ch.23:

"We cannot help ourselves. We live at home, quiet, confined, and our feelings prey upon us."