Volume One, Chapter One.

“That Lady Russell, of steady age and character, and extremely well provided for, should have no thought of a second marriage, needs no apology to the public, which is rather apt to be unreasonably discontented when a woman does marry again, than when she does not.”

Why are people to be unreasonably discontented? Is this because there are many more eligible ladies to be married than there are gentlemen of consequence to marry them? Is it frowned upon for a lady to have more than one opportunity of happiness in the marriage state? Was it considered disrespectful to the deceased husband for a lady to remarry? Any thoughts?