If Sir Walter remarried, then Elizabeth would be supplanted as the mistress of Kellynch Hall. She would no longer be leading the way to the chaise and four, and all the other distinctions that come from being the mistress. But I agree with the others stands. That's just an excuse. If a good looking wealthy man with a huge estate can't get a wife then that must be very humiliating. It would be much more dignified for him to tell everyone he was just staying single for Elizabeth so SHE is not humiliated but a new stepmother.