No one has discussed the aunt. Typically British-class conscious, cold with no appreciation of romantic love, and absolutely no concern for the happiness of her niece. The aunt was the cause of this tragedy and resulting unhappy lives.
shareShe was old enough to know that romantic love doesn't always lead to happiness, and FYI it doesn't. Plenty of toxic or dysfunctional relationships start with romantic love. Sometimes I think that marrying for sensible reasons like common interests or yes, money, is as good a start as any, because relationships are a crapshoot.
She also didn't want to have to support her niece's husband and children, as well as the niece. You bet she wasn't pushing romance.
So its better that your relatives pick the person for you? Is that what you did? Probably not!
shareIf you were supporting a relative who knew bloody well they'd never be happy without an upper-crust lifestyle but who couldn't come up with that kind of money on their own, you'd damn well be pushing them to marry for money too!
Remember, she was in love with a man who didn't make much money, and wasn't willing to marry him because she didn't think they could be happy on his salary. She wasn't willing to go for love without money, and what can you do with a person like that but roll your eyes and say "Well find a way to get the money then! How about Bob, he's rich and single."
Team Aunt here.