"You're right," she said. She looked over at him, "I fear being alone, and if my mother dies, I'll have no one. Not even the slaves that I've known all my years. I'll have to find my own place - probably marry a stranger right away, if I ever want to have a family, and I do." She sighed. "Then again, I think it would be better if I were on my own. I can take care of myself well enough."