I’m guessing financially independent young ladies (viz-a-viz with young men) were a rarity in those days. Education for girls in the late Victorian period was not generally geared towards a financially independent career - if upper class, choices were largely being married or being a governess. Lower class, being married and/or factory or domestic work. These are generalisations and exceptions do occur. But this was a time when women could not vote.
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single lady
Why single lady was excluded? Mrs. Hatherly is supposedly to be a lady herself.
I’m guessing financially…
I’m guessing financially independent young ladies (viz-a-viz with young men) were a rarity in those days. Education for girls in the late Victorian period was not generally geared towards a financially independent career - if upper class, choices were largely being married or being a governess. Lower class, being married and/or factory or domestic work. These are generalisations and exceptions do occur. But this was a time when women could not vote.