flora might have been fickle and false ; he might have seen some other fairer face , which might have enchained his fancy , and woven for him a new hearts chain ; death might have stepped between him and the realization of his fondest hopes ; loss of fortune might have made the love cruel which would have yoked to its distresses a young and beautiful girl , reared in the lap of luxury , and who was not , even by those who loved her , suffered to feel , even in later years , any of the pinching necessities of the family .