Lincoln & Herndon

[Gene C]

IMO, A.L. surely thought that Mary was a good catch. Attractive, intelligent, educated, and from a good family, and maybe $. Evidently they had a lot in common. Poetry, politics, sense of humor, a desire for position in society. Part of their problem causing the early courtship breakup seemed to be A.L. 's concern that he couldn't provide for her in the manner she was used to, and maybe he wasn't good enough for her. He was deffinately marrying up. She on the other hand, never met his family, knew he was lacking in the social graces, was self educated, and poor. Probably not handsome, but had a great personality. (how many of us ran in the other direction when we heard that?) To a certain extent, she broke with her family to marry him, which took a lot of fortitude, considering what we know about her insecurities (especially about money). She saw something special there, that she did not see in other men, and she was right. But it cost her dearly. And she never stopped loving him.

Is that what you had in mind?