"When I think of a merry, happy, free young girl - and look at the ailing, aching state a young wife generally is doomed to - which you can't deny is the penalty of marriage"

In this quote, Queen Victoria is reflecting on the stark contrast between the carefree nature of a young girl and the difficult responsibilities that often feature being a young wife. She acknowledges that marriage, while a wondrous event, also brings with it a particular level of challenge and sacrifice. Making use of words like "ailing" and "hurting" recommend that the Queen sees marital relationship as a difficult and challenging experience for numerous females. This quote highlights the social expectations placed on females throughout Queen Victoria's time, where marriage was viewed as a duty instead of an option.