 or because they wanted to, we don't really know. I like to think that it's because they wanted her to have a better life of her own, but I also understand the conventions of the time, and that may not necessarily be true. And if we are thinking about social standing and status, you might be more concerned with your reputation than such things. Again, she was treated very well by all accounts, and according to what I've also read, though, they were very fond of her. I think that Mrs. Wheatley even considered her closer to a child