How and Why

Jean Muir managed to win the friendship and trust of Gerald after being with the Coventry family for about a month. She had even excited his feelings of love for her. How did she do it? She played the good girl, the "damsel in distress" of course. How could a gentleman so lazy and bored as Gerald resist being the hero of the mysterious governess? She made him believe that he was her rescuer and protector. He sent Ned away so that he could bother her no longer with his love letters and passionate entreaties. Gerald promised to protect her from Sydney after finding out about his love and threats as well. Suddenly, Gerald was entranced by her weakness and pride, desiring to be the one whom she would run to. He had attained the title of friend, only a step away from lover. He had easily fallen into her slowly unfolding plot. He was enraptured and entrapped.