I love the character of Dinah and almost think this quotes almost says more about her than Eliza. I took this to mean that Eliza, by following the custom and manner of the day, doing what was expected of her, prevented her daughter from knowing the man she loved and sharing her life with him for far too long a time - at least in Dinah's view. It also kept Dinah from the dream of a life she obviously held onto as the servant of Isabella. I do not have so much sympathy for Eliza as I do for her daughter. After all, Eliza was living the life she pretty much had chosen and was comfortable and happy for the most part - her closed mouth did not really hurt her so much as it did Isabella, and I was gratified to see that eventually Isabella was able to know and have the happiness she deserved. Clearly Dinah was not reluctant as Eliza had been - for it was she in the end - ironically by NOT speaking - that brought the result she felt was long overdue.