The lures of the other women no longer have the power to attract him. Priscilla is likewise stunned by the kiss. She wants marriage and a family, but she had never considered Lucas as a potential husband. And she still doesn t, however wonderful that kiss might have been. Lucas had always made it quite clear that marriage was not for him.
Law creates a plausible reason for Lucas avoidance of matrimony.
He had witnessed his parents disastrous marriage. His father had been a philandering sensualist and Lucas fears that he is too much his father s son. Priscilla knows all too well the family history and she certainly knows Lucas current reputation as a ladies man. Whatever her altered feelings towards her friend, she cannot help but think that Lucas will make a terrible husband. The Last Man in Town is a very fine example of this kind of tale.