Sentence:  "Now look here, Mary," he said, "I've been expecting you. I warn you before you begin that I cannot sanction your marriage to a Protestant." / "Oh, but I'm going to convart him!" cried Mary so quickly that the priest laughed harder than ever. / "So that's the <WSD>lay of the land</WSD>!" he chuckled. "Well, if you'll guarantee that, I'll give in." 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  The trends, feelings, intentions, and other factors influencing a strategic, political, or social situation.