it had been annie , herself , who had rejected her fathers suggestion of a marriage contract that would keep control of her dowry in her own hands ; it was she who had n't fought when she discovered her father 's will had given her husband the power to oversee the money she inherited from her father ; it had been her fear of being left alone that had kept her from demanding a divorce ; and it had only been the terrible years of complete dependence on johns family that had taught her the true value of standing on her own .