Each time Irene felt that she was stable, something would remind her that her emotions were volatile and just under the surface at all times while she was going through this phase of life. If she was able to be introspective at the moment, she knew that she should give herself a bit more grace after her father said he wanted to see her wed before he died and she was facing responsibilities all of a sudden.
However, Henry was taking it upon himself to be the voice of reason—albeit gently. He simply wanted to guide Irene to a place where she didn't feel guilty for having normal, human emotions. It was a blessing and a curse that he had lost his father so he knew how to face these sorts of things in hindsight.
