The best answer is, B. The growth of the Empire continued to increase their confidence.
Many academics have characterized the Victorian Era as a "golden age" for the middle class of the British Empire, many in the working class enjoyed expanded job opportunities and better working environments, these included limited working hours, hired help for domestic chores and childcare, and more instances of leisure time. Such economic conditions allowed for the Victorians to exude more confidence in themselves, as well as the Empire.
