and that it was perhaps only my being sensible that she could
neither look up to nor respect one so much younger than herself that
prevented this feeling from ripening into a warmer attachment, but that
I was old enough to be able to wish to promote her happiness even if I
could not myself be the means of doing so, and that from what I had
seen of her feelings towards him, I had always thought they might be
happy together, and consequently had wished him success.

He pressed me very much regarding what she thought, or might have said
of him.

I told him that of course it was not a subject on which I could have
ventured to speak to her seriously, that sometimes a looker-on saw more
of the game than the players, and that I thought she did like him and
was only restrained from showing it more by his not urging his suit so
much as he perhaps might have done. We had some further conversation on
the subject, and I added that I knew she was of a reserved disposition
as regarded her own feelings and did not like to have them noticed and
commented on by strangers and that perhaps the idea of all the parade
and show which he might think necessary at the celebration of his
marriage and the discussion of the matter for months previously might
annoy her, while she would probably have been more easily induced to
consent had he been a person of less rank and consequence, when all
this exhibition would have been avoided.

He said that if she had any difficulty on this ground, nothing could be
easier than to obviate it, for as far as he was concerned it would give
him the greatest satisfaction to dispense with all formalities, except
necessary settlements which he would take care should not occupy much
time, and they might be quietly married at their own church in the
neighbourhood without making any fuss about it; that with the exception
of his mother and sister he had no relations he cared anything about or
whom he would wish to be present, so that Laura could have everything
her own way.

Without attempting to urge too much, I gave him to understand that I
thought he had better come to an explanation with her as soon as
possible and make her aware of his ideas on these points. And I
promised to endeavor to ascertain her wishes as far as I could, and
make him acquainted with them.

I had long felt by the unruliness of his member, which was deeply
imbedded within me, how powerful an impression the discussions of this
subject pro