Of Jane's feeling Sidney could not entertain a serious doubt, and he knew that for a long time he had done his best to encourage it.

It was unpardonable to draw aloof from her just because these circumstances had declared themselves, circumstances which brought perplexity into her life and doubtless made her long for another kind of support than Michael could afford her.

The old man himself appeared to be waiting anxiously; he had fallen back into his habit of long silences, and often regarded Sidney in a way which the latter only too well understood.
He tried to help himself through the time of indecision by saying that there was no hurry.

Jane was very young, and with the new order of things her life had in truth only just begun.

She must have a space to look about her; all the better if she could form various acquaintances.
On that account he urged so strongly that she should be brought into relation with Miss Lant, and, if possible, with certain of Miss Lant's friends.