So he did, though he seldom spoke to her with much show of special regard, and never was soft and tender with her.

But, on the other hand, he did not now love her the less because she opposed his wishes.

He was a constant, undemonstrative man, given rather to brooding than to thinking; harder in his words than in his thoughts, with more of heart than others believed, or than he himself knew; but, above all, he was a man who having once desired a thing would desire it always.
Mrs Dale, when she was left alone, began to turn over the question in her mind in a much fuller manner than the squire's presence had as yet made possible for her.

Would not such a marriage as this be for them all the happiest domestic arrangement which circumstances could afford?
Her daughter would have no fortune, but here would be prepared for her all the comforts which fortune can give.

She would be received into her uncle's house, not as some penniless, portionless bride whom Bernard might have married and brought home, but as the wife whom of all others Bernard's friends had thought desirable for him.