But in this respect he was hardly troubled with more doubt than Clara had felt.

How could any one object to his Clara?
There are young men who, from their positions in life, are obliged to abstain from early marriage, or to look for dowries with their wives.
But he, luckily, was not fettered in this way.

He could marry as he pleased, so long as she whom he might choose brought with her gentle blood, a good heart, a sweet temper, and such attraction of person and manners as might make the establishment at Castle Richmond proud of his young bride.

And of whom could that establishment be more proud than of Lady Clara Desmond?
So he rode home without any doubt to clog his happiness.
But he had a source of joy which Clara wanted.

She was almost indifferent to her mother's satisfaction; but Herbert looked forward with the liveliest, keenest anticipation to his mother's gratified caresses and unqualified approval--to his father's kind smile and warm assurance of consent.