He had been making arrangements for another shooting expedition; but he perceived now very clearly, indeed, that it was his immediate duty to settle down in life, provide the Hall with a mistress, and do his duty by his estate and his neighbors.
He had had no experience of women; but his hunting had developed his instinct and he perceived that he must proceed very warily indeed, that to bring Mrs.Dangerfield over the boundary-line of friendship into the land of romance was the most difficult enterprise he had ever dreamed of.

But he had a stout heart, the hunter's pertinacity, and a burning resolve to succeed.
He wanted all the help he could get; and he saw that the Twins would be useful friends in the matter.

But did they chance on him walking with their mother, or at tea with her, they held politely but gloomily aloof.

He must abate their hostility.
He contrived, therefore, to meet them on the common as they were starting one afternoon on an expedition, greeted them cheerfully, stopped and said: "I'm awfully sorry I gave you away the other day.
But I never saw your mother till I'd done it." "Don't mention it," said the Terror with cold graciousness.
"So you ought to be," said Erebus.
"It's a pity you should lose your fishing.

If I'd known how good you both were at it, I should have given you leave when I got your letter," said Sir James hypocritically.