He discovered the suspicions of Sir Hubert and Lady Galindo, and that they had persuaded their daughter to share in them.

So he flung off with high words, saying that they did not know a true heart when they met with one; and that although he had never offered till after Sir Lawrence's death, yet that his father knew all along that he had been attached to Laurentia, only that he, being the eldest of five children, and having as yet no profession, had had to conceal, rather than to express, an attachment, which, in those days, he had believed was reciprocated.

He had always meant to study for the bar, and the end of all he had hoped for had been to earn a moderate income, which he might ask Laurentia to share.

This, or something like it, was what he said.
But his reference to his father cut two ways.

Old Mr.Gibson was known to be very keen about money.