The civil speeches he had, he thought, done, and imagined that they had been well received.

The other things were to follow; an Arab pony, for instance,--and the kisses probably with it; and then all these difficulties would be smoothed.
But he did not for a moment conceive that there would be any difficulty with the uncle.

How should there be?
Was he not a baronet with ten thousand a year coming to him?
Had he not everything which fathers want for portionless daughters, and uncles for dependant nieces?
Might he not well inform the doctor that he had something to tell him for his advantage?
And yet, to tell the truth, the doctor did not seem to be overjoyed when the announcement was first made to him.

He was by no means overjoyed.

On the contrary, even Sir Louis could perceive his guardian's surprise was altogether unmixed with delight.
What a question was this that was asked him! What would he think of a marriage between Mary Thorne--his Mary and Sir Louis Scatcherd?
Between the alpha of the whole alphabet, and him whom he could not but regard as the omega! Think of it! Why he would think of it as though a lamb and a wolf were to stand at the altar together.