I have no doubt that they will suit each other very well," he added with an air of decisive authority, as though he had finished the subject.
But his niece was determined not to let him pass so.

"Now, uncle," said she, "you know you are pretending to a great deal of worldly wisdom, which, after all, is not wisdom at all in your eyes." "Am I ?" "You know you are: and as for the impropriety of discussing Miss Gresham's marriage--" "I did not say it was improper." "Oh, yes, you did; of course such things must be discussed.

How is one to have an opinion if one does not get it by looking at the things which happen around us ?" "Now I am going to be blown up," said Dr Thorne.
"Dear uncle, do be serious with me." "Well, then, seriously, I hope Miss Gresham will be very happy as Mrs Moffat." "Of course you do: so do I.I hope it as much as I can hope what I don't at all see ground for expecting." "People constantly hope without any such ground." "Well, then, I'll hope in this case.

But, uncle--" "Well, my dear ?" "I want your opinion, truly and really.

If you were a girl--" "I am perfectly unable to give any opinion founded on so strange an hypothesis." "Well; but if you were a marrying man." "The hypothesis is quite as much out of my way." "But, uncle, I am a girl, and perhaps I may marry;--or at any rate think of marrying some day." "The latter alternative is certainly possible enough." "Therefore, in seeing a friend taking such a step, I cannot but speculate on the matter as though I were myself in her place.