Mr.Slope called here expressly to ask what Papa's wishes were about the hospital, and as I believe he called with friendly intentions, I told him." "Friendly intentions!" sneered the archdeacon.
"I believe you greatly wrong Mr.Slope," continued Eleanor, "but I have explained this to Papa already; and as you do not seem to approve of what I say, Dr.Grantly, I will with your permission leave you and Papa together;" so saying, she walked slowly out of the room.
All this made Mr.Harding very unhappy.

It was quite clear that the archdeacon and his wife had made up their minds that Eleanor was going to marry Mr.Slope.

Mr.Harding could not really bring himself to think that she would do so, but yet he could not deny that circumstances made it appear that the man's company was not disagreeable to her.

She was now constantly seeing him, and yet she received visits from no other unmarried gentleman.

She always took his part when his conduct was canvassed, although she was aware how personally objectionable he was to her friends.