His little customary phrases, to which Lady Camper objected, he could see no harm in whatever.

Conversing with her in the privacy of domestic life would never be the flowing business that it is for other men.

It would demand perpetual vigilance, hop, skip, jump, flounderings, and apologies.
This was not a pleasing prospect.
On the other hand, she was the niece of an earl.

She was wealthy.

She might be an excellent friend to Elizabeth; and she could be, when she liked, both commandingly and bewitchingly ladylike.
Good! But he was a General Officer of not more than fifty-five, in his full vigour, and she a woman of seventy! The prospect was bleak.