Though his eyes and ears were always open, though he attended to everything, and was a man of sharp intelligence, he did not yet quite understand the bearing and sequence of English titles.
He knew that he must get for his daughter either an eldest son, or one absolutely in possession himself.

Sir Felix, he had learned, was only a baronet; but then he was in possession.

He had discovered also that Sir Felix's son would in course of time also become Sir Felix.

He was not therefore at the present moment disposed to give any positive orders as to his daughter's conduct to the young baronet.

He did not, however, conceive that the young baronet had as yet addressed his girl in such words as Felix had in truth used when they parted.