It was impossible, then.

And yet what could his aunt mean by this discussion of his private affairs?
"Do you not think yourself," she persisted, "that a young man of six-and-twenty is better married ?" "I should think that he is old enough to decide for himself." "Yes, yes.

He has done so.

But Charles is just a little shy, just a little slow in expressing himself.

I thought that I would pave the way for him.