It was most likely not very wise, but what right have we to overhear?
Let the poor boy fling out his simple heart at the woman's feet, and deal gently with him.

It is best to love wisely, no doubt: but to love foolishly is better than not to be able to love at all.

Some of us can't: and are proud of our impotence too.
At the end of his speech Pen again kissed the imperial hand with rapture--and I believe it was at this very moment, and while Mrs.Dean and Doctor Portman were engaged in conversation, that young Master Ridley Roset, her son, pulled his mother by the back of her capacious dress and said-- "I say, ma! look up there"-- and he waggled his innocent head.
That was, indeed, a view from the Dean's garden such as seldom is seen by Deans--or is written in Chapters.

There was poor Pen performing a salute upon the rosy fingers of his charmer, who received the embrace with perfect calmness and good humour.

Master Ridley looked up and grinned, little Miss Rosa looked at her brother, and opened the mouth of astonishment.