He saw that fireside made perfect by a pair of slate-colored eyes, which breakfast opposite him, follow him as he starts for his work, and greet him on his return.

A pair of eyes to love when present, and think of when absent.
Heigho! How many firesides and homes have been built out of just such materials! From all this the fact can be gathered that Peter was really, despite his calm, sober nature, no more sensible in love matters than are other boys verging on twenty-one.

He could not see that success in this love would be his greatest misfortune.

That he could not but be distracted from his work.

That he would almost certainly marry before he could well afford it, and thus overweight himself in his battle for success.