As for the property which she now possessed, he never once thought of it in connection with their former affection for each other.

He certainly appreciated the magnanimity and disinterestedness of his son in ceasing to urge his claims after she had become possessed of such a fortune; and it struck him that something must have been wrong, or some evil agency at work, which prevented the Goodwins from reestablishing their former intimacy with Charles whilst they seemed to court that of his brother.
Here was something strange, and he could not understand it.

One.
morning, when they were all seated at breakfast, he spoke as follows:-- "I can't," he said, "comprehend the conduct of the Goodwins.

Their daughter, if we are to judge from appearances, has discarded her accepted lover, poor Charles, here.

Now, this doesn't look well.