They wanted no interloper in their peaceful home.

And he, Austin, would go forth into the world, wooden leg and all, rather than submit to be saddled with a step-uncle.
As for Aunt Charlotte, she, too, deemed it beyond the dreams of possibility that she would ever marry.

In fact, it was only Austin's nonsense that had put so ridiculous a notion into her head.

It was true that, in the years gone by, the attentions of young Granville Ogilvie had occasioned her heart a flutter.

Perhaps some faint, far-off reverberation of that flutter was making itself felt in her heart now.