Men had come before out of commercial crashes with estates in the country and a comfortable income, if not for themselves then for their wives.

And if a wife could be made comfortable by a little dexterous management then why not a daughter?
Yes.

This possibility might have been discussed in the person's household and judged worth acting upon.
The man actually hinted broadly that such was his belief and in face of Fyne's guarded replies gave him to understand that he was not the dupe of such reticences.

Obviously he looked upon the Fynes as being disappointed because the girl was taken away from them.

They, by a diplomatic sacrifice in the interests of poor Flora, had asked the man to dinner.