Fifteen years old,--he nearly ten years older,--but such things had happened before, and this was no time to stand on trifles.
He worked out the hypothesis of the matrimonial offer as he would have reasoned out the probabilities in a law case he was undertaking.
1.

He would rather risk that than lose all hold upon her.

The girl was handsome enough for his ambitious future, wherever it might carry him.
She came of an honorable family, and had the great advantage of being free from a tribe of disagreeable relatives, which is such a drawback on many otherwise eligible parties.

To these considerations were to be joined other circumstances which we need not here mention, of a nature to add greatly to their force, and which would go far of themselves to determine his action.
2.

How was it likely she would look on such an extraordinary proposition?
At first, no doubt, as Lady Anne looked upon the advances of Richard.