“depend upon it, elton will not do. elton is a very good sort of man, and a very respectable vicar of highbury, but not at all likely to make an imprudent match. he knows the value of a good income as well as anybody. elton may talk sentimentally, but he will act rationally. he is as well acquainted with his own claims as you can be with harriet’s. he knows that he is a very handsome young man, and a great favourite wherever he goes; and from his general way of talking in unreserved moments, when there are only men present, i am convinced that he does not mean to throw himself away. i have heard him speak with great animation of a large family of young ladies that his sisters are intimate with, who have all twenty thousand pounds apiece.”