But then there had come a circumstance which altogether changed her opinions as to Carbury Hall, and its proprietor.  The proprietor after a few weeks followed them up to London, and made a most matter-of-fact offer to the mother for the daughter’s hand.  He was at that time thirty-six, and Henrietta was not yet twenty.  He was very cool;—­some might have thought him phlegmatic in his love-making.  Henrietta declared to her mother that she had not in the least expected it.  But he was very urgent, and very persistent.  Lady Carbury was eager on his side.  Though the Carbury Manor House did not exactly suit her, it would do admirably for Henrietta.  And as for age, to her thinking, she being then over forty, a man of thirty-six was young enough for any girl. ...