There might be also some degree of incomprehensiveness on the part of Mr Primrose. He had lived in the world much and intimately, he had conversed with multitudes, and had experienced collision of minds; and his associates had changed, and he had not dwelt closely and meditatively on any peculiar class or set of men; there had passed before him many individuals, but they had not made much impression upon him, or excited in him much thought. He therefore could no more make allowance for Mr Darnley’s peculiarities, than Mr Darnley could make for his. One great point of difference between the two was, that Mr Primrose was of great facility of mind, and the other most preposterously obstinate. Now Mr Primrose thought and said, that Mr Darnley was a very haughty and ill-humoured man, since, being so near to Smatterton parsonage, he had not condescended to call. And Mr Primrose also said to his daughter, “If it were not that I thought you really attached to Robert Darnley, I should almost wish that I might never hear the name mentioned again. I cannot imagine what Mr Darnley means by such ridiculous behaviour; does he think that we are to pay homage to him?” Penelope could not find it in her heart to be angry with any one that bore the name of Darnley. She had seen that there had been a misunderstanding cleared up, as concerned the young gentleman, and she therefore hoped and trusted that in time the misunderstanding on the part of the father would be cleared up also. She also recollected how very kindly all the family at Neverden had formerly behaved to her, and she could not think that the present alienation should last long. She also considered that the sisters of Robert Darnley had, from motives of pure kindness to her, risked the anger of their father, and she knew that once they too had been cold and distant. Therefore, when her father spoke hastily and sharply concerning Mr Darnley’s strange behaviour, Penelope did not corroborate what he said, by echoing the same sentiment; but she soothingly and quietly replied; “I think that what appears so strange in Mr Darnley’s conduct, arises altogether from some misunderstanding; and I have no doubt that it will by some means or other be soon set to rights. No one could behave with greater friendship and cordiality to me than Mr Darnley and his family used to do; and now this very morning when I saw the young ladies again, they were as friendly as they had formerly been.” “Well, child, you are more patient than I should be,” replied the father; “I cannot at all understand such conduct. That Mr Darnley must be a very narrow-minded man. But, if you make up your mind to accept Robert Darnley, I cannot see why you should wait for the formality of the father’s consent. You are both independent of him.”