 no more of her than that he was competing for a
prize and Willoughby Patterne only one of dozens to the young lady.
    A deeper student of Science than his rivals, he appreciated Nature's
compliment in the fair one's choice of you. We now scientifically know that in
this department of the universal struggle, success is awarded to the bettermost.
You spread a handsomer tail than your fellows, you dress a finer top-knot, you
pipe a newer note, have a longer stride; she reviews you in competition, and
selects you. The superlative is magnetic to her. She may be looking elsewhere,
and you will see - the superlative will simply have to beckon, away she glides.
She cannot help herself; it is her nature, and her nature is the guarantee for
the noblest race of men to come of her. In complimenting you, she is a promise
of superior offspring. Science thus - or it is better to say, an acquaintance
with science facilitates the cultivation of aristocracy. Consequently a
successful pursuit and a wresting of her from a body of competitors, tells you
that you are the best man. What is more, it tells the world so.
    Willoughby aired his amiable superlatives in the eye of Miss Middleton; he
had a leg. He was the heir of successful competitors. He had a style, a tone, an
artist tailor, an authority of manner: he had in the hopeful ardour of the chase
among a multitude a freshness that gave him advantage; and together with his
undeviating energy when there was a prize to be won and possessed, these were
scarcely resistible. He spared no pains, for he was adust and athirst for the
winning-post. He courted her father, aware that men likewise, and parents
preeminently, have their preference for the larger offer, the deeper pocket, the
broader lands, the respectfuller consideration. Men, after their fashion, as
well as women, distinguish the bettermost, and aid him to succeed, as Dr.
Middleton certainly did in the crisis of the memorable question proposed to his
daughter within a month of Willoughby's reception at Upton Park. The young lady
was astonished at his whirlwind wooing of her, and bent to it like a sapling.
She begged for time; Willoughby could barely wait. She unhesitatingly owned that
she liked no one better, and he consented. A calm examination of his position
told him that it was unfair so long as he stood engaged and she did not. She
pleaded a desire to see a little of the world before she plighted herself. She
alarmed him
