I'm quite aware that I'm not a young lad...

I'm quite aware that I'm not a young lady's man. No; and to tell you the honest truth I don’t want to be either. But when I say a thing I mean it; and when I feel a sentiment I feel it in earnest; and what I value I pay hard money for. So, come, Miss Vivie: you needn’t pretend you don’t see what I'm driving at. I want to settle down with a Lady Crofts. I'm a good deal older than you. I shan't live forever; and I'll take care that you shall be well off when I'm gone. I’ve always been a good friend to your mother: ask her whether I wasn’t. She'd never have make the money that paid for your education if it hadn’t been for my advice and help, not to mention the money I advanced her. There are not many men who would have stood by her as I have. And just think of all the trouble and the explanations it would save if we were to keep the whole thing in the family, so to speak. Ask your mother whether she'd like to have to explain all her affairs to a perfect stranger. By the way, you’ll keep it to yourself, won’t you? Since it's been a secret so long, it had better remain so.