text:  Mr Sparks--satisfied that he should have further insults to endure on the part of General Stanley in the event of his son pretending to the hand of the proud old man's daughter--sought a serious explanation with Everard on finding that he neglected no opportunity of meeting Mary Stanley in her drives and walks and errands of village benevolence; and by the remonstrances of one father and peremptoriness of the other the young couple were soon tempted to seek comforts in mutual confidences