Emily - she seemed to be her own mistress, despite the grand connections - would surely not refuse an honest offer. Yet he was not, at present, in a position to make one.
they should become engaged
Perhaps when she had recovered from this encounter he could suggest that they become engaged albeit in an unacknowledged fashion as he could not afford a ring worthy of her.
Emily - she seemed to be her own mistress, despite the grand connections - would surely not refuse an honest offer. Yet he was not, at present, in a position to make one.</s>Perhaps when she had recovered from this encounter he could suggest that they become engaged albeit in an unacknowledged fashion as he could not afford a ring worthy of her.</s>they should become engaged