Mary succumbed to all the attention and was swept off her feet by one these admirers, a certain Colonel Hope M.P.
He had known of her for years and was happy to get his chance to share his romantic affection. 
mnli hypothesis: He had known of her for years and was happy to get his chance to share his romantic affection.  premise: Mary succumbed to all the attention and was swept off her feet by one these admirers, a certain Colonel Hope M.P.