I agree Henry is confident in his ability to force Fanny to love him but disagree he feels above purchasing good opinion with kindness to William since he tries to do it twice in Ch. 24. Henry was also confident in attaching the Miss Bertrams and as far as I know he did not try to purchase their good opinion with kindness to others but I assume that is because it was unlikely to work and it was unneeded. Charm, a few amorous hints and playing on their vanity and jealousy of each other was enough to secure their affections but Henry found Fanny was not to be gained so easily and was pleased to have found out such a brother and ‘such a method of pleasing her’ (24). Henry’s belief Fanny’s modesty is all that need be overcome makes attacking her indifference with kindness to William that much more logical. It is Fanny’s desire to avoid Henry’s attentions to her but she absolutely cannot be indifferent or long disdainful of any attention to her dear brother.

I was not criticizing Henry for being inspired by the self-interest of marital bliss. Of course I do think everyone has self-interest in marital bliss and it is not an interest to disgrace anyone—that was the point. The self-interest of marital bliss for me does not automatically erase the generosity of a kindness as does, in my opinion, the vicious self-interest of a cad. Sorry if that was muddled. I think intent, interest and desire for credit does reflect on the generosity of a kindness and that is why I considered all three in my response. I have already said Henry was generous in getting William promoted, I think it was a generous impulse but I see no reason to believe Henry could not also consider it a good move towards gaining Fanny’s gratitude – good opinion – affection. Henry knows he cannot obtain Fanny’s affection with his usual bag of tricks. He also knows William is a way to Fanny’s heart. I do not see Henry disdaining the idea her brother’s promotion would gain him more consideration. (:D)