Do you think John Thorpe has real regard for Catherine? I can well imagine that Catherine is nothing like his sisters or friends but I do not know if he sincerely appreciates the difference. Has he bothered his brains or is he just bloviating as usual? He later tells Catherine fortune means nothing to him if he has the girl he likes—I cannot believe money could ever mean nothing to him.

A monstrous deal of good nature, and it is not only good nature, but you have so much, so much of everything; and then you have such--upon my soul I do not know any body like you. (Ch. 15)

Catherine could not resist such praise in the past:

“where youth and diffidence are united, it requires uncommon steadiness of reason to resist the attraction of being called the most charming girl in the world, and of being so very early engaged as a partner” (Ch. 7)

However, by Ch. 15 Catherine’s heart is protected by her affection for Henry. JT knows not he has a pre–engaged heart to attack.