In ch.18, when Isabella informs Catherine of Johnīs feelings for her, she makes an illuminating remark:"But I confess, as soon as I read his letter, I thought it a very foolish, imprudent business, and not likely to promote the good of either; for what were you to live upon, supposing you came together? You have both of you something, to be sure, but it is not a trifle that will support a family nowadays; and after all that romancers may say, there is no doing without money. I only wonder John could think of it; he could not have received my last.”

My German translation says "he could not have received my last letter.” Interesting, that the original sounds different, but due to my translation I understood her speech this way:"I wonder that heīs still eager to marry you. If he had already received my last letter (informing him about Mr. Morlandīs arrangements), he would have known that your financial situation isnīt promising."

I might be wrong, but it would suit the Thorpes attitude towards money...