In Chapter 23: "After an evening, the little variety and seeming length of which made her peculiarly sensible of Henry's importance among them, she was heartily glad to be dismissed; though it was a look from the general not designed for her observation which sent his daughter to the bell. When the butler would have lit his master's candle, however, he was forbidden. The latter was not going to retire. " have many pamphlets to finish," said he to Catherine, "before I can close my eyes, and perhaps may be poring over the affairs of the nation for hours after you are asleep."
I assume he hasn't picked up pamphlets at his doctor's office on managing his cholesterol. With what kind of pamphlets might a man in his position be "blinding myself for the good of others"?