In mulling over the advantages of Admiral Croft as a tenant, Sir Walter thinks, "I have let my house to Admiral Croft," would sound extremely well; very much better than to any mere Mr. -- a Mr. (save, perhaps, some half-dozen in the nation) always needs a note of explanation.

To me, I see a lot of JA's novels in each other. Not specifically by mention, but yet nuances of it, I guess. Not to mix two novels, but wouldn't Mr. Darcy be one of those half-dozen men who need no explanation (at least according to Mr. Collins, who calls Mr. Darcy one of the most illustrious personages in this land)? I just hear echoes of Mr. Darcy stating, "I cannot boast of knowing more than half a dozen, in the whole range of my acquaintance, that are really accomplished."