] But he doesn't really seem to be talking up Henry as you might expect he would if that were the match he had in mind. He seems to be talking up himself more. (although, as head of the family, it could amount to the same thing in his mind)

I agree that he seems to be talking more of himself than of Henry. The only bit that might point towards a match with Henry seems to be when he is extolling the virtues of Woodston, telling her it is a family living Henry holds, describing the house, saying that the income derived from it is not insignificant, etc.

And then there is the china... Catherine admires it and the General pooh-poohs it saying it is a full two years old! But that

"He trusted, however, that an opportunity might ere long occur of selecting one--though not for himself. Catherine was probably the only one of the party who did not understand him."

I take this to hint that he may be purchasing some new china for a wedding - hers and Henry's, but that she is the only one who doesn't pick up on this. Henry is in the room, but JA doesn't remark on his reaction, just that soon afterwards he left for Woodston. It would have been nice to know what he thought about that, wouldn't it? ;-)