]

] ] Must they not also have been wondering what made the general so eager, why he urges Henry to court Catherine? As you say, they knew from experience he was very particular.

] I was wondering about that. Could it be that they themselves thought Catherine to be richer than she really was? They must have assumed so based on the General’s eagerness.

This is not it! From chapter 30:
"Henry and Eleanor, perceiving nothing in her situation likely to engage their father's particular respect, had seen with astonishment the suddenness, continuance, and extent of his attention; "
So One really knows not what to think ...