The Introduction of Harthouse (129-131)

Harthouse's intentions become clear after he meet Louisa. He is extremely interested in her, and he makes sure to attempt to impress her. He mentions that he wants to learn of (Louisa's) "respected father's opinions- really because I have no choice of opinions, and may as well back them as anything else." Harthouse obviously wants to establish a connection to her father, so that he can gain her admiration. One can assume that if she acknowledges his mentioning of the knowledgeable opinions of her father, it will draw her toward him because he is respectful to her family. However, Louisa's relationship with her father has been a rocky one, so this attempt seems futile in the grand scheme of his plan as she responds, "Have you none of your own?". Louisa values having an opinion, it is clear that she is against the fact driven society in which she lives. This statement by Harthouse causes her to question his ability to think for himself, as this is what attracts her. Harthouse realizes this it seems, and he responds by saying "The result of the varieties of boredom I have undergone, is a conviction that... any set of ideas will do just as good as any other set" Harthouse explains his boredom with the ideas that he has been presented, offering that learning of her father's ideas wouldn't hurt. He is open to anything, and thus he wants to learn of every style of thinking. It is obvious that he wants to impress her because he has a response to everything she says. He must prove her view of him wrong, so that he can make a lasting impression on her. By arguing her original thought, he wants to create a sense of wonder in Louisa. He wants for her to try to find out more about him. It is evident that he is definitely interested in her when the text states, "A beautiful smile. Mr James Harthouse might not have thought so much of it, but that he had wondered so long at her impassive face." Harthouse is amazed by Louisa's smile, he finds it to be beautiful. The fact that he was focusing so long on her face, and observing her for so long that this smile means so much to him, validates the claim of his extreme interest in her. For one to take so much time to observe a woman, obviously prove that he finds her appealing and attractive. If he was not interested he would not have put forth so much effort in impressing her with his views and opinions, and studying her. This interest causes Harthouse to pursue her, or even stalk her, later on in the book.