Howards End Lesson Plan

What does it mean that Leonard sees the Schlegels as "romance" and wants to "make the most of his romantic hour" with them?

Though some students may be confused by this and think it means that Leonard is sexually attracted to the sisters, Forster is referring to romance and the romantic in a larger sense. "Romance" here means beauty, truth, and the sublime. Leonard's "romantic hour" means an hour to talk about lofty subjects instead of the plodding, ordinary subjects of daily life. It does not mean, at this point, that he wants to begin an affair with the sisters or is sexually attracted to them.

Why is it easy for Margaret to believe that "Reticence about money...