Why do you think the Colonel allowed the salesman to marry his daughter even though he came from a lineage of Earls?
The Colonel’s family was no longer rich and all the glory they once had was a thing of the past. He was probably impressed by the honesty of the salesman and the fact that he was quite prosperous in his own way. He may also have felt he genuinely loved his daughter and would keep her happy. Moreover, he iqade him laugh with his humorous stories