In her drive with Uncle Swithin we read the very revealing confession, "I don't care if I never get home" when the horses are bolting. This is the first time that Irene actually says something that reveals how unhappy she is. Is it safe to presume that she wants out of her marriage but she is trapped?
Even though it's about 70 - 80 years after JA's stories take place, does the situation seem the same to you for Irene as it is for some JA characters, e.g., Maria Rushworth?