As a first-time reader, I just didn't know quite why I'm uneasy with Mary Crawford. You've identified some of it, thank you, Isabelle. Earlier Carol said that she's "glib," a trait I'm uncomfortable around, too. JA is giving us very subtle clues about Miss Crawford, right up to the quite tactless and tasteless remarks about the Admiral. Interesting; I can see that I need to revise my early-on opinion that she could be a friend for Fanny. Thank you.