...JA's most nearly-perfect hero! ;-) Thanks, Barbara and Ellen - I think I'll take your POV for my own on this one. It makes me feel better to think that this is simply Perfect Henry showing his not-quite-perfect side! Even back in Bath, I had the same reaction you did, Ellen, that Henry was sweeping this unpleasantness under the rug just a little too easily.

Actually, given his family background, you could say it's to Henry's credit that he isn't *more* prone to doing so. This reminds me of an old acquaintance of mine who had a father a little like the General. My acquaintance, although a good person who also later became a minister ;-), was a little too prone to telling people what they wanted to hear, which got him into trouble more than once when it would have been better (though more painful) to tell the truth. You're right that this makes Henry's later break with his father even more dramatic (and praiseworthy, IMO).