>It is amazing that Anne turned out to be the person that she is, when you consider how self-centered are both Mary and Elizabeth<

Children often adapt to specific niches within a family. Obviously, Elizabeth and Mary completely filled the self-centered niche, so that left Anne with the caring and concerned niche. Note in the incident about young Charles' accident and the subsequent dinner how it was ingrained into Anne that nursing was not a man's province. Mary did not have the feelings to make the sick child her property, as Anne suggested. Anne, despite being relieved at not having to face CW, was also quite happy to stay and nurse. It was her place without complants.