I completely understand that pride, bitterness, fear of rejection and all that would keep Frederick from renewing his proposals to Anne (I doubt I would have been brave enough!). And I agree that neither of them has a good intermediary in this case--no Mrs. Gardiner or anyone who even comes close (if only Anne had been introduced to the Harvilles...) All I meant to say was, that as a man, society's conventions would allow CW to be the one to return when he had made his fortune. I'm glad he didn't--it would have been less heart-wrenching suspense for both our protagonists, but a much more boring book for us!