...Nabakov, in his otherwise very insightful analysis of JA's style, could say that she had few original metaphors (although he admirably singled out the "noble fire" that Mrs Norris "damaged" with a poker).

The astonished portraits and the seat with which Mary has a quarrel are both marvellous examples of how JA not only creates intricately crafted plots and well-rounded characters to people them -- she creates a whole _world_, and these "animated" inanimate objects are, subtly, part of how that happens -- and I'm sure, Robbin, that we shall all be more keenly aware of them after your post!