are certainly to blame, since they have complete power to be agreeable or to snub in this (and almost any) social situation, but I must agree with Mary Ann that Mrs. Clay has them exactly where she wants them! Her schmoozing and flattery are working. Had their characters been different, Elizabeth and Sir W would have made better choices; but that doesn't mean that Mrs. Clay isn't sleazy. If she had a secret diary in which she wrote down her real thoughts and feelings about the Elliot family, I would love to read it!