Good points and I have only little rebuttal for them.

You are right that I appreciate the third definition for overlook best for my feelings. Throughout the novel LR does not discuss FW with Anne, except for explaining about the accident at Lyme and I think it is part of her personality that she will not admit to seeing him or discuss him with Anne.

I have to concede that LR had to have knowledge of fashionable furnishings and such to create her modern home but I still think it is only a cover for what she is really looking at. If innocent why does she need an excuse for staring or just looking at windows and curtains? If she was looking at curtains, why not ask Anne's opinion?

It would be interesting to know if the meaning of overlook has changed over the years. :)