on Anne's part. Her behaviour being my focus, the following interested me very much.

The earlier contradiction was seen in a gap of 7+ years, while here it almost seesaws.

CH 5;
On the morning appointed for Admiral and Mrs. Croft's seeing Kellynch Hall, Anne found it most natural to take her almost daily walk to Lady Russell's, and keep out of the way till all was over; when she found it most natural to be sorry that she had missed the opportunity of seeing them.

I don't see it as fickleness but as being in a very vulnerable position. The way of using 'most natural' is so typical of JA.

This flexibility in Anne due to her vulnerability is just the thing she needs to face the coming situation.