That tells a lot about Benwick. I don't remember reading anywhere about how Benwick met his wife. However, the fact that she was Harville's sister kind of clued me in on how they met. So I see the naturalness of Benwick's meeting Anne and Louisa. And I agree with you that it could've happened either way. If Anne had stayed in Lyme, perhaps their poetry discussions might've taken on a more intimate meaning....