While I was reading Robbin's post - I was wondering if this conversation was one of the things that crystalized for Anne the soundness of Lady Russell's advice and her duty towards it. I do agree with you, that both Frederick and Anne realized while listening to both these eminently sensible women (who both have extremely good marriages) that perhaps their original plan was a little more fraught with difficulties than they (at 19 and 23) saw or would acknowledge.