As much as I appreciate Lady Russell in general for being one of the few people that appreciates Anne, she still can be so frustating! I mentioned near the beginning of the GR how Lady Russell ought to have had Anne out more, but you have said it so much more eloquently! It almost seems as if Lady Russell was just waiting for some eligible young man to fall right into their laps, which is probably why she was so happy when Charles Musgrove proposed. It does seem like she is thinking not of what Anne wants but what she thinks Anne should want.