There are two things about the way Willoughby takes leave of the Barton Cottage ladies that really disturb me.

First of all, has anyone else noticed or been bothered by how much of what he says in Ch. 15 is focused on himself?

Marianne is in "violent affliction" and yet the only thing he says about her at all is "I hope not" in response to the question "Is she ill?" He then immediately turns it around so it's all about him. His disappointment, his suffering, his inability to have dinner with them, his travel, he will not torment himself, etc.

He appears to be very upset as well, but he seems to be mostly upset for his own sake and not for Marianne's. Do others have the same impression?

The second thing I don't like is something that does not add up.
Mrs. Dashwood invites him to come back any time, to which he replies, "My visits to Mrs. Smith are never repeated within the twelvemonth."

Just through information we already have in the story, this is either a lie, an exaggeration, or evasiveness. It simply isn't true.

This would be the first week of November when he says this. We know already from Sir John that he was there 'last Christmas' Considering that they were dancing and merrymaking at that time, that is probably referring to the Christmas season, so after Dec. 25 and into January, up until Twelfth Night.

Also, very early in November (about a week after Brandon left), Willoughby talks about how he was there "this time twelvemonth". So he was around Allenham last November too.

Plus, he arrived this time in mid-September. Had he been planning to hang out there until Christmas again? Is it still 'once in a twelvemonth' when you stay for nearly four months?

Unless his visits were usually 3 1/2 to 4 months long, this seems more frequent to me than 'never more than once in a twelvemonth'.

I don't think the Dashwood ladies are thinking and hearing too clearly because this whole incident is so shocking. Elinor does sound suspicious though, doesn't she?