Elinor thought this generosity overstrained, considering her sister's youth, and urged the matter farther, but in vain; common sense, common care, common prudence, were all sunk in Mrs. Dashwood's romantic delicacy. (Chapter 16)

I have been surprised during this group read at Miss Dashwood’s extreme sensibilities and I have found her behavior up to this point in the story much more reprehensible than Marianne’s. (Perhaps it is S&S2 bias?) In Chapter 16 she is once again allowing her over used sensibilities to overrule good judgment (Elinor’s) by not trying to clarify Marianne’s situation with Willoughby. Poor Elinor, she can once again, just like after the death of her father, be assured that no sense from Marianne or Mrs. Dashwood will ease her own particular burdens. ;D