That whilst I'm not saying that Austen's heroines are perfect (they are, indeed, very lifelike and likeable) none of them are really bad. I'm not saying I want Austen to do an evil character, but to be honest, it's refreshing to see someone like Lucy - selfish, reasonably clever, and utterly self-regarding. I think you'll find there are far more Lucys in this world than Elinors. I think the character of Lucy does have the capacity to become sympathetic, in the hands of an author more inclined to give her the time of day. All Austen's heroines are fundamentally virtuous, however flawed they might be, and it would be nice to see Austen use a character like Lady Susan in her mature work, and give her centre stage.