Its a tricky question. I think, that although JA seemed to favour the calm exterior, she valued most of all a warm heart and strong feelings and honesty. To make a few comparisons if I may - in Persuasion, Anne prefers Captain Wentworth who sometimes betrayed emotion to the calm and controlled Mr Elliot who could use his control to decieve. Henry Crawford could also hide his true feeling - or in fact pretend to have feelings he did not (in fact he was hiding a cold interior). Both Elinor and Marianne have warm hearts - and like Mr Elliot, Elinor can govern her feelings, although I think not with the aim to decieve, but rather see things as they truly are and allow the most appropriate actions. I love the way JA can put similar qualities in good and bad characters - and to note just the small tweak in them which makes it a good or bad characteristic.