I'm struck by Mrs Dashwood's liberal use of the word love. Perhaps the time period is what made it all come out differently, but can someone shed some light for me here as to what kind of affections they might be feeling? TIA.

Mrs Dashwood and Elinor were talking about Edward Farrars. At one point, Mrs Dashwood said:

"It is enough," said she; "to say that he is unlike Fanny is enough. It implies everything amiable. I love him already."

"I think you will like him," said Elinor, "when you know more of him."

"Like him!" replied her mother with a smile. "I can feel no sentiment of approbation inferior to love."

"You may esteem him."

"I have never yet known what it was to separate esteem and love."

I want to think that Mrs Dashwood explained herself (love==esteem) but then was it more than that? Did Mrs Dashwood love Edward as though he was her own son already? Is that the kind of affection she was thinking of?

And then another pebble is thrown into the bicycle wheels when Marianne got into the love conversation.

"Perhaps," said Marianne, "I may consider it with some surprise. Edward is very amiable, and I love him tenderly."

Okaaaay. Love him tender? No? Love him like a brother?

While neither Marianne nor Mrs Dashwood are my focus in this GR, I found their feelings interesting. Thoughts?