Edward is - cold and reserved, (according to Elinor) neither rapturous nor gay, and distinguished Elinor by no mark of affection (according to Marianne) who I think is correct in this instance though not entirely, because Edward wouldn't express himself this way anyway.

Elinor on the other hand feels mortified, half angry, vexed.

What's happening???!!
Two characters we don't associate such sentiments with.

The Dashwood family sure is having problems with their men, who Mrs Dashwood had felt so lucky about, *in having two such wonderful sons in law.*

The paradox here is that while two men have gone away, one of them on horseback, one has come back on horseback, but not brought much happiness or hope with him. So why did he come at all?
Couldn't help himself? It is obviously a last minute idea, since he didn't send a note to inform them.
Which means his urgency was so great that this decency didn't come to his mind.