1) What is the time lapse between the Dashwoods settling at Barton Cottage and the confession of Lucy to Elinor that she is indeed engaged to Edward?

I don't know how Elinor kept her considerable composure in Lucy confiding in her that she had been engaged to Edward for FOUR years! And Lucy Steele probing Elinor on what sort of person Mrs. Ferrars is. I sort of got the feeling that Mrs. Ferrars must have been a woman of considerable power and formidible influence (much like Lady Catherine in P&P)over Edward and probably everyone within her sphere. Lucy sounded fearful and intimidated by Mrs. Ferrars, probably for good reason.