I agree—great post. I am sure Eliza was schooled in morality and of course she could have said no or stayed at home however the same applies a million times over to Willoughby. If not for his actions Eliza would have not been making such a choice in the first place. I cannot equate Eliza’s actions with Willoughby’s. She trusted him and he betrayed her. He had every advantage of information, age, and ability in that relationship. I think we can look to Marianne’s (about) six week relationship with Willoughby to get a good inkling of the power he had over Eliza. Marianne, “had no eyes for any one else [when Willoughby was present]. Everything he did was right. Everything he said was clever” (Ch. 11) and his influence can be seen in her behavior. She joined Willoughby in disparaging Col Brandon in chapters 10 and 13 which was a much harsher attitude than she had pre-Willoughby. Willoughby also persuaded Marianne to visit Allenham Court although I think she knew it was improper, also Ch. 13. Willoughby gained a great deal of power over Marianne in a very short time so it is easy to see how Eliza could be misled and taken advantage of by Willoughby. I think Eliza had her own season of happiness with Willoughby and captivated as she was she became his creature to lead where he might. (:D)