It makes Elinor feel better to believe Willoughby is “less faulty …your heart less wicked, much less wicked” than she had believed and I agree she is not one to be made happy by withholding forgiveness. However, his charm is no reason to forgive Willoughby and one reason not to forgive him is that he does not earn forgiveness. He does not repent his behavior; he makes no amends and blames others in an attempt to lesson his guilt. Not forgiving Willoughby would be more like justice rather than a grudge. In Ch. 45 Elinor realizes she thought better of him “rather in proportion, as she soon acknowledged within herself to his wishes than to his merits” Marianne could tumble down a thousand hills (Ouch!) and none of this would have happened if Willoughby was an honorable man rather than one who is continually on the prow to take advantage of young women. If Elinor tumbled down hill, Willoughby would just look for a more obliging hill. (;D)