Barb Since this isnt' strictly about Willoughby I'd liek to reply? I am not sure what you mean in your point about age of consent and parental guidance. the Age of consent was the legal limit for girls to have sexual relations. But upper class unmarried girls and women were considered to require parental guidance at all times.. even when they were of age. They weren't supposed to consider that they were ready for sexual relationships at all! ever!

And it was the duty of mothers, fathers and guardians to keep an eye on them, teach them propriety and the rules, chaperon them and ensure that when a young man came along, that it led to a proper courtship and engagement, not seduction. Willoughby and Marianne were acting as if they were already engaged.. and were behaving a way that might start to attract talk... So it was up to Mrs D since M had no father or a brother who was interested in her, to speak to Willoughby and ask his intentions.....Perhaps she might have asked Sir John to talk to him although he wasn't her guardian he seems to have been the only other male relation... but anyway Mrs D with her silly "romantic delicacy" refused to do the right thing, she woudlnt' even speak to Marianne when W had gone and ask her what was going on with Willoughby.. So while I find Marianne very annoying and tiresome and have lilttle sympathy for her, given her youth, a lot of the blame should really go to Mrs D.