I agree and thank you Barbara. (:D) In Ch. 39 Col Brandon tells Elinor, “Mrs. Ferrars does not know what she may be doing -- what she may drive her son to .” His words would be prophetic if they had not already come true four years previous when Edward proposed to Lucy. Mrs. Dashwood knew Edward’s “heart to be warm and his temper affectionate” (3). I imagine such a boy and young man would long for the same in others especially when there is no hope of finding it at home. Elinor describes Lucy as “naturally clever; her remarks…often just and amusing; and as a companion for half an hour…agreeable” (22). I wager Edward found “agreeable” an immense improvement over the situation at home and it follows, as Elinor theorizes, the “youthful infatuation of nineteen would naturally blind him to everything but her beauty and good nature” (23). Edward did not stand a chance; after all, four years ago Lucy must have been just as artful and determined with him as she has been with Elinor.