] But in this week’s chapters, his lies turn almost sinister, and not only is he unrepentant, he is conscienceless about it.
He tells Catherine he sees the Tilneys in a gig heading out of town, thereby keeping Catherine from walking out with them and causing her no little embarrassment when she drives right past them. I feel so badly for her with her pleas to Thorpe to stop and let her down.

I always think this is proof of his self-absorption. He has to know that he will be found out eventually. Even if they don't pass the Tilneys, Catherine will find out the truth the next time she talks to them. He gains Catherine's time in the short term, but he will be worse off in the long term. It's almost as if he is a compulsive liar. Lies won't make Catherine like him more, but he seems to think that if he can just force her into his company, then he will when her love.

] And again in another driving-out scheme and involving the Tilneys, he is very proud of himself for having come up with the idea of lying to Eleanor and saying Catherine sent him to postpone their engagement. He expects to be congratulated for his ingeniousness.

Actually, Isabella's behavior makes me even angrier than John's. She is the one who pitches a fit (in a conniving but seemingly lady like way). I hate that she turns James against Catherine. It makes me want to shake Catherine and say "Can't you see Isabella is not a good friend?" But even though Catherine knows she is right, she still doesn't want to pain her friends. I think her loyalty is one of her most admirable traits. I wouldn't be that way, and that is probably said to my detriment.

] There is an element of danger in his lies this week that weren’t present last week. In both these events, not only does he lie without a thought for anyone else, he virtually imprisons Catherine. (SNIP)and he actually, physically restrains her by holding her arms (ably assisted by Dear Isabella!) to prevent her from running after the Tilneys in the second.

That always seems creepy to me when he tries to keep her from running after the Tilneys. I wonder if JA intended that to be a parody of the gothic novel. Her heroine is not in peril with crypts and skeletons but with an overbearing suitor. Any one have any thoughts?

] Thorpe moves from the buffoon to the sociopath. I see the potential for a very scary guy indeed.