It is not my first time, but last time was 25 years ago so it might as well be!

] ...whilst dancing with Henry... obviously interested in her and what she is doing with his son.

I was very favourably impressed (older man thing, I think!)

] ..it was the General's doing - he was preparing to walk out, did not care to have it put off, and so denied Eleanor to Catherine... Does this foreshadow an impatient personality? Or just a man set in his ways?

Hmm, I rather thought that maybe it was not true; that Eleanor had been annoyed by Catherine and this was Henry putting a gloss on it for Catherine.

] Also at the theatre, she sees John Thorpe talking to the General and both of them looking her way. Hmmm.... that does not auger well, I fear...

I saw this as John Thorpe imposing himself and his choice of subject on a distinguished older man, trying to impress...

] In ch. 13 he is all civility, inviting her into the drawing room, trying to get her to stay for dinner, procuring her attendance at a later date, admiring the elasticity of her walk... Very kind and gentlemanly, if a bit much. I mean, it does seem like overkill, doesn't it?

I thought he was enjoying himself flattering a rather innocent young lady - a version of the way Henry teases people...

As you can see, so far I have a bit of a crush on the General and have found positive explanations for all these things. I am obviously as naive in these matters as Catherine, without even her knowledge of Gothic novels to protect me!!!