] ] Does John Thorpe's conversation with Catherine on the subject of marriage a proposal? If so, does the fact that he doesn't comne out and ask directly show that he was nervious, or just an idiot?

] Can't it be both? ;-)

I'm inclined to believe the latter--JT is just that egotistical, that self-absorbed, that clueless to not get the fact that Catherine is not only not registering what he's trying to insinuate, but that she'd (politely but firmly) show him his walking papers if she did understand. The thought that he might be turned down never seems to register.

Is it just me, or do a LOT of JA's men have problems with that? (potential Austinuations topic, I think...)

] They do seem to be talking at cross-purposes, don't they?