We see John and Isabella working in concert this week, to get Catherine to do what they wish her to do. They work together to “persuade” her to go on the drive to Blaize Castle and then use even stronger methods to procure her attendance on the second drive, going so far as to physically restrain her, one on each arm, from leaving their company. The Thorpes may not be a close family, but John and Isabella have worked out the fine art of tag-teaming. ;-p

There’s an interesting bit of insight into the family dynamics as a result of Catherine’s refusal to go on the drive. After protesting several times that John is not in Bath to drive his sisters, he winds up doing just that, deciding to take Maria on the drive because Anne has “thick ancles” and presumably it would shame him too much to be seen with her.

Anne and Maria have some fallout over this incident as well. When Anne is asked about the drive, she declares that she is glad not to have gone: “It must be the dullest thing in the world.” But her protestations smack of sour grapes.

Maria says that she had a delightful time, though her description of it sounds deadly dull. Her main point of joy seems to be in lording it over Anne.

After James and Isabella are engaged, but before it is announced, Isabella, John and even Mrs. Thorpe seem to take delight in teasing the younger girls with significant looks and secret smiles and mysterious speech, a kind of “We know something that you don’t know – nanner, nanner” kind of air. Catherine thinks this is unkind, and it is.

This family is intensely competitive and selfish and just plain mean to each other. The only time they cooperate is when they have a common goal, which is invariably to another’s detriment.