] It might be worth figuring out all their relative ages as to when they'd have been together or apart. (Any takers? I'll be busy the next little while.)

Well, this struck me as interesting to find out, so I did some digging.

The story takes place in 1798. Mrs. Tilney has been dead "these nine years" making it 1789.

Eleanor says she "was only 13 when it happened" putting her "current" age at 22.

Henry was 26 when married "within a twelve-month of meeting" Catherine, so his "current" age is probably 25, making him 16 when his mother died.

I could find no age for Frederick (anyone else find one?)

So:

1789 Mrs Tilney dies:
Frederick: 17-21 yrs old?
Henry: 16 yrs old
Eleanor: 13 yrs old

Eleanor was away fom home, but Henry says "Frederick and I (we were both at home)” Henry home from school perhaps? Frederick either on leave from Dragoons, or perhaps not even enlisted yet? Especially when one considers they were in Ireland at the time, but Frederick was in Gloustershire. So perhaps his age is closer to 17 than 21?