] When one is having a crisis to whom does one turn? If one has been brought up in a loving environment, then it is natural to turn to one’s family, and this is what James does. Now, there is also a lot of self-pity and wallowing and all that, but again just the kind of thing you would expect in a close family – unburdening and listening.

...I didn't get to post my thoughts on him earlier but this is just as timely a place to express that of all the characters in this story James is the greatest disappointment. He didn't listen to or help Catherine when she could have used it. His Royal Thorpness is pretty much established as a jerk right from the start so I'm not surprised by much that he does. But James!, I was mortified for Catherine when her brother did not support her when she was insisting on waiting for the Tilneys and the Thorpes were giving her a hard time about going out in the carriage. Okay, so his head was turned by the likes of a pretty girl but even if she had been a nice girl, I was shocked that he would was quite willing to compromise his sister's good name for a ride with a young lady. As it is, Catherine suspects this is not appropriate to begin with. Surely James, who is older and has been out in society as well as at school, knows better. To top it off, not only does he side with the Thorpes in this situation, he actually berates her himself. I dare say Mr. Darcy or Henry would never have acted in such a manner as concerned their sisters. Badly done, James. I would have expected much better.

] Henry recognizes the closeness of the siblings with "'To have so kind-hearted, so affectionate a sister,' replied Henry warmly, 'must be a comfort to him under any distress.'"

Yes, this is attributed to the constancy and goodness of Catherine.

] ”… in the embrace of each, as she stepped from the carriage, she found herself soothed beyond anything that she had believed possible. So surrounded, so caressed , she was even happy! In the joyfulness of family love everything for a short time was subdued…”

] Our Catherine needed that.

Absolutely, I like her good-hearted, down-to-earth family. They sent her off a bit haphazardly but they came through for her in her distress. :-)