] This is the one place in the book where I haven't approved of Henry's conduct: I've always thought he was unreasonably harsh on Catherine.

That's interesting - you must read this section with a totally different tone of voice than I hear in my head! Because honestly I don't hear a lot of anger - maybe an undercurrent - but not loud or harsh. What I mostly hear in Henry's voice is amazement that her imaginings have taken her so far from the truth and astonishment that she could honestly believe this (I think he basically thought it was a game - during his story on the way to Northanger - and remember - he didn't know for sure about her other flights of fancy because she didn't share!;). I think he was a little upset at the implication of what she was thinking, but I don't ever think of him as being really angry here. But apparently I'm really in the minority here about this!