] .... Don't expect great wisdom beyond that which you have already discovered, will you? ;-)

Well, it appears that whomever compiled that list thinks Alice is probably Eleanor's maid. I never woulda thunk it without you kind people. ;-)

However, I still think it unlikely that Miss Tilney would defy her father so far as to enter into a clandestine correspondence without being engaged. I must turn my mind now to the question of whether or not she would enter into a clandestine engagement against her father's wishes. Right now I'm inclined to think not.

I do think it possible though that she may have one or two other female friends with whom she exchanges letters, using Alice's name. I could even stretch my imagination to suppose that this charming and worthy young man has a sister. This would be a circumstance befitting a heroine, I think, and entirely in keeping with Eleanor's (and the general's) character.

] It's in the L&T FAQ and Links!