] I'm not saying that Willoughby doesn't owe her an explanation - he most certainly does - I'm just saying that this is part and parcel with Marianne's MO where her concerns and feelings take precidence over everyone else's, no matter the time or place or occasion. This was not the time for this, and she deserved to be rebuffed, IMO.

Yes, Marianne did have a problem with controlling her emotions. She had a talent for "wrong time, wrong place" behaviour. She let her feelings run away from her on more than one occasion and displayed her own share of unkind, inconsiderate behaviour. She behaved unfairly on many occasions towards Mrs. Jennings, Col Brandon and even her own sister. I'm not a big Marianne fan either -- never was.

But she didn't deserve to be let down in so public a way. Willoughby owed it to her and to their prior relationship to tell her it was over either in a letter or by a visit or whatever before it came to this.

Willoughby was in town for several weeks before Marianne showed up. Right up until this encounter she had no clue that his feelings had changed. He was just as open as she was about his regard for her and if he had any feeling for this young, inexperienced girl (of only 17!) he would have written to her or something immediately or shortly after he had left her.

Some explanations do come later for his behaviour (don't want to put any spoilers here) none of which, in my opinion, justify his behaviour at this event.