] ...why in the world does he love her?? We've all been pretty hard on Marianne this read (with reason, I believe), but why would such a wonderful, sweet man like Col. Brandon fall in love with such a whiny, petulant, selfish brat like Marianne? I suppose some men like that in a woman, but.... And especially after she continues to treat him with rudeness and disdain.

She does have some good qualities that someone else mentioned, it's just that love seems to bring out the worst in her. Granted her exterme emotions should not be excused, but truthfully she's not that different from a modern day teenage girl. Many girls I knew in high school were whiny, selfish brats who only worried about their boyfriend and thought they would die if he left her. Maybe it's a hormone issue with girls of that age along with having to learn to be mature and handle things properly.

] I know we cannot answer that question this week, but it is something I'm thinking of as I read. Col. Brandon is way too good for Marianne - she doesn't deserve it.

He is a good man there's not doubting that, I could use a guy like that in my life that's for sure ;) Whether she deserves his love or not really isn't up to us, it's up to Col. Brandon. At this point in the novel she doesn't deserve his attentions.

] (Hi CherylS - I don't think I've ever responded to one of your posts before - kind of weird, isn't it? :-) )