] Yes, it is his (and Jane Austen's!) decision, it's just an inexplicible one to me, considering how hard she works at being offensive!

Love is a funny thing, sometimes the more you offend or push someone a way the more they love you or want you. It's one of those things with men liking a chanllege, so maybe that too comes into play with Brandon. (Sorry don't mean to stereotype men)

] I've never been a real Marianne fan, but I've also never really, actively disliked her, as I'm finding myself doing this read. And I'm finding that whole thing interesting. Is it my age and the fact that I have to deal with whiny teens in daily life and so have not the patience to do so in fictional life as well? I don't know. But I love the fact that JA has this effect on me. That I can reread her and get a whole different feel and reaction to the story depending on my stage in life or circumsances. You gotta love that! ;-)

I always liked her passion for love, but not the whiny, give me pity stuff that went along with her passion. LOL! Maybe that's why you like her even less since you have teens to put up with in real life and then to deal with one in a book too is annoying, I see where you're coming from. Being not that far removed from teenagehood myself I find Marianne mildly annoying but tolerable (I sound like Darcy!) though I would like to slap her in the face for moping around crying, now that's annoying. Also I'd like to give her a speech about her offensive behavior toward Brandon, to me it goes beyond rude how she treats him, she should have some respect for her elders since she feels he's "infirm".

] Well, and what's even weirder for me, is that my last name begins with an "S" and I use the name "CherylS" at another website I frequent because there was already a "Cheryl" when I arrived there, so I'm almost always taken aback when I see your name here at Pemberley - LOL!

Oh, that is funny, hopefully we don't have the same last name, that would be too much!!! ;-) Guess it is weirder for you, you poor thing.