] There is something about the way that Marianne really feels her feelings, deeply and without reserve, and the manner in which she hold to her convictions despite what anyone else may think that is extremely appealing to Brandon.

] Elinor was convinced that the colonel spoke with the "tender recollection of past regard" when he said "I once knew a lady who in temper and mind greatly resembled your sister, who thought and judged like her..."

Could it be that in compared with Lady Middleton, Mrs. Palmer, Mrs. Jennings and the other women he would regularly see that Marianne is unique in her "truly feeling her feelings"? That it is this inhibition of her expressions of them that attract Brandon? That his (very controlled) passionate nature is looking for such passion.

Maybe in our age of being able to express ourselves, we don't understand just how unique a woman like Marianne was and how attractive that makes her.