] JA is sometimes not as specific as she could be about who she means by he/she or his/her

Indeed, as I broke it down phrase by phrase, it became less and less clear. There is a definite fluctuation between the she’s and her’s that is quite perplexing. I read the phrase “she (Lucy) spoke of her (still Lucy) friendship for them both with the most grateful warmth” as a single thought. After the comma, onto a new thought with: “(Lucy) was ready to own all their obligation (changing to Edward and Lucy), to her (Elinor.)” The vagueness leaves so much open to interpretation.

] I read it as Lucy crowing about the fact that while she has Edward and will marry him, Elinor can only express her love for Edward by getting people to do favours for him.

But in light of this: “if he had talked more of one lady than another, or seemed in any respect less happy at Longstaple than he used to be. I do not mean to say that I am particularly observant or quick-sighted in general, but in such a case I am sure I could not be deceived”, I’m quite tempted to think that she is still highly jealous of Elinor. His praise of her is obviously unrestrained. While it is true that they are safe from family pressures, Lucy must harbor some resentment for a rival that a.) shows so much willingness to help her fiancé despite the mutual disregard that the two rivals feel for each other, (leading her to see the affection of Elinor for Edward quite clearly) and b.) her fiancé is praising in ways she (Lucy) knows she, (still Lucy), could never deserve.

This is not to say that Lucy’s jealousy of Edward and Elinor is rational. Insecurity is rarely rational. Edward has proven himself as everything worthy. Lucy is highly clever and naturally intelligent, but she is always looking for weaknesses in people that she can exploit. I don’t think she truly understands the nature of Edward’s honor. She knows it’s a tool she can use to bind him to her. She thinks she needs to manipulate honor (as she did with forcing Elinor to keep her secret.) She doesn’t realize that it will keep him faithful to her in and of itself.

] she can not afford to be speaking negatively about someone Edward holds in such high esteem

Lucy has always been careful to couch her slights of Elinor in such a way that only she and Elinor understand them. And there’s only evidence of Mrs. Jennings and Lucy being present. So any slights, real or perceived are for Lucy’s self-satisfaction only.