] Oh, I do think that Marianne and Willoughby had considerably more going for them than say, Lydia and Wickham in P&P. You're right, though, that money would be the sticking point, and not just for Willoughby(Snip)

] No, as Mrs. Jennings would says "She's far better of where she is."

Okay, point taken on the importance of money for Marianne as well as Willoughby (though are you sure she wasn't being abit flippant to Elinor?). However, what did Willoughby and Marianne really have in common,intimately? Granted they both enjoyed dancing and London society;Yet without fortune they how could they indulge such fashionable persuits? And with fortune ,they each would have run up debts. I know W. bleats to Elinor he was attracted to Marianne's person and "interesting manners" but he was trifling with her wasn't he?Unlike with Eliza he simply hadn't tasted the honey. Maybe that's why he did not so despise M . Marianne as an inexperienced,unmarried young woman has had little opportunity to learn about the real value of money. I can see her as an endearing wife for the right man and a most affectionate mum. Sure, I can see her early in married life addling her accounts but with practise why shouldn't her account keeping improve-perhaps 'the right husband' could show her. Well, I must concur with Monica C. and Mrs Jennings Marianne is indeed 'better off' under the Colonel's care. BTW, I've read Jane Austin essentially wrote about 'marriage and money' and I think that might be true!