] What I had been trying to say, (but apparently with too much economy of words), (-; was that Elinor was rational enough to expect and prepare for Edward's marriage to Lucy. Considering the stoicism she had displayed in the face of some unexpected shocks, (Snip), it wouldn't be unexpected for her to act similarly stoic when an event was not unexpected.

] However, this, (hearing that Lucy & Edward were married), was the event that finally broke that stoicism. While Elinor's feelings were deep and apparent before this, they were always accompanied and tempered by her sense and rationality. The first crack in her rationality was a wholly unfounded hope that Edward would be prevailed upon to dump Lucy, (Snip) The sensibility underneath that veneer was exposed openly for the first time.

] Then the circumstances that you described came into the picture. After all of this, Edward says that he's not married to Lucy afterall. That is the point where it's no longer just a crack in the exterior facade of stoicism. Elinor's emotions pour out like the water behind a dam that just gave way. Her self command, so evident through so many trials, finally gives way.

] I do hope I've expressed myself a little more intelligibly this time. (-;