] I don't think you can generalize a preference for younger women. He has had feelings for two women in his life. Eliza, when he loved her, was exactly his own age.

] No--when Marianne meets Colonel Brandon, she hasn't even met or seen Willoughby yet at that point.

Actually that was just a suggestion. Personally I wouldn't see anything wrong if he did like younger ladies. Unlike Willoughby the colonel thinks of women with respect and treats them with courtesy. Ah! You are right to pull me up and refresh my memory here. (Another read of S&S by me is clearly due). However, for now, out of interest; Would any participant tell me if Eliza and Marianne had many similiar personal charecteristics? P.S. Am I recalling correctly Marianne first met Willoughby when she was out wandering,fell, twisted her ankle and he saw her when out riding and brought her home? Then the Dashwoods soon encounter Col. Brandon at a picnic with W. present?