So were they all, all honourable men!
Posted by Mark on December 05, 1997 at 12:10:56:
In response to And..., written by MB on December 05, 1997 at 11:54:12
] ] Helen
] ] ] I think this is a fascinating discussion. So do I! Don't you think that the fact that Col. F. considers marrying for money in the way he does - as a primary consideration in his choice of bride - would stand in the way of Elizabeth giving him her complete respect?
] ] MB
] ] Excellent observation! I agree. I think she understands why he does need an heiress, though. No matter how much in love they might be at the start of their marriage, I think that his style of living (as younger son of an Earl, I mean) would put a drain on the finances and ultimately cause friction, resentment, and unhappiness. On the Colonel's part, I think he's being realistic as well. It may be very romantic to say that you will give up everything for the woman you love, but....
Mark
Elizabeth wasn't too upset about Wickham chasing Mary King. I also thinks she respects the Colonel for telling her fairly quickly that he's concerned about money. Compare his actions to Willoughby and Edward Ferrars.
But getting back to my original premise, suppose the Colonel was the eldest and therefore could marry where he likes (like Darcy) or that she was an heiress (like that lady Willoughby dumps Marianne for), I would say that Elizabeth very likely would have married him if he had popped the question.
What if, instead of Darcy calling upon her at Hunsford, it had been Col. Fritzwilliam who walks in and proposes! Would she have accepted him? This assumes that he would have been more gentlemanly about it than "foot-in-mouth" Darcy.
Interesting questions, no?
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