Hi Ron and Ted, Could it not be that she was the mother of John Dashwood's previous wife. Perhaps she was living with her daughter and her son-in-law when the daughter died. The second marriage may have been resented by the mother-in-law and she wanted to move out so she would be independent of them. Might be that she thought her son-in-law had a hand in getting rid of her daughter. Guessing. Have not read the book. Too much imagination. :) Regards, Lois In a message dated 4/25/2006 4:27:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time, ted.southwick@btinternet.com writes: Hi Ron, If you get on to English Literature you will lose me completely. I think my final School Report said something like " He has no inclination to understand the finer points of the English Language". Regards Ted ----- Original Message ----- From: <snape@cix.co.uk> To: <ENG-BLACK-COUNTRY-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 8:55 AM Subject: RE: [B.C.] stepchildren etc. > And what are we to make of the relationship in this quotation: > > No sooner was her answer dispatched, than Mrs. Dashwood indulged herself > in > the pleasure of announcing to her son-in-law and his wife that she was > provided with a house, and should incommode them no longer than till every > thing were ready for her inhabiting it. They heard her with surprise. Mrs. > John Dashwood said nothing; but her husband civilly hoped that she would > not be settled far from Norland. She had great satisfaction in replying > that she was going into Devonshire.--Edward turned hastily towards her, on > hearing this, and, in a voice of surprise and concern, which required no > explanation to her, repeated, "Devonshire! Are you, indeed, going there? > So > far from hence! And to what part of it?" She explained the situation. It > was within four miles northward of Exeter. > > Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility > > What was Mrs Dashwood's relationship to her son-in-law's wife? > > Ron S >