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I know what you mean, desertblues: it's all the angling to land a husband and of course some lovely little snide remarks in the narration. A couple of examples I particularly liked:
In Chapter 3 the reference to the drawing-room - its elegance made it unfit for general family use, but "It added, however, not a little to the glory of Mrs Masters' life."
In Chapter 24, when it was decided to go ahead with the ball despite the hunting accident: "They all took their places with a lugubrious but business-like air, as aware that they were sacrificing themselves in the performance of a sad duty."
Despite all the angling and conniving, you have to feel sorry for women in Arabella's situation: no independent wealth, not able to go out and get a job to support themselves ... I don't blame her for feeling weary with it all!
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