That’s a good point Mrs. Gardiner is able to nip things in the bud and lady Russell is coming into it when they are already engaged. I’m not surprised no one in Anne’s family noticed anything but it is surprising lady Russell didn’t. Maybe her own prejudices mislead her or maybe she didn’t have much of a chance to observe them together. I do get the impression it all happened quickly. (“They were gradually acquainted, and when acquainted, rapidly and deeply in love”.) As I think about it, if it came as big surprise to lady Russell and felt like it was out of nowhere. I can see where that would give her all the more reason for concern.
