] Yes, so long as Col Fitzwilliam found Anne unobjectionable, he'd be a fool not to marry her if he got the chance. She's probably worth at least twice the fifty thousand pounds that Elizabeth estimated to be the highest that earl's younger son was worth.

If the Colonel did marry Anne, my guess is that he'd also most likely take a mistress. Now PLEASE don't bash me over the head with your ivory fans until you've heard me out.

I'm not talking of someone like Willoughby who probably went through numerous women even after his marriage. I'm talking of the colonel, who is a gentleman and not a cad. His mistress would likely be the woman he truly loves, and his relationship with her might well last his entire life.