How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Maria Bertram was beginning to think matrimony a duty; and as a marriage with Mr. Rushworth would give her the enjoyment of a larger income than her father's, as well as ensure her the house in town, which was now a prime object, it became, by the same rule of moral obligation, her evident duty to marry Mr. Rushworth if she could (4.10).
Maria's attitude indicates the time period in which she exists. Getting married really was a "duty" for children in this period, especially for daughters.
Quote #5
Julia called Mr. Crawford's attention to her sister, by saying, "Do look at Mr. Rushworth and Maria, standing side by side, exactly as if the ceremony were going to be performed. Have not they completely the air of it?"
Mr. Crawford smiled his acquiescence, and stepping forward to Maria, said, in a voice which she only could hear, "I do not like to see Miss Bertram so near the altar."
Starting, the lady instinctively moved a step or two, but recovering herself in a moment, affected to laugh [...] (9.19-21).
As one of the most blatant flirting scenes between Henry and Maria, this scene also reveals the increasingly scandalous situation the two are getting into.
Quote #6
A well-disposed young woman, who did not marry for love, was in general but the more attached to her own family [...] (21.23).
Sir Thomas is making a faulty assumption about Maria here, but his thoughts provide some interesting insight into the time period. Lots of people didn't marry for love in this era and, as such, women might often hang around at their parents' house in order to avoid their unfortunate spouses.