!!!! Holy fuck. I totally did not even remember that bit. Thanks for pointing it out -- Jesus Christ, I totally had n idea that it was that clear in the text that he'd had it that bad for Marie.

There's also this bit in one of the books after he's married to Barbara where Hornblower talks about how he had to "train" himeslf out of liking soft, fleshy women and into liking Barbara's muscliness. I can't remember what book it's in, man oh man oh man. O_o

Thanks, yo. And never ever ever worry about going back and leaving comments on old threads. I go back and read meta threads all the time. :D