Final answer:
Elinor believes Edward's strange behavior in 'Sense and Sensibility' is due to hidden emotions because of his secret engagement to Lucy Steele.The correct option is c
Step-by-step explanation:
In Sense and Sensibility, Elinor believes that Edward's strange behavior is related to hidden emotions.
Edward's conduct is indeed perplexing to Elinor, and as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that his reserved and often distant behavior is a result of his secret engagement to Lucy Steele, which he is unable to disclose due to the delicate financial situation and family expectations involved.
Rather than any financial trouble, mysterious illness, or family obligations, it is the weight of this concealed engagement that truly affects Edward's demeanor.
The correct option in the final answer, reflecting Elinor's point of view about Edward's strange behavior, is c. Hidden emotions.