...in looking back after Edmond...

[f6pafd]

The following quote is from "Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen:

That was the only resemblance between her and the lady who sat by her; in everything but a value of Edmond, Miss Crawford was very unlike her. She had none of Fanny's delicacy of taste, of mind, of feeling; she saw Nature, inanimate Nature, with little observation; her attention was all men and women, her talent for the light and lively, In looking back after Edmond, however, when there was any stretch of road behind them or when he gained on them in ascending a considerable hill, they were united, and a "there he is" broke at the same moment from them both, more than once

What is the meaning of "after" here in the expression of "in looking back after"? I wonder if it can be paraphrased like this: In looking back to look after Edmond.

Thanks in advance

 

[Tegs]

You can paraphrase as "in looking back to check where Edmund was". It is not the same as "look after" in the meaning of "care for someone".

 

[Uncle Jack]

What is the meaning of "after" here in the expression of "in looking back after"? I wonder if it can be paraphrased like this: In looking back to look after Edmond.

Not quite, but you could say "In looking back to look for Edmund".

[Cross-posted]

 

[lingobingo]

I think here the after means for – they were looking for him each time they turned to see whether his carriage was visible behind theirs.


cross-posted and agreeing

 

[f6pafd]

Much obliged to all.