Chapter Chapter Summaries of Sense and Sensibility - Study Guide by Jane Austen

Willoughby writes a cold note explaining that he had not meant to encourage Marianne, and that he has been engaged to someone else for some time. Marianne is overwhelmed with grief, torn between excusing and blaming him for his behaviour.

Chapter 30:

Mrs. Jennings confirms that Willoughby is engaged to a Miss Grey, who is rich. Marianne sits through dinner in silence and soon returns to her room. Mrs. Jennings is as attentive and sympathetic as possible; Colonel Brandon has also heard the news and comes to commiserate with Elinor.

Chapter 31:

Marianne receives a letter from her mother, whose confidence in Willoughby's affection throws her further into her grief.

Colonel Brandon reveals to Elinor that Willoughby had seduced and abandoned a young girl who was in his care. He hopes that this information will help Marianne to recover from her disappointment.

Chapter 32:

Elinor repeats Colonel Brandon's story to Marianne, who reacts to it by being more polite to the Colonel. Mrs. Dashwood replies to Elinor's letter telling her of Willoughby's defection. The news travels quickly through all the sisters' acquaintances in London and is the main topic of conversation. The Miss Steeles arrive in London.

Chapter 33:

Elinor meets her stepbrother, who has just arrived in London with his wife and son, in a jeweler's shop. He complains of the expense of living at Norland and voices his conviction that Colonel Brandon wants to marry Elinor. He is introduced to the Middletons - the foundations for an acquaintance between the two families are laid.

Chapter 34:

The Middletons give a dinner-party for Mr. and Mrs. John Dashwood; Elinor, Marianne, Anne and Lucy Steele and the formidable Mrs. Ferrars are also invited. During the dinner Mrs. Ferrars is rude to Eleanor, whom she suspects of wanting to marry Edward, and charming to Lucy, who is delighted.

Chapter 35:

Lucy calls on Elinor to rejoice in how well she was treated the previous evening by Mrs. Ferrars and Mrs. Dashwood. While they are together, Edward arrives. The awkwardness of the situation is not improved by Marianne, who meets him with an enthusiasm that is embarrassing to Elinor.

Chapter 36:

Mrs. Parker gives birth to a son; Mrs. Jennings is with her daughter constantly, leaving Elinor and Marianne with Anne and Lucy. At a party the girls are introduced to Robert Ferrars, Edward's brother; having danced with him, Elinor decides that he is a "coxcomb".

John Dashwood suggests to his wife that Elinor and Marianne be invited to their house in London, but Mrs. Dashwood replies that she has just invited the Miss Steeles to stay.

Chapter 37:

Lucy's engagement is revealed; Mrs. Ferrars is outraged and announces her intention to disinherit Edward and leave everything to her younger son Robert. Marianne is astounded at the news, and at hearing that Elinor has known about it for the past four months. Though at first she accuses Elinor of being unfeeling because she appears so calm, soon she realises that her sister's disappointment has been no less great than her own and is overcome with remorse for how self-indulgently she has behaved.

Chapter 38:

Elinor hears from Anne Steele that Lucy and Edward still intend to marry, despite his now being penniless and her never having had any money to begin with. They want to wait for Edward to obtain a living as a clergyman. Lucy writes to Elinor confirming this.

Chapter 39:

Elinor and Marianne decide that they will go home via the Parker's house in Somerset, where they have been invited with Mrs. Jennings. This means that they will be at Barton in about three weeks.