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

Colonel Brandon tells Elinor that he wants to give Edward the living on his estate. The two men do not know each other, but Brandon has heard of Edward's misfortune and wants to help him. He asks Elinor to make the offer to Edward. Mrs. Jennings, who overhears bits of their conversation, assumes that Colonel Brandon has asked Elinor to marry him.

Chapter 40:

Elinor intends to write to Edward to tell him about Colonel's Brandon's offer, but before she can post the letter Edward arrives at Mrs. Jennings' house and Elinor tells him the news in person. Mrs. Jennings realises her mistake, but is equally delighted to hear about Colonel Brandon's generosity.

Chapter 41:

Elinor visits her sister-in-law, who has fallen ill after the shock of hearing about Edward's engagement. She also meets Robert Ferrars, who states his low opinion of Lucy.

Chapter 42:

Elinor and Marianne leave London and arrive at Cleveland, the Parkers's home. Mr. Palmer and Colonel Brandon arrive soon after them. Marianne takes every opportunity of wandering around the grounds in order to indulge her pain at being so near Willoughby's house at Combe Magna, and, as a result, falls ill.

Chapter 43:

Marianne's illness gets so much worse that Colonel Brandon offers to fetch her mother from Barton. Before Mrs. Dashwood arrives, however, Marianne recovers. Hearing a carriage late one evening, Elinor runs to welcome her mother, but it is Willoughby who has arrived.

Chapter 44:

Willoughby has heard of Marianne's illness from Sir John Middleton in London and has come to make sure that her life is not in danger. He also wants to explain himself, and tells Elinor that he had been in love with Marianne but had been forced to give her up. Mrs. Smith had found out about his treatment of Colonel Brandon's charge and ordered him out of her house. Knowing that he could not now afford to marry anyone without money, Willoughby abandoned Marianne. He is now unhappily married.

Chapter 45:

Mrs. Dashwood arrives the next day, is relieved to find Marianne recovering, and tells Elinor that Colonel Brandon has confessed to her that he loves Marianne. Mrs. Dashwood is sure that Marianne would be happy with him and hopes that they will be married. Elinor is less sure that they are suited to each other, but does not say so.

Chapter 46:

Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters return to Barton. Marianne confesses to Elinor how remorseful she feels about her behaviour; her self-indulgence, her rudeness to her acquaintances, her injustice to Elinor. She resolves to mend her ways. Elinor comforts her by telling her about Willoughby's visit and by assuring her that he did really love her.

Chapter 47:

Marianne tells her mother and Elinor that she would not want things to be otherwise, now that she knows Willoughby's true character. The family's man-servant informs them that he saw Lucy Steele in the local town, and that she was married.

Chapter 48:

Edward visits the family at Barton. It turns out that Lucy is not married to him, but to his brother. When Edward was disinherited, she transferred her affections to Robert. Elinor bursts into tears at this news and leaves the room.

Chapter 49:

Edward proposes to Elinor; she accepts and he decides to attempt reconciliation with his mother. Colonel Brandon and Edward get to know each other, and soon leave for Brandon's house so that Edward can see the Parsonage where he is to live.

Chapter 50:

Mrs. Ferrars forgives Edward and gives him an income large enough to make him and Elinor very comfortable. They move into the Parsonage, where Mrs. Dashwood and Marianne are often with them. Eventually, Marianne marries Colonel Brandon.