A warm welcome, dearest Janeites, to the Austen 250 Reader Series––our celebratory blog series for the 250th anniversary year––and the fifth week of our Sense and Sensibility content, in which we shall cover the thirty-fifth through forty-second chapters of the novel. As Austen's delightful debut requires no introduction... shall we begin?
Lucy comes to visit Elinor and exuberantly shares of her happiness at Mrs. Ferrars's approval of her. The conversation is largely one-sided and continues at length until Edward arrives unannounced, causing a most unfortunate meeting to occur. Edward and Lucy each say very little and Elinor is left to facilitate the conversation. Elinor finally decides to find Marianne, as she would be pleased to see Edward; she is indeed, oblivious to the tenseness of the room.
Seeing Edward brings a bit of life and vivacity back into Marianne and she suggests that Edward accompany her and Elinor to Barton in a few weeks. To that request, Edward makes no clear answer, although in her exuberance, Marianne does not seem to notice. After a few more halting attempts at amiable discourse, Edward leaves and, shortly after, Lucy. Once the guests have gone, Marianne wonders aloud at Lucy's staying so long, when it seemed only too clear that she added to the group's discomfort. At this, Elinor is silent, musing on the difficulties of keeping Lucy and Edward's engagement a secret from her sister.
It was a very awkward moment; and the countenance of each showed that it was so. They all looked exceedingly foolish; and Edward seemed to have as great an inclination to walk out of the room again as to advance further into it. The very circumstance, in its unpleasantest form, which they would each have been most anxious to avoid, had fallen on them. They were not only all three together, but were together without the relief of any other person. The ladies recovered themselves first. (Ch 35)
Mrs. Palmer soon has a baby and as such, Mrs. Jennings spends a great deal of time at the London home of her daughter and son-in-law. Marianne and Elinor often go with her, as do the Middletons and the Steeles. Even though the two sets of sisters are not incredibly fond of one another, Mrs. Jennings encourages their friendship.
In the following days Elinor and Marianne receive an invitation to a party given by friends of John and Fanny Dashwood, much to Fanny's dismay, who would rather not bring her half-sisters-in-law along. Marianne is still in a melancholic state over Willoughby's betrayal and has nearly lost all motivation to put any effort into looking nice, however she does agree to attend the gathering. The Dashwood sisters do not enjoy the party, although Elinor has the opportunity to be introduced to the younger Ferrars brother, Robert. Conceited and vain, he is very similar to his mother and older sister.
After the party concludes, John suggests to Fanny the idea of hosting his sisters while they are all in London. This idea, not surprisingly, Fanny opposes, having already decided to ask the Steeles to stay with them. John agrees after very little argument, and a Fanny sends a note to the Steele sisters at once. Lucy is thrilled by the news and tells Elinor immediately.
He addressed her with easy civility, and twisted his head into a bow, which assured her, as plainly as words could have done, that he was exactly the coxcomb she had heard him described to be by Lucy. [...] But while she wondered at the difference of the two young men, she did not find that the emptiness and conceit of the one put her at all out of charity with the modesty and worth of the other. Why they were different, Robert explained to her himself in the course of a quarter of an hour's conversation; for, talking of his brother, and lamenting the extreme gaucherie which he really believed kept him from mixing in proper society, he candidly and generously attributed it much less to any natural deficiency than to the misfortune of a private education [...] (Ch 36)
A few weeks later, Mrs. Jennings tells Elinor news of great import she had just heard. It turns out that Edward Ferrars and Lucy Steele had been long engaged, and upon Fanny finding out she became hysterical and drove Lucy from the house. At this, Elinor only wonders what Mrs. Ferrars will do upon learning of the engagement. Marianne is appalled by the news and, grows perturbed upon learning that Elinor already knew of the engagement, wishing Elinor had told her sooner. Elinor, reserved and in control of her feelings, assures her sister that Edward and Lucy's impending union no longer torments her. Marianne wonders how this can be true if Elinor truly loved Edward, and what follows is a poignant conversation, with sister teaching sister that not everyone chooses to display their emotions outwardly.
John Dashwood visits the following morning and shares all the details of Mrs. Ferrars's reaction to the engagement. Similarly hysterical to her daughter, she disinherits Edward and wishes never to see him again, giving his inheritance to his brother, Robert. Despite these significant factors, Edward says he cannot and will not go back on his promise to Lucy.
The composure of mind with which I have brought myself at present to consider the matter, the consolation that I have been willing to admit, have been the effect of constant and painful exertion; they did not spring up of themselves; they did not occur to relieve my spirits at first. No, Marianne. Then, if I had not been bound to silence, perhaps nothing could have kept me entirely — not even what I owed to my dearest friends — from openly showing that I was very unhappy.' (Ch 37)
One day, Mrs. Jennings and Elinor run into Anne Steele while out on a walk and she tells them more news of the excitement. Edward visited Lucy a few days prior and, in keeping with her character, Anne eavesdropped on their conversation. Edward apparently suggested to Lucy that they should break off their engagement now that he had no fortune, but Lucy, however, would not allow this. Thus, the engagement remained fast.
More than anything, Edward hopes to become a clergyman. While without his inheritance the monetary sphere looks grim, once he receives a living, Edward and Lucy can wed. Lucy sends Elinor a letter directly, explaining the situation and wondering if Elinor would be able to recommend Edward to anyone who might be able to support him with a parish rectory.
[...] Elinor was left in possession of knowledge which might feed her powers of reflection some time, though she had learnt very little more than what had been already foreseen and fore-planned in her own mind. Edward's marriage with Lucy was as firmly determined on, and the time of its taking place remained as absolutely uncertain, as she had concluded it would be: — everything depended, exactly after her expectation, on his getting that preferment, of which, at present, there seemed not the smallest chance. (Ch 38)
After nearly three months, Marianne has tired completely of London and greatly desires to return home. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer plan to soon return to Cleveland, their estate, and ask the Dashwood sisters to accompany them. At first, Marianne resists, as Cleveland is very near to Willoughby's country home. Elinor focuses on the positives, such an end to their seemingly-endless stay in London, as well as a sure step towards Barton Cottage.
Later, Colonel Brandon visits and tells Elinor that, having heard of the happenings between Edward and his mother, he would like to offer him the living of his estate in Delaford. Elinor is very surprised, as this means Edward and Lucy will be able to marry soon. Mrs. Jennings overhears the last portion of the conversation and mistakenly thinks the Colonel and Elinor are engaged and discussing their future.
Elinor's astonishment at this commission could hardly have been greater had the Colonel been really making her an offer of his hand. The preferment, which only two days before she had considered as hopeless for Edward, was already provided to enable him to marry; and she of all people in the world, was fixed on to bestow it! [...] her esteem for the general benevolence, and her gratitude for the particular friendship, which together prompted Colonel Brandon to this act, were strongly felt, and warmly expressed. (Ch 39)
Colonel Brandon soon takes his leave and Mrs. Jennings congratulates Elinor, thinking that she and the Colonel are engaged. Then, Mrs. Jennings departs and Elinor sits down to write a letter to Edward with Colonel Brandon's positive news. She is interrupted, however, when none other than Edward himself arrives. The scene that follows is unbearably awkward, but provides Elinor time to relay the offer from the Colonel. Edward is astounded and filled with gratitude, and once Elinor tells him the Colonel's address in town, he immediately sets off to thank his benefactor in person. Elinor wistfully considers the fact that the next time she sees Edward, he will in all likelihood be Lucy's husband. When Mrs. Jennings returns home, she speaks directly of the Colonel marrying Elinor, and her erroneous belief is amended.
'Colonel Brandon give me a living! Can it be possible?'
'The unkindness of your own relations has made you astonished to find friendship anywhere.'
'No,' replied he, with sudden consciousness, 'not to find it in you, for I cannot be ignorant that to you, [...] I owe it all. [...]'
'You are very much mistaken. I do assure you that you owe it entirely, at least almost entirely, to your own merit, and Colonel Brandon's discernment of it.' (Ch 40)
Soon after, Elinor goes to visit John. He, like everyone else, is wildly surprised when told of Colonel Brandon’s offer. John recommends that Edward not be brought up when speaking to Fanny, as it would cause her distress, and also shares that at present Robert Ferrars plans to marry the wealthy Miss Morton. Robert himself enters at this point and John leaves to bid Fanny join them. Robert speaks of Edward, finding the prospect of his brother becoming a member of the clergy incredibly humorous. Elinor neither agrees nor engages with him.
He laughed most immoderately. The idea of Edward's being a clergyman, and living in a small parsonage-house, diverted him beyond measure [...] Elinor, while she waited in silence and immovable gravity the conclusion of such folly, could not restrain her eyes from being fixed on him with a look that spoke all the contempt it excited. It was a look, however, very well bestowed; for it relieved her own feelings, and gave no intelligence to him. He was recalled from wit to wisdom, not by any reproof of hers, but by his own sensibility. (Ch 41)
Finally, when April arrives, the Dashwood sisters depart, leaving London behind. Marianne, while relieved, finds that she has grown fond of Mrs. Jennings's home. Elinor is glad to leave regardless. Once the sisters arrive at Cleveland, Marianne is struck with a rush of emotion, being at once so close to Willoughby's house and a little further off, Barton.
Mrs. Palmer is amiable and kind, doing all she can to keep her guests at ease, yet Marianne often seeks solitude on the estate's extensive grounds. Colonel Brandon also arrives, shortly after the sisters, and he and Elinor spend much time in conversation. After two consecutive evening walks––through the damp countryside––Marianne succumbs to a severe cold.
Two delightful twilight walks on the third and fourth evenings of her being there, not merely on the dry gravel of the shrubbery, but all over the grounds, and especially in the most distant parts of them, where there was something more of wildness than in the rest, where the trees were the oldest, and the grass was the longest and wettest, had — assisted by the still greater imprudence of sitting in her wet shoes and stockings — given Marianne a cold so violent, as, though for a day or two trifled with or denied, would force itself by increasing ailments on the concern of everybody, and the notice of herself. (Ch 42)
...perhaps foreshadowing of what is still to come? Hold onto your bonnets, friends, and stay tuned for the sixth and final installment of Chapters 43-50, released next Tuesday, February 18. A helpful reading guide can be found here. And should you feel inclined, please share your thoughts in the comments. I would love to hear anything and everything, dear readers!
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