Welcome, welcome, dearest Janeites, to the Austen 250 Reader Series––our celebratory blog series for the 250th anniversary year––and the sixth and final week of our Sense and Sensibility content, in which we shall cover the forty-third through fiftieth chapters of the novel. As Austen's delightful debut requires no introduction... shall we embark on a final foray?
While illness takes hold of Marianne after her late-night excursions, the following day she gives all appearances of a speedy recovery. That evening, however, she becomes feverish.
The Palmer's family doctor is called and gives a positive prognosis––Marianne would be better in a few days' time. Mrs. Palmer, nervous for the health of her baby, goes to stay with a nearby friend. As more time passes, Marianne stays in a rather neutral state, getting no better, but thankfully, no worse either. Colonel Brandon prepares to depart, however Mrs. Jennings convinces him to remain at Cleveland until Marianne is recovered.
After two more days, Marianne remains unchanged. Eventually, the appearance of health comes, but it is fleeting, with a vengeant fever setting upon her that evening. Elinor stays by her sister's side through the night, worried that Marianne may take a fatal turn. The doctor is once again called and Colonel Brandon volunteers to retrieve Mrs. Dashwood from Barton Cottage. In the wee hours in the morning, the doctor arrives and says that Marianne will be fine, after all. Marianne improves over the course of the day and goes to sleep early. Later, Elinor hears a carriage approach, yet instead of her mother, she discovers it is Willoughby.
The repose of the latter became more and more disturbed; and her sister, who watched, with unremitting attention, her continual change of posture, and heard the frequent but inarticulate sounds of complaint which passed her lips, was almost wishing to rouse her from so painful a slumber, when Marianne, suddenly awakened by some accidental noise in the house, started hastily up, and, with feverish wildness, cried out — (Ch 43)
Elinor is shocked that Willoughby would dare come after all that has happened, but he earnestly requests that she listen to his explanation. Elinor agrees, warily, and Willoughby shares that it is his great hope to return to her good graces and potentially be forgiven by Marianne. He also asks after Marianne's health and seems genuinely relieved to hear of her recovery. Willoughby had seen Sir John in London, who had told him that Marianne was dying, prompting his swift journey to Cleveland.
Willoughby explains that at first he had no thoughts of matrimony when he met Marianne and encouraged her affections. He found, however, that in time he fell truly in love with her. He admits that his actions were selfish. And unfortunately, with his small fortune, it would not be possible for him to wed Marianne. Furthermore, when Willoughby's aunt heard of what had happened with Colonel Brandon's ward, Eliza, she withdrew all assistance and disinherited him. With no monetary support, Willoughby could not remain with Marianne.
It brought Willoughby great pain to receive Marianne's letters in London, as he still loved her. For the sake of money, though, he could not be with her, instead taking up with Miss Grey, a very wealthy young woman. The two did not love one another. The jealous Miss Grey dictated Willoughby's ghastly reply to Marianne's final letter and forced him to send back all of Marianne's previous letters. Elinor admits that now she sees him in a slightly better light and promises him that––at his bidding––she will tell all to her sister. Willoughby bemoans the day Marianne weds, wishing in vain they could be together, then leaves.
Each faulty propensity, in leading him to evil, had led him likewise to punishment. The attachment, from which, against honour, against feeling, against every better interest, he had outwardly torn himself, now, when no longer allowable, governed every thought; and the connection, for the sake of which he had, with little scruple, left her sister to misery, was likely to prove a source of unhappiness to himself of a far more incurable nature. From a reverie of this kind she was recalled at the end of some minutes by Willoughby, who, rousing himself from a reverie at least equally painful, started up in preparation for going [...] (Ch 44)
Elinor is beset with a confusing swirl of emotions, especially with the arrival Willoughby and the fact that she now feels some semblance of compassion for Willoughby. Shortly after Willoughby's departure, Colonel Brandon arrives with Mrs. Dashwood. The reunion of the mother and her daughters is a happy one, and thankfully, Marianne continues to improve. Mrs. Dashwood reveals to Elinor that during their journey from Barton, Colonel Brandon disclosed that he was in love with Marianne, and had been from the very first time he met her. Mrs. Dashwood told the Colonel that she would support the match gladly, and that in the end she is sure Marianne could find more happiness with him than with Willoughby.
As soon as Mrs. Dashwood had recovered herself, to see Marianne was her first desire; and in two minutes she was with her beloved child, rendered dearer to her than ever by absence, unhappiness, and danger. Elinor's delight, as she saw what each felt in the meeting, was only checked by an apprehension of its robbing Marianne of further sleep; but Mrs. Dashwood could be calm, could be even prudent, when the life of a child was at stake; and Marianne, satisfied in knowing her mother was near her, and conscious of being too weak for conversation, submitted readily to the silence and quiet prescribed by every nurse around her. (Ch 45)
Nearly a week passes and Marianne finally recovers enough to return home. During the last portion of her stay at Cleveland, Colonel Brandon had been gentle and attentive, promising to visit the Dashwoods in the following weeks to check on her.
Upon returning to the place where so many memories lie with Willoughby, Marianne is overcome with emotion. She soon vows, however, to focus not on the past, but only on the present. Elinor and Marianne regularly go on long walks together and one day they pass by where Marianne and Willoughby first met. Marianne says that it no longer pains her to think of him, but she only wishes she had known his true character. Additionally, with the severity of her recent illness, Marianne shares that she has considered her actions and thoughts for many an hour and from now on hopes to live for the good of the whole family, expressing her emotions with reason. Elinor then divulges what Willoughby had shared with her, and Marianne takes the news with grace. She asks that Elinor tell Mrs. Dashwood, as well.
Marianne had been two or three days at home before the weather was fine enough for an invalid like herself to venture out. But at last a soft, genial morning appeared, such as might tempt the daughter's wishes and the mother's confidence; and Marianne, leaning on Elinor's arm, was authorised to walk as long as she could without fatigue, in the lane before the house. (Ch 46)
While Mrs. Dashwood is glad to have new knowledge about Willoughby's actions, he is not entirely forgiven in her eyes. The two elder daughters and their mother discuss Willoughby and Mrs. Dashwood begins to speak highly of Colonel Brandon. It is then that one of the servants returns from town with news of great import. He says he had seen Mr. Ferrars and Lucy Steele, newly married. A melancholic shadow falls over Elinor then and Mrs. Dashwood realizes the depth of her feelings. She realizes that she had been so caught up in Marianne's visible sadness she not considered the fact that Elinor could be in emotional pain, as well.
Nothing could restore [Willoughby] with a faith unbroken, a character unblemished, to Marianne. Nothing could do away the knowledge of what the latter had suffered through his means, nor remove the guilt of his conduct towards Eliza. Nothing could replace him, therefore, in her former esteem, nor injure the interests of Colonel Brandon. (Ch 47)
Elinor is indeed greatly pained by the news and anxiously awaits Colonel Brandon's visit, in the hope that he might have news of Edward. A gentleman soon rides to the cottage, but it is not the Colonel; it is Edward himself. Elinor struggles greatly with the feelings warring within her, but is able to compose herself. As with his last visit, the atmosphere is by turns uncomfortable and wholly awkward. Mrs. Dashwood inquires after Mrs. Ferrars and to that, Edward answers that his mother is well. Elinor clarifies, but Edward seems more confused than ever. He finally explains that Lucy Steele has been lately married to his brother, Robert Ferrars, which would explain the "Mr. Ferrars" the Dashwood's servant had seen in town. Elinor, overcome with tears of gladness, leaves the room, Edward following close behind.
He coloured, seemed perplexed, looked doubtingly, and, after some hesitation, said — 'Perhaps you mean my brother; you mean Mrs. — Mrs. Robert Ferrars.'
'Mrs. Robert Ferrars,' was repeated by Marianne and her mother in an accent of the utmost amazement [...]
'Perhaps you do not know: you may not have heard that my brother is lately married to — to the youngest — to Miss Lucy Steele.'
His words were echoed with unspeakable astonishment by all but Elinor, who sat, with her head leaning over her work, in a state of such agitation as made her hardly know where she was. (Ch 48)
Edward reveals that the reason for his visit is solely to propose to Elinor. The two become engaged and Edward explains that he and Lucy had become engaged when he was young and rash and foolish, but more than anything he has wished to be happy with Elinor. Edward stays with the Dashwoods for a week and he and Elinor spend long hours in conversation. He shows Elinor a letter he had received from Lucy, in which she stated that she had fallen in love, instead, with Robert. Or to be more precise, Lucy "fell in love" with the brother who now had the inheritance. Edward shares that Robert has always been Mrs. Ferrars's favorite child, so it would be unlikely that she would revoke the inheritance. Another topic discussed at length is the question of finances, as neither of the two are wealthy. During Edward's stay at Barton, Colonel Brandon arrives. The Colonel spends a great deal of time with Marianne, but all the while he and Edward forge a stronge friendship. The two men leave together to visit the rectory at Delaford and settle their accounts in London.
But when the second moment had passed, when she found every doubt, every solicitude removed, compared her situation with what so lately it had been, — saw him honourably released from his former engagement, — saw him instantly profiting by the release, to address herself and declare an affection as tender, as constant as she had ever supposed it to be, — she was oppressed, she was overcome by her own felicity; and happily disposed as is the human mind to be easily familiarised with any change for the better, it required several hours to give sedateness to her spirits, or any degree of tranquillity to her heart. (Ch 49)
In time, Mrs. Ferrars forgives Edward and gifts him a small sum of money. While it does not compare to his former inheritance, it is enough to allow Edward and Elinor the opportunity to marry and comfortably live at Delaford. The two wed in autumn and establish themselves in their new home. Thankfully, they live very close to Barton, so Elinor's mother and sisters visit her often. In time, Marianne begins to feel an affection for Colonel Brandon and her love for him only increases after they are married. Mrs. Dashwood and Margaret continue to live at Barton Cottage, but remain close with Elinor and Marianne, by distance and familial devotion. Now both married, Elinor and Marianne see each another every day and there is the greatest friendship not only between the two sisters, but Colonel Brandon and Edward.
Between Barton and Delaford there was that constant communication which strong family affection would naturally dictate; and among the merits and the happiness of Elinor and Marianne, let it not be ranked as the least considerable, that, though sisters, and living almost within sight of each other, they could live without disagreement between themselves, or producing coolness between their husbands. (Ch 50)
Sadly, here we must conclude our reading journey of Austen's Sense and Sensibility. Keep an eye out for a conclusory post released next Tuesday, February 25th. If you happen to be curious about what JASP has in store for you next, you can find more information about our annual summer symposium in North Carolina, June 19-22, and register here. And should you feel inclined to share your final thoughts, I invite you to stop by comments section below. As always, I appreciate you reading along with me, dearest Janeites. Until the next––
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