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Austen 250 Reader Series: Sense and Sensibility (Chapters 27-34)

Writer's picture: Maizie FergusonMaizie Ferguson

Elinor and Marianne (1995)
Elinor and Marianne (1995)

A hearty welcome, dearest Janeites, to the Austen 250 Reader Series––our celebratory blog series for the 250th anniversary year––and the fourth week of our Sense and Sensibility content, in which we shall cover the twenty-seventh through thirty-fourth chapters of the novel. Austen's lovely first novel requires no preamble, so without further ado...



One day, Mrs. Jennings remarks on the fact that the weather has been decidedly grim, and Marianne takes this to mean that Willoughby has likely been kept in the country and simply not been in London. Pleased with her plausible excuse, Marianne contents herself for a short while. In time, Elinor grows accustomed to life in Mrs. Jennings's residence, and after regular visits from Colonel Brandon, deduces that the Colonel is still in love with Marianne.


The sisters return from town to find Willoughby's calling card. Thus, in anticipation of his return, the next day Marianne stays at home. This venture comes to no avail. With no communication from Willoughby in any form, Elinor grows anxious about the supposed union between him and her sister. Sir John and Lady Middleton invite Mrs. Jennings and the Dashwood girls to dinner, and despite silence from Willoughby, Marianne attends. Other guests include the Palmers and Colonel Brandon. Marianne wallows for most of the night, her mood made worse by Mrs. Jennings revealing that Willoughby had been invited to the dinner and musing on how curious it was he had not been in attendance.


The following morning, Elinor writes to Mrs. Dashwood and Marianne flits about the house with great anxiety. Colonel Brandon comes to call and he and Elinor discuss Marianne and Willoughby. The former inquires after the date of Marianne's marriage and the status of the engagement, and Elinor, while at first unsure what to say, tells the Colonel the truth. She cannot be sure of the specifics of the engagement, however there has been an abundance of evidence that both parties are sincerely attached.


Marianne circa 1995
Marianne circa 1995

[...] Marianne's affection for Willoughby could leave no hope of Colonel Brandon's success [...] she acknowledged, therefore, that though she had never been informed by themselves of the terms on which they stood with each other, of their mutual affection she had no doubt, and of their correspondence she was not astonished to hear. He listened to her with silent attention; and on her ceasing to speak, rose directly from his seat, and after saying in a voice of emotion, "To your sister I wish all imaginable happiness to Willoughby that he may endeavour to deserve her," — took leave, and went away. (Ch. 27)


Nearly a week passes and there is neither word nor sign from Willoughby. Lady Middleton takes Elinor and Marianne––the latter in a rather dark mood, her typical state––to a ball. Elinor, and shortly after Marianne, notice Willoughby across the room, in conversation with an obviously affluent young woman. Marianne would have dashed to greet him, but Elinor requests restraint and decorum. Willoughby notices the sisters and solemnly approaches, paying the usual respects to Elinor yet ignoring Marianne. This is a shock to both sisters and Marianne exclaims on the improbability of his behavior. At her inquiry if he had received her letters, Willoughby answers to the affirmative and hastily leaves, returning to the side of the lady with whom he had been speaking earlier. This is a rude blow to Marianne and she is at once overwhelmed with agonized confusion. Elinor finds Lady Middleton as Marianne is 'unwell' and they soon return to Mrs. Jennings's home.


Elinor and Willoughby (1995)
Elinor and Willoughby (1995)

[...] Elinor perceived Willoughby, standing within a few yards of them, in earnest conversation with a very fashionable-looking young woman. She soon caught his eye, and he immediately bowed, but without attempting to speak to her, or to approach Marianne, though he could not but see her; and then continued his discourse with the same lady. Elinor turned involuntarily to Marianne, to see whether it could be unobserved by her. At that moment she first perceived him; and her whole countenance glowing with sudden delight, she would have moved towards him instantly, had not her sister caught hold of her. "Good heavens!; she exclaimed, "he is there –– he is there! –– Oh, why does he not look at me? Why cannot I speak to him?" (Ch 28)


Upon the next dawn, Marianne avoids all conversation until a letter arrives––at long last––from Willoughby. She leaves the breakfast table and Elinor goes to check on her sister, only to find her sobbing uncontrollably. Marianne allows Elinor to read Willoughby's letter, which states that while he enjoyed his time with the Dashwood family, he felt nothing higher than friendly esteem for Marianne. He claims this is due to the fact he has long been engaged to another. As if this were not enough, Willoughby has also enclosed all of Marianne's previous letters and the gifted lock of her hair. This abundance of unhappy news astonishes Elinor.


Elinor attempts to calm her sister, but Marianne claims Elinor has no idea how she feels, not knowing what Elinor knows of Edward and Lucy Steele. Marianne tells her sister that she and Willoughby have never been officially engaged, which comes as a shock to Elinor as the two young lovers had exchanged intimate and passionate letters. It seems unbelievable to both sisters that such a change could come over Willoughby so quickly, and Marianne wonders if his behavior could in any way be justified. Marianne wishes to return to Barton Cottage at once, but Elinor––while she would love to leave London herself––reminds Marianne that it would be impolite to their hostess, Mrs. Jennings, to leave so soon.


Elinor reads Willoughby's letter
Elinor reads Willoughby's letter

Though aware, before she began it, that it must bring a confession of his inconstancy, and confirm their separation for ever, she was not aware that such language could be suffered to announce it; nor could she have supposed Willoughby capable of departing so far from the appearance of every honourable and delicate feeling — so far from the common decorum of a gentleman — as to send a letter so impudently cruel: a letter which, instead of bringing with his desire of a release any professions of regret, acknowledged no breach of faith, denied all peculiar affection whatever; — a letter of which every line was an insult, and which proclaimed its writer to be deep in hardened villainy. (Ch 29)


Mrs. Jennings is also aghast upon hearing the turn of events and tries to comfort Marianne the best she can. When Marianne leaves the room, she relays to Elinor that she has heard Willoughby is engaged to a Miss Grey, with £50,000 per year. At this, Elinor shares with Mrs. Jennings that there was never any formal engagement between her sister and Willoughby, but the older woman does not take this seriously. Always the matchmaker, however, she is very optimistic that Marianne could still marry Colonel Brandon. Coincidentally, the Colonel arrives soon after he is mentioned––the news of Willoughby's engagement having reached him––and, knowing Marianne's temperament, he asks how she is taking the disappointment.


The concerned Mrs. Jennings (1995)
The concerned Mrs. Jennings (1995)

"Poor soul!" cried Mrs. Jennings, as soon as she was gone, "how it grieves me to see her! And I declare if she is not gone away without finishing her wine! And the dried cherries too! Lord! nothing seems to do her any good. I am sure if I knew of anything she would like, I would send all over the town for it. Well, it is the oddest thing to me that a man should use such a pretty girl so ill! But when there is plenty of money on one side, and next to none on the other, Lord bless you! they care no more about such things!" (Ch 30)


Marianne feels no better the next day and speaks––sparsely––only to Elinor. A letter arrives and her spirits lift for a moment with the prospect of Willoughby retracting all that he has said, but it is only a note from Mrs. Dashwood. It comes in reply to Elinor's letter, which had told her about the current situation. Mrs. Jenning goes out and runs into Colonel Brandon, promptly sending him back to her house in order to have a visit with the Dashwood sisters. Marianne goes to rest and the Colonel decides to share a private story with Elinor, which he says might help Marianne get over her heartbreak.


He begins is tale by telling Elinor that his sister has always reminded him of someone he once knew, Eliza. This Eliza he had loved when he was a young man, and while she loved him in return, she was married instead to Colonel Brandon's cruel older brother. Colonel Brandon was sent off to the military and upon his return he tried to find Eliza, who had been severely mistreated by his brother and had fallen into tragic circumstances. Finally, after a great deal of searching, the Colonel found her, severely ill. She had a daughter, also named Eliza, and on her deathbed asked that Colonel Brandon look after her. The Colonel placed the young Eliza in a school, however after taking a trip with friends she disappeared. On the day of the house tour––when Colonel had rushed off––the letter he received had told him of his ward's whereabouts. It also told of her situation... she had been seduced by none other than Mr. Willoughby, then abandoned by him upon the discovery that she was with child.


Much of Colonel Brandon's concern for Marianne, he shares with Elinor, had been amplified by this knowledge of Willoughby's character. He had a great worry that Marianne would end up like Eliza. Elinor thanks him profusely for trusting her with his story before he leaves.

Colonel Brandon circa 1995
Colonel Brandon circa 1995

He could say no more, and, rising hastily, walked for a few minutes about the room. Elinor, affected by his relation, and still more by his distress, could not speak. He saw her concern, and coming to her, took her hand, pressed it, and kissed it with grateful respect. A few minutes more of silent exertion enabled him to proceed with composure. (Ch 31)




At the first opportunity, Elinor shared Colonel Brandon's story with Marianne, although if anything it only adds to her melancholy. Mrs. Dashwood continues to write to both of her daughters and recommends they stay in London with Mrs. Jennings, as Barton would only serve to bring up reminders of Willoughby. Their half-brother, John Dashwood, would soon be in London, as well, which is another reason Mrs. Dashwood hopes they remain in town.


Colonel Brandon and Elinor, as friends, seek solace in each other's company in the ensuing days and weeks, which causes some to think––namely Mrs. Jennings––that they will soon be engaged. Willoughby marries Miss Grey while the Dashwoods are still in London, and when Marianne learns of this, it sends her on yet another spiral. Around the same time Lucy and Anne Steele arrive and come to visit Mrs. Jennings, Elinor, and Marianne. The latter leaves upon the sisters' arrival and Elinor excuses Marianne, blaming a series of headaches.


Marianne composes a letter to her mother (1995)
Marianne composes a letter to her mother (1995)

Marianne had promised to be guided by her mother's opinion, and she submitted to it, therefore, without opposition, though it proved perfectly different from what she wished and expected, though she felt it to be entirely wrong, formed on mistaken grounds; and that, by requiring her longer continuance in London, it deprived her of the only possible alleviation of her wretchedness, the personal sympathy of her mother, and doomed her to such society and such scenes as must prevent her ever knowing a moment's rest. (Ch 32)

Mrs. Jennings and Elinor finally manage to get Marianne out of the house, and while they are out Elinor runs into John Dashwood, who had arrived in London two days earlier. He promises to visit his sisters the next day and expresses his anticipation of meeting Mrs. Jennings and the Middletons. Fanny Dashwood does not join her husband on his visit to Mrs. Jennings's home; there, John is able to meet Colonel Brandon, as well. Elinor and John then walk to the home of the Middletons, and as they walk, John inquires about Colonel Brandon, suggesting that a union between her and the Colonel would prove profitable. This Elinor denies, stating that they are merely friends. John also tells Elinor that Edward Ferrars is to be married soon––to a wealthy Miss Morton that his mother had chosen––and asks after Marianne, as he thought she had looked unwell. After his visit to the Middletons, John declares them to be very pleasant people and looks forward to introducing them to Fanny.


John & Fanny Dashwood (1995)
John & Fanny Dashwood (1995)

"I am sorry for that. At her time of life, anything of an illness destroys the bloom for ever! Hers has been a very short one! She was as handsome a girl last September as any I ever saw, — and as likely to attract the men. There was something in her style of beauty to please them particularly. I remember Fanny used to say that she would marry sooner and better than you did; not but what she is exceedingly fond of you, but so it happened to strike her. She will be mistaken, however. (Ch 33)



The following day, Fanny Dashwood invites Elinor and Marianne, Lady Middleton, Mrs. Jennings, and Lucy Steele to her London home. Upon her arrival, Lucy immediately shares with Elinor how greatly she is looking forward to seeing Edward. He had arrived in London with John and Fanny, but had not met with Lucy in order to keep their engagement secret.


Soon after, John and Fanny invite the same group to dinner, with the addition of Mrs. Ferrars. Edward is unable to come, which comes as a relief to Elinor. Lucy, however, is full of anxiety, as this will be the first opportunity she has to meet Mrs. Ferrars, her future mother-in-law. Mrs. Ferrars is not a pleasant woman and while she seems to like Lucy very much––a fact that brings Lucy much happiness––she is rather dour when it comes to Elinor. This does not bother Elinor very much, seeing as they have no reason to meet again in the future.


After the meal, John shows the party some artwork Elinor had done. Learning this causes Mrs. Ferrars to disregard them and take up the topic of Miss Morton, who is apparently a skillful artist, among her many other talents. Marianne notes this unkindness and, in no mood to be civil, blatantly asks who cares about Mrs. Morton when it is her sister's work in front of them. Mrs. Ferrars, John, and Fanny are deeply affronted, but Colonel Brandon admires Marianne's tenacity, comforting her when she begins to cry. John later pulls the Colonel aside to tell him that the current state of Marianne's nerves is quite a pity––largely as it has done terrible work to her once-beautiful appearance and bright, lively demeanor.


Mrs. Ferrars circa 1995
Mrs. Ferrars circa 1995

Mrs. Ferrars was a little, thin woman, upright, even to formality, in her figure, and serious, even to sourness, in her aspect. Her complexion was sallow, and her features small, without beauty, and naturally without expression; but a lucky contraction of the brow had rescued her countenance from the disgrace of insipidity, by giving it the strong characters of pride and ill-nature. She was not a woman of many words; for, unlike people in general, she proportioned them to the number of her ideas; and of the few syllables that did escape her, not one fell to the share of Miss Dashwood, whom she eyed with the spirited determination of disliking her at all events. (Ch 34)


And on that less than satisfying note, we must conclude this week's selection. Stay tuned for the next installment of Chapters 35-42, released next Tuesday, February 11. A week-by-week 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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