feat_summary_path: finished_summaries/shmoop/Sense and Sensibility/section_40_part_0.txt
feat_book_id: Sense and Sensibility.chapter 41
feat_summary_id: chapter 41
feat_summary: {"name": "Chapter 41", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210421140324/https://www.shmoop.com/study-guides/literature/sense-and-sensibility/summary/chapter-41", "summary": "Mrs. Jennings goes to see Lucy the next day with congratulations, and is reassured that both she and Edward are very happy. She's confident that they'll all be together soon at Delaford Parsonage. She gives credit in the matter to Elinor and Colonel Brandon for their assistance. It's been about a week since anyone heard anything from John and Fanny, and Elinor feels obliged to visit, despite Marianne's desire not to. She goes by herself to check on Fanny. When she gets to the Dashwood home, she runs into her brother, who invites her in to see Fanny. John, as usual, is happy to see his sister, and wants to investigate the matter of Colonel Brandon's gift to Edward - can it be true? Can Colonel Brandon really be offering Edward a job? John is totally shocked by all of this considering that Colonel Brandon barely knows Edward at all. He begs Elinor not to mention Edward to Fanny. He doesn't want his mother-in-law to find out about this yet. Elinor wants to know why any of this should matter to Mrs. Ferrars - after all, she cast out her son completely. Why should she care what happens to him, either good or bad? John corrects his sister, saying that Mrs. Ferrars still loves Edward, and won't be able to hear of his horrible marriage without being distressed. The topic shifts to the other Ferrars brother - the clan plans to marry the unfortunate Miss Morton off to Robert now. Elinor asks if Miss Morton has any choice in the matter, and is informed pragmatically that it's the same difference. Robert's the one with the money now, so why should she care which one he is? Before she sees Fanny, John wants to tell Elinor one more thing - Mrs. Ferrars has actually admitted that she would have infinitely preferred it if Edward had just married Elinor, instead of Lucy, despite the fact that she had originally looked down on that connection. At this point, Robert enters the room and starts chatting with Elinor, while John goes to tell Fanny that his sister is there to see her. Robert continues to be obnoxious, and again trash talks Edward. He laughs at the idea of Edward as a clergyman, and is totally insensitive to the fact that his family has basically screwed over his only brother. He claims to be sorry for Edward, even though he's laughing at him. Robert dismisses his brother as ruined forever. Elinor asks if Robert has met his future sister-in-law, and he replies that he only saw her once, and was thoroughly unimpressed. He even went so far as to tell Edward that he was making a terrible mistake in marrying her. Finally, Fanny emerges to greet Elinor - surprisingly, with a moderate degree of friendliness. She even says that she wishes that Elinor and Marianne were staying in town longer.", "analysis": ""}
text: 
  
  Edward, having carried his thanks to Colonel Brandon, proceeded with
  his happiness to Lucy; and such was the excess of it by the time he
  reached Bartlett's Buildings, that she was able to assure Mrs.
  Jennings, who called on her again the next day with her
  congratulations, that she had never seen him in such spirits before in
  her life.
  
  Her own happiness, and her own spirits, were at least very certain; and
  she joined Mrs. Jennings most heartily in her expectation of their
  being all comfortably together in Delaford Parsonage before Michaelmas.
  So far was she, at the same time, from any backwardness to give Elinor
  that credit which Edward WOULD give her, that she spoke of her
  friendship for them both with the most grateful warmth, was ready to
  own all their obligation to her, and openly declared that no exertion
  for their good on Miss Dashwood's part, either present or future, would
  ever surprise her, for she believed her capable of doing any thing in
  the world for those she really valued.  As for Colonel Brandon, she was
  not only ready to worship him as a saint, but was moreover truly
  anxious that he should be treated as one in all worldly concerns;
  anxious that his tithes should be raised to the utmost; and scarcely
  resolved to avail herself, at Delaford, as far as she possibly could,
  of his servants, his carriage, his cows, and his poultry.
  
  It was now above a week since John Dashwood had called in Berkeley
  Street, and as since that time no notice had been taken by them of his
  wife's indisposition, beyond one verbal enquiry, Elinor began to feel
  it necessary to pay her a visit.--This was an obligation, however,
  which not only opposed her own inclination, but which had not the
  assistance of any encouragement from her companions.  Marianne, not
  contented with absolutely refusing to go herself, was very urgent to
  prevent her sister's going at all; and Mrs. Jennings, though her
  carriage was always at Elinor's service, so very much disliked Mrs.
  John Dashwood, that not even her curiosity to see how she looked after
  the late discovery, nor her strong desire to affront her by taking
  Edward's part, could overcome her unwillingness to be in her company
  again.  The consequence was, that Elinor set out by herself to pay a
  visit, for which no one could really have less inclination, and to run
  the risk of a tete-a-tete with a woman, whom neither of the others had
  so much reason to dislike.
  
  Mrs. Dashwood was denied; but before the carriage could turn from the
  house, her husband accidentally came out.  He expressed great pleasure
  in meeting Elinor, told her that he had been just going to call in
  Berkeley Street, and, assuring her that Fanny would be very glad to see
  her, invited her to come in.
  
  They walked up stairs in to the drawing-room.--Nobody was there.
  
  "Fanny is in her own room, I suppose," said he:--"I will go to her
  presently, for I am sure she will not have the least objection in the
  world to seeing YOU.-- Very far from it, indeed.  NOW especially there
  cannot be--but however, you and Marianne were always great
  favourites.--Why would not Marianne come?"--
  
  Elinor made what excuse she could for her.
  
  "I am not sorry to see you alone," he replied, "for I have a good deal
  to say to you.  This living of Colonel Brandon's--can it be true?--has
  he really given it to Edward?--I heard it yesterday by chance, and was
  coming to you on purpose to enquire farther about it."
  
  "It is perfectly true.--Colonel Brandon has given the living of
  Delaford to Edward."
  
  "Really!--Well, this is very astonishing!--no relationship!--no
  connection between them!--and now that livings fetch such a
  price!--what was the value of this?"
  
  "About two hundred a year."
  
  "Very well--and for the next presentation to a living of that
  value--supposing the late incumbent to have been old and sickly, and
  likely to vacate it soon--he might have got I dare say--fourteen
  hundred pounds.  And how came he not to have settled that matter before
  this person's death?--NOW indeed it would be too late to sell it, but a
  man of Colonel Brandon's sense!--I wonder he should be so improvident
  in a point of such common, such natural, concern!--Well, I am convinced
  that there is a vast deal of inconsistency in almost every human
  character.  I suppose, however--on recollection--that the case may
  probably be THIS.  Edward is only to hold the living till the person to
  whom the Colonel has really sold the presentation, is old enough to
  take it.--Aye, aye, that is the fact, depend upon it."
  
  Elinor contradicted it, however, very positively; and by relating that
  she had herself been employed in conveying the offer from Colonel
  Brandon to Edward, and, therefore, must understand the terms on which
  it was given, obliged him to submit to her authority.
  
  "It is truly astonishing!"--he cried, after hearing what she
  said--"what could be the Colonel's motive?"
  
  "A very simple one--to be of use to Mr. Ferrars."
  
  "Well, well; whatever Colonel Brandon may be, Edward is a very lucky
  man.--You will not mention the matter to Fanny, however, for though I
  have broke it to her, and she bears it vastly well,--she will not like
  to hear it much talked of."
  
  Elinor had some difficulty here to refrain from observing, that she
  thought Fanny might have borne with composure, an acquisition of wealth
  to her brother, by which neither she nor her child could be possibly
  impoverished.
  
  "Mrs. Ferrars," added he, lowering his voice to the tone becoming so
  important a subject, "knows nothing about it at present, and I believe
  it will be best to keep it entirely concealed from her as long as may
  be.-- When the marriage takes place, I fear she must hear of it all."
  
  "But why should such precaution be used?--Though it is not to be
  supposed that Mrs. Ferrars can have the smallest satisfaction in
  knowing that her son has money enough to live upon,--for THAT must be
  quite out of the question; yet why, upon her late behaviour, is she
  supposed to feel at all?--She has done with her son, she cast him off
  for ever, and has made all those over whom she had any influence, cast
  him off likewise.  Surely, after doing so, she cannot be imagined
  liable to any impression of sorrow or of joy on his account--she cannot
  be interested in any thing that befalls him.-- She would not be so weak
  as to throw away the comfort of a child, and yet retain the anxiety of
  a parent!"
  
  "Ah! Elinor," said John, "your reasoning is very good, but it is
  founded on ignorance of human nature.  When Edward's unhappy match
  takes place, depend upon it his mother will feel as much as if she had
  never discarded him; and, therefore every circumstance that may
  accelerate that dreadful event, must be concealed from her as much as
  possible.  Mrs. Ferrars can never forget that Edward is her son."
  
  "You surprise me; I should think it must nearly have escaped her memory
  by THIS time."
  
  "You wrong her exceedingly.  Mrs. Ferrars is one of the most
  affectionate mothers in the world."
  
  Elinor was silent.
  
  "We think NOW,"--said Mr. Dashwood, after a short pause, "of ROBERT'S
  marrying Miss Morton."
  
  Elinor, smiling at the grave and decisive importance of her brother's
  tone, calmly replied,
  
  "The lady, I suppose, has no choice in the affair."
  
  "Choice!--how do you mean?"
  
  "I only mean that I suppose, from your manner of speaking, it must be
  the same to Miss Morton whether she marry Edward or Robert."
  
  "Certainly, there can be no difference; for Robert will now to all
  intents and purposes be considered as the eldest son;--and as to any
  thing else, they are both very agreeable young men: I do not know that
  one is superior to the other."
  
  Elinor said no more, and John was also for a short time silent.--His
  reflections ended thus.
  
  "Of ONE thing, my dear sister," kindly taking her hand, and speaking in
  an awful whisper,--"I may assure you;--and I WILL do it, because I know
  it must gratify you.  I have good reason to think--indeed I have it
  from the best authority, or I should not repeat it, for otherwise it
  would be very wrong to say any thing about it--but I have it from the
  very best authority--not that I ever precisely heard Mrs. Ferrars say
  it herself--but her daughter DID, and I have it from her--That in
  short, whatever objections there might be against a certain--a certain
  connection--you understand me--it would have been far preferable to
  her, it would not have given her half the vexation that THIS does.  I
  was exceedingly pleased to hear that Mrs. Ferrars considered it in that
  light--a very gratifying circumstance you know to us all.  'It would
  have been beyond comparison,' she said, 'the least evil of the two, and
  she would be glad to compound NOW for nothing worse.' But however, all
  that is quite out of the question--not to be thought of or
  mentioned--as to any attachment you know--it never could be--all that
  is gone by.  But I thought I would just tell you of this, because I
  knew how much it must please you.  Not that you have any reason to
  regret, my dear Elinor.  There is no doubt of your doing exceedingly
  well--quite as well, or better, perhaps, all things considered.  Has
  Colonel Brandon been with you lately?"
  
  Elinor had heard enough, if not to gratify her vanity, and raise her
  self-importance, to agitate her nerves and fill her mind;--and she was
  therefore glad to be spared from the necessity of saying much in reply
  herself, and from the danger of hearing any thing more from her
  brother, by the entrance of Mr. Robert Ferrars.  After a few moments'
  chat, John Dashwood, recollecting that Fanny was yet uninformed of her
  sister's being there, quitted the room in quest of her; and Elinor was
  left to improve her acquaintance with Robert, who, by the gay
  unconcern, the happy self-complacency of his manner while enjoying so
  unfair a division of his mother's love and liberality, to the prejudice
  of his banished brother, earned only by his own dissipated course of
  life, and that brother's integrity, was confirming her most
  unfavourable opinion of his head and heart.
  
  They had scarcely been two minutes by themselves, before he began to
  speak of Edward; for he, too, had heard of the living, and was very
  inquisitive on the subject.  Elinor repeated the particulars of it, as
  she had given them to John; and their effect on Robert, though very
  different, was not less striking than it had been on HIM.  He laughed
  most immoderately.  The idea of Edward's being a clergyman, and living
  in a small parsonage-house, diverted him beyond measure;--and when to
  that was added the fanciful imagery of Edward reading prayers in a
  white surplice, and publishing the banns of marriage between John Smith
  and Mary Brown, he could conceive nothing more ridiculous.
  
  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.
  
  "We may treat it as a joke," said he, at last, recovering from the
  affected laugh which had considerably lengthened out the genuine gaiety
  of the moment--"but, upon my soul, it is a most serious business.  Poor
  Edward!  he is ruined for ever.  I am extremely sorry for it--for I
  know him to be a very good-hearted creature; as well-meaning a fellow
  perhaps, as any in the world.  You must not judge of him, Miss
  Dashwood, from YOUR slight acquaintance.--Poor Edward!--His manners are
  certainly not the happiest in nature.--But we are not all born, you
  know, with the same powers,--the same address.-- Poor fellow!--to see
  him in a circle of strangers!--to be sure it was pitiable enough!--but
  upon my soul, I believe he has as good a heart as any in the kingdom;
  and I declare and protest to you I never was so shocked in my life, as
  when it all burst forth.  I could not believe it.-- My mother was the
  first person who told me of it; and I, feeling myself called on to act
  with resolution, immediately said to her, 'My dear madam, I do not know
  what you may intend to do on the occasion, but as for myself, I must
  say, that if Edward does marry this young woman, I never will see him
  again.' That was what I said immediately.-- I was most uncommonly
  shocked, indeed!--Poor Edward!--he has done for himself
  completely--shut himself out for ever from all decent society!--but, as
  I directly said to my mother, I am not in the least surprised at it;
  from his style of education, it was always to be expected.  My poor
  mother was half frantic."
  
  "Have you ever seen the lady?"
  
  "Yes; once, while she was staying in this house, I happened to drop in
  for ten minutes; and I saw quite enough of her.  The merest awkward
  country girl, without style, or elegance, and almost without beauty.--
  I remember her perfectly.  Just the kind of girl I should suppose
  likely to captivate poor Edward.  I offered immediately, as soon as my
  mother related the affair to me, to talk to him myself, and dissuade
  him from the match; but it was too late THEN, I found, to do any thing,
  for unluckily, I was not in the way at first, and knew nothing of it
  till after the breach had taken place, when it was not for me, you
  know, to interfere.  But had I been informed of it a few hours
  earlier--I think it is most probable--that something might have been
  hit on.  I certainly should have represented it to Edward in a very
  strong light.  'My dear fellow,' I should have said, 'consider what you
  are doing.  You are making a most disgraceful connection, and such a
  one as your family are unanimous in disapproving.' I cannot help
  thinking, in short, that means might have been found.  But now it is
  all too late.  He must be starved, you know;--that is certain;
  absolutely starved."
  
  He had just settled this point with great composure, when the entrance
  of Mrs. John Dashwood put an end to the subject.  But though SHE never
  spoke of it out of her own family, Elinor could see its influence on
  her mind, in the something like confusion of countenance with which she
  entered, and an attempt at cordiality in her behaviour to herself.  She
  even proceeded so far as to be concerned to find that Elinor and her
  sister were so soon to leave town, as she had hoped to see more of
  them;--an exertion in which her husband, who attended her into the
  room, and hung enamoured over her accents, seemed to distinguish every
  thing that was most affectionate and graceful.
  
  
  
feat_summary_name: Chapter 41
target: Mrs. Jennings goes to see Lucy the next day with congratulations, and is reassured that both she and Edward are very happy. She's confident that they'll all be together soon at Delaford Parsonage. She gives credit in the matter to Elinor and Colonel Brandon for their assistance. It's been about a week since anyone heard anything from John and Fanny, and Elinor feels obliged to visit, despite Marianne's desire not to. She goes by herself to check on Fanny. When she gets to the Dashwood home, she runs into her brother, who invites her in to see Fanny. John, as usual, is happy to see his sister, and wants to investigate the matter of Colonel Brandon's gift to Edward - can it be true? Can Colonel Brandon really be offering Edward a job? John is totally shocked by all of this considering that Colonel Brandon barely knows Edward at all. He begs Elinor not to mention Edward to Fanny. He doesn't want his mother-in-law to find out about this yet. Elinor wants to know why any of this should matter to Mrs. Ferrars - after all, she cast out her son completely. Why should she care what happens to him, either good or bad? John corrects his sister, saying that Mrs. Ferrars still loves Edward, and won't be able to hear of his horrible marriage without being distressed. The topic shifts to the other Ferrars brother - the clan plans to marry the unfortunate Miss Morton off to Robert now. Elinor asks if Miss Morton has any choice in the matter, and is informed pragmatically that it's the same difference. Robert's the one with the money now, so why should she care which one he is? Before she sees Fanny, John wants to tell Elinor one more thing - Mrs. Ferrars has actually admitted that she would have infinitely preferred it if Edward had just married Elinor, instead of Lucy, despite the fact that she had originally looked down on that connection. At this point, Robert enters the room and starts chatting with Elinor, while John goes to tell Fanny that his sister is there to see her. Robert continues to be obnoxious, and again trash talks Edward. He laughs at the idea of Edward as a clergyman, and is totally insensitive to the fact that his family has basically screwed over his only brother. He claims to be sorry for Edward, even though he's laughing at him. Robert dismisses his brother as ruined forever. Elinor asks if Robert has met his future sister-in-law, and he replies that he only saw her once, and was thoroughly unimpressed. He even went so far as to tell Edward that he was making a terrible mistake in marrying her. Finally, Fanny emerges to greet Elinor - surprisingly, with a moderate degree of friendliness. She even says that she wishes that Elinor and Marianne were staying in town longer.