feat_summary_path: finished_summaries/gradesaver/Sense and Sensibility/section_1_part_4.txt
feat_book_id: Sense and Sensibility.chapter 14
feat_summary_id: chapter 14
feat_summary: {"name": "Chapter 14", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20210419170735/https://www.gradesaver.com/sense-and-sensibility/study-guide/summary-chapters-11-20", "summary": "Mrs. Jennings continues to ponder over what exactly drew Colonel Brandon away so suddenly. She believes it must be regarding money, since the Colonel is not so well-off that he might have troubles with money. What Elinor is most alarmed at, however, is how Marianne and Willoughby are refraining from comment on the reason Colonel Brandon went away. This silence seems very unlike either of them, and forebodes some involvement in this affair, probably on Willoughby's part. Willoughby is becoming an even more attentive guest at the cottage, spending a great deal more time there than Allenham with his aunt. He professes to being so happy there that he would duplicate the cottage exactly, since it is a reminder of the happy times he has had there. Willoughby also openly confesses his affections for Marianne and for all of them, and asks that they remain unchanged always, and always think of him as fondly as he does of them. Willoughby's statements seem sincere and heartfelt, and do declare a real fondness for Marianne, her family, and Barton.", "analysis": "Willoughby's silence in particular on the subject of Colonel Brandon is very peculiar; why he should suddenly refrain from comment, whereas before he seized every opportunity to poke fun at the Colonel, is completely unclear. However, it reflects badly on him, and foreshadows some involvement on his part in Brandon's affairs. Austen's cautious tone in also addressing the couple's silence on the subject of their engagement indicates that there too, all is not well as it might seem. Austen is setting up the revelations and the conflicts that are soon to follow, and asserting the theme of the difference between appearances and reality. Willoughby's unusually free and affectionate address indicates that if he and Marianne are not already engaged, then that is soon to happen. However, combined with his also unusual secrecy, it also seems to indicate that a change is about to happen. Though Barton Cottage has become a symbol of Willoughby's happiness, it is likely that this will not always be so; Austen hints at secrets of his and at evasiveness in his behavior, that might soon destroy his relationship with Marianne"}
text: 
  
  The sudden termination of Colonel Brandon's visit at the park, with his
  steadiness in concealing its cause, filled the mind, and raised the
  wonder of Mrs. Jennings for two or three days; she was a great
  wonderer, as every one must be who takes a very lively interest in all
  the comings and goings of all their acquaintance.  She wondered, with
  little intermission what could be the reason of it; was sure there must
  be some bad news, and thought over every kind of distress that could
  have befallen him, with a fixed determination that he should not escape
  them all.
  
  "Something very melancholy must be the matter, I am sure," said she.
  "I could see it in his face.  Poor man!  I am afraid his circumstances
  may be bad.  The estate at Delaford was never reckoned more than two
  thousand a year, and his brother left everything sadly involved.  I do
  think he must have been sent for about money matters, for what else can
  it be?  I wonder whether it is so.  I would give anything to know the
  truth of it.  Perhaps it is about Miss Williams and, by the bye, I dare
  say it is, because he looked so conscious when I mentioned her.  May be
  she is ill in town; nothing in the world more likely, for I have a
  notion she is always rather sickly.  I would lay any wager it is about
  Miss Williams.  It is not so very likely he should be distressed in his
  circumstances NOW, for he is a very prudent man, and to be sure must
  have cleared the estate by this time.  I wonder what it can be!  May be
  his sister is worse at Avignon, and has sent for him over.  His setting
  off in such a hurry seems very like it.  Well, I wish him out of all
  his trouble with all my heart, and a good wife into the bargain."
  
  So wondered, so talked Mrs. Jennings.  Her opinion varying with every
  fresh conjecture, and all seeming equally probable as they arose.
  Elinor, though she felt really interested in the welfare of Colonel
  Brandon, could not bestow all the wonder on his going so suddenly away,
  which Mrs. Jennings was desirous of her feeling; for besides that the
  circumstance did not in her opinion justify such lasting amazement or
  variety of speculation, her wonder was otherwise disposed of.  It was
  engrossed by the extraordinary silence of her sister and Willoughby on
  the subject, which they must know to be peculiarly interesting to them
  all.  As this silence continued, every day made it appear more strange
  and more incompatible with the disposition of both.  Why they should
  not openly acknowledge to her mother and herself, what their constant
  behaviour to each other declared to have taken place, Elinor could not
  imagine.
  
  She could easily conceive that marriage might not be immediately in
  their power; for though Willoughby was independent, there was no reason
  to believe him rich.  His estate had been rated by Sir John at about
  six or seven hundred a year; but he lived at an expense to which that
  income could hardly be equal, and he had himself often complained of
  his poverty.  But for this strange kind of secrecy maintained by them
  relative to their engagement, which in fact concealed nothing at all,
  she could not account; and it was so wholly contradictory to their
  general opinions and practice, that a doubt sometimes entered her mind
  of their being really engaged, and this doubt was enough to prevent her
  making any inquiry of Marianne.
  
  Nothing could be more expressive of attachment to them all, than
  Willoughby's behaviour.  To Marianne it had all the distinguishing
  tenderness which a lover's heart could give, and to the rest of the
  family it was the affectionate attention of a son and a brother.  The
  cottage seemed to be considered and loved by him as his home; many more
  of his hours were spent there than at Allenham; and if no general
  engagement collected them at the park, the exercise which called him
  out in the morning was almost certain of ending there, where the rest
  of the day was spent by himself at the side of Marianne, and by his
  favourite pointer at her feet.
  
  One evening in particular, about a week after Colonel Brandon left the
  country, his heart seemed more than usually open to every feeling of
  attachment to the objects around him; and on Mrs. Dashwood's happening
  to mention her design of improving the cottage in the spring, he warmly
  opposed every alteration of a place which affection had established as
  perfect with him.
  
  "What!" he exclaimed--"Improve this dear cottage!  No. THAT I will
  never consent to.  Not a stone must be added to its walls, not an inch
  to its size, if my feelings are regarded."
  
  "Do not be alarmed," said Miss Dashwood, "nothing of the kind will be
  done; for my mother will never have money enough to attempt it."
  
  "I am heartily glad of it," he cried.  "May she always be poor, if she
  can employ her riches no better."
  
  "Thank you, Willoughby.  But you may be assured that I would not
  sacrifice one sentiment of local attachment of yours, or of any one
  whom I loved, for all the improvements in the world.  Depend upon it
  that whatever unemployed sum may remain, when I make up my accounts in
  the spring, I would even rather lay it uselessly by than dispose of it
  in a manner so painful to you.  But are you really so attached to this
  place as to see no defect in it?"
  
  "I am," said he.  "To me it is faultless.  Nay, more, I consider it as
  the only form of building in which happiness is attainable, and were I
  rich enough I would instantly pull Combe down, and build it up again in
  the exact plan of this cottage."
  
  "With dark narrow stairs and a kitchen that smokes, I suppose," said
  Elinor.
  
  "Yes," cried he in the same eager tone, "with all and every thing
  belonging to it;--in no one convenience or INconvenience about it,
  should the least variation be perceptible.  Then, and then only, under
  such a roof, I might perhaps be as happy at Combe as I have been at
  Barton."
  
  "I flatter myself," replied Elinor, "that even under the disadvantage
  of better rooms and a broader staircase, you will hereafter find your
  own house as faultless as you now do this."
  
  "There certainly are circumstances," said Willoughby, "which might
  greatly endear it to me; but this place will always have one claim of
  my affection, which no other can possibly share."
  
  Mrs. Dashwood looked with pleasure at Marianne, whose fine eyes were
  fixed so expressively on Willoughby, as plainly denoted how well she
  understood him.
  
  "How often did I wish," added he, "when I was at Allenham this time
  twelvemonth, that Barton cottage were inhabited!  I never passed within
  view of it without admiring its situation, and grieving that no one
  should live in it.  How little did I then think that the very first
  news I should hear from Mrs. Smith, when I next came into the country,
  would be that Barton cottage was taken: and I felt an immediate
  satisfaction and interest in the event, which nothing but a kind of
  prescience of what happiness I should experience from it, can account
  for.  Must it not have been so, Marianne?" speaking to her in a lowered
  voice.  Then continuing his former tone, he said, "And yet this house
  you would spoil, Mrs. Dashwood?  You would rob it of its simplicity by
  imaginary improvement! and this dear parlour in which our acquaintance
  first began, and in which so many happy hours have been since spent by
  us together, you would degrade to the condition of a common entrance,
  and every body would be eager to pass through the room which has
  hitherto contained within itself more real accommodation and comfort
  than any other apartment of the handsomest dimensions in the world
  could possibly afford."
  
  Mrs. Dashwood again assured him that no alteration of the kind should
  be attempted.
  
  "You are a good woman," he warmly replied.  "Your promise makes me
  easy.  Extend it a little farther, and it will make me happy.  Tell me
  that not only your house will remain the same, but that I shall ever
  find you and yours as unchanged as your dwelling; and that you will
  always consider me with the kindness which has made everything
  belonging to you so dear to me."
  
  The promise was readily given, and Willoughby's behaviour during the
  whole of the evening declared at once his affection and happiness.
  
  "Shall we see you tomorrow to dinner?" said Mrs. Dashwood, when he was
  leaving them.  "I do not ask you to come in the morning, for we must
  walk to the park, to call on Lady Middleton."
  
  He engaged to be with them by four o'clock.
  
  
  
feat_summary_name: Chapter 14
target: Mrs. Jennings continues to ponder over what exactly drew Colonel Brandon away so suddenly. She believes it must be regarding money, since the Colonel is not so well-off that he might have troubles with money. What Elinor is most alarmed at, however, is how Marianne and Willoughby are refraining from comment on the reason Colonel Brandon went away. This silence seems very unlike either of them, and forebodes some involvement in this affair, probably on Willoughby's part. Willoughby is becoming an even more attentive guest at the cottage, spending a great deal more time there than Allenham with his aunt. He professes to being so happy there that he would duplicate the cottage exactly, since it is a reminder of the happy times he has had there. Willoughby also openly confesses his affections for Marianne and for all of them, and asks that they remain unchanged always, and always think of him as fondly as he does of them. Willoughby's statements seem sincere and heartfelt, and do declare a real fondness for Marianne, her family, and Barton.
feat_summary_analysis: Willoughby's silence in particular on the subject of Colonel Brandon is very peculiar; why he should suddenly refrain from comment, whereas before he seized every opportunity to poke fun at the Colonel, is completely unclear. However, it reflects badly on him, and foreshadows some involvement on his part in Brandon's affairs. Austen's cautious tone in also addressing the couple's silence on the subject of their engagement indicates that there too, all is not well as it might seem. Austen is setting up the revelations and the conflicts that are soon to follow, and asserting the theme of the difference between appearances and reality. Willoughby's unusually free and affectionate address indicates that if he and Marianne are not already engaged, then that is soon to happen. However, combined with his also unusual secrecy, it also seems to indicate that a change is about to happen. Though Barton Cottage has become a symbol of Willoughby's happiness, it is likely that this will not always be so; Austen hints at secrets of his and at evasiveness in his behavior, that might soon destroy his relationship with Marianne