feat_summary_path: finished_summaries/pinkmonkey/Sense and Sensibility/section_14_part_0.txt
feat_book_id: Sense and Sensibility.chapter 15
feat_summary_id: chapter 15
feat_summary: {"name": "Chapter 15", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20180820034609/http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmSenseSensibility30.asp", "summary": "Puzzled about his hasty departure, Mrs. Jennings. shows concern for the Colonel. Elinor feels anxious about Marianne and wonders why she has not disclosed her engagement to her mother. Willoughby visits them everyday and displays his affection for Marianne. On one of his visits, he reveals his attachment to Barton Cottage and asks Mrs. Dashwood not to make changes there.", "analysis": "Notes A few more facts about Colonel Brandon are revealed. Mrs. Jennings talks about his estate at Delaford and about his relatives. Her dropping hints about the family and fortune of Colonel Brandon enhances the desire of the reader to know more about this elusive character. Elinor is concerned about Marianne and her relationship with Willoughby. Though she is aware of their mutual affection, she is not sure about the seriousness of their relationship; Marianne has not spoken about it to any one of them. Willoughby displays another facet of his personality. He can be very sentimental. He talks about his deep attachment to Barton Cottage and shows concern when Mrs. Dashwood expresses her desire to renovate it. He also expresses his gratitude towards them for their kindness. Through his words and actions, he hints at his emotional involvement with Marianne. CHAPTER 15 Summary Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor and Margaret make their customary visit to the Park. On their return, they are shocked to see Marianne looking dejected and flustered. Willoughby informs them about his decision to leave for London immediately. However, his explanation for this sudden departure does not convince Elinor. She suspects something more serious. Mrs. Dashwood is not so pessimistic. Marianne drowns herself in sorrow but refrains from talking about it. Notes The cheerful atmosphere of Barton Cottage is disrupted. Marianne, who had been blissful in the company of Willoughby, now looks miserable. Since she does not reveal anything about Willoughby's conversation with her before his departure to London, mystery shrouds their relationship. The incident casts a cloud over the family. Elinor is puzzled at Willoughby's change of behavior with Marianne and at his sudden plans to visit London. She suspects Willoughby's intentions and is doubtful of his integrity. Mrs. Dashwood, too, is disturbed although she does not share Elinor's view. Jane Austen frequently reminds the reader about Elinor's superior sense and reasoning ability. After observing Willoughby before his departure, she tries to analyze his behavior and his decision to take leave of them so abruptly. Willoughby, who had always spoken openly about all matters, could have revealed the real reason behind his visit to London unless he desperately needed to conceal something. Mrs. Dashwood, blinded by her faith in Willoughby, refuses to entertain negative thoughts about him. She feels sure of Willoughby's feelings for her daughter and hopes for the best. CHAPTER 16 Summary Marianne broods over her plight but hardly talks about Willoughby. Sometimes she inadvertently reveals her feelings for him. One morning, as they are walking in the countryside, they are surprised to encounter Edward Ferrars, who has arrived to visit them at Barton. Marianne is delighted to meet him and is glad for her sister. She welcomes Edward with open arms. Notes Marianne isolates herself from the others and becomes engulfed in a cloud of gloom. By sulking over her fate, she disturbs the peace of her family. She lacks restraint and has no regard for the others in her family. Willoughby exits from the scene and Edward enters. Willoughby's departure had disturbed the members of the Dashwood family, but Edward's visit gladdens them: Edward's arrival at Barton is like a streak of sunlight in an overcast sky. His presence even manages to lift Marianne out of her depression. She forgets her sorrow for the moment and welcomes him. His visit seems to offer her some consolation. She talks to him animatedly and asks him about Norland. Elinor is elated to see Edward but shows restraint in her behavior towards him. She keeps her emotions in control and tries to react normally to the situation."}
text: 
  
  Mrs. Dashwood's visit to Lady Middleton took place the next day, and
  two of her daughters went with her; but Marianne excused herself from
  being of the party, under some trifling pretext of employment; and her
  mother, who concluded that a promise had been made by Willoughby the
  night before of calling on her while they were absent, was perfectly
  satisfied with her remaining at home.
  
  On their return from the park they found Willoughby's curricle and
  servant in waiting at the cottage, and Mrs. Dashwood was convinced that
  her conjecture had been just.  So far it was all as she had foreseen;
  but on entering the house she beheld what no foresight had taught her
  to expect.  They were no sooner in the passage than Marianne came
  hastily out of the parlour apparently in violent affliction, with her
  handkerchief at her eyes; and without noticing them ran up stairs.
  Surprised and alarmed they proceeded directly into the room she had
  just quitted, where they found only Willoughby, who was leaning against
  the mantel-piece with his back towards them.  He turned round on their
  coming in, and his countenance shewed that he strongly partook of the
  emotion which over-powered Marianne.
  
  "Is anything the matter with her?" cried Mrs. Dashwood as she
  entered--"is she ill?"
  
  "I hope not," he replied, trying to look cheerful; and with a forced
  smile presently added, "It is I who may rather expect to be ill--for I
  am now suffering under a very heavy disappointment!"
  
  "Disappointment?"
  
  "Yes, for I am unable to keep my engagement with you.  Mrs. Smith has
  this morning exercised the privilege of riches upon a poor dependent
  cousin, by sending me on business to London.  I have just received my
  dispatches, and taken my farewell of Allenham; and by way of
  exhilaration I am now come to take my farewell of you."
  
  "To London!--and are you going this morning?"
  
  "Almost this moment."
  
  "This is very unfortunate.  But Mrs. Smith must be obliged;--and her
  business will not detain you from us long I hope."
  
  He coloured as he replied, "You are very kind, but I have no idea of
  returning into Devonshire immediately.  My visits to Mrs. Smith are
  never repeated within the twelvemonth."
  
  "And is Mrs. Smith your only friend?  Is Allenham the only house in the
  neighbourhood to which you will be welcome?  For shame, Willoughby, can
  you wait for an invitation here?"
  
  His colour increased; and with his eyes fixed on the ground he only
  replied, "You are too good."
  
  Mrs. Dashwood looked at Elinor with surprise.  Elinor felt equal
  amazement.  For a few moments every one was silent.  Mrs. Dashwood
  first spoke.
  
  "I have only to add, my dear Willoughby, that at Barton cottage you
  will always be welcome; for I will not press you to return here
  immediately, because you only can judge how far THAT might be pleasing
  to Mrs. Smith; and on this head I shall be no more disposed to question
  your judgment than to doubt your inclination."
  
  "My engagements at present," replied Willoughby, confusedly, "are of
  such a nature--that--I dare not flatter myself"--
  
  He stopt.  Mrs. Dashwood was too much astonished to speak, and another
  pause succeeded.  This was broken by Willoughby, who said with a faint
  smile, "It is folly to linger in this manner.  I will not torment
  myself any longer by remaining among friends whose society it is
  impossible for me now to enjoy."
  
  He then hastily took leave of them all and left the room.  They saw him
  step into his carriage, and in a minute it was out of sight.
  
  Mrs. Dashwood felt too much for speech, and instantly quitted the
  parlour to give way in solitude to the concern and alarm which this
  sudden departure occasioned.
  
  Elinor's uneasiness was at least equal to her mother's.  She thought of
  what had just passed with anxiety and distrust.  Willoughby's behaviour
  in taking leave of them, his embarrassment, and affectation of
  cheerfulness, and, above all, his unwillingness to accept her mother's
  invitation, a backwardness so unlike a lover, so unlike himself,
  greatly disturbed her.  One moment she feared that no serious design
  had ever been formed on his side; and the next that some unfortunate
  quarrel had taken place between him and her sister;--the distress in
  which Marianne had quitted the room was such as a serious quarrel could
  most reasonably account for, though when she considered what Marianne's
  love for him was, a quarrel seemed almost impossible.
  
  But whatever might be the particulars of their separation, her sister's
  affliction was indubitable; and she thought with the tenderest
  compassion of that violent sorrow which Marianne was in all probability
  not merely giving way to as a relief, but feeding and encouraging as a
  duty.
  
  In about half an hour her mother returned, and though her eyes were
  red, her countenance was not uncheerful.
  
  "Our dear Willoughby is now some miles from Barton, Elinor," said she,
  as she sat down to work, "and with how heavy a heart does he travel?"
  
  "It is all very strange.  So suddenly to be gone! It seems but the work
  of a moment.  And last night he was with us so happy, so cheerful, so
  affectionate?  And now, after only ten minutes notice--Gone too without
  intending to return!--Something more than what he owned to us must have
  happened.  He did not speak, he did not behave like himself.  YOU must
  have seen the difference as well as I.  What can it be?  Can they have
  quarrelled?  Why else should he have shewn such unwillingness to accept
  your invitation here?"--
  
  "It was not inclination that he wanted, Elinor; I could plainly see
  THAT.  He had not the power of accepting it.  I have thought it all
  over I assure you, and I can perfectly account for every thing that at
  first seemed strange to me as well as to you."
  
  "Can you, indeed!"
  
  "Yes. I have explained it to myself in the most satisfactory way;--but
  you, Elinor, who love to doubt where you can--it will not satisfy YOU,
  I know; but you shall not talk ME out of my trust in it.  I am
  persuaded that Mrs. Smith suspects his regard for Marianne, disapproves
  of it, (perhaps because she has other views for him,) and on that
  account is eager to get him away;--and that the business which she
  sends him off to transact is invented as an excuse to dismiss him.
  This is what I believe to have happened.  He is, moreover, aware that
  she DOES disapprove the connection, he dares not therefore at present
  confess to her his engagement with Marianne, and he feels himself
  obliged, from his dependent situation, to give into her schemes, and
  absent himself from Devonshire for a while.  You will tell me, I know,
  that this may or may NOT have happened; but I will listen to no cavil,
  unless you can point out any other method of understanding the affair
  as satisfactory at this.  And now, Elinor, what have you to say?"
  
  "Nothing, for you have anticipated my answer."
  
  "Then you would have told me, that it might or might not have happened.
  Oh, Elinor, how incomprehensible are your feelings!  You had rather
  take evil upon credit than good.  You had rather look out for misery
  for Marianne, and guilt for poor Willoughby, than an apology for the
  latter.  You are resolved to think him blameable, because he took leave
  of us with less affection than his usual behaviour has shewn.  And is
  no allowance to be made for inadvertence, or for spirits depressed by
  recent disappointment?  Are no probabilities to be accepted, merely
  because they are not certainties?  Is nothing due to the man whom we
  have all such reason to love, and no reason in the world to think ill
  of?  To the possibility of motives unanswerable in themselves, though
  unavoidably secret for a while?  And, after all, what is it you suspect
  him of?"
  
  "I can hardly tell myself.  But suspicion of something unpleasant is
  the inevitable consequence of such an alteration as we just witnessed
  in him.  There is great truth, however, in what you have now urged of
  the allowances which ought to be made for him, and it is my wish to be
  candid in my judgment of every body.  Willoughby may undoubtedly have
  very sufficient reasons for his conduct, and I will hope that he has.
  But it would have been more like Willoughby to acknowledge them at
  once.  Secrecy may be advisable; but still I cannot help wondering at
  its being practiced by him."
  
  "Do not blame him, however, for departing from his character, where the
  deviation is necessary.  But you really do admit the justice of what I
  have said in his defence?--I am happy--and he is acquitted."
  
  "Not entirely.  It may be proper to conceal their engagement (if they
  ARE engaged) from Mrs. Smith--and if that is the case, it must be
  highly expedient for Willoughby to be but little in Devonshire at
  present.  But this is no excuse for their concealing it from us."
  
  "Concealing it from us! my dear child, do you accuse Willoughby and
  Marianne of concealment? This is strange indeed, when your eyes have
  been reproaching them every day for incautiousness."
  
  "I want no proof of their affection," said Elinor; "but of their
  engagement I do."
  
  "I am perfectly satisfied of both."
  
  "Yet not a syllable has been said to you on the subject, by either of
  them."
  
  "I have not wanted syllables where actions have spoken so plainly.  Has
  not his behaviour to Marianne and to all of us, for at least the last
  fortnight, declared that he loved and considered her as his future
  wife, and that he felt for us the attachment of the nearest relation?
  Have we not perfectly understood each other?  Has not my consent been
  daily asked by his looks, his manner, his attentive and affectionate
  respect?  My Elinor, is it possible to doubt their engagement?  How
  could such a thought occur to you?  How is it to be supposed that
  Willoughby, persuaded as he must be of your sister's love, should leave
  her, and leave her perhaps for months, without telling her of his
  affection;--that they should part without a mutual exchange of
  confidence?"
  
  "I confess," replied Elinor, "that every circumstance except ONE is in
  favour of their engagement; but that ONE is the total silence of both
  on the subject, and with me it almost outweighs every other."
  
  "How strange this is!  You must think wretchedly indeed of Willoughby,
  if, after all that has openly passed between them, you can doubt the
  nature of the terms on which they are together.  Has he been acting a
  part in his behaviour to your sister all this time?  Do you suppose him
  really indifferent to her?"
  
  "No, I cannot think that.  He must and does love her I am sure."
  
  "But with a strange kind of tenderness, if he can leave her with such
  indifference, such carelessness of the future, as you attribute to him."
  
  "You must remember, my dear mother, that I have never considered this
  matter as certain.  I have had my doubts, I confess; but they are
  fainter than they were, and they may soon be entirely done away.  If we
  find they correspond, every fear of mine will be removed."
  
  "A mighty concession indeed!  If you were to see them at the altar, you
  would suppose they were going to be married.  Ungracious girl!  But I
  require no such proof.  Nothing in my opinion has ever passed to
  justify doubt; no secrecy has been attempted; all has been uniformly
  open and unreserved.  You cannot doubt your sister's wishes.  It must
  be Willoughby therefore whom you suspect.  But why?  Is he not a man of
  honour and feeling? Has there been any inconsistency on his side to
  create alarm? can he be deceitful?"
  
  "I hope not, I believe not," cried Elinor.  "I love Willoughby,
  sincerely love him; and suspicion of his integrity cannot be more
  painful to yourself than to me.  It has been involuntary, and I will
  not encourage it.  I was startled, I confess, by the alteration in his
  manners this morning;--he did not speak like himself, and did not
  return your kindness with any cordiality.  But all this may be
  explained by such a situation of his affairs as you have supposed.  He
  had just parted from my sister, had seen her leave him in the greatest
  affliction; and if he felt obliged, from a fear of offending Mrs.
  Smith, to resist the temptation of returning here soon, and yet aware
  that by declining your invitation, by saying that he was going away for
  some time, he should seem to act an ungenerous, a suspicious part by
  our family, he might well be embarrassed and disturbed.  In such a
  case, a plain and open avowal of his difficulties would have been more
  to his honour I think, as well as more consistent with his general
  character;--but I will not raise objections against any one's conduct
  on so illiberal a foundation, as a difference in judgment from myself,
  or a deviation from what I may think right and consistent."
  
  "You speak very properly.  Willoughby certainly does not deserve to be
  suspected.  Though WE have not known him long, he is no stranger in
  this part of the world; and who has ever spoken to his disadvantage?
  Had he been in a situation to act independently and marry immediately,
  it might have been odd that he should leave us without acknowledging
  everything to me at once: but this is not the case.  It is an
  engagement in some respects not prosperously begun, for their marriage
  must be at a very uncertain distance; and even secrecy, as far as it
  can be observed, may now be very advisable."
  
  They were interrupted by the entrance of Margaret; and Elinor was then
  at liberty to think over the representations of her mother, to
  acknowledge the probability of many, and hope for the justice of all.
  
  They saw nothing of Marianne till dinner time, when she entered the
  room and took her place at the table without saying a word.  Her eyes
  were red and swollen; and it seemed as if her tears were even then
  restrained with difficulty.  She avoided the looks of them all, could
  neither eat nor speak, and after some time, on her mother's silently
  pressing her hand with tender compassion, her small degree of fortitude
  was quite overcome, she burst into tears and left the room.
  
  This violent oppression of spirits continued the whole evening.  She
  was without any power, because she was without any desire of command
  over herself.  The slightest mention of anything relative to Willoughby
  overpowered her in an instant; and though her family were most
  anxiously attentive to her comfort, it was impossible for them, if they
  spoke at all, to keep clear of every subject which her feelings
  connected with him.
  
  
  
feat_summary_name: Chapter 15
target: Puzzled about his hasty departure, Mrs. Jennings. shows concern for the Colonel. Elinor feels anxious about Marianne and wonders why she has not disclosed her engagement to her mother. Willoughby visits them everyday and displays his affection for Marianne. On one of his visits, he reveals his attachment to Barton Cottage and asks Mrs. Dashwood not to make changes there.
feat_summary_analysis: Notes A few more facts about Colonel Brandon are revealed. Mrs. Jennings talks about his estate at Delaford and about his relatives. Her dropping hints about the family and fortune of Colonel Brandon enhances the desire of the reader to know more about this elusive character. Elinor is concerned about Marianne and her relationship with Willoughby. Though she is aware of their mutual affection, she is not sure about the seriousness of their relationship; Marianne has not spoken about it to any one of them. Willoughby displays another facet of his personality. He can be very sentimental. He talks about his deep attachment to Barton Cottage and shows concern when Mrs. Dashwood expresses her desire to renovate it. He also expresses his gratitude towards them for their kindness. Through his words and actions, he hints at his emotional involvement with Marianne. CHAPTER 15 Summary Mrs. Dashwood, Elinor and Margaret make their customary visit to the Park. On their return, they are shocked to see Marianne looking dejected and flustered. Willoughby informs them about his decision to leave for London immediately. However, his explanation for this sudden departure does not convince Elinor. She suspects something more serious. Mrs. Dashwood is not so pessimistic. Marianne drowns herself in sorrow but refrains from talking about it. Notes The cheerful atmosphere of Barton Cottage is disrupted. Marianne, who had been blissful in the company of Willoughby, now looks miserable. Since she does not reveal anything about Willoughby's conversation with her before his departure to London, mystery shrouds their relationship. The incident casts a cloud over the family. Elinor is puzzled at Willoughby's change of behavior with Marianne and at his sudden plans to visit London. She suspects Willoughby's intentions and is doubtful of his integrity. Mrs. Dashwood, too, is disturbed although she does not share Elinor's view. Jane Austen frequently reminds the reader about Elinor's superior sense and reasoning ability. After observing Willoughby before his departure, she tries to analyze his behavior and his decision to take leave of them so abruptly. Willoughby, who had always spoken openly about all matters, could have revealed the real reason behind his visit to London unless he desperately needed to conceal something. Mrs. Dashwood, blinded by her faith in Willoughby, refuses to entertain negative thoughts about him. She feels sure of Willoughby's feelings for her daughter and hopes for the best. CHAPTER 16 Summary Marianne broods over her plight but hardly talks about Willoughby. Sometimes she inadvertently reveals her feelings for him. One morning, as they are walking in the countryside, they are surprised to encounter Edward Ferrars, who has arrived to visit them at Barton. Marianne is delighted to meet him and is glad for her sister. She welcomes Edward with open arms. Notes Marianne isolates herself from the others and becomes engulfed in a cloud of gloom. By sulking over her fate, she disturbs the peace of her family. She lacks restraint and has no regard for the others in her family. Willoughby exits from the scene and Edward enters. Willoughby's departure had disturbed the members of the Dashwood family, but Edward's visit gladdens them: Edward's arrival at Barton is like a streak of sunlight in an overcast sky. His presence even manages to lift Marianne out of her depression. She forgets her sorrow for the moment and welcomes him. His visit seems to offer her some consolation. She talks to him animatedly and asks him about Norland. Elinor is elated to see Edward but shows restraint in her behavior towards him. She keeps her emotions in control and tries to react normally to the situation.