feat_summary_path: finished_summaries/pinkmonkey/Sense and Sensibility/section_37_part_0.txt
feat_book_id: Sense and Sensibility.chapter 38
feat_summary_id: chapter 38
feat_summary: {"name": "Chapter  38", "url": "https://web.archive.org/web/20180820034609/http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmSenseSensibility55.asp", "summary": "Three days after the incident at John Dashwood's house, Mrs. Jennings and Elinor go out for a walk to Kensington gardens. After separating from Mrs. Jennings, Elinor meets Anne Steele, and the two talk about Lucy and the unhappy incident. Miss Steele also tells Elinor about Edward's visit that morning and how she had overheard an intimate conversation between him and Lucy. Elinor is disgusted at her behavior. After reaching home, she relates the incident to Mrs. Jennings. Later, she receives a letter from Lucy by the two-penny post informing her of their current circumstances. She seeks the help of the Middletons or Palmers to offer a position to Edward. Elinor shows the letter to Mrs. Jennings. The old lady is impressed by the letter.", "analysis": "Notes The chapter reveals the somewhat crass behavior of the Steele sisters. Miss Steele reveals to Elinor that she had purposely stood outside the door of the locked room in which Lucy and Edward were conversing. She does not feel guilty about her behavior; her justification is that even Lucy had eavesdropped earlier. Lucy's letter also exposes her selfishness and base nature. Lucy asks Elinor to recommend her case to anyone who will be willing to provide a position to Edward. She looks forward to the help of Mrs. Jennings, the Middletons and the Palmers. Lucy is not ashamed to ask favors of others. CHAPTER 39 Summary Elinor and Marianne are invited by the Palmers to Cleveland. At the insistence of Mrs. Jennings, they decide to accept the invitation. One day Colonel Brandon visits them and asks Elinor to inform Edward that he is prepared to give a position at Delaford to him. Edward could lead a comfortable life on an income of two thousand pounds, but he would not be able to afford a wife. Mrs. Jennings, who observes Elinor and Colonel Brandon talking animatedly, concludes that they must be talking about a wedding. Notes In answer to Marianne's wish that they go home, the sisters are invited to accompany Mrs. Jennings to Cleveland. Since it will be easy for them to reach Barton from Cleveland, they accept the invitation. Mrs. Jennings, who is always engaged in matchmaking, starts imagining the Colonel to be in love with Elinor. Thus, when she hears the phrase, \"I am afraid it cannot take place very soon,\" she is angry with the Colonel for postponing their wedding. Misunderstanding causes much humor in the scene. Colonel Brandon can be rightly identified as a generous man who willingly offers a living to Edward in Delaford. His love for Marianne and respect for Elinor makes him extend help to their friends. It is ironic that he chooses Elinor to convey this information to Edward. CHAPTER 40 Summary Mrs. Jennings approaches Elinor soon after the Colonel's exit. She congratulates her and asks her many questions, which gradually reveal her mistaken assumption that there is an engagement between Elinor and the Colonel. Elinor mentions Brandon's generosity and his request to her to convey the information to Edward. Mrs. Jennings is puzzled, and as she is in a hurry to leave, she decides to speak further with Elinor upon her return. When Edward arrives, Elinor tells him the good news. He is pleasantly surprised. He promises to meet the Colonel and thank him for his generosity. Mrs. Jennings returns to the house and asks Elinor if Edward is prepared to get ordained to perform her marriage to the Colonel. Elinor is shocked to hear Mrs. Jennings' words. She corrects the misunderstanding by informing the old lady of the Colonel's offer to Edward. Notes This chapter demonstrates the misunderstandings that arise when a character like Mrs. Jennings gives her interpretation of the events that she witnesses. The conversation between Elinor and Mrs. Jennings is amusing as each misinterprets the other's words. Elinor is unaware of Mrs. Jennings' suspicions, and hence she talks about informing Edward of the Colonel's offer. Mrs. Jennings is then unable to understand why Edward should be informed of the Colonel's proposal. She surmises that Elinor and the Colonel might have decided to get married only after Edward has been ordained and is ready to perform their wedding. Much humor results from this confused conversation. Edward Ferrars is obviously surprised when Elinor informs him of the Colonel's generous offer at Delaford: in this time of crisis, assistance from such an unexpected quarter is astonishing. Like Mrs. Jennings, he believes the Colonel to be in love with Elinor. He feels that Brandon has offered him help only to please Elinor. Thus he thanks Elinor for helping him."}
text: 
  
  Mrs. Jennings was very warm in her praise of Edward's conduct, but only
  Elinor and Marianne understood its true merit.  THEY only knew how
  little he had had to tempt him to be disobedient, and how small was the
  consolation, beyond the consciousness of doing right, that could remain
  to him in the loss of friends and fortune.  Elinor gloried in his
  integrity; and Marianne forgave all his offences in compassion for his
  punishment.  But though confidence between them was, by this public
  discovery, restored to its proper state, it was not a subject on which
  either of them were fond of dwelling when alone.  Elinor avoided it
  upon principle, as tending to fix still more upon her thoughts, by the
  too warm, too positive assurances of Marianne, that belief of Edward's
  continued affection for herself which she rather wished to do away; and
  Marianne's courage soon failed her, in trying to converse upon a topic
  which always left her more dissatisfied with herself than ever, by the
  comparison it necessarily produced between Elinor's conduct and her own.
  
  She felt all the force of that comparison; but not as her sister had
  hoped, to urge her to exertion now; she felt it with all the pain of
  continual self-reproach, regretted most bitterly that she had never
  exerted herself before; but it brought only the torture of penitence,
  without the hope of amendment.  Her mind was so much weakened that she
  still fancied present exertion impossible, and therefore it only
  dispirited her more.
  
  Nothing new was heard by them, for a day or two afterwards, of affairs
  in Harley Street, or Bartlett's Buildings.  But though so much of the
  matter was known to them already, that Mrs. Jennings might have had
  enough to do in spreading that knowledge farther, without seeking after
  more, she had resolved from the first to pay a visit of comfort and
  inquiry to her cousins as soon as she could; and nothing but the
  hindrance of more visitors than usual, had prevented her going to them
  within that time.
  
  The third day succeeding their knowledge of the particulars, was so
  fine, so beautiful a Sunday as to draw many to Kensington Gardens,
  though it was only the second week in March.  Mrs. Jennings and Elinor
  were of the number; but Marianne, who knew that the Willoughbys were
  again in town, and had a constant dread of meeting them, chose rather
  to stay at home, than venture into so public a place.
  
  An intimate acquaintance of Mrs. Jennings joined them soon after they
  entered the Gardens, and Elinor was not sorry that by her continuing
  with them, and engaging all Mrs. Jennings's conversation, she was
  herself left to quiet reflection.  She saw nothing of the Willoughbys,
  nothing of Edward, and for some time nothing of anybody who could by
  any chance whether grave or gay, be interesting to her.  But at last
  she found herself with some surprise, accosted by Miss Steele, who,
  though looking rather shy, expressed great satisfaction in meeting
  them, and on receiving encouragement from the particular kindness of
  Mrs. Jennings, left her own party for a short time, to join their's.
  Mrs. Jennings immediately whispered to Elinor,
  
  "Get it all out of her, my dear.  She will tell you any thing if you
  ask.  You see I cannot leave Mrs. Clarke."
  
  It was lucky, however, for Mrs. Jennings's curiosity and Elinor's too,
  that she would tell any thing WITHOUT being asked; for nothing would
  otherwise have been learnt.
  
  "I am so glad to meet you;" said Miss Steele, taking her familiarly by
  the arm--"for I wanted to see you of all things in the world."  And
  then lowering her voice, "I suppose Mrs. Jennings has heard all about
  it.  Is she angry?"
  
  "Not at all, I believe, with you."
  
  "That is a good thing.  And Lady Middleton, is SHE angry?"
  
  "I cannot suppose it possible that she should be."
  
  "I am monstrous glad of it.  Good gracious!  I have had such a time of
  it!  I never saw Lucy in such a rage in my life.  She vowed at first
  she would never trim me up a new bonnet, nor do any thing else for me
  again, so long as she lived; but now she is quite come to, and we are
  as good friends as ever.  Look, she made me this bow to my hat, and put
  in the feather last night.  There now, YOU are going to laugh at me
  too.  But why should not I wear pink ribbons?  I do not care if it IS
  the Doctor's favourite colour.  I am sure, for my part, I should never
  have known he DID like it better than any other colour, if he had not
  happened to say so.  My cousins have been so plaguing me!  I declare
  sometimes I do not know which way to look before them."
  
  She had wandered away to a subject on which Elinor had nothing to say,
  and therefore soon judged it expedient to find her way back again to
  the first.
  
  "Well, but Miss Dashwood," speaking triumphantly, "people may say what
  they chuse about Mr. Ferrars's declaring he would not have Lucy, for it
  is no such thing I can tell you; and it is quite a shame for such
  ill-natured reports to be spread abroad.  Whatever Lucy might think
  about it herself, you know, it was no business of other people to set
  it down for certain."
  
  "I never heard any thing of the kind hinted at before, I assure you,"
  said Elinor.
  
  "Oh, did not you?  But it WAS said, I know, very well, and by more than
  one; for Miss Godby told Miss Sparks, that nobody in their senses could
  expect Mr. Ferrars to give up a woman like Miss Morton, with thirty
  thousand pounds to her fortune, for Lucy Steele that had nothing at
  all; and I had it from Miss Sparks myself.  And besides that, my cousin
  Richard said himself, that when it came to the point he was afraid Mr.
  Ferrars would be off; and when Edward did not come near us for three
  days, I could not tell what to think myself; and I believe in my heart
  Lucy gave it up all for lost; for we came away from your brother's
  Wednesday, and we saw nothing of him not all Thursday, Friday, and
  Saturday, and did not know what was become of him.  Once Lucy thought
  to write to him, but then her spirits rose against that.  However this
  morning he came just as we came home from church; and then it all came
  out, how he had been sent for Wednesday to Harley Street, and been
  talked to by his mother and all of them, and how he had declared before
  them all that he loved nobody but Lucy, and nobody but Lucy would he
  have.  And how he had been so worried by what passed, that as soon as
  he had went away from his mother's house, he had got upon his horse,
  and rid into the country, some where or other; and how he had stayed
  about at an inn all Thursday and Friday, on purpose to get the better
  of it.  And after thinking it all over and over again, he said, it
  seemed to him as if, now he had no fortune, and no nothing at all, it
  would be quite unkind to keep her on to the engagement, because it must
  be for her loss, for he had nothing but two thousand pounds, and no
  hope of any thing else; and if he was to go into orders, as he had some
  thoughts, he could get nothing but a curacy, and how was they to live
  upon that?--He could not bear to think of her doing no better, and so
  he begged, if she had the least mind for it, to put an end to the
  matter directly, and leave him shift for himself.  I heard him say all
  this as plain as could possibly be.  And it was entirely for HER sake,
  and upon HER account, that he said a word about being off, and not upon
  his own.  I will take my oath he never dropt a syllable of being tired
  of her, or of wishing to marry Miss Morton, or any thing like it.  But,
  to be sure, Lucy would not give ear to such kind of talking; so she
  told him directly (with a great deal about sweet and love, you know,
  and all that--Oh, la! one can't repeat such kind of things you
  know)--she told him directly, she had not the least mind in the world
  to be off, for she could live with him upon a trifle, and how little so
  ever he might have, she should be very glad to have it all, you know,
  or something of the kind.  So then he was monstrous happy, and talked
  on some time about what they should do, and they agreed he should take
  orders directly, and they must wait to be married till he got a living.
  And just then I could not hear any more, for my cousin called from
  below to tell me Mrs. Richardson was come in her coach, and would take
  one of us to Kensington Gardens; so I was forced to go into the room
  and interrupt them, to ask Lucy if she would like to go, but she did
  not care to leave Edward; so I just run up stairs and put on a pair of
  silk stockings and came off with the Richardsons."
  
  "I do not understand what you mean by interrupting them," said Elinor;
  "you were all in the same room together, were not you?"
  
  "No, indeed, not us.  La! Miss Dashwood, do you think people make love
  when any body else is by?  Oh, for shame!--To be sure you must know
  better than that.  (Laughing affectedly.)--No, no; they were shut up in
  the drawing-room together, and all I heard was only by listening at the
  door."
  
  "How!" cried Elinor; "have you been repeating to me what you only
  learnt yourself by listening at the door?  I am sorry I did not know it
  before; for I certainly would not have suffered you to give me
  particulars of a conversation which you ought not to have known
  yourself.  How could you behave so unfairly by your sister?"
  
  "Oh, la! there is nothing in THAT.  I only stood at the door, and heard
  what I could.  And I am sure Lucy would have done just the same by me;
  for a year or two back, when Martha Sharpe and I had so many secrets
  together, she never made any bones of hiding in a closet, or behind a
  chimney-board, on purpose to hear what we said."
  
  Elinor tried to talk of something else; but Miss Steele could not be
  kept beyond a couple of minutes, from what was uppermost in her mind.
  
  "Edward talks of going to Oxford soon," said she; "but now he is
  lodging at No. --, Pall Mall.  What an ill-natured woman his mother is,
  an't she? And your brother and sister were not very kind! However, I
  shan't say anything against them to YOU; and to be sure they did send
  us home in their own chariot, which was more than I looked for.  And
  for my part, I was all in a fright for fear your sister should ask us
  for the huswifes she had gave us a day or two before; but, however,
  nothing was said about them, and I took care to keep mine out of sight.
  Edward have got some business at Oxford, he says; so he must go there
  for a time; and after THAT, as soon as he can light upon a Bishop, he
  will be ordained.  I wonder what curacy he will get!--Good gracious!
  (giggling as she spoke) I'd lay my life I know what my cousins will
  say, when they hear of it.  They will tell me I should write to the
  Doctor, to get Edward the curacy of his new living.  I know they will;
  but I am sure I would not do such a thing for all the world.-- 'La!' I
  shall say directly, 'I wonder how you could think of such a thing?  I
  write to the Doctor, indeed!'"
  
  "Well," said Elinor, "it is a comfort to be prepared against the worst.
  You have got your answer ready."
  
  Miss Steele was going to reply on the same subject, but the approach of
  her own party made another more necessary.
  
  "Oh, la! here come the Richardsons.  I had a vast deal more to say to
  you, but I must not stay away from them not any longer.  I assure you
  they are very genteel people.  He makes a monstrous deal of money, and
  they keep their own coach.  I have not time to speak to Mrs. Jennings
  about it myself, but pray tell her I am quite happy to hear she is not
  in anger against us, and Lady Middleton the same; and if anything
  should happen to take you and your sister away, and Mrs. Jennings
  should want company, I am sure we should be very glad to come and stay
  with her for as long a time as she likes.  I suppose Lady Middleton
  won't ask us any more this bout.  Good-by; I am sorry Miss Marianne was
  not here.  Remember me kindly to her.  La! if you have not got your
  spotted muslin on!--I wonder you was not afraid of its being torn."
  
  Such was her parting concern; for after this, she had time only to pay
  her farewell compliments to Mrs. Jennings, before her company was
  claimed by Mrs. Richardson; and Elinor was left in possession of
  knowledge which might feed her powers of reflection some time, though
  she had learnt very little more than what had been already foreseen and
  foreplanned in her own mind.  Edward's marriage with Lucy was as firmly
  determined on, and the time of its taking place remained as absolutely
  uncertain, as she had concluded it would be;--every thing depended,
  exactly after her expectation, on his getting that preferment, of
  which, at present, there seemed not the smallest chance.
  
  As soon as they returned to the carriage, Mrs. Jennings was eager for
  information; but as Elinor wished to spread as little as possible
  intelligence that had in the first place been so unfairly obtained, she
  confined herself to the brief repetition of such simple particulars, as
  she felt assured that Lucy, for the sake of her own consequence, would
  choose to have known.  The continuance of their engagement, and the
  means that were able to be taken for promoting its end, was all her
  communication; and this produced from Mrs. Jennings the following
  natural remark.
  
  "Wait for his having a living!--ay, we all know how THAT will
  end:--they will wait a twelvemonth, and finding no good comes of it,
  will set down upon a curacy of fifty pounds a-year, with the interest
  of his two thousand pounds, and what little matter Mr. Steele and Mr.
  Pratt can give her.--Then they will have a child every year! and Lord
  help 'em! how poor they will be!--I must see what I can give them
  towards furnishing their house.  Two maids and two men, indeed!--as I
  talked of t'other day.--No, no, they must get a stout girl of all
  works.-- Betty's sister would never do for them NOW."
  
  The next morning brought Elinor a letter by the two-penny post from
  Lucy herself.  It was as follows:
  
                      "Bartlett's Building, March.
  
       "I hope my dear Miss Dashwood will excuse the
       liberty I take of writing to her; but I know your
       friendship for me will make you pleased to hear such
       a good account of myself and my dear Edward, after
       all the troubles we have went through lately,
       therefore will make no more apologies, but proceed
       to say that, thank God! though we have suffered
       dreadfully, we are both quite well now, and as happy
       as we must always be in one another's love.  We have
       had great trials, and great persecutions, but
       however, at the same time, gratefully acknowledge
       many friends, yourself not the least among them,
       whose great kindness I shall always thankfully
       remember, as will Edward too, who I have told of
       it.  I am sure you will be glad to hear, as likewise
       dear Mrs. Jennings, I spent two happy hours with
       him yesterday afternoon, he would not hear of our
       parting, though earnestly did I, as I thought my
       duty required, urge him to it for prudence sake,
       and would have parted for ever on the spot, would
       he consent to it; but he said it should never be,
       he did not regard his mother's anger, while he could
       have my affections; our prospects are not very
       bright, to be sure, but we must wait, and hope for
       the best; he will be ordained shortly; and should
       it ever be in your power to recommend him to any
       body that has a living to bestow, am very sure you
       will not forget us, and dear Mrs. Jennings too,
       trust she will speak a good word for us to Sir John,
       or Mr. Palmer, or any friend that may be able to
       assist us.--Poor Anne was much to blame for what
       she did, but she did it for the best, so I say
       nothing; hope Mrs. Jennings won't think it too much
       trouble to give us a call, should she come this way
       any morning, 'twould be a great kindness, and my
       cousins would be proud to know her.--My paper reminds
       me to conclude; and begging to be most gratefully
       and respectfully remembered to her, and to Sir John,
       and Lady Middleton, and the dear children, when you
       chance to see them, and love to Miss Marianne,
  
                                        "I am, &c."
  
  As soon as Elinor had finished it, she performed what she concluded to
  be its writer's real design, by placing it in the hands of Mrs.
  Jennings, who read it aloud with many comments of satisfaction and
  praise.
  
  "Very well indeed!--how prettily she writes!--aye, that was quite
  proper to let him be off if he would.  That was just like Lucy.--Poor
  soul! I wish I COULD get him a living, with all my heart.--She calls me
  dear Mrs. Jennings, you see.  She is a good-hearted girl as ever
  lived.--Very well upon my word.  That sentence is very prettily turned.
  Yes, yes, I will go and see her, sure enough.  How attentive she is, to
  think of every body!--Thank you, my dear, for shewing it me.  It is as
  pretty a letter as ever I saw, and does Lucy's head and heart great
  credit."
  
  
  
feat_summary_name: Chapter  38
target: Three days after the incident at John Dashwood's house, Mrs. Jennings and Elinor go out for a walk to Kensington gardens. After separating from Mrs. Jennings, Elinor meets Anne Steele, and the two talk about Lucy and the unhappy incident. Miss Steele also tells Elinor about Edward's visit that morning and how she had overheard an intimate conversation between him and Lucy. Elinor is disgusted at her behavior. After reaching home, she relates the incident to Mrs. Jennings. Later, she receives a letter from Lucy by the two-penny post informing her of their current circumstances. She seeks the help of the Middletons or Palmers to offer a position to Edward. Elinor shows the letter to Mrs. Jennings. The old lady is impressed by the letter.
feat_summary_analysis: Notes The chapter reveals the somewhat crass behavior of the Steele sisters. Miss Steele reveals to Elinor that she had purposely stood outside the door of the locked room in which Lucy and Edward were conversing. She does not feel guilty about her behavior; her justification is that even Lucy had eavesdropped earlier. Lucy's letter also exposes her selfishness and base nature. Lucy asks Elinor to recommend her case to anyone who will be willing to provide a position to Edward. She looks forward to the help of Mrs. Jennings, the Middletons and the Palmers. Lucy is not ashamed to ask favors of others. CHAPTER 39 Summary Elinor and Marianne are invited by the Palmers to Cleveland. At the insistence of Mrs. Jennings, they decide to accept the invitation. One day Colonel Brandon visits them and asks Elinor to inform Edward that he is prepared to give a position at Delaford to him. Edward could lead a comfortable life on an income of two thousand pounds, but he would not be able to afford a wife. Mrs. Jennings, who observes Elinor and Colonel Brandon talking animatedly, concludes that they must be talking about a wedding. Notes In answer to Marianne's wish that they go home, the sisters are invited to accompany Mrs. Jennings to Cleveland. Since it will be easy for them to reach Barton from Cleveland, they accept the invitation. Mrs. Jennings, who is always engaged in matchmaking, starts imagining the Colonel to be in love with Elinor. Thus, when she hears the phrase, "I am afraid it cannot take place very soon," she is angry with the Colonel for postponing their wedding. Misunderstanding causes much humor in the scene. Colonel Brandon can be rightly identified as a generous man who willingly offers a living to Edward in Delaford. His love for Marianne and respect for Elinor makes him extend help to their friends. It is ironic that he chooses Elinor to convey this information to Edward. CHAPTER 40 Summary Mrs. Jennings approaches Elinor soon after the Colonel's exit. She congratulates her and asks her many questions, which gradually reveal her mistaken assumption that there is an engagement between Elinor and the Colonel. Elinor mentions Brandon's generosity and his request to her to convey the information to Edward. Mrs. Jennings is puzzled, and as she is in a hurry to leave, she decides to speak further with Elinor upon her return. When Edward arrives, Elinor tells him the good news. He is pleasantly surprised. He promises to meet the Colonel and thank him for his generosity. Mrs. Jennings returns to the house and asks Elinor if Edward is prepared to get ordained to perform her marriage to the Colonel. Elinor is shocked to hear Mrs. Jennings' words. She corrects the misunderstanding by informing the old lady of the Colonel's offer to Edward. Notes This chapter demonstrates the misunderstandings that arise when a character like Mrs. Jennings gives her interpretation of the events that she witnesses. The conversation between Elinor and Mrs. Jennings is amusing as each misinterprets the other's words. Elinor is unaware of Mrs. Jennings' suspicions, and hence she talks about informing Edward of the Colonel's offer. Mrs. Jennings is then unable to understand why Edward should be informed of the Colonel's proposal. She surmises that Elinor and the Colonel might have decided to get married only after Edward has been ordained and is ready to perform their wedding. Much humor results from this confused conversation. Edward Ferrars is obviously surprised when Elinor informs him of the Colonel's generous offer at Delaford: in this time of crisis, assistance from such an unexpected quarter is astonishing. Like Mrs. Jennings, he believes the Colonel to be in love with Elinor. He feels that Brandon has offered him help only to please Elinor. Thus he thanks Elinor for helping him.