--- title: Sense and Sensibility Metadescription: Chapter by chapter summaries of what happens in all fifty, each one linking straight to the full text. author: Jane Austen chapters: 50 canonical: https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility --- Token estimate: ~4,300 # Sense and Sensibility Jane Austen - [Chapter One](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-01) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-01.md)) - Old Mr. Dashwood leaves Norland to his grandson, and Henry Dashwood dies a year later, leaving his widow and daughters almost nothing. - [Chapter Two](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-02) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-02.md)) - Fanny Dashwood talks her husband John out of his promised three thousand pounds for his stepmother and half sisters, whittling the help down to nothing. - [Chapter Three](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-03) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-03.md)) - Edward Ferrars, Fanny's brother, grows attached to Elinor at Norland, and Marianne complains to their mother that he lacks fire and taste. - [Chapter Four](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-04) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-04.md)) - Sir John Middleton's letter offers the Dashwoods Barton Cottage in Devonshire, and they resolve to leave Norland. - [Chapter Five](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-05) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-05.md)) - Mrs. Dashwood announces she is quitting Norland for a Devonshire cottage, dismaying Edward, and the family sheds tears leaving their beloved home. - [Chapter Six](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-06) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-06.md)) - The Dashwoods settle into Barton Cottage in Devon, where their landlord Sir John Middleton and his cold, reserved wife welcome them. - [Chapter Seven](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-07) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-07.md)) - The Dashwoods dine at Barton Park and meet jovial Mrs Jennings and grave Colonel Brandon, who alone listens as Marianne plays. - [Chapter Eight](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-08) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-08.md)) - Mrs. Jennings decides Colonel Brandon is in love with Marianne, who dismisses him at thirty-five as too old and infirm for marriage. - [Chapter Nine](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-09) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-09.md)) - Marianne sprains her ankle running down a rain soaked hill and Willoughby, a handsome stranger with a gun, carries her home to Barton Cottage. - [Chapter Ten](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-10) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-10.md)) - Willoughby calls daily as he and Marianne bond over books and music, while Elinor sees Colonel Brandon fall silently in love with her sister. - [Chapter Eleven](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-11) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-11.md)) - Marianne and Willoughby flaunt their attachment at Sir John's parties while Colonel Brandon confides to Elinor about a lost love who resembled her sister. - [Chapter Twelve](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-12) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-12.md)) - Willoughby gives Marianne a horse called Queen Mab, and Margaret reveals he cut off a lock of her hair, convincing Elinor they are secretly engaged. - [Chapter Thirteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-13) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-13.md)) - Colonel Brandon's mysterious letter cancels the Whitwell outing, and Willoughby drives Marianne alone to tour Mrs. Smith's house at Allenham. - [Chapter Fourteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-14) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-14.md)) - Mrs Jennings speculates wildly about Colonel Brandon's sudden departure while Willoughby begs Mrs Dashwood never to alter Barton cottage. - [Chapter Fifteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-15) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-15.md)) - Willoughby abruptly leaves Barton for London and refuses to say when he will return, leaving Marianne in tears while Elinor grows suspicious. - [Chapter Sixteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-16) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-16.md)) - Marianne grieves Willoughby's departure while Edward Ferrars arrives at Barton, cold and reserved toward Elinor after weeks in Devonshire. - [Chapter Seventeen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-17) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-17.md)) - Edward Ferrars stays low spirited at Barton Cottage as Marianne argues wealth against competence and Elinor puzzles over his reserve. - [Chapter Eighteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-18) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-18.md)) - Marianne spots a ring of hair on Edward's finger, and Elinor privately concludes the plait is her own, taken by some contrivance, not Fanny's. - [Chapter Nineteen](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-19) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-19.md)) - Edward leaves Barton after a restless week, and Mrs Jennings arrives with her cheerful daughter Charlotte Palmer and the silent Mr Palmer. - [Chapter Twenty](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-20) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-20.md)) - Charlotte Palmer invites the Dashwoods to Cleveland and reports the town gossip that Marianne is to marry Willoughby, while Mr Palmer insults everyone. - [Chapter Twenty-One](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-21) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-21.md)) - The vulgar Steele sisters arrive at Barton Park and flatter Lady Middleton, and Anne Steele reveals she knows Edward Ferrars, unsettling Elinor. - [Chapter Twenty-Two](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-22) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-22.md)) - Lucy Steele confides to Elinor her secret four year engagement to Edward Ferrars, proving it with his miniature as Elinor hides her devastation. - [Chapter Twenty-Three](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-23) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-23.md)) - Elinor accepts Edward's secret engagement to Lucy and hides her grief, then contrives to sit beside her rival over a filigree basket to reopen it. - [Chapter Twenty-Four](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-24) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-24.md)) - Elinor draws Lucy Steele out about her secret engagement to Edward, and Lucy hints at dissolving it while probing Elinor's own feelings. - [Chapter Twenty-Five](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-25) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-25.md)) - Mrs Jennings invites the Dashwood sisters to her London house, and Marianne, desperate to reach Willoughby, presses Elinor into accepting. - [Chapter Twenty-Six](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-26) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-26.md)) - Elinor and Marianne travel to London with Mrs Jennings, where Marianne secretly writes to Willoughby and waits in vain as Colonel Brandon calls instead. - [Chapter Twenty-Seven](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-27) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-27.md)) - Colonel Brandon reveals to Elinor his belief that Marianne and Willoughby are engaged, betraying his own hopeless love for her sister. - [Chapter Twenty-Eight](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-28) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-28.md)) - Willoughby coldly snubs Marianne at a London party, barely shaking her hand before returning to another woman, and Elinor takes her fainting sister home. - [Chapter Twenty-Nine](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-29) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-29.md)) - Willoughby's cold letter denies he ever loved Marianne, announces his engagement to another woman, and returns her letters and lock of hair. - [Chapter Thirty](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-30) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-30.md)) - Mrs. Jennings consoles a heartbroken Marianne with Constantia wine and sweetmeats after Willoughby's engagement to the rich Miss Grey. - [Chapter Thirty-One](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-31) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-31.md)) - Colonel Brandon tells Elinor that Willoughby seduced and abandoned his young ward Eliza, leaving her pregnant, and that the two men fought a duel. - [Chapter Thirty-Two](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-32) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-32.md)) - Willoughby marries Miss Grey, and Elinor breaks the news to a grieving Marianne before the Steele sisters arrive in town. - [Chapter Thirty-Three](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-33) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-33.md)) - At Gray's jewellers Elinor meets her brother John Dashwood, who insists Colonel Brandon will marry her and pleads poverty to avoid helping his sisters. - [Chapter Thirty-Four](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-34) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-34.md)) - At the Harley Street dinner Elinor meets Mrs. Ferrars, who slights her and praises Miss Morton, until Marianne defends her sister and bursts into tears. - [Chapter Thirty-Five](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-35) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-35.md)) - Lucy calls on Elinor to gloat over Mrs. Ferrars's civility, and Edward walks in on them for an agonising meeting of both women at once. - [Chapter Thirty-Six](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-36) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-36.md)) - Elinor meets Edward's brother Robert Ferrars at a musical party, and Fanny invites the Steele sisters to stay at Harley Street. - [Chapter Thirty-Seven](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-37) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-37.md)) - Nancy Steele reveals Edward's secret engagement to Lucy, and Marianne learns Elinor has kept the painful knowledge to herself for four months. - [Chapter Thirty-Eight](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-38) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-38.md)) - Anne Steele tells Elinor in Kensington Gardens that the disinherited Edward offered to free Lucy, but Lucy held him to their engagement. - [Chapter Thirty-Nine](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-39) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-39.md)) - Colonel Brandon offers Elinor the Delaford living for the disinherited Edward Ferrars, while Mrs Jennings mistakes it for a marriage proposal. - [Chapter Forty](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-40) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-40.md)) - Elinor conveys Colonel Brandon's offer of the Delaford living to Edward, while Mrs Jennings mistakes it for news of Elinor's own engagement to the Colonel. - [Chapter Forty-One](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-41) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-41.md)) - John Dashwood tells Elinor that Robert will now marry Miss Morton, while Robert laughs at Edward becoming a poor clergyman at Delaford. - [Chapter Forty-Two](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-42) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-42.md)) - Marianne's twilight walks in the long wet grass at Cleveland bring on the violent cold that begins her serious illness. - [Chapter Forty-Three](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-43) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-43.md)) - Marianne's fever breaks and she is declared out of danger as Colonel Brandon races to fetch her mother, then Willoughby arrives unexpectedly. - [Chapter Forty-Four](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-44) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-44.md)) - Willoughby arrives unbidden at Cleveland and confesses to Elinor, admitting he loved Marianne but married for money and begging her forgiveness. - [Chapter Forty-Five](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-45) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-45.md)) - Mrs. Dashwood reaches Cleveland to find Marianne recovering, and tells Elinor that Colonel Brandon has confessed his love for Marianne. - [Chapter Forty-Six](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-46) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-46.md)) - Marianne recovers and returns to Barton, confessing her faults to Elinor, who finally relays Willoughby's apology and self-defence. - [Chapter Forty-Seven](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-47) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-47.md)) - The servant Thomas reports that Edward Ferrars has married Lucy Steele, and Marianne collapses in hysterics while a pale Elinor hides her own grief. - [Chapter Forty-Eight](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-48) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-48.md)) - Edward arrives at Barton and reveals that Lucy Steele has married his brother Robert, not him, sending Elinor from the room in tears of joy. - [Chapter Forty-Nine](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-49) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-49.md)) - Freed by Lucy's marriage to his brother Robert, Edward proposes to Elinor at Barton and is accepted, then shares Lucy's jilting letter. - [Chapter Fifty](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-50) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/sense-and-sensibility/chapter-50.md)) - Mrs. Ferrars consents, so Edward and Elinor marry and settle at Delaford parsonage, and Marianne at last gives her hand to Colonel Brandon. --- ## Forthcoming **The Rise of Lucia** by Dan Edwards The nineteen-year-old Emmeline Smith, before she became the formidable Lucia. A prequel to E.F. Benson's Mapp and Lucia series. [Read an extract](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/mapp-and-lucia-prequel/chapter-01) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/books/mapp-and-lucia-prequel/chapter-01.md)) ## Articles - [Writing advice from Jane Austen's teacher](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/articles/writing-advice-from-jane-austens-teacher) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/articles/writing-advice-from-jane-austens-teacher.md)) - Hugh Blair wrote the composition textbook Jane Austen's generation learned from. His rules for clear, unaffected prose read like a modern style guide. - [The sex scenes from Fanny Hill](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/articles/fanny-hill-sex-scenes) ([Markdown](https://fourhandspress.co.uk/articles/fanny-hill-sex-scenes.md)) - The eleven substantial sex scenes from Fanny Hill (1748), verbatim and in order. Explicit throughout, but Cleland never uses a coarse word. 14,000 words.