Brief synopsis

*SPOILERS*

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The novel begins with the death of Mr Henry Dashwood, who by law has to leave his estate and money to his only son from his first marriage, John Dashwood. This leaves his second wife and three daughters, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret, with very little income and no permanent home. When John Dashwood and his rude wife Fanny come to their home of Norland Park, they are required to search for a new home. 

 

However, their search is paused by the visit of Fanny Dashwood's brother Edward Ferrars whom Elinor falls in love with. Fanny makes it very clear that her brother is off limits and the women relocate to a cottage at Barton Park, home of their distant relatives, the Middletons.

 

Whilst living at Barton, they meet new acquaintances Colonel Brandon, a retired officer and bachelor, and John Willoughby, who rescues Marianne after she twists her ankle whilst out walking in the rain. Marianne courts Willoughby openly, unafraid of public gossip and ignoring the protests of her elder sister Elinor to keep her emotions in check. Abruptly Willougby leaves the area, devastating Marianne, as his aunt sends him to London.

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The family meet the sisters Anne and Lucy Steele, who are cousins of Lady Middleton and come to stay at Barton Park. Lucy confides in Elinor that she has been engaged to Edward Ferrars for four years since he was studying with her uncle. Unlike Marianne's outburst over Willoughby leaving, Elinor keeps her emotions to herself.

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Elinor and Marianne accompany Mrs Jennings, mother-in-law of Sir John Middleton, to London. Marianne eager to see Willoughby writes to him with no response. When they eventually meet at a dance, Willoughby greats her coldly. Following the dance she then receives back her letters and lock of hair, with a letter that explains that he is engaged to a woman of fortune. 

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Colonel Brandon who is in love with Marianne visits the sisters and reveals to Elinor that Willoughby's aunt had disinherited him after she had learnt Willoughby had seduced Colonel Brandon's 15 year old ward and abandoned her when she became pregnant.

 

The Steele sisters also visit London and are not long asked to stay at John and Fanny Dashwood's London house. Lucy perceives the invite as a personal compliment and believes she will soon be welcomed into the Ferrars family. Her sister Anne betrays her secret engagement and they are turned out of the house. Edward, despite being in love with Elinor, does not break his engagement, and is disinherited in favour of his brother. Colonel Brandon shows his compassion and offers him the living at the parsonage on his estate of Delaford. 

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Mrs Jennings takes Elinor and Marianne to the country to visit her other daughter Charlotte Palmer at Cleveland who has just had a baby. Marianne becomes very ill as she is tormented by Willoughby's conduct. Willoughby arrives to explain his conduct to Elinor and that his love was geniune and describes his unhappiness. Elinor is disgusted by his callousness and he is not allowed to see Marianne. 

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When Marianne recovers she begins to see Willoughby in a different light and checks her conduct, trying to now model herself after her sister's conduct. When they return home, they are visited by Edward Ferrars who reveals that Lucy Steele transferred her affections to his brother when he was disinherited. Elinor happily agrees to marry him. Marianne meanwhile marries Colonel Brandon who she has gradually come to love.