Sense and Sensibility: Chapter 42 Summary & Analysis

Before leaving London, Elinor saw John one more time, and he congratulated her on “travelling so far towards Barton without any expense, and on Colonel Brandon’s being to follow them to Cleveland in a day or two.” Marianne and Elinor finally left London at the beginning of April. For all her earlier eagerness to leave, Marianne now found it hard to part with Mrs. Jennings’ home.

When the sisters arrived at Cleveland, Marianne had “a heart swelling with emotion” from being so close to Barton and to Willoughby’s home. She planned to spend most of her time there on solitary walks outside. Mrs. Palmer was a kind hostess, and the sisters had a comfortable stay.

Elinor was surprised to find Mr. Palmer behaving gentlemanly and “found him very capable of being a pleasant companion.” Colonel Brandon arrived and spent much time talking to Elinor. Mrs. Jennings continued to think that Colonel Brandon loved Elinor, though Elinor knew he had his eyes on Marianne.

Marianne went on “delightful twilight walks” two nights in a row and walked through the areas where “the grass was the longest and wettest.” She sat in her wet shoes and stockings, and came down with a terrible cold. She refused everyone’s advice for remedies, but Elinor finally persuaded her to try “one or two of the simplest of the remedies” before going to bed.