Sense and Sensibility V

Elinor is terrified that Marianne is dying, she has developed a fever and seems to be close to death. But she come out of her coma and Elinor is relieved. Elinor is then surprised to find Willoughby has arrived at Cleveland. He has driven all the way from London without a break, and is clearly distraught, having heard that she is very ill. He tells ELinor that he loved Marianne, but he had financial problems and could not see his way clear to marrying her. He does not love his wife. ELinor reminds him of his affair with the Colonel's ward Eliza and how that seduction will have damaged Eliza's prospects of any kind of settled life. Willoughby disparages Eliza as foolish and easily seduced, but says that he just hopes Marianne will recover fully and its unlikely that he will have a chance to be with her. Elinor still feels anger against him but also feels a little pity and believes that he did genuinely care for her sister, even if he let her down and behaved so badly. He goes back home, and Marianne begsns to recover from her fever. Meanwhile, the Dashwoods have heard that the Ferrars family have found out about Edwards secret engagement and since he has refused to give Lucy up, his mother has cast hm out. Mrs Jennings kindly offers him a place to live, and Colonel Brandon tells ELinor that there is a church living on his estate, and that he will offer it to Edward if he gets ordained, which Edward wants to do. Elinor tries to be glad for him, but she knows that Lucy is only marrying him for security.