Sense and Sensibility: Chapter 23 Summary & Analysis

Unable to doubt the truth of Lucy’s story, Elinor wondered whether Edward had been intentionally leading her on and deceiving her. She thought perhaps he had become engaged to Lucy rashly and didn’t really love her as he loved Elinor.

Thinking of Edward’s difficult position with his mother, Elinor wept “for him, more than for herself.” She kept the news secret from her sisters and mother and behaved so that none of them would have guessed that she had just “suffered the extinction of all her dearest hopes.”

Elinor wanted to speak to Lucy again soon, to determine if she really loved Edward. But the next few times she saw Lucy at various social engagements, she didn’t have a chance to speak with her in private. One night, though, Elinor was invited to dinner at Barton Park with just Lady Middleton, Mrs. Jennings, and the Steeles.

Elinor and her sisters went to Barton Park, and after dinner Elinor offered to help Lucy with weaving something for one of Lady Middleton’s children. Meanwhile, Marianne played piano, and this music offered enough cover for Elinor to talk quietly with Lucy about Edward.