(Bates).
Mrs. Dashwood and her daughters, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, are cruelly deprived of their home and inheritance on the death of the girls' father. The law decrees that Norland estate must pass to his son by a previous marriage, the girls' stepbrother John, who is partnered in life by Fanny, Edward Ferrar's sister. Though John vowed to provide for his stepmother and stepsisters, his selfish wife easily persuades him that they should use the money for their son. It is he, John, and his family that move into Norland estate. Mrs. Dashwood's cousin, John, saves the Dashwoods from further humiliation. He offers them a new home, Barton Cottage, on his estate in Devonshire. Before they begin their journey, Elinor reaches an understanding with Edward Ferrars, a piece of unfinished business, not at all appreciated by his sister, Fanny. On their arrival to Devonshire, Marianne is rapidly embroiled in her own adventures of the heart as she wavers between Colonel Brandon and John Willoughby, though she did not consider Colonel Brandon to be a suitable suitor due to his "silence, gravity, earnestness, thoughtfulness, sang-froid, and reserve- (Ray 15). But society's views on money continue to color the romantic prospects of both girls. And before finally finding happiness, they were forced to learn that sensibility has to always be mixed with some sense.
We find out early that Elinor does not share her feelings. When Edward and Elinor first meet, there was an immediate attraction. She tells no one of her feelings. It was just assumed that they are meant for each other. When Edward has to leave, Elinor says nothing. Edward does promise he will come down and give Margaret an atlas. When the atlas comes and not Edward, the one who ends up crying is Margaret and not Elinor. We do learn, however, that Elinor can get emotional too. When Marianne was playing piano at their new cottage, Elinor cries as she listens.
