The Annotated Sense and Sensibility

by Jane Austen

  34. The main business of a landowner would be managing his estate, which would include supervising agricultural or other activities on his own land and dealing with farmers who rented large tracts of land from him.

  35. Epicurism: devotion to fine eating; cultivated taste in food. Other male characters in Jane Austen have this characteristic.

  36. complacency: pleasure.

  37. temper: disposition, emotional constitution.

  38. Diffident feelings are praised elsewhere in Austen’s novels, because they mean modesty and lack of pride.

  39. Improving the parsonage was the responsibility of the person controlling the appointment to the clerical position (see note 33).

  Playing billiards.

  [From William Combe, The Dance of Life (London, 1817; 1903 reprint), p. 197]

  [List of Illustrations]

  40. Gravel walks were standard in shrubberies, which were designed for frequent use and not intended to look natural.

  41. The wilder parts of the grounds presumably include the wood walk. An interest in less manicured areas would fit naturally with Marianne’s tastes.

  42. She is probably sitting on a seat on the grounds. Garden seats were popular, to allow for rest amid walks and for the enjoyment of the views.

  43. Because illness was mostly treated at home, and domestic remedies were often as effective as ones prescribed by doctors, almost everyone would have their own remedies for ailments and be eager to share them.

  44. was to: was likely to (in the opinion of Marianne).

  Two women outdoors.

  [From The Repository of arts, literature, fashions, manufactures, &c, Vol. IV (1810), p. 178]

  [List of Illustrations]

  VOLUME III, CHAPTER VII

  1. Sofas had developed as a piece of furniture only in the decade or two preceding this novel. Lying on one, or on other pieces of furniture, was generally frowned upon, with the exception of those whose health justified it. For a picture of a contemporary sofa, see below.

  2. Colonel Brandon’s alarm indicates the depth of his feelings for Marianne. Since he is consistently shown to be intelligent as well as calm and careful in responding to difficulties, it also suggests the seriousness of her ailment.

  3. The apothecary was the most basic medical practitioner, who would respond to normal illnesses, give advice, and prescribe medicines.

  4. Putrid fever was the name given to typhus then, though terminology was not always precise (a putrid sore throat could mean other afflictions of the throat, including diphtheria). It was known to be a serious condition: in a letter Jane Austen refers to a family who lost their eldest son to a putrid fever (Jan. 7, 1807).

  A sofa.

  [From A. E. Reveirs-Hopkins, The Sheraton Period (New York, 1922), Figure 7]

  [List of Illustrations]

  5. “Nurse” was also used then for someone who took care of small children (the term “nanny” did not develop until later). Thus this woman would be different from the nurse who attended Mrs. Palmer during her recovery after giving birth.

  6. Since they are a few miles from Bristol, Bath would not be far away (see map).

  7. Because most nursing was done at home by women, someone older like Mrs. Jennings, and who had two children of her own, would have acquired considerable experience.

  8. They had earlier spoken of having Mrs. Dashwood’s manservant accompany them home, due to the impropriety of young unmarried ladies traveling alone (this page). They had also discussed the trip as being feasible in a day, but a long day. They have evidently decided now not to attempt this but to arrive in the forenoon, i.e., before noon, of the second day.

  9. Colonel Brandon probably feels he should offer to leave, since the Palmers, his hosts, are now gone, and unlike Mrs. Jennings and Elinor, he has neither a family connection with the Palmers nor a job of nursing a sick person to justify his presence. But his wish to remain there and watch Marianne’s progress makes this offer an exertion.

  10. Piquet is a two-person card game, so Mrs. Jennings can claim she needs his presence to entertain her, even though she is actually saying this to give him a good excuse to stay.

  11. emergence: emergency.

  12. “Seisure,” or seizure, often meant a stroke at this time, but it could also be applied to a variety of serious ailments that incapacitated the sufferer.

  13. Colonel Brandon’s pessimism is probably caused in part by the tragic death years earlier of the young woman he loved.

  14. She confounds the doctor’s prognostications. His predictions and diagnoses will prove wrong again, as will those of others attending Marianne. One reason was the extreme limitations of medical knowledge at this time. People then understood human anatomy well and developed a general understanding of various diseases and their probable causes. But with no knowledge of microorganisms, no ability to see inside living persons, and no large-scale epidemiological studies, medical thinkers and practitioners were severely handicapped in both comprehending and treating serious ailments.

  15. The lack of effective medicines meant that people often relied on simpler remedies like changing sheets.

  16. Cordials could refer to a variety of substances meant to revive people or improve their condition; many contained alcohol. These have been prescribed by the apothecary.

  17. Nursing was also a frequent activity of female servants, who could develop as great an expertise as their mistresses.

  18. recreating herself: refreshing herself through a pleasant activity. She is probably talking with the housekeeper.

  19. As already mentioned, it is a day or a little longer to Barton from where they are now.

  20. London would be completely out of the way when going between their home near Exeter and the Palmers’ near Bristol (see map). Thus Marianne’s speculation indicates something seriously wrong with her.

  21. Since the maid is in the housekeeper’s room, she would quickly hear the bell calling for her, for the bells, activated by ropes and pulleys extending throughout the house, sounded in the servants’ quarters.

  22. speak: express, signify.

  23. This episode gives Colonel Brandon the opportunity to play an active, heroic role, particularly in relation to Marianne.

  24. She would feel that politeness required a few words of dissuasion, since Colonel Brandon is volunteering to undertake a very long journey on her sister’s behalf.

  25. directly: immediately. Post horses were hired to pull carriages on main roads; for more on the elaborate system of transportation by post, see note 18. Colonel Brandon already has a chaise of his own, so he needs only to hire horses.

  26. He suffers from strong feelings, probably of fear and distress, but does not allow them to interfere with his actions.

  27. Because of the general uniformity of long-distance roads at this time, it was possible to estimate travel times fairly exactly.

  28. Meaning her former confidence in Marianne’s quick recovery.

  29. ideas: thoughts.

  30. Elinor’s mistaken diagnosis, which now causes her to feel so penitent, could be seen as an unusual instance of her fallibility. At the same time, Mrs. Jennings and the apothecary also prove to be wrong, at least in part.

  31. event: outcome.

  32. She could mean consulting another apothecary, or she could mean calling in a physician. Physicians were the only medical men who had undergone formal study. They were much fewer in number, cost more, and would generally be called only when a case was serious.

  33. friend: friend or relative.

  34. scrupled not: did not hesitate. Putting “not” after the verb, rather than “do/did not” before, was a frequent formulation in the language of the time.

  35. It may increase Elinor’s misery because it reflects badly on her sister, by showing how much Marianne caused her current suffering and danger. Elinor may also feel some responsibility herself, because she did not acquiesce to Marianne’s wish to return home from London earlier.


  36. conning over every injunction of distrust: reviewing every reason or observation suggesting that Marianne would not recover.

  37. Colonel Brandon left around midnight of the previous night, so ten o’clock would be twenty-two hours later. The distance is eighty miles in each direction. At seven to eight miles an hour this would take twenty to twenty-three hours; Elinor’s estimate may be on the slow side from knowing that it would take her mother a little time, once she received Colonel Brandon’s unexpected visit, to get ready to depart, especially since she would have to make arrangements for Margaret.

  38. Since breakfast and dinner were the only meals during the day, she would be very hungry. Snacks were usually served with evening tea.

  39. The stormy setting of this scene is appropriate for the dramatic event that will conclude it.

  40. dressing-closet: small dressing room.

  41. Most windows had solid shutters attached to them to protect against wind and keep the room warmer during the night.

  42. Carriages had lamps to enable them to travel at night. The flame of the lamps causes them to be flaring, i.e., burning with varying intensity.

  43. A chaise, the standard long-distance carriage, was normally driven by two horses. Four horses would be more expensive but faster.

  44. Vestibules were common in large houses then. The bustle would be the servant letting somebody in, and probably speaking to him and taking his things.

  45. Lobby usually referred specifically to a hall or corridor.

  46. She would wait in the drawing room and the servant would conduct those arriving to her.

  An inner doorway from a house of the period.

  [From A. E. Reveirs-Hopkins, The Sheraton Period (New York, 1922), Figure 39]

  [List of Illustrations]

  VOLUME III, CHAPTER VIII

  1. Willoughby’s sudden appearance is one of the least expected and most dramatic events in the novel. It performs the crucial function of finally revealing the full story behind his earlier, often mysterious actions.

  2. Inner doors in houses normally had locks, and turning them was often necessary to open and close the door.

  3. at the devil: in perdition.

  4. violent: excessively vehement (in speech). She is not expressing a fear of physical violence from him.

  5. attitude: posture.

  6. This expression, from a man who has never seemed religious, signals the ubiquity of Christian language in this society, especially when speaking of matters of life and death.

  7. After beginning with a question and a heartfelt exclamation about Marianne, Willoughby soon reverts to speaking of himself.

  8. Willoughby’s immediate grasp of her thoughts signals his intelligence, which makes the unworthiness in his behavior especially unfortunate.

  9. porter: a dark, bitter beer, usually drunk by porters and manual laborers because it was considered strengthening. That may be why Willoughby selected it, along with cold beef, during a long journey; it also may have been readily available and quick to swallow at his stopping place. He says below that he stopped for only ten minutes.

  10. over-set: discompose, mentally and physically overcome.

  11. Marlborough is almost fifty miles east of their current location near Bristol. Thus one would not expect someone who arrived at eight in the evening to have eaten a midday meal there.

  12. The distance from London is 120 miles. Carriages with four horses averaged ten miles an hour, as opposed to the seven to eight of ones with two horses: thus, it has taken him twelve hours. Willoughby’s willingness to pay extra for four horses shows both his eagerness to arrive and the wealth he now enjoys thanks to his marriage.

  13. He probably means the chaise he rented. He earlier was shown owning a curricle, an open carriage and more fashionable vehicle, and he probably had something else expensive and stylish for London.

  14. nuncheon: a light meal or snack during the day.

  15. Willoughby’s declared motive shows him not to be a simple villain, since he does care what others think of him, though it also shows his limits, since he is principally concerned with repairing his reputation. Better characters in Jane Austen generally prefer to let their actions speak for themselves.

  16. He stops before saying “Marianne” in full. As someone who now has no connection to her, it would not be proper to use only her first name. Later in the conversation, when he has become more comfortable, and perhaps less fearful of Elinor’s refusing to listen, he does call her “Marianne.”

  17. His obligation in Devonshire is to visit his cousin Mrs. Smith, whose estate he hopes to inherit.

  18. interesting: engaging, inclined to arouse curiosity or emotion.

  19. manners: outward conduct and demeanor.

  20. Willoughby’s statement confirms what the description of their initial conversation suggested (this page), that he was mostly responding to her enthusiasm and affection.

  A contemporary picture of extravagant living.

  [From William Combe, The History of Johnny Quae Genus (London, 1822; 1903 reprint), p. 150]

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  21. His conscious efforts to please her show why they were able to achieve the seemingly perfect union of tastes that Marianne believed in so ardently.

  22. Willoughby would have been especially wrong in the context of a society in which marriage was so essential for a woman and she had only a limited number of years before losing her eligibility. His behavior would not only cause a woman to suffer heartbreak, but might also undermine her chances of ever marrying, due to the time she spent focused on him, as well as the time she might need to recover before being able to accept and encourage the attentions of other men.

  23. His estate at Combe Magna, which seemed to be his only source of income, gave him six to seven hundred pounds a year (this page). This was not a lot compared to what many upper-class men enjoyed, especially those in London or resort towns like Bath, the places where Willoughby seemed to spend much of his time.

  24. One came of age at twenty-one and would be freed from the legal guardianship of a parent or other relative. This enabled Willoughby to contract debts easily.

  25. The young man who, tempted by pleasure and bad company, fell into a dissolute life and became heavily indebted was a favorite figure in literary works of the time. A famous series of paintings and engravings by the eighteenth-century artist William Hogarth, A Rake’s Progress, presented a widely circulated vision of such a man. For a picture from a contemporary book whose main character fell into such trouble, see preceding page.

  26. Marrying a woman of fortune was a typical remedy for men in Willoughby’s position. His own good looks and charm may have made him especially inclined to consider it.

  27. meanness: baseness.

  28. He explains immediately below when he did know love, or at least some semblance of it.

  29. Meaning he would not have suffered any of the pains from poverty with Marianne as his wife. Such a declaration of complete indifference to money echoes Marianne’s expression of disdain for any relationship of wealth and happiness (this page). Both cases suggest a lack of realism.

  30. Elinor’s question focused on the crucial issue of whether he really loved her. Willoughby’s answer here indicates that he did, even if it took him a while. This means Marianne was right to perceive his affection for her. Her principal mistake was to behave as if they were engaged, when Willoughby was not willing to make an open commitment and declaration of love.

  31. paying my addresses to: courting and, in this case, proposing.

  32. He did not want to propose while he was in such a troubled financial situation.

  33. His affectionate behavior toward Marianne, and the intimacy they had established, bound him in honor to marry her, even if he had not actually pledged his faith by asking her. Willoughby’s statement indicates his awareness of the moral principle he violated.

  34. This refers to his consistently avoiding any actual words
or deeds that would truly bind him to Marianne. Men who liked to flirt with women, without any intention of marriage, would need a certain amount of cunning to do this safely. Among the friends who helped lead Willoughby into debt, he may have met some who were practiced at this and showed him how to play the game successfully.

  35. An open declaration of love would be tantamount to a proposal. Willoughby’s careful avoidance of this shows how well he knew what he was doing.

  36. Willoughby’s hesitation could result from his embarrassment at discussing a subject that places him in such a terrible light, and from his awareness that this subject is improper to speak about before ladies.

  37. The distant relation would have been hoping to displace Willoughby as Mrs. Smith’s heir. Because inheritance was the principal way to acquire wealth among the genteel classes in this society, conflicts among relatives over the will of a wealthy person were frequent.

  38. His discomfort returns. He figures that Elinor has already heard the story of Eliza Williams from Colonel Brandon.

  39. Willoughby may have a point here. In Colonel Brandon’s account of the affair, Eliza’s close friend refused to divulge any details, even though it was leading Eliza to social ruin, and Eliza’s having such a friend suggests that she was not extremely scrupulous, or at least not very wise.

  40. The implication of his words is that she took much of the initiative. But after saying that he draws back, for he knows it is dishonorable to defend himself at her expense after what he has done. Here, as elsewhere, Willoughby shows a knowledge of good principles, even as he frequently transgresses them.

  41. That is, her tenderness sparked him to feel a brief tenderness in return. In the case of Marianne he was also mostly responding to her passion.

  42. mind: inner character, both emotional and intellectual.

  43. His recognition of Marianne’s superiority suggests that he may never have contemplated seducing her, as Marianne had shuddered to imagine. A further deterrent may have come from knowing that seducing a young woman of a respectable family, in a quiet rural neighborhood, would ruin his own standing there, including with the cousin whose property he hoped to inherit. In contrast, in Bath he was able to operate under the cover of relative anonymity, for it contained large numbers of visitors who knew little of one another; it was a place where he did not live, and the girl in question had no family there.