Chapter 11, 12, and 13 Summary

Sir Thomas Bertram writes to his family that he will be returning to England as soon as November, and this news is disagreeable to his daughters. Maria is disappointed because when her father returns, she will have to marry Mr. Rushworth. Sir Bertram's return becomes the main topic of conversation. Edmund plans to take orders (officially become a clergyman) upon his father's return, and this causes anxiety for Mary Crawford.

Mary questions Edmund about his motivation behind wanting to be a clergyman. He admits that he is influenced by the living that his father can provide to him, but that he would probably want to be a clergyman anyway. Mary says it would be madness to take orders without first obtaining the guarantee of a living. Fanny, of course, sides with Edmund in this conversation.

Tom Bertram, Edmund's brother, returns to...