Chapter 12 Summary

Early in the chapter Marianne reveals to Elinor that Willoughby has offered her a horse as a present, which she has accepted. Elinor is surprised and urges her to change her mind since keeping a horse would cost too much. Marianne relents and tells Willoughby that she does not want the horse, and he insists that he will keep it for her until she is ready to accept it. Elinor overhears and suspects the two are engaged. Her sister Margaret shares this suspicion and tells Elinor that Marianne has given Willoughby a lock of her hair (a traditional symbol of engagement). Later Mrs. Jennings gets Margaret to tell about Elinor's courtship with Edward. An embarrassed Elinor is glad when the subject changes to a proposed trip to Whitwell, a nearby manor, which is planned for the next day.

Chapter 12 Analysis

Austen develops several...