Chapter 42 Summary

Early in the chapter Elinor receives a number of visitors who urge her to visit Delaford (where Colonel Brandon lives) while staying at Cleveland. The girls prepare to leave London for the three-day journey to Cleveland, with mixed feelings about leaving London: Marianne is emotional because she is leaving the place where she lost Willoughby, while Elinor is eager to leave to escape Lucy Steele and to help her sister recover from her depression. Marianne is pleased to be at Cleveland because it is near Barton and allows her to explore the countryside. The next day it rains, however, forcing her to spend the day with Mrs. Jennings and Mrs. Palmer.

When Mr. Palmer and Colonel Brandon arrive, Elinor considers Mr. Palmer carefully and decides he is a nice, ordinary man. Colonel Brandon tells her about Edward's plans for his new position, and...