Chapter 44 Summary

Elinor reacts with horror and tries to leave the room. Willoughby begs her to stay, and confesses that he has rushed to Cleveland from London. He states that he has come to apologize, and Elinor says that Marianne has already forgiven him. He then tells her that he had had every intention of Marianne, but that he needed to marry for money because Mrs. Smith (from whom he was to inherit a small fortune) had found out about his affair with Miss Williams and disowned him. He adds that Miss Grey had read Marianne's heartfelt letter and forced him to write the cold and heartless letter that made her depressed, and that he had truly loved Marianne all along. He then says that he regrets his marriage, and hopes that the Dashwoods can think better of him in the future. Elinor reflects to...