Sense & Sensibility, analysis, part 2 of 3

For the inhabitants of Barton Cottage, the social scene in Devon is relentless. All kinds of people arrive, from the heavily pregnant Mrs Palmer with her long-suffering but sour husband Mr Palmer, to the two Steele sisters. Miss Steele, being the elder of the two, and Lucy Steele, younger but nevertheless a woman on a mission.

Meanwhile, Marianne, with no Willoughby in Devon, has had enough of life in public, while Elinor still doesn’t know whose lock of hair is set in Edward’s ring. She’s about to find out.

The enterprising Miss Steeles’ ingratiate themselves with Lady Middleton and her children. Then Lucy Steele turns her ruthless charm on Elinor and Marianne.

‘“What a sweet woman Lady Middleton is!” said Lucy Steele.

Marianne was silent: it was impossible for her to say what she did not feel, however trivial the occasion; and upon Elinor therefore the whole task of telling lies when politeness required it, always fell. She did her best when thus called on by speaking of Lady Middleton …