Marianne has recovered enough from her illness to return to Barton Cottage. She is upset to see the landmarks and objects which remind her of Willoughby, but determines that she will keep her mind occupied.

One day the weather is fair enough to allow her and Elinor to go on a walk. She tells Elinor even though she will never forget Willoughby, she will make herself enjoy life and her family again. She also apologizes to Elinor for the way she has treated her, especially after finding out about Edward's engagement to Lucy. She feels she was not sympathetic enough towards Elinor.

She tells Elinor, if only she knew Willoughby was not deceiving her the whole time they were together, she would feel better about the relationship and herself. Elinor decides to tell her about Willoughby's visit and his message to her; that he did love her, but had to leave because of his financial circumstances. Marianne does not speak while Elinor is telling her these things, but she does instruct her to tell their mother about it.

After hearing Willoughby's explanation for leaving Marianne from Elinor, Mrs. Dashwood feels a little compassion for his situation, but not as much as Elinor feels about it. They all agree that Marianne is fortunate not to have married Willoughby, because he would not have been happy married to her. He always wanted a woman with money, so he could continue spending money freely and a marriage to Marianne would not have given that to him. Marianne is now grateful she knows the full story of Willoughby, but she is still suffering from the loss of him in her life.

One day Thomas, the Dashwood's man-servant, returns from Exeter with the news of Edward and Lucy's marriage. This news shocks Elinor and throws Marianne into hysterics. Mrs. Dashwood, only then, realizes how much Edward means to Elinor and how she misjudged her daughter's suffering from the break with Edward.

Elinor is upset by the news of Edward Ferrars being married to Lucy Steele. She had always hoped the engagement might somehow end and he would return to her. She waits each day for some word about the marriage, but none arrives.

She asks her mother if Colonel Brandon is coming to visit the family soon and her mother tells her she expects him anytime, so she assumes the man on horseback riding towards the cottage is him. It is not Colonel Brandon, but instead Edward Ferrars, which causes turmoil for Elinor. She can hardly bring herself to speak to him, but she does; as for Edward he is embarrassed to be there and is highly uncomfortable in their presence. At last Elinor asks him how Mrs. Ferrars is doing, but he thinks she is talking about his mother, they all are shocked to hear his reply as she states she is talking about his wife. Edward is not married to Lucy, instead she and Edward's brother Robert, were married the previous week.

Elinor leaves the room in tears, she is not sad, instead her tears are tears of joy. Edward hearing her tears, leaves the cottage and the ladies are puzzled by his actions.

Edward's reason for coming to Barton Cottage is to propose to Elinor, which she accepts and her mother gives permission for them to marry.

It seems that Lucy, even though she was writing to Edward, had also been seeing his brother. She wrote Edward to tell him she felt she had lost his love and has married his brother, but she hopes they can remain good friends. Edward is happy to be out of the engagement and free to marry Elinor, also he knows his mother will not be happy with Lucy as Robert's wife.

Colonel Brandon has been visiting Barton Cottage, getting to know Edward better and trying to win Marianne's affections. It seems to be working as Marianne is encouraging his attentions and so is her mother.

John Dashwood writes Elinor to tell her a letter from Edward to Fanny, asking for her forgiveness, might allow Mrs. Ferrars to forgive her son and allow him back into her good graces. Edward will not ask for forgiveness, because he feels he was wronged by his brother and Lucy. Instead, Elinor and Edward agree he should go to London and talk to his sister.

Edward's mother forgives him and once again he is her son. She also gives her consent to his and Elinor's marriage, which takes place after the house at Delaford is remodeled for them. Mrs. Ferrars does give Edward some money, not as much as his brother received, but enough for him and Elinor to live comfortably. Mrs. Ferrars also forgives Robert and Lucy, which makes her family whole once again. Elinor and Edward are visited by Mrs. Dashwood, Marianne and Margaret at Delaford, also Mrs. Ferrars visits. They are very happy there and live a contented life.

Marianne, her mother and sister spend a lot of time visiting Delaford, they stay with Colonel Brandon, which leads to the marriage of Marianne and Colonel Brandon. This marriage makes all involved very happy.

Willoughby is forgiven by Mrs. Smith, so he has his inheritance returned to him, this along with his wife, who sometimes makes him happy, allows him to have a content life.

The sisters each marry men who love them and treat them well. Their mother is happy for them and lives her life in contentment. Robert and Edward are forgiven by their mother and brought back into the family. Mrs. Smith even forgives Willoughby for his past indiscretions. This all proves that in the end, the family bond is so strong it even forgives the most unforgivable actions.