Older sister Elinor is not quite as emotionless as her younger sister assumes. When pressed to speak about Edward and her feelings for him, she tells her sister,
"I have seen a great deal of him, have studied his sentiments, and heard his opinion on subjects of literature and taste; and, upon the whole, I venture to pronounce that his mind is well-informed, his enjoyment of books exceedingly great, his imagination lively, his observation just and correct, and his taste delicate and pure... I do not attempt to deny that I think very highly of him — that I greatly esteem, that I like him."
That is a great admission for Elinor. She is putting her feelings out in the world and her heart on the line as much as the more demonstrative Marianne has done, but just in her own way.
Marianne is so open about her feelings for Willoughby that her behavior borders on scandalous (for the time.) As her relationship to Willoughby falls apart (she was never a suitable bride for him, as the Dashwood's are not rich enough), Elinor also faces heartbreak, as Edward has long been betrothed to another. Sense and Sensibilty follows how both girls cope with their loves and their lives and is one of Austen's most satisfying stories. The Annotated Sense and Sensibiity is a lovely addition to any Austen-philes's collection, and a wonderful way for readers to immerse themselves not only in the timeless story, but in the customs of 19th century rural England.
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