Why is Edward free?
Lucy transfers her affection to the newly favored Robert Ferrars and marries him, ending her engagement to Edward.
How can Edward and Elinor marry?
Brandon gives Edward the Delaford living, and Mrs. Ferrars eventually restores enough support for a modest household.
Does Marianne settle?
The novel presents her marriage to Brandon as mature affection and esteem, not merely defeat, though the age and emotional shift remain open to debate.
What happens to Willoughby?
He remains married and materially comfortable, retaining regret for Marianne without accepting full responsibility for his choices.
Themes and What the Ending Means
Feeling and judgment: Both sisters must integrate emotion with attention to consequences.
Money and marriage: Inheritance, income, and property silently govern romantic possibility.
Secrecy: Private engagements and confidences create moral burdens that public manners conceal.
Self-deception: Characters repeatedly rename selfishness as duty, prudence, or unavoidable necessity.
Sisterhood: Elinor and Marianne's deepest education comes from learning to recognize each other's suffering.