Chapter 1
Introduces the Dashwood family: elder daughters Elinor and Marianne, younger sisters Margaret and Lucy, and their widowed mother. Sir John Middleton, a wealthy neighbor, invites them to live at his estate, Barton Park, after the death of their father.
Chapter 2
Mrs. Jennings, a talkative and vulgar friend of Sir John's, arrives at Barton Park with her daughter, Charlotte Palmer. Charlotte is engaged to Mr. Edward Ferrars, whom Elinor finds sensible and kind.
Chapter 3
Marianne befriends Colonel Brandon, a retired military officer who is shy and reserved. Brandon secretly loves Marianne but keeps his feelings to himself.
Chapter 4
Mr. Henry Dashwood, a wealthy relative of the family, visits Barton Park. Elinor finds him charming and intelligent, but Marianne is smitten with his good looks and romantic nature.
Chapter 5
Henry falls in love with Marianne and proposes marriage. Marianne accepts without hesitation, but Elinor is concerned about his shallowness and lack of responsibility.
Chapter 6
Mr. Ferrars's mother breaks off his engagement to Charlotte, believing her to be beneath her son. Charlotte is devastated, but Elinor supports her through the heartbreak.
Chapter 7
Elinor and Marianne leave Barton Park and move to a small cottage in Devonshire. Henry continues to visit Marianne, but Elinor remains suspicious of his intentions.
Chapter 8
Marianne becomes seriously ill after being caught in the rain. Colonel Brandon nurses her back to health and confesses his love to her. Marianne, still infatuated with Henry, rejects Brandon.
Chapter 9
Henry abruptly leaves Devon without contacting Marianne. Marianne is heartbroken and becomes increasingly ill. Elinor realizes that Henry never intended to marry Marianne and was merely playing with her emotions.
Chapter 10
Elinor and Marianne return to Barton Park, where Mrs. Jennings discovers that Edward Ferrars is secretly in love with Elinor. Elinor, however, is unsure of his feelings and keeps her own affection hidden.
Chapter 11
Colonel Brandon proposes marriage to Marianne again, but she still refuses him. Elinor encourages Marianne to consider Brandon's genuine love and kindness.
Chapter 12
Marianne finally realizes the true nature of Henry's character and accepts Brandon's proposal. Elinor and Edward Ferrars publicly acknowledge their love for each other.
Chapter 13
The Dashwood family is reunited and happy. Elinor and Edward marry and live together in a comfortable estate. Marianne and Colonel Brandon marry and travel the world, spreading happiness wherever they go.