# Colonel Brandon — Sense and Sensibility character guide > Colonel Brandon in Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Brandon, Colonel, the Colonel **First appearance:** 0007-viii ## Who they are A quiet, thirty-five-year-old soldier with a good estate and a sorrowful past, he loves Marianne silently while everyone else watches the wrong man. ## Relationships ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _friendship_ Colonel Brandon is a trusted, confiding friend to Elinor, sharing his painful past with her. ### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings) _social_ Colonel Brandon is a quiet, respected guest of Mrs. Jennings, who tries to match him with Marianne. ### [Marianne Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/marianne_dashwood) _romantic_ Colonel Brandon silently and devotedly loves Marianne, eventually winning her heart after her disillusionment. ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _friendship_ Colonel Brandon is a trusted, confiding friend to Elinor, sharing his painful past with her. ### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings) _social_ Colonel Brandon is a quiet, respected guest of Mrs. Jennings, who tries to match him with Marianne. ### [Marianne Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/marianne_dashwood) _romantic_ Colonel Brandon silently and devotedly loves Marianne, eventually winning her heart after her disillusionment. ### [Elinor Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/elinor_dashwood) _friendship_ Colonel Brandon is a trusted, confiding friend to Elinor, sharing his painful past with her. ### [Mrs. Jennings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/mrs_jennings) _social_ Colonel Brandon is a quiet, respected guest of Mrs. Jennings, who tries to match him with Marianne. ### [Marianne Dashwood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/marianne_dashwood) _romantic_ Colonel Brandon silently and devotedly loves Marianne, eventually winning her heart after her disillusionment. ## In the story ### [VII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/vii) Introduced as Sir John's friend; silent and grave, but gentlemanlike; the only one who listens to Marianne's music without raptures, earning her respect. ### [Chapter VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/viii) Subject of Mrs. Jennings's matchmaking; Marianne criticizes his age and a complaint of rheumatism, while Elinor defends him. ### [Willoughby's Courtship of Marianne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/x) His partiality for Marianne becomes perceptible to Elinor, who pities him as an unfortunate man slighted by the younger pair. ### [XI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xi) Finds consolation in conversing with Elinor; his words hint at a past unhappy love, deepening Elinor's compassion. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xii) Colonel Brandon helps divert the conversation from Elinor's embarrassment by discussing the rain, and his brother-in-law's estate is the destination for the planned party. ### [Chapter XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xiii) Colonel Brandon receives a letter that distresses him and forces him to leave for town, canceling the Whitwell excursion. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xiv) Mentioned as having left the country suddenly, prompting Mrs. Jennings' conjectures. ### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xx) Mentioned as having allegedly confirmed the engagement rumor to Mrs. Palmer; also noted for his past interest in Mrs. Palmer. ### [XXVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxvi) Visits the Dashwoods and Mrs. Jennings in London; notices Marianne's distress and inquires after her health; converses with Elinor about his time since leaving Barton. ### [Chapter XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxvii) Visits Elinor, reveals his love for Marianne through his concern, and leaves distressed after learning of her apparent engagement. ### [Chapter 31](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxx) Listens to Elinor's assessment of Willoughby, remains serious and thoughtful throughout the evening. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxi) Visits Elinor alone to share the story of his lost love Eliza, drawing parallels to Marianne's situation. ### [Chapter XXXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxii) Colonel Brandon offers delicate and unobtrusive support to Elinor and Marianne, earning the privilege of intimate discussion about Marianne's disappointment. ### [Chapter XXXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxiii) Discussed as a potential husband for Elinor, with John Dashwood eager to promote the match. ### [Chapter XXXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxiv) Observes Marianne's affectionate defense of Elinor with admiration; rises to comfort her. ### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xxxix) Offers the living of Delaford to Edward Ferrars through Elinor, showing his generosity and concern for Edward's situation. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xl) Colonel Brandon acts with benevolence and delicacy, offering the living of Delaford to Edward as a mark of esteem and concern. ### [Chapter XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xli) Generously gives the Delaford living to Edward, a gesture that astonishes and puzzles John Dashwood. ### [XLII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlii) Arrives at Cleveland, discusses Delaford parsonage improvements with Elinor, and shows anxious solicitude for Marianne's health. ### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xliii) Stays at Cleveland at Mrs. Jennings's urging, and volunteers to fetch Mrs. Dashwood when Marianne's condition worsens. ### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlv) Accompanies Mrs. Dashwood to Cleveland; his love for Marianne is disclosed to Elinor by Mrs. Dashwood, though he remains diffident about his chances. ### [Chapter XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlvi) Visits Marianne during her recovery, showing deep emotion; later lends his carriage for the Dashwoods' journey home. ### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/xlix) Visits Barton for three or four days, then leaves with Edward to show him Delaford and assist with improvements. ### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/chapters/l) Colonel Brandon finds consolation and happiness in his marriage to Marianne, his spirits restored by her regard and society. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters/colonel_brandon - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/sense_and_sensibility_se/characters