Elinor Dashwood's cool reason and her sister Marianne's more demonstrative nature are revealed when their father Henry dies and they are uprooted from the family home. For Elinor and Marianne, salvation lies in making a suitable match, but both must overcome adversity. Elinor strikes up an attachment with Edward Ferrars, who harbours a secret that constrains his commitment, while Marianne falls for a penniless charmer who throws her over for a rich heiress.