第1章

ADVERTISEMENTBYTHEAUTHORESS，TONORTHANGERABBEY

THISlittleworkwasfinishedintheyear1803，andintendedforimmediatepublication。Itwasdisposedoftoabookseller，itwasevenadvertised，andwhythebusinessproceedednofarther，theauthorhasneverbeenabletolearn。

Thatanybooksellershouldthinkitworth-whiletopurchasewhathedidnotthinkitworth-whiletopublishseemsextraordinary。Butwiththis，neithertheauthornorthepublichaveanyotherconcernthanassomeobservationisnecessaryuponthosepartsoftheworkwhichthirteenyearshavemadecomparativelyobsolete。

Thepublicareentreatedtobearinmindthatthirteenyearshavepassedsinceitwasfinished，manymoresinceitwasbegun，andthatduringthatperiod，places，manners，books，andopinionshaveundergoneconsiderablechanges。

CHAPTER1

NoonewhohadeverseenCatherineMorlandinherinfancywouldhavesupposedherborntobeanheroine。

Hersituationinlife，thecharacterofherfatherandmother，herownpersonanddisposition，wereallequallyagainsther。

Herfatherwasaclergyman，withoutbeingneglected，orpoor，andaveryrespectableman，thoughhisnamewasRichard——andhehadneverbeenhandsome。Hehadaconsiderableindependencebesidestwogoodlivings——andhewasnotintheleastaddictedtolockinguphisdaughters。

Hermotherwasawomanofusefulplainsense，withagoodtemper，and，whatismoreremarkable，withagoodconstitution。ShehadthreesonsbeforeCatherinewasborn；andinsteadofdyinginbringingthelatterintotheworld，asanybodymightexpect，shestilllivedon——livedtohavesixchildrenmore——toseethemgrowinguparoundher，andtoenjoyexcellenthealthherself。

Afamilyoftenchildrenwillbealwayscalledafinefamily，wherethereareheadsandarmsandlegsenoughforthenumber；

buttheMorlandshadlittleotherrighttotheword，fortheywereingeneralveryplain，andCatherine，formanyyearsofherlife，asplainasany。Shehadathinawkwardfigure，asallowskinwithoutcolour，darklankhair，andstrongfeatures——somuchforherperson；

andnotlessunpropiteousforheroismseemedhermind。

Shewasfondofallboy\'splays，andgreatlypreferredcricketnotmerelytodolls，buttothemoreheroicenjoymentsofinfancy，nursingadormouse，feedingacanary-bird，orwateringarose-bush。Indeedshehadnotasteforagarden；andifshegatheredflowersatall，itwaschieflyforthepleasureofmischief——atleastsoitwasconjecturedfromheralwayspreferringthosewhichshewasforbiddentotake。Suchwereherpropensities——herabilitieswerequiteasextraordinary。Shenevercouldlearnorunderstandanythingbeforeshewastaught；

andsometimesnoteventhen，forshewasofteninattentive，andoccasionallystupid。Hermotherwasthreemonthsinteachingheronlytorepeatthe“Beggar\'sPetition“；

andafterall，hernextsister，Sally，couldsayitbetterthanshedid。NotthatCatherinewasalwaysstupid——bynomeans；shelearntthefableof“TheHareandManyFriends“asquicklyasanygirlinEngland。

Hermotherwishedhertolearnmusic；andCatherinewassuresheshouldlikeit，forshewasveryfondoftinklingthekeysoftheoldforlornspinner；so，ateightyearsoldshebegan。Shelearntayear，andcouldnotbearit；

andMrs。Morland，whodidnotinsistonherdaughtersbeingaccomplishedinspiteofincapacityordistaste，allowedhertoleaveoff。Thedaywhichdismissedthemusic-masterwasoneofthehappiestofCatherine\'slife。

Hertastefordrawingwasnotsuperior；thoughwhenevershecouldobtaintheoutsideofaletterfromhermotherorseizeuponanyotheroddpieceofpaper，shedidwhatshecouldinthatway，bydrawinghousesandtrees，hensandchickens，allverymuchlikeoneanother。

Writingandaccountsshewastaughtbyherfather；Frenchbyhermother:herproficiencyineitherwasnotremarkable，andsheshirkedherlessonsinbothwhenevershecould。

Whatastrange，unaccountablecharacter！——forwithallthesesymptomsofprofligacyattenyearsold，shehadneitherabadheartnorabadtemper，wasseldomstubborn，scarcelyeverquarrelsome，andverykindtothelittleones，withfewinterruptionsoftyranny；shewasmoreovernoisyandwild，hatedconfinementandcleanliness，andlovednothingsowellintheworldasrollingdownthegreenslopeatthebackofthehouse。

SuchwasCatherineMorlandatten。Atfifteen，appearancesweremending；shebegantocurlherhairandlongforballs；hercomplexionimproved，herfeaturesweresoftenedbyplumpnessandcolour，hereyesgainedmoreanimation，andherfiguremoreconsequence。

Herloveofdirtgavewaytoaninclinationforfinery，andshegrewcleanasshegrewsmart；shehadnowthepleasureofsometimeshearingherfatherandmotherremarkonherpersonalimprovement。“Catherinegrowsquiteagood-lookinggirl——sheisalmostprettytoday，“

werewordswhichcaughtherearsnowandthen；

andhowwelcomewerethesounds！Tolookalmostprettyisanacquisitionofhigherdelighttoagirlwhohasbeenlookingplainthefirstfifteenyearsofherlifethanabeautyfromhercradlecaneverreceive。

Mrs。Morlandwasaverygoodwoman，andwishedtoseeherchildreneverythingtheyoughttobe；

buthertimewassomuchoccupiedinlying-inandteachingthelittleones，thatherelderdaughterswereinevitablylefttoshiftforthemselves；anditwasnotverywonderfulthatCatherine，whohadbynaturenothingheroicabouther，shouldprefercricket，baseball，ridingonhorseback，andrunningaboutthecountryattheageoffourteen，tobooks——oratleastbooksofinformation——for，providedthatnothinglikeusefulknowledgecouldbegainedfromthem，providedtheywereallstoryandnoreflection，shehadneveranyobjectiontobooksatall。Butfromfifteentoseventeenshewasintrainingforaheroine；

shereadallsuchworksasheroinesmustreadtosupplytheirmemorieswiththosequotationswhicharesoserviceableandsosoothinginthevicissitudesoftheireventfullives。

FromPope，shelearnttocensurethosewho“bearaboutthemockeryofwoe。”

FromGray，that“Manyaflowerisborntoblushunseen，“Andwasteitsfragranceonthedesertair。”

FromThompson，that——“Itisadelightfultask“Toteachtheyoungideahowtoshoot。”

AndfromShakespeareshegainedagreatstoreofinformation——

amongsttherest，that——“Trifleslightasair，“Are，tothejealous，confirmationstrong，“AsproofsofHolyWrit。”

That“Thepoorbeetle，whichwetreadupon，“Incorporalsufferancefeelsapangasgreat“Aswhenagiantdies。”

Andthatayoungwomaninlovealwayslooks——“likePatienceonamonument”SmilingatGrief。”

Sofarherimprovementwassufficient——andinmanyotherpointsshecameonexceedinglywell；forthoughshecouldnotwritesonnets，shebroughtherselftoreadthem；

andthoughthereseemednochanceofherthrowingawholepartyintorapturesbyapreludeonthepianoforte，ofherowncomposition，shecouldlistentootherpeople\'sperformancewithverylittlefatigue。Hergreatestdeficiencywasinthepencil——shehadnonotionofdrawing——notenougheventoattemptasketchofherlover\'sprofile，thatshemightbedetectedinthedesign。

Thereshefellmiserablyshortofthetrueheroicheight。

Atpresentshedidnotknowherownpoverty，forshehadnolovertoportray。Shehadreachedtheageofseventeen，withouthavingseenoneamiableyouthwhocouldcallforthhersensibility，withouthavinginspiredonerealpassion，andwithouthavingexcitedevenanyadmirationbutwhatwasverymoderateandverytransient。Thiswasstrangeindeed！Butstrangethingsmaybegenerallyaccountedforiftheircausebefairlysearchedout。Therewasnotonelordintheneighbourhood；no——notevenabaronet。

Therewasnotonefamilyamongtheiracquaintancewhohadrearedandsupportedaboyaccidentallyfoundattheirdoor——notoneyoungmanwhoseoriginwasunknown。

Herfatherhadnoward，andthesquireoftheparishnochildren。

Butwhenayoungladyistobeaheroine，theperversenessoffortysurroundingfamiliescannotpreventher。

Somethingmustandwillhappentothrowaheroinherway。

Mr。Allen，whoownedthechiefofthepropertyaboutFullerton，thevillageinWiltshirewheretheMorlandslived，wasorderedtoBathforthebenefitofagoutyconstitution——andhislady，agood-humouredwoman，fondofMissMorland，andprobablyawarethatifadventureswillnotbefallayoungladyinherownvillage，shemustseekthemabroad，invitedhertogowiththem。

Mr。andMrs。Morlandwereallcompliance，andCatherineallhappiness。

CHAPTER2

InadditiontowhathasbeenalreadysaidofCatherineMorlandspersonalandmentalendowments，whenabouttobelaunchedintoallthedifficultiesanddangersofasixweeks\'residenceinBath，itmaybestated，forthereader\'smorecertaininformation，lestthefollowingpagesshouldotherwisefailofgivinganyideaofwhathercharacterismeanttobe，thatherheartwasaffectionate；herdispositioncheerfulandopen，withoutconceitoraffectationofanykind——hermannersjustremovedfromtheawkwardnessandshynessofagirl；herpersonpleasing，and，wheningoodlooks，pretty——andhermindaboutasignorantanduninformedasthefemalemindatseventeenusuallyis。

Whenthehourofdeparturedrewnear，thematernalanxietyofMrs。Morlandwillbenaturallysupposedtobemostsevere。AthousandalarmingpresentimentsofeviltoherbelovedCatherinefromthisterrificseparationmustoppressherheartwithsadness，anddrownherintearsforthelastdayortwooftheirbeingtogether；

andadviceofthemostimportantandapplicablenaturemustofcourseflowfromherwiselipsintheirpartingconferenceinhercloset。Cautionsagainsttheviolenceofsuchnoblemenandbaronetsasdelightinforcingyoungladiesawaytosomeremotefarm-house，must，atsuchamoment，relievethefulnessofherheart。

Whowouldnotthinkso?ButMrs。Morlandknewsolittleoflordsandbaronets，thatsheentertainednonotionoftheirgeneralmischievousness，andwaswhollyunsuspiciousofdangertoherdaughterfromtheirmachinations。

Hercautionswereconfinedtothefollowingpoints。

“Ibeg，Catherine，youwillalwayswrapyourselfupverywarmaboutthethroat，whenyoucomefromtheroomsatnight；andIwishyouwouldtrytokeepsomeaccountofthemoneyyouspend；Iwillgiveyouthislittlebookonpurpose。

Sally，orratherSarah(forwhatyoungladyofcommongentilitywillreachtheageofsixteenwithoutalteringhernameasfarasshecan?)，mustfromsituationbeatthistimetheintimatefriendandconfidanteofhersister。

Itisremarkable，however，thatsheneitherinsistedonCatherine\'swritingbyeverypost，norexactedherpromiseoftransmittingthecharacterofeverynewacquaintance，noradetailofeveryinterestingconversationthatBathmightproduce。Everythingindeedrelativetothisimportantjourneywasdone，onthepartoftheMorlands，withadegreeofmoderationandcomposure，whichseemedratherconsistentwiththecommonfeelingsofcommonlife，thanwiththerefinedsusceptibilities，thetenderemotionswhichthefirstseparationofaheroinefromherfamilyoughtalwaystoexcite。Herfather，insteadofgivingheranunlimitedorderonhisbanker，orevenputtinganhundredpoundsbank-billintoherhands，gaveheronlytenguineas，andpromosedhermorewhenshewantedit。

Undertheseunpromisingauspices，thepartingtookplace，andthejourneybegan。Itwasperformedwithsuitablequietnessanduneventfulsafety。

Neitherrobbersnortempestsbefriendedthem，noroneluckyoverturntointroducethemtothehero。Nothingmorealarmingoccurredthanafear，onMrs。Allen\'sside，ofhavingonceleftherclogsbehindherataninn，andthatfortunatelyprovedtobegroundless。

TheyarrivedatBath。Catherinewasalleagerdelight——hereyeswerehere，there，everywhere，astheyapproacheditsfineandstrikingenvirons，andafterwardsdrovethroughthosestreetswhichconductedthemtothehotel。

Shewascometobehappy，andshefelthappyalready。

TheyweresoonsettledincomfortablelodgingsinPulteneyStreet。

ItisnowexpedienttogivesomedescriptionofMrs。Allen，thatthereadermaybeabletojudgeinwhatmannerheractionswillhereaftertendtopromotethegeneraldistressofthework，andhowshewill，probably，contributetoreducepoorCatherinetoallthedesperatewretchednessofwhichalastvolumeiscapable——whetherbyherimprudence，vulgarity，orjealousy——whetherbyinterceptingherletters，ruininghercharacter，orturningheroutofdoors。

Mrs。Allenwasoneofthatnumerousclassoffemales，whosesocietycanraisenootheremotionthansurpriseattherebeinganymenintheworldwhocouldlikethemwellenoughtomarrythem。Shehadneitherbeauty，genius，accomplishment，normanner。Theairofagentlewoman，agreatdealofquiet，inactivegoodtemper，andatriflingturnofmindwereallthatcouldaccountforherbeingthechoiceofasensible，intelligentmanlikeMr。Allen。

Inonerespectshewasadmirablyfittedtointroduceayoungladyintopublic，beingasfondofgoingeverywhereandseeingeverythingherselfasanyyoungladycouldbe。

Dresswasherpassion。Shehadamostharmlessdelightinbeingfine；andourheroine\'sentreeintolifecouldnottakeplacetillafterthreeorfourdayshadbeenspentinlearningwhatwasmostlyworn，andherchaperonewasprovidedwithadressofthenewestfashion。

Catherinetoomadesomepurchasesherself，andwhenallthesematterswerearranged，theimportanteveningcamewhichwastousherherintotheUpperRooms。Herhairwascutanddressedbythebesthand，herclothesputonwithcare，andbothMrs。Allenandhermaiddeclaredshelookedquiteassheshoulddo。Withsuchencouragement，Catherinehopedatleasttopassuncensuredthroughthecrowd。

Asforadmiration，itwasalwaysverywelcomewhenitcame，butshedidnotdependonit。

Mrs。Allenwassolongindressingthattheydidnotentertheballroomtilllate。Theseasonwasfull，theroomcrowded，andthetwoladiessqueezedinaswellastheycould。

AsforMr。Allen，herepaireddirectlytothecard-room，andleftthemtoenjoyamobbythemselves。Withmorecareforthesafetyofhernewgownthanforthecomfortofherprotegee，Mrs。Allenmadeherwaythroughthethrongofmenbythedoor，asswiftlyasthenecessarycautionwouldallow；Catherine，however，keptcloseatherside，andlinkedherarmtoofirmlywithinherfriend\'stobetornasunderbyanycommoneffortofastrugglingassembly。

Buttoherutteramazementshefoundthattoproceedalongtheroomwasbynomeansthewaytodisengagethemselvesfromthecrowd；itseemedrathertoincreaseastheywenton，whereasshehadimaginedthatwhenoncefairlywithinthedoor，theyshouldeasilyfindseatsandbeabletowatchthedanceswithperfectconvenience。

Butthiswasfarfrombeingthecase，andthoughbyunwearieddiligencetheygainedeventhetopoftheroom，theirsituationwasjustthesame；theysawnothingofthedancersbutthehighfeathersofsomeoftheladies。

Stilltheymovedon——somethingbetterwasyetinview；

andbyacontinuedexertionofstrengthandingenuitytheyfoundthemselvesatlastinthepassagebehindthehighestbench。Heretherewassomethinglessofcrowdthanbelow；andhenceMissMorlandhadacomprehensiveviewofallthecompanybeneathher，andofallthedangersofherlatepassagethroughthem。

Itwasasplendidsight，andshebegan，forthefirsttimethatevening，tofeelherselfataball:shelongedtodance，butshehadnotanacquaintanceintheroom。

Mrs。Allendidallthatshecoulddoinsuchacasebysayingveryplacidly，everynowandthen，“Iwishyoucoulddance，mydear——Iwishyoucouldgetapartner。”

Forsometimeheryoungfriendfeltobligedtoherforthesewishes；buttheywererepeatedsooften，andprovedsototallyineffectual，thatCatherinegrewtiredatlast，andwouldthankhernomore。

Theywerenotlongable，however，toenjoythereposeoftheeminencetheyhadsolaboriouslygained。

Everybodywasshortlyinmotionfortea，andtheymustsqueezeoutliketherest。Catherinebegantofeelsomethingofdisappointment——shewastiredofbeingcontinuallypressedagainstbypeople，thegeneralityofwhosefacespossessednothingtointerest，andwithallofwhomshewassowhollyunacquaintedthatshecouldnotrelievetheirksomenessofimprisonmentbytheexchangeofasyllablewithanyofherfellowcaptives；

andwhenatlastarrivedinthetea-room，shefeltyetmoretheawkwardnessofhavingnopartytojoin，noacquaintancetoclaim，nogentlemantoassistthem。

TheysawnothingofMr。Allen；andafterlookingabouttheminvainforamoreeligiblesituation，wereobligedtositdownattheendofatable，atwhichalargepartywerealreadyplaced，withouthavinganythingtodothere，oranybodytospeakto，excepteachother。

Mrs。Allencongratulatedherself，assoonastheywereseated，onhavingpreservedhergownfrominjury。

“Itwouldhavebeenveryshockingtohaveittorn，“saidshe，“wouldnotit?Itissuchadelicatemuslin。FormypartIhavenotseenanythingIlikesowellinthewholeroom，Iassureyou。”

“Howuncomfortableitis，“whisperedCatherine，“nottohaveasingleacquaintancehere！“

“Yes，mydear，“repliedMrs。Allen，withperfectserenity，“itisveryuncomfortableindeed。”

“Whatshallwedo?Thegentlemenandladiesatthistablelookasiftheywonderedwhywecamehere——weseemforcingourselvesintotheirparty。”

“Aye，sowedo。Thatisverydisagreeable。

Iwishwehadalargeacquaintancehere。”

“Iwishwehadany——itwouldbesomebodytogoto。”

“Verytrue，mydear；andifweknewanybodywewouldjointhemdirectly。TheSkinnerswereherelastyear——I

wishtheywereherenow。”

“Hadnotwebettergoawayasitis?Herearenotea-thingsforus，yousee。”

“Nomorethereare，indeed。Howveryprovoking！ButIthinkwehadbettersitstill，foronegetssotumbledinsuchacrowd！Howismyhead，mydear?Somebodygavemeapushthathashurtit，Iamafraid。”

“No，indeed，itlooksverynice。But，dearMrs。Allen，areyousurethereisnobodyyouknowinallthismultitudeofpeople?Ithinkyoumustknowsomebody。”

“Idon\'t，uponmyword——IwishIdid。IwishIhadalargeacquaintanceherewithallmyheart，andthenIshouldgetyouapartner。Ishouldbesogladtohaveyoudance。

Theregoesastrange-lookingwoman！Whatanoddgownshehasgoton！Howold-fashioneditis！Lookattheback。”

Aftersometimetheyreceivedanofferofteafromoneoftheirneighbours；itwasthankfullyaccepted，andthisintroducedalightconversationwiththegentlemanwhoofferedit，whichwastheonlytimethatanybodyspoketothemduringtheevening，tilltheywerediscoveredandjoinedbyMr。Allenwhenthedancewasover。

“Well，MissMorland，“saidhe，directly，“Ihopeyouhavehadanagreeableball。”

“Veryagreeableindeed，“shereplied，vainlyendeavouringtohideagreatyawn。

“Iwishshehadbeenabletodance，“saidhiswife；

“Iwishwecouldhavegotapartnerforher。IhavebeensayinghowgladIshouldbeiftheSkinnerswereherethiswinterinsteadoflast；oriftheParryshadcome，astheytalkedofonce，shemighthavedancedwithGeorgeParry。

Iamsosorryshehasnothadapartner！“

“WeshalldobetteranothereveningIhope，“

wasMr。Allen\'sconsolation。

Thecompanybegantodispersewhenthedancingwasover——enoughtoleavespacefortheremaindertowalkaboutinsomecomfort；andnowwasthetimeforaheroine，whohadnotyetplayedaverydistinguishedpartintheeventsoftheevening，tobenoticedandadmired。

Everyfiveminutes，byremovingsomeofthecrowd，gavegreateropeningsforhercharms。Shewasnowseenbymanyyoungmenwhohadnotbeennearherbefore。

Notone，however，startedwithrapturouswonderonbeholdingher，nowhisperofeagerinquiryranroundtheroom，norwassheoncecalledadivinitybyanybody。

YetCatherinewasinverygoodlooks，andhadthecompanyonlyseenherthreeyearsbefore，theywouldnowhavethoughtherexceedinglyhandsome。

Shewaslookedat，however，andwithsomeadmiration；

for，inherownhearing，twogentlemenpronouncedhertobeaprettygirl。Suchwordshadtheirdueeffect；

sheimmediatelythoughttheeveningpleasanterthanshehadfounditbefore——herhumblevanitywascontented——shefeltmoreobligedtothetwoyoungmenforthissimplepraisethanatrue-qualityheroinewouldhavebeenforfifteensonnetsincelebrationofhercharms，andwenttoherchairingoodhumourwitheverybody，andperfectlysatisfiedwithhershareofpublicattention。

CHAPTER3

Everymorningnowbroughtitsregularduties——shopsweretobevisited；somenewpartofthetowntobelookedat；

andthepump-roomtobeattended，wheretheyparadedupanddownforanhour，lookingateverybodyandspeakingtonoone。ThewishofanumerousacquaintanceinBathwasstilluppermostwithMrs。Allen，andsherepeateditaftereveryfreshproof，whicheverymorningbrought，ofherknowingnobodyatall。

TheymadetheirappearanceintheLowerRooms；

andherefortunewasmorefavourabletoourheroine。

Themasteroftheceremoniesintroducedtoheraverygentlemanlikeyoungmanasapartner；hisnamewasTilney。

Heseemedtobeaboutfourorfiveandtwenty，wasrathertall，hadapleasingcountenance，averyintelligentandlivelyeye，and，ifnotquitehandsome，wasverynearit。

Hisaddresswasgood，andCatherinefeltherselfinhighluck。

Therewaslittleleisureforspeakingwhiletheydanced；

butwhentheywereseatedattea，shefoundhimasagreeableasshehadalreadygivenhimcreditforbeing。

Hetalkedwithfluencyandspirit——andtherewasanarchnessandpleasantryinhismannerwhichinterested，thoughitwashardlyunderstoodbyher。Afterchattingsometimeonsuchmattersasnaturallyarosefromtheobjectsaroundthem，hesuddenlyaddressedherwith——“Ihavehithertobeenveryremiss，madam，intheproperattentionsofapartnerhere；IhavenotyetaskedyouhowlongyouhavebeeninBath；whetheryouwereeverherebefore；

whetheryouhavebeenattheUpperRooms，thetheatre，andtheconcert；andhowyouliketheplacealtogether。

Ihavebeenverynegligent——butareyounowatleisuretosatisfymeintheseparticulars?IfyouareIwillbegindirectly。”

“Youneednotgiveyourselfthattrouble，sir。”

“Notrouble，Iassureyou，madam。”Thenforminghisfeaturesintoasetsmile，andaffectedlysofteninghisvoice，headded，withasimperingair，“HaveyoubeenlonginBath，madam?“

“Aboutaweek，sir，“repliedCatherine，tryingnottolaugh。

“Really！“withaffectedastonishment。

“Whyshouldyoubesurprised，sir?“

“Why，indeed！“saidhe，inhisnaturaltone。

“Butsomeemotionmustappeartoberaisedbyyourreply，andsurpriseismoreeasilyassumed，andnotlessreasonablethananyother。Nowletusgoon。Wereyouneverherebefore，madam?“

“Never，sir。”

“Indeed！HaveyouyethonouredtheUpperRooms?“

“Yes，sir，IwastherelastMonday。”

“Haveyoubeentothetheatre?“

“Yes，sir，IwasattheplayonTuesday。”

“Totheconcert?“

“Yes，sir，onWednesday。”

“AndareyoualtogetherpleasedwithBath?“

“Yes——Ilikeitverywell。”

“NowImustgiveonesmirk，andthenwemayberationalagain。”Catherineturnedawayherhead，notknowingwhethershemightventuretolaugh。

“Iseewhatyouthinkofme，“saidhegravely——“I

shallmakebutapoorfigureinyourjournaltomorrow。”

“Myjournal！““Yes，Iknowexactlywhatyouwillsay:Friday，wenttotheLowerRooms；woremyspriggedmuslinrobewithbluetrimmings——plainblackshoes——appearedtomuchadvantage；butwasstrangelyharassedbyaqueer，half-wittedman，whowouldmakemedancewithhim，anddistressedmebyhisnonsense。”

“IndeedIshallsaynosuchthing。”

“ShallItellyouwhatyououghttosay?“

“Ifyouplease。”

“Idancedwithaveryagreeableyoungman，introducedbyMr。King；hadagreatdealofconversationwithhim——seemsamostextraordinarygenius——hopeImayknowmoreofhim。That，madam，iswhatIwishyoutosay。”

“But，perhaps，Ikeepnojournal。”

“Perhapsyouarenotsittinginthisroom，andIamnotsittingbyyou。Thesearepointsinwhichadoubtisequallypossible。Notkeepajournal！HowareyourabsentcousinstounderstandthetenourofyourlifeinBathwithoutone?Howarethecivilitiesandcomplimentsofeverydaytoberelatedastheyoughttobe，unlessnoteddowneveryeveninginajournal?Howareyourvariousdressestoberemembered，andtheparticularstateofyourcomplexion，andcurlofyourhairtobedescribedinalltheirdiversities，withouthavingconstantrecoursetoajournal?Mydearmadam，Iamnotsoignorantofyoungladies\'waysasyouwishtobelieveme；itisthisdelightfulhabitofjournalingwhichlargelycontributestoformtheeasystyleofwritingforwhichladiesaresogenerallycelebrated。Everybodyallowsthatthetalentofwritingagreeablelettersispeculiarlyfemale。

Naturemayhavedonesomething，butIamsureitmustbeessentiallyassistedbythepracticeofkeepingajournal。”

“Ihavesometimesthought，“saidCatherine，doubtingly，“whetherladiesdowritesomuchbetterlettersthangentlemen！

Thatis——Ishouldnotthinkthesuperioritywasalwaysonourside。”

“AsfarasIhavehadopportunityofjudging，itappearstomethattheusualstyleofletter-writingamongwomenisfaultless，exceptinthreeparticulars。”

“Andwhatarethey?“

“Ageneraldeficiencyofsubject，atotalinattentiontostops，andaveryfrequentignoranceofgrammar。”

“Uponmyword！Ineednothavebeenafraidofdisclaimingthecompliment。Youdonotthinktoohighlyofusinthatway。”

“Ishouldnomorelayitdownasageneralrulethatwomenwritebetterlettersthanmen，thanthattheysingbetterduets，ordrawbetterlandscapes。Ineverypower，ofwhichtasteisthefoundation，excellenceisprettyfairlydividedbetweenthesexes。”

TheywereinterruptedbyMrs。Allen:“MydearCatherine，“

saidshe，“dotakethispinoutofmysleeve；Iamafraidithastornaholealready；Ishallbequitesorryifithas，forthisisafavouritegown，thoughitcostbutnineshillingsayard。”

“ThatisexactlywhatIshouldhaveguessedit，madam，“saidMr。Tilney，lookingatthemuslin。

“Doyouunderstandmuslins，sir?“

“Particularlywell；Ialwaysbuymyowncravats，andamallowedtobeanexcellentjudge；andmysisterhasoftentrustedmeinthechoiceofagown。

Iboughtoneforhertheotherday，anditwaspronouncedtobeaprodigiousbargainbyeveryladywhosawit。

Igavebutfiveshillingsayardforit，andatrueIndianmuslin。”

Mrs。Allenwasquitestruckbyhisgenius。“Mencommonlytakesolittlenoticeofthosethings，“saidshe；“IcannevergetMr。Allentoknowoneofmygownsfromanother。

Youmustbeagreatcomforttoyoursister，sir。”

“IhopeIam，madam。”

“Andpray，sir，whatdoyouthinkofMissMorland\'sgown?“

“Itisverypretty，madam，“saidhe，gravelyexaminingit；

“butIdonotthinkitwillwashwell；Iamafraiditwillfray。”

“Howcanyou，“saidCatherine，laughing，“beso——“

Shehadalmostsaid“strange。”

“Iamquiteofyouropinion，sir，“repliedMrs。Allen；

“andsoItoldMissMorlandwhensheboughtit。”

“Butthenyouknow，madam，muslinalwaysturnstosomeaccountorother；MissMorlandwillgetenoughoutofitforahandkerchief，oracap，oracloak。

Muslincanneverbesaidtobewasted。Ihaveheardmysistersaysofortytimes，whenshehasbeenextravagantinbuyingmorethanshewanted，orcarelessincuttingittopieces。”

“Bathisacharmingplace，sir；therearesomanygoodshopshere。Wearesadlyoffinthecountry；

notbutwhatwehaveverygoodshopsinSalisbury，butitissofartogo——eightmilesisalongway；

Mr。Allensaysitisnine，measurednine；butIamsureitcannotbemorethaneight；anditissuchafag——Icomebacktiredtodeath。Now，hereonecanstepoutofdoorsandgetathinginfiveminutes。”

Mr。Tilneywaspoliteenoughtoseeminterestedinwhatshesaid；andshekepthimonthesubjectofmuslinstillthedancingrecommenced。Catherinefeared，asshelistenedtotheirdiscourse，thatheindulgedhimselfalittletoomuchwiththefoiblesofothers。

“Whatareyouthinkingofsoearnestly?“saidhe，astheywalkedbacktotheballroom；“notofyourpartner，Ihope，for，bythatshakeofthehead，yourmeditationsarenotsatisfactory。”

Catherinecoloured，andsaid，“Iwasnotthinkingofanything。”

“Thatisartfulanddeep，tobesure；butIhadratherbetoldatoncethatyouwillnottellme。”

“Wellthen，Iwillnot。”

“Thankyou；fornowweshallsoonbeacquainted，asIamauthorizedtoteaseyouonthissubjectwheneverwemeet，andnothingintheworldadvancesintimacysomuch。”

Theydancedagain；and，whentheassemblyclosed，parted，onthelady\'ssideatleast，withastronginclinationforcontinuingtheacquaintance。Whethershethoughtofhimsomuch，whileshedrankherwarmwineandwater，andpreparedherselfforbed，astodreamofhimwhenthere，cannotbeascertained；butIhopeitwasnomorethaninaslightslumber，oramorningdozeatmost；

forifitbetrue，asacelebratedwriterhasmaintained，thatnoyoungladycanbejustifiedinfallinginlovebeforethegentleman\'sloveisdeclared，*itmustbeveryimproperthatayoungladyshoulddreamofagentlemanbeforethegentlemanisfirstknowntohavedreamtofher。

HowproperMr。TilneymightbeasadreameroraloverhadnotyetperhapsenteredMr。Allen\'shead，butthathewasnotobjectionableasacommonacquaintanceforhisyoungchargehewasoninquirysatisfied；forhehadearlyintheeveningtakenpainstoknowwhoherpartnerwas，andhadbeenassuredofMr。Tilney\'sbeingaclergyman，andofaveryrespectablefamilyinGloucestershire。

CHAPTER4

WithmorethanusualeagernessdidCatherinehastentothepump-roomthenextday，securewithinherselfofseeingMr。Tilneytherebeforethemorningwereover，andreadytomeethimwithasmile；butnosmilewasdemanded——Mr。Tilneydidnotappear。EverycreatureinBath，excepthimself，wastobeseenintheroomatdifferentperiodsofthefashionablehours；crowdsofpeoplewereeverymomentpassinginandout，upthestepsanddown；

peoplewhomnobodycaredabout，andnobodywantedtosee；

andheonlywasabsent。“WhatadelightfulplaceBathis，“

saidMrs。Allenastheysatdownnearthegreatclock，afterparadingtheroomtilltheyweretired；“andhowpleasantitwouldbeifwehadanyacquaintancehere。”

ThissentimenthadbeenutteredsoofteninvainthatMrs。Allenhadnoparticularreasontohopeitwouldbefollowedwithmoreadvantagenow；butwearetoldto“despairofnothingwewouldattain，“as“unwearieddiligenceourpointwouldgain“；andtheunwearieddiligencewithwhichshehadeverydaywishedforthesamethingwasatlengthtohaveitsjustreward，forhardlyhadshebeenseatedtenminutesbeforealadyofaboutherownage，whowassittingbyher，andhadbeenlookingatherattentivelyforseveralminutes，addressedherwithgreatcomplaisanceinthesewords:“Ithink，madam，Icannotbemistaken；

itisalongtimesinceIhadthepleasureofseeingyou，butisnotyournameAllen?“Thisquestionanswered，asitreadilywas，thestrangerpronouncedherstobeThorpe；

andMrs。Allenimmediatelyrecognizedthefeaturesofaformerschoolfellowandintimate，whomshehadseenonlyoncesincetheirrespectivemarriages，andthatmanyyearsago。Theirjoyonthismeetingwasverygreat，aswellitmight，sincetheyhadbeencontentedtoknownothingofeachotherforthelastfifteenyears。

Complimentsongoodlooksnowpassed；and，afterobservinghowtimehadslippedawaysincetheywerelasttogether，howlittletheyhadthoughtofmeetinginBath，andwhatapleasureitwastoseeanoldfriend，theyproceededtomakeinquiriesandgiveintelligenceastotheirfamilies，sisters，andcousins，talkingbothtogether，farmorereadytogivethantoreceiveinformation，andeachhearingverylittleofwhattheothersaid。

Mrs。Thorpe，however，hadonegreatadvantageasatalker，overMrs。Allen，inafamilyofchildren；andwhensheexpatiatedonthetalentsofhersons，andthebeautyofherdaughters，whensherelatedtheirdifferentsituationsandviews——thatJohnwasatOxford，EdwardatMerchantTaylors\'，andWilliamatsea——andallofthemmorebelovedandrespectedintheirdifferentstationthananyotherthreebeingseverwere，Mrs。Allenhadnosimilarinformationtogive，nosimilartriumphstopressontheunwillingandunbelievingearofherfriend，andwasforcedtositandappeartolistentoallthesematernaleffusions，consolingherself，however，withthediscovery，whichherkeeneyesoonmade，thatthelaceonMrs。Thorpe\'spelissewasnothalfsohandsomeasthatonherown。

“Herecomemydeargirls，“criedMrs。Thorpe，pointingatthreesmart-lookingfemaleswho，arminarm，werethenmovingtowardsher。“MydearMrs。Allen，Ilongtointroducethem；theywillbesodelightedtoseeyou:thetallestisIsabella，myeldest；isnotsheafineyoungwoman?Theothersareverymuchadmiredtoo，butI

believeIsabellaisthehandsomest。”

TheMissThorpeswereintroduced；andMissMorland，whohadbeenforashorttimeforgotten，wasintroducedlikewise。

Thenameseemedtostrikethemall；and，afterspeakingtoherwithgreatcivility，theeldestyoungladyobservedaloudtotherest，“HowexcessivelylikeherbrotherMissMorlandis！“

“Theverypictureofhimindeed！“criedthemother——and“Ishouldhaveknownheranywhereforhissister！“

wasrepeatedbythemall，twoorthreetimesover。

ForamomentCatherinewassurprised；butMrs。ThorpeandherdaughtershadscarcelybegunthehistoryoftheiracquaintancewithMr。JamesMorland，beforesherememberedthathereldestbrotherhadlatelyformedanintimacywithayoungmanofhisowncollege，ofthenameofThorpe；

andthathehadspentthelastweekoftheChristmasvacationwithhisfamily，nearLondon。

Thewholebeingexplained，manyobligingthingsweresaidbytheMissThorpesoftheirwishofbeingbetteracquaintedwithher；ofbeingconsideredasalreadyfriends，throughthefriendshipoftheirbrothers，etc。，whichCatherineheardwithpleasure，andansweredwithalltheprettyexpressionsshecouldcommand；and，asthefirstproofofamity，shewassooninvitedtoacceptanarmoftheeldestMissThorpe，andtakeaturnwithherabouttheroom。CatherinewasdelightedwiththisextensionofherBathacquaintance，andalmostforgotMr。TilneywhileshetalkedtoMissThorpe。Friendshipiscertainlythefinestbalmforthepangsofdisappointedlove。

Theirconversationturneduponthosesubjects，ofwhichthefreediscussionhasgenerallymuchtodoinperfectingasuddenintimacybetweentwoyoungladies:suchasdress，balls，flirtations，andquizzes。

MissThorpe，however，beingfouryearsolderthanMissMorland，andatleastfouryearsbetterinformed，hadaverydecidedadvantageindiscussingsuchpoints；

shecouldcomparetheballsofBathwiththoseofTunbridge，itsfashionswiththefashionsofLondon；couldrectifytheopinionsofhernewfriendinmanyarticlesoftastefulattire；coulddiscoveraflirtationbetweenanygentlemanandladywhoonlysmiledoneachother；

andpointoutaquizthroughthethicknessofacrowd。

ThesepowersreceiveddueadmirationfromCatherine，towhomtheywereentirelynew；andtherespectwhichtheynaturallyinspiredmighthavebeentoogreatforfamiliarity，hadnottheeasygaietyofMissThorpe\'smanners，andherfrequentexpressionsofdelightonthisacquaintancewithher，softeneddowneveryfeelingofawe，andleftnothingbuttenderaffection。Theirincreasingattachmentwasnottobesatisfiedwithhalfadozenturnsinthepump-room，butrequired，whentheyallquittedittogether，thatMissThorpeshouldaccompanyMissMorlandtotheverydoorofMr。Allen\'shouse；

andthattheyshouldtherepartwithamostaffectionateandlengthenedshakeofhands，afterlearning，totheirmutualrelief，thattheyshouldseeeachotheracrossthetheatreatnight，andsaytheirprayersinthesamechapelthenextmorning。Catherinethenrandirectlyupstairs，andwatchedMissThorpe\'sprogressdownthestreetfromthedrawing-roomwindow；admiredthegracefulspiritofherwalk，thefashionableairofherfigureanddress；

andfeltgrateful，aswellshemight，forthechancewhichhadprocuredhersuchafriend。

Mrs。Thorpewasawidow，andnotaveryrichone；

shewasagood-humoured，well-meaningwoman，andaveryindulgentmother。Hereldestdaughterhadgreatpersonalbeauty，andtheyoungerones，bypretendingtobeashandsomeastheirsister，imitatingherair，anddressinginthesamestyle，didverywell。

ThisbriefaccountofthefamilyisintendedtosupersedethenecessityofalongandminutedetailfromMrs。Thorpeherself，ofherpastadventuresandsufferings，whichmightotherwisebeexpectedtooccupythethreeorfourfollowingchapters；inwhichtheworthlessnessoflordsandattorniesmightbesetforth，andconversations，whichhadpassedtwentyyearsbefore，beminutelyrepeated。

CHAPTER5

Catherinewasnotsomuchengagedatthetheatrethatevening，inreturningthenodsandsmilesofMissThorpe，thoughtheycertainlyclaimedmuchofherleisure，astoforgettolookwithaninquiringeyeforMr。Tilneyineveryboxwhichhereyecouldreach；butshelookedinvain。Mr。Tilneywasnofonderoftheplaythanthepump-room。Shehopedtobemorefortunatethenextday；

andwhenherwishesforfineweatherwereansweredbyseeingabeautifulmorning，shehardlyfeltadoubtofit；forafineSundayinBathemptieseveryhouseofitsinhabitants，andalltheworldappearsonsuchanoccasiontowalkaboutandtelltheiracquaintancewhatacharmingdayitis。

Assoonasdivineservicewasover，theThorpesandAllenseagerlyjoinedeachother；andafterstayinglongenoughinthepump-roomtodiscoverthatthecrowdwasinsupportable，andthattherewasnotagenteelfacetobeseen，whicheverybodydiscoverseverySundaythroughouttheseason，theyhastenedawaytotheCrescent，tobreathethefreshairofbettercompany。HereCatherineandIsabella，arminarm，againtastedthesweetsoffriendshipinanunreservedconversation；theytalkedmuch，andwithmuchenjoyment；butagainwasCatherinedisappointedinherhopeofreseeingherpartner。Hewasnowheretobemetwith；everysearchforhimwasequallyunsuccessful，inmorningloungesoreveningassemblies；neitherattheuppernorlowerrooms，atdressedorundressedballs，washeperceivable；noramongthewalkers，thehorsemen，orthecurricle-driversofthemorning。Hisnamewasnotinthepump-roombook，andcuriositycoulddonomore。

HemustbegonefromBath。Yethehadnotmentionedthathisstaywouldbesoshort！Thissortofmysteriousness，whichisalwayssobecominginahero，threwafreshgraceinCatherine\'simaginationaroundhispersonandmanners，andincreasedheranxietytoknowmoreofhim。

FromtheThorpesshecouldlearnnothing，fortheyhadbeenonlytwodaysinBathbeforetheymetwithMrs。Allen。

Itwasasubject，however，inwhichsheoftenindulgedwithherfairfriend，fromwhomshereceivedeverypossibleencouragementtocontinuetothinkofhim；andhisimpressiononherfancywasnotsufferedthereforetoweaken。

Isabellawasverysurethathemustbeacharmingyoungman，andwasequallysurethathemusthavebeendelightedwithherdearCatherine，andwouldthereforeshortlyreturn。

Shelikedhimthebetterforbeingaclergyman，“forshemustconfessherselfverypartialtotheprofession“；

andsomethinglikeasighescapedherasshesaidit。

PerhapsCatherinewaswronginnotdemandingthecauseofthatgentleemotion——butshewasnotexperiencedenoughinthefinesseoflove，orthedutiesoffriendship，toknowwhendelicateraillerywasproperlycalledfor，orwhenaconfidenceshouldbeforced。

Mrs。Allenwasnowquitehappy——quitesatisfiedwithBath。Shehadfoundsomeacquaintance，hadbeensoluckytooastofindinthemthefamilyofamostworthyoldfriend；and，asthecompletionofgoodfortune，hadfoundthesefriendsbynomeanssoexpensivelydressedasherself。Herdailyexpressionswerenolonger，“IwishwehadsomeacquaintanceinBath！“Theywerechangedinto，“HowgladIamwehavemetwithMrs。Thorpe！“andshewasaseagerinpromotingtheintercourseofthetwofamilies，asheryoungchargeandIsabellathemselvescouldbe；

neversatisfiedwiththedayunlessshespentthechiefofitbythesideofMrs。Thorpe，inwhattheycalledconversation，butinwhichtherewasscarcelyeveranyexchangeofopinion，andnotoftenanyresemblanceofsubject，forMrs。Thorpetalkedchieflyofherchildren，andMrs。Allenofhergowns。

TheprogressofthefriendshipbetweenCatherineandIsabellawasquickasitsbeginninghadbeenwarm，andtheypassedsorapidlythrougheverygradationofincreasingtendernessthattherewasshortlynofreshproofofittobegiventotheirfriendsorthemselves。

TheycalledeachotherbytheirChristianname，werealwaysarminarmwhentheywalked，pinnedupeachother\'strainforthedance，andwerenottobedividedintheset；

andifarainymorningdeprivedthemofotherenjoyments，theywerestillresoluteinmeetingindefianceofwetanddirt，andshutthemselvesup，toreadnovelstogether。

Yes，novels；forIwillnotadoptthatungenerousandimpoliticcustomsocommonwithnovel-writers，ofdegradingbytheircontemptuouscensuretheveryperformances，tothenumberofwhichtheyarethemselvesadding——joiningwiththeirgreatestenemiesinbestowingtheharshestepithetsonsuchworks，andscarcelyeverpermittingthemtobereadbytheirownheroine，who，ifsheaccidentallytakeupanovel，issuretoturnoveritsinsipidpageswithdisgust。Alas！Iftheheroineofonenovelbenotpatronizedbytheheroineofanother，fromwhomcansheexpectprotectionandregard?Icannotapproveofit。

Letusleaveittothereviewerstoabusesucheffusionsoffancyattheirleisure，andovereverynewnoveltotalkinthreadbarestrainsofthetrashwithwhichthepressnowgroans。Letusnotdesertoneanother；

weareaninjuredbody。Althoughourproductionshaveaffordedmoreextensiveandunaffectedpleasurethanthoseofanyotherliterarycorporationintheworld，nospeciesofcompositionhasbeensomuchdecried。

Frompride，ignorance，orfashion，ourfoesarealmostasmanyasourreaders。Andwhiletheabilitiesofthenine-hundredthabridgeroftheHistoryofEngland，orofthemanwhocollectsandpublishesinavolumesomedozenlinesofMilton，Pope，andPrior，withapaperfromtheSpectator，andachapterfromSterne，areeulogizedbyathousandpens——thereseemsalmostageneralwishofdecryingthecapacityandundervaluingthelabourofthenovelist，andofslightingtheperformanceswhichhaveonlygenius，wit，andtastetorecommendthem。

“Iamnonovel-reader——Iseldomlookintonovels——DonotimaginethatIoftenreadnovels——Itisreallyverywellforanovel。”Suchisthecommoncant。

“Andwhatareyoureading，Miss——?““Oh！Itisonlyanovel！“repliestheyounglady，whileshelaysdownherbookwithaffectedindifference，ormomentaryshame。

“ItisonlyCecilia，orCamilla，orBelinda“；or，inshort，onlysomeworkinwhichthegreatestpowersofthemindaredisplayed，inwhichthemostthoroughknowledgeofhumannature，thehappiestdelineationofitsvarieties，theliveliesteffusionsofwitandhumour，areconveyedtotheworldinthebest-chosenlanguage。Now，hadthesameyoungladybeenengagedwithavolumeoftheSpectator，insteadofsuchawork，howproudlywouldshehaveproducedthebook，andtolditsname；thoughthechancesmustbeagainstherbeingoccupiedbyanypartofthatvoluminouspublication，ofwhicheitherthematterormannerwouldnotdisgustayoungpersonoftaste:thesubstanceofitspaperssooftenconsistinginthestatementofimprobablecircumstances，unnaturalcharacters，andtopicsofconversationwhichnolongerconcernanyoneliving；

andtheirlanguage，too，frequentlysocoarseastogivenoveryfavourableideaoftheagethatcouldendureit。

CHAPTER6

Thefollowingconversation，whichtookplacebetweenthetwofriendsinthepump-roomonemorning，afteranacquaintanceofeightorninedays，isgivenasaspecimenoftheirverywarmattachment，andofthedelicacy，discretion，originalityofthought，andliterarytastewhichmarkedthereasonablenessofthatattachment。

Theymetbyappointment；andasIsabellahadarrivednearlyfiveminutesbeforeherfriend，herfirstaddressnaturallywas，“Mydearestcreature，whatcanhavemadeyousolate?Ihavebeenwaitingforyouatleastthisage！“

“Haveyou，indeed！Iamverysorryforit；butreallyIthoughtIwasinverygoodtime。Itisbutjustone。

Ihopeyouhavenotbeenherelong?“

“Oh！Thesetenagesatleast。IamsureIhavebeenherethishalfhour。Butnow，letusgoandsitdownattheotherendoftheroom，andenjoyourselves。

Ihaveanhundredthingstosaytoyou。Inthefirstplace，Iwassoafraiditwouldrainthismorning，justasIwantedtosetoff；itlookedveryshowery，andthatwouldhavethrownmeintoagonies！Doyouknow，Isawtheprettiesthatyoucanimagine，inashopwindowinMilsomStreetjustnow——verylikeyours，onlywithcoquelicotribbonsinsteadofgreen；Iquitelongedforit。But，mydearestCatherine，whathaveyoubeendoingwithyourselfallthismorning?HaveyougoneonwithUdolpho?“

“Yes，IhavebeenreadingiteversinceIwoke；

andIamgottotheblackveil。”

“Areyou，indeed?Howdelightful！Oh！Iwouldnottellyouwhatisbehindtheblackveilfortheworld！

Arenotyouwildtoknow?“

“Oh！Yes，quite；whatcanitbe?Butdonottellme——Iwouldnotbetolduponanyaccount。Iknowitmustbeaskeleton，IamsureitisLaurentina\'sskeleton。

Oh！Iamdelightedwiththebook！Ishouldliketospendmywholelifeinreadingit。Iassureyou，ifithadnotbeentomeetyou，Iwouldnothavecomeawayfromitforalltheworld。”

“Dearcreature！HowmuchIamobligedtoyou；

andwhenyouhavefinishedUdolpho，wewillreadtheItaliantogether；andIhavemadeoutalistoftenortwelvemoreofthesamekindforyou。”

“Haveyou，indeed！HowgladIam！Whataretheyall?“

“Iwillreadyoutheirnamesdirectly；heretheyare，inmypocketbook。CastleofWolfenbach，Clermont，MysteriousWarnings，NecromanceroftheBlackForest，MidnightBell，OrphanoftheRhine，andHorridMysteries。

Thosewilllastussometime。”

“Yes，prettywell；butaretheyallhorrid，areyousuretheyareallhorrid?“

“Yes，quitesure；foraparticularfriendofmine，aMissAndrews，asweetgirl，oneofthesweetestcreaturesintheworld，hasreadeveryoneofthem。IwishyouknewMissAndrews，youwouldbedelightedwithher。

Sheisnettingherselfthesweetestcloakyoucanconceive。

Ithinkherasbeautifulasanangel，andIamsovexedwiththemenfornotadmiringher！Iscoldthemallamazinglyaboutit。”

“Scoldthem！Doyouscoldthemfornotadmiringher?“

“Yes，thatIdo。ThereisnothingIwouldnotdoforthosewhoarereallymyfriends。Ihavenonotionoflovingpeoplebyhalves；itisnotmynature。

Myattachmentsarealwaysexcessivelystrong。ItoldCaptainHuntatoneofourassembliesthiswinterthatifhewastoteasemeallnight，Iwouldnotdancewithhim，unlesshewouldallowMissAndrewstobeasbeautifulasanangel。Thementhinkusincapableofrealfriendship，youknow，andIamdeterminedtoshowthemthedifference。

Now，ifIweretohearanybodyspeakslightinglyofyou，Ishouldfireupinamoment:butthatisnotatalllikely，foryouarejustthekindofgirltobeagreatfavouritewiththemen。”

“Oh，dear！“criedCatherine，colouring。“Howcanyousayso?“

“Iknowyouverywell；youhavesomuchanimation，whichisexactlywhatMissAndrewswants，forImustconfessthereissomethingamazinglyinsipidabouther。

Oh！Imusttellyou，thatjustafterwepartedyesterday，Isawayoungmanlookingatyousoearnestly——Iamsureheisinlovewithyou。”Catherinecoloured，anddisclaimedagain。Isabellalaughed。“Itisverytrue，uponmyhonour，butIseehowitis；youareindifferenttoeverybody\'sadmiration，exceptthatofonegentleman，whoshallbenameless。Nay，Icannotblameyou“——speakingmoreseriously——“yourfeelingsareeasilyunderstood。

Wheretheheartisreallyattached，Iknowverywellhowlittleonecanbepleasedwiththeattentionofanybodyelse。

Everythingissoinsipid，souninteresting，thatdoesnotrelatetothebelovedobject！Icanperfectlycomprehendyourfeelings。”

“ButyoushouldnotpersuademethatIthinksoverymuchaboutMr。Tilney，forperhapsImayneverseehimagain。”

“Notseehimagain！Mydearestcreature，donottalkofit。Iamsureyouwouldbemiserableifyouthoughtso！“

“No，indeed，Ishouldnot。IdonotpretendtosaythatIwasnotverymuchpleasedwithhim；butwhileI

haveUdolphotoread，Ifeelasifnobodycouldmakememiserable。Oh！Thedreadfulblackveil！MydearIsabella，IamsuretheremustbeLaurentina\'sskeletonbehindit。”

“Itissooddtome，thatyoushouldneverhavereadUdolphobefore；butIsupposeMrs。Morlandobjectstonovels。”

“No，shedoesnot。SheveryoftenreadsSirCharlesGrandisonherself；butnewbooksdonotfallinourway。”

“SirCharlesGrandison！Thatisanamazinghorridbook，isitnot?IrememberMissAndrewscouldnotgetthroughthefirstvolume。”

“ItisnotlikeUdolphoatall；butyetIthinkitisveryentertaining。”

“Doyouindeed！Yousurpriseme；Ithoughtithadnotbeenreadable。But，mydearestCatherine，haveyousettledwhattowearonyourheadtonight?Iamdeterminedatalleventstobedressedexactlylikeyou。

Thementakenoticeofthatsometimes，youknow。”

“Butitdoesnotsignifyiftheydo，“saidCatherine，veryinnocently。

“Signify！Oh，heavens！Imakeitarulenevertomindwhattheysay。Theyareveryoftenamazinglyimpertinentifyoudonottreatthemwithspirit，andmakethemkeeptheirdistance。”

“Arethey?Well，Ineverobservedthat。Theyalwaysbehaveverywelltome。”

“Oh！Theygivethemselvessuchairs。Theyarethemostconceitedcreaturesintheworld，andthinkthemselvesofsomuchimportance！Bytheby，thoughI

havethoughtofitahundredtimes，Ihavealwaysforgottoaskyouwhatisyourfavouritecomplexioninaman。

Doyoulikethembestdarkorfair?“

“Ihardlyknow。Inevermuchthoughtaboutit。

Somethingbetweenboth，Ithink。Brown——notfair，and——andnotverydark。”

“Verywell，Catherine。Thatisexactlyhe。IhavenotforgotyourdescriptionofMr。Tilney——\'abrownskin，withdarkeyes，andratherdarkhair。\'Well，mytasteisdifferent。Ipreferlighteyes，andastocomplexion——doyouknow——Ilikeasallowbetterthananyother。

Youmustnotbetrayme，ifyoushouldevermeetwithoneofyouracquaintanceansweringthatdescription。”

“Betrayyou！Whatdoyoumean?“

“Nay，donotdistressme。IbelieveIhavesaidtoomuch。Letusdropthesubject。”

Catherine，insomeamazement，complied，andafterremainingafewmomentssilent，wasonthepointofrevertingtowhatinterestedheratthattimerathermorethananythingelseintheworld，Laurentina\'sskeleton，whenherfriendpreventedher，bysaying，“Forheaven\'ssake！Letusmoveawayfromthisendoftheroom。

Doyouknow，therearetwoodiousyoungmenwhohavebeenstaringatmethishalfhour。Theyreallyputmequiteoutofcountenance。Letusgoandlookatthearrivals。

Theywillhardlyfollowusthere。”

Awaytheywalkedtothebook；andwhileIsabellaexaminedthenames，itwasCatherine\'semploymenttowatchtheproceedingsofthesealarmingyoungmen。

“Theyarenotcomingthisway，arethey?Ihopetheyarenotsoimpertinentastofollowus。Prayletmeknowiftheyarecoming。IamdeterminedIwillnotlookup。”

InafewmomentsCatherine，withunaffectedpleasure，assuredherthatsheneednotbelongeruneasy，asthegentlemenhadjustleftthepump-room。

“Andwhichwayaretheygone?“saidIsabella，turninghastilyround。“Onewasaverygood-lookingyoungman。”

“Theywenttowardsthechurch-yard。”

“Well，IamamazinglygladIhavegotridofthem！

Andnow，whatsayyoutogoingtoEdgar\'sBuildingswithme，andlookingatmynewhat?Yousaidyoushouldliketoseeit。”

Catherinereadilyagreed。“Only，“sheadded，“perhapswemayovertakethetwoyoungmen。”

“Oh！Nevermindthat。Ifwemakehaste，weshallpassbythempresently，andIamdyingtoshowyoumyhat。”

“Butifweonlywaitafewminutes，therewillbenodangerofourseeingthematall。”

“Ishallnotpaythemanysuchcompliment，Iassureyou。

Ihavenonotionoftreatingmenwithsuchrespect。

Thatisthewaytospoilthem。”

Catherinehadnothingtoopposeagainstsuchreasoning；

andtherefore，toshowtheindependenceofMissThorpe，andherresolutionofhumblingthesex，theysetoffimmediatelyasfastastheycouldwalk，inpursuitofthetwoyoungmen。