第2章

CHAPTER7

Halfaminuteconductedthemthroughthepump-yardtothearchway，oppositeUnionPassage；butheretheywerestopped。EverybodyacquaintedwithBathmayrememberthedifficultiesofcrossingCheapStreetatthispoint；

itisindeedastreetofsoimpertinentanature，sounfortunatelyconnectedwiththegreatLondonandOxfordroads，andtheprincipalinnofthecity，thatadayneverpassesinwhichpartiesofladies，howeverimportanttheirbusiness，whetherinquestofpastry，millinery，oreven(asinthepresentcase)

ofyoungmen，arenotdetainedononesideorotherbycarriages，horsemen，orcarts。Thisevilhadbeenfeltandlamented，atleastthreetimesaday，byIsabellasinceherresidenceinBath；andshewasnowfatedtofeelandlamentitoncemore，forattheverymomentofcomingoppositetoUnionPassage，andwithinviewofthetwogentlemenwhowereproceedingthroughthecrowds，andthreadingtheguttersofthatinterestingalley，theywerepreventedcrossingbytheapproachofagig，drivenalongonbadpavementbyamostknowing-lookingcoachmanwithallthevehemencethatcouldmostfitlyendangerthelivesofhimself，hiscompanion，andhishorse。

“Oh，theseodiousgigs！“saidIsabella，lookingup。

“HowIdetestthem。”Butthisdetestation，thoughsojust，wasofshortduration，forshelookedagainandexclaimed，“Delightful！Mr。Morlandandmybrother！“

“Goodheaven！\'TisJames！“wasutteredatthesamemomentbyCatherine；and，oncatchingtheyoungmen\'seyes，thehorsewasimmediatelycheckedwithaviolencewhichalmostthrewhimonhishaunches，andtheservanthavingnowscamperedup，thegentlemenjumpedout，andtheequipagewasdeliveredtohiscare。

Catherine，bywhomthismeetingwaswhollyunexpected，receivedherbrotherwiththeliveliestpleasure；andhe，beingofaveryamiabledisposition，andsincerelyattachedtoher，gaveeveryproofonhissideofequalsatisfaction，whichhecouldhaveleisuretodo，whilethebrighteyesofMissThorpewereincessantlychallenginghisnotice；

andtoherhisdevoirswerespeedilypaid，withamixtureofjoyandembarrassmentwhichmighthaveinformedCatherine，hadshebeenmoreexpertinthedevelopmentofotherpeople\'sfeelings，andlesssimplyengrossedbyherown，thatherbrotherthoughtherfriendquiteasprettyasshecoulddoherself。

JohnThorpe，whointhemeantimehadbeengivingordersaboutthehorses，soonjoinedthem，andfromhimshedirectlyreceivedtheamendswhichwereherdue；forwhileheslightlyandcarelesslytouchedthehandofIsabella，onherhebestowedawholescrapeandhalfashortbow。

Hewasastoutyoungmanofmiddlingheight，who，withaplainfaceandungracefulform，seemedfearfulofbeingtoohandsomeunlessheworethedressofagroom，andtoomuchlikeagentlemanunlesshewereeasywhereheoughttobecivil，andimpudentwherehemightbeallowedtobeeasy。Hetookouthiswatch:“HowlongdoyouthinkwehavebeenrunningitfromTetbury，MissMorland?“

“Idonotknowthedistance。”Herbrothertoldherthatitwastwenty-threemiles。

“Threeandtwenty！“criedThorpe。“Fiveandtwentyifitisaninch。”Morlandremonstrated，pleadedtheauthorityofroad-books，innkeepers，andmilestones；buthisfrienddisregardedthemall；hehadasurertestofdistance。

“Iknowitmustbefiveandtwenty，“saidhe，“bythetimewehavebeendoingit。Itisnowhalfafterone；

wedroveoutoftheinn-yardatTetburyasthetownclockstruckeleven；andIdefyanymaninEnglandtomakemyhorsegolessthantenmilesanhourinharness；

thatmakesitexactlytwenty-five。”

“Youhavelostanhour，“saidMorland；“itwasonlyteno\'clockwhenwecamefromTetbury。”

“Teno\'clock！Itwaseleven，uponmysoul！Icountedeverystroke。Thisbrotherofyourswouldpersuademeoutofmysenses，MissMorland；dobutlookatmyhorse；

didyoueverseeananimalsomadeforspeedinyourlife?“

(Theservanthadjustmountedthecarriageandwasdrivingoff。)

“Suchtrueblood！Threehoursandandahalfindeedcomingonlythreeandtwentymiles！Lookatthatcreature，andsupposeitpossibleifyoucan。”

“Hedoeslookveryhot，tobesure。”

“Hot！HehadnotturnedahairtillwecametoWalcotChurch；butlookathisforehand；lookathisloins；

onlyseehowhemoves；thathorsecannotgolessthantenmilesanhour:tiehislegsandhewillgeton。

Whatdoyouthinkofmygig，MissMorland?Aneatone，isnotit?Wellhung；town-built；Ihavenothaditamonth。

ItwasbuiltforaChristchurchman，afriendofmine，averygoodsortoffellow；heranitafewweeks，till，Ibelieve，itwasconvenienttohavedonewithit。

Ihappenedjustthentobelookingoutforsomelightthingofthekind，thoughIhadprettywelldeterminedonacurricletoo；butIchancedtomeethimonMagdalenBridge，ashewasdrivingintoOxford，lastterm:\'Ah！Thorpe，\'

saidhe，\'doyouhappentowantsuchalittlethingasthis?Itisacapitaloneofthekind，butIamcursedtiredofit。\'\'Oh！D——，\'saidI；\'Iamyourman；

whatdoyouask?\'Andhowmuchdoyouthinkhedid，MissMorland?“

“IamsureIcannotguessatall。”

“Curricle-hung，yousee；seat，trunk，sword-case，splashing-board，lamps，silvermoulding，allyouseecomplete；theiron-workasgoodasnew，orbetter。

Heaskedfiftyguineas；Iclosedwithhimdirectly，threwdownthemoney，andthecarriagewasmine。”

“AndIamsure，“saidCatherine，“IknowsolittleofsuchthingsthatIcannotjudgewhetheritwascheapordear。”

“Neitheronenort\'other；Imighthavegotitforless，Idaresay；butIhatehaggling，andpoorFreemanwantedcash。”

“Thatwasverygood-naturedofyou，“saidCatherine，quitepleased。

“Oh！D——it，whenonehasthemeansofdoingakindthingbyafriend，Ihatetobepitiful。”

Aninquirynowtookplaceintotheintendedmovementsoftheyoungladies；and，onfindingwhithertheyweregoing，itwasdecidedthatthegentlemenshouldaccompanythemtoEdgar\'sBuildings，andpaytheirrespectstoMrs。Thorpe。

JamesandIsabellaledtheway；andsowellsatisfiedwasthelatterwithherlot，socontentedlywassheendeavouringtoensureapleasantwalktohimwhobroughtthedoublerecommendationofbeingherbrother\'sfriend，andherfriend\'sbrother，sopureanduncoquettishwereherfeelings，that，thoughtheyovertookandpassedthetwooffendingyoungmeninMilsomStreet，shewassofarfromseekingtoattracttheirnotice，thatshelookedbackatthemonlythreetimes。

JohnThorpekeptofcoursewithCatherine，and，afterafewminutes\'silence，renewedtheconversationabouthisgig。

“Youwillfind，however，MissMorland，itwouldbereckonedacheapthingbysomepeople，forImighthavesolditfortenguineasmorethenextday；Jackson，ofOriel，bidmesixtyatonce；Morlandwaswithmeatthetime。”

“Yes，“saidMorland，whooverheardthis；“butyouforgetthatyourhorsewasincluded。”

“Myhorse！Oh，d——it！Iwouldnotsellmyhorseforahundred。Areyoufondofanopencarriage，MissMorland?“

“Yes，very；Ihavehardlyeveranopportunityofbeinginone；butIamparticularlyfondofit。”

“Iamgladofit；Iwilldriveyououtinmineeveryday。”

“Thankyou，“saidCatherine，insomedistress，fromadoubtoftheproprietyofacceptingsuchanoffer。

“IwilldriveyouupLansdownHilltomorrow。”

“Thankyou；butwillnotyourhorsewantrest?“

“Rest！Hehasonlycomethreeandtwentymilestoday；

allnonsense；nothingruinshorsessomuchasrest；

nothingknocksthemupsosoon。No，no；IshallexercisemineattheaverageoffourhourseverydaywhileI

amhere。”

“Shallyouindeed！“saidCatherineveryseriously。

“Thatwillbefortymilesaday。”

“Forty！Aye，fifty，forwhatIcare。Well，IwilldriveyouupLansdowntomorrow；mind，Iamengaged。”

“Howdelightfulthatwillbe！“criedIsabella，turninground。“MydearestCatherine，Iquiteenvyyou；

butIamafraid，brother，youwillnothaveroomforathird。”

“Athirdindeed！No，no；IdidnotcometoBathtodrivemysistersabout；thatwouldbeagoodjoke，faith！Morlandmusttakecareofyou。”

Thisbroughtonadialogueofcivilitiesbetweentheothertwo；butCatherineheardneithertheparticularsnortheresult。Hercompanion\'sdiscoursenowsunkfromitshithertoanimatedpitchtonothingmorethanashortdecisivesentenceofpraiseorcondemnationonthefaceofeverywomantheymet；andCatherine，afterlisteningandagreeingaslongasshecould，withallthecivilityanddeferenceoftheyouthfulfemalemind，fearfulofhazardinganopinionofitsowninoppositiontothatofaself-assuredman，especiallywherethebeautyofherownsexisconcerned，venturedatlengthtovarythesubjectbyaquestionwhichhadbeenlonguppermostinherthoughts；

itwas，“HaveyoueverreadUdolpho，Mr。Thorpe?“

“Udolpho！Oh，Lord！NotI；Ineverreadnovels；

Ihavesomethingelsetodo。”

Catherine，humbledandashamed，wasgoingtoapologizeforherquestion，buthepreventedherbysaying，“Novelsareallsofullofnonsenseandstuff；therehasnotbeenatolerablydecentonecomeoutsinceTomJones，exceptTheMonk；Ireadthatt\'otherday；butasforalltheothers，theyarethestupidestthingsincreation。”

“IthinkyoumustlikeUdolpho，ifyouweretoreadit；

itissoveryinteresting。”

“NotI，faith！No，ifIreadany，itshallbeMrs。Radcliffe\'s；hernovelsareamusingenough；

theyareworthreading；somefunandnatureinthem。”

“UdolphowaswrittenbyMrs。Radcliffe，“saidCatherine，withsomehesitation，fromthefearofmortifyinghim。

“Nosure；wasit?Aye，Iremember，soitwas；

Iwasthinkingofthatotherstupidbook，writtenbythatwomantheymakesuchafussabout，shewhomarriedtheFrenchemigrant。”

“IsupposeyoumeanCamilla?“

“Yes，that\'sthebook；suchunnaturalstuff！Anoldmanplayingatsee-saw，Itookupthefirstvolumeonceandlookeditover，butIsoonfounditwouldnotdo；

indeedIguessedwhatsortofstuffitmustbebeforeI

sawit:assoonasIheardshehadmarriedanemigrant，IwassureIshouldneverbeabletogetthroughit。”

“Ihaveneverreadit。”

“Youhadnoloss，Iassureyou；itisthehorridestnonsenseyoucanimagine；thereisnothingintheworldinitbutanoldman\'splayingatsee-sawandlearningLatin；

uponmysoulthereisnot。”

Thiscritique，thejustnessofwhichwasunfortunatelylostonpoorCatherine，broughtthemtothedoorofMrs。Thorpe\'slodgings，andthefeelingsofthediscerningandunprejudicedreaderofCamillagavewaytothefeelingsofthedutifulandaffectionateson，astheymetMrs。Thorpe，whohaddescriedthemfromabove，inthepassage。“Ah，Mother！Howdoyoudo?“saidhe，givingheraheartyshakeofthehand。“Wheredidyougetthatquizofahat?Itmakesyoulooklikeanoldwitch。

HereisMorlandandIcometostayafewdayswithyou，soyoumustlookoutforacoupleofgoodbedssomewherenear。”Andthisaddressseemedtosatisfyallthefondestwishesofthemother\'sheart，forshereceivedhimwiththemostdelightedandexultingaffection。

Onhistwoyoungersistershethenbestowedanequalportionofhisfraternaltenderness，forheaskedeachofthemhowtheydid，andobservedthattheybothlookedveryugly。

ThesemannersdidnotpleaseCatherine；

buthewasJames\'sfriendandIsabella\'sbrother；

andherjudgmentwasfurtherboughtoffbyIsabella\'sassuringher，whentheywithdrewtoseethenewhat，thatJohnthoughtherthemostcharminggirlintheworld，andbyJohn\'sengagingherbeforetheypartedtodancewithhimthatevening。Hadshebeenolderorvainer，suchattacksmighthavedonelittle；but，whereyouthanddiffidenceareunited，itrequiresuncommonsteadinessofreasontoresisttheattractionofbeingcalledthemostcharminggirlintheworld，andofbeingsoveryearlyengagedasapartner；andtheconsequencewasthat，whenthetwoMorlands，aftersittinganhourwiththeThorpes，setofftowalktogethertoMr。Allen\'s，andJames，asthedoorwasclosedonthem，said，“Well，Catherine，howdoyoulikemyfriendThorpe?“insteadofanswering，assheprobablywouldhavedone，hadtherebeennofriendshipandnoflatteryinthecase，“Idonotlikehimatall，“

shedirectlyreplied，“Ilikehimverymuch；heseemsveryagreeable。”

“Heisasgood-naturedafellowaseverlived；

alittleofarattle；butthatwillrecommendhimtoyoursex，Ibelieve:andhowdoyouliketherestofthefamily?“

“Very，verymuchindeed:Isabellaparticularly。”

“Iamverygladtohearyousayso；sheisjustthekindofyoungwomanIcouldwishtoseeyouattachedto；

shehassomuchgoodsense，andissothoroughlyunaffectedandamiable；Ialwayswantedyoutoknowher；

andsheseemsveryfondofyou。Shesaidthehighestthingsinyourpraisethatcouldpossiblybe；andthepraiseofsuchagirlasMissThorpeevenyou，Catherine，“

takingherhandwithaffection，“maybeproudof。”

“IndeedIam，“shereplied；“Iloveherexceedingly，andamdelightedtofindthatyoulikehertoo。

Youhardlymentionedanythingofherwhenyouwrotetomeafteryourvisitthere。”

“BecauseIthoughtIshouldsoonseeyoumyself。

IhopeyouwillbeagreatdealtogetherwhileyouareinBath。Sheisamostamiablegirl；suchasuperiorunderstanding！Howfondallthefamilyareofher；

sheisevidentlythegeneralfavourite；andhowmuchshemustbeadmiredinsuchaplaceasthis——isnotshe?“

“Yes，verymuchindeed，Ifancy；Mr。AllenthinkshertheprettiestgirlinBath。”

“Idaresayhedoes；andIdonotknowanymanwhoisabetterjudgeofbeautythanMr。Allen。Ineednotaskyouwhetheryouarehappyhere，mydearCatherine；

withsuchacompanionandfriendasIsabellaThorpe，itwouldbeimpossibleforyoutobeotherwise；andtheAllens，Iamsure，areverykindtoyou?“

“Yes，verykind；Ineverwassohappybefore；

andnowyouarecomeitwillbemoredelightfulthanever；

howgooditisofyoutocomesofaronpurposetoseeme。”

Jamesacceptedthistributeofgratitude，andqualifiedhisconscienceforacceptingittoo，bysayingwithperfectsincerity，“Indeed，Catherine，Iloveyoudearly。”

Inquiriesandcommunicationsconcerningbrothersandsisters，thesituationofsome，thegrowthoftherest，andotherfamilymattersnowpassedbetweenthem，andcontinued，withonlyonesmalldigressiononJames\'spart，inpraiseofMissThorpe，tilltheyreachedPulteneyStreet，wherehewaswelcomedwithgreatkindnessbyMr。andMrs。Allen，invitedbytheformertodinewiththem，andsummonedbythelattertoguessthepriceandweighthemeritsofanewmuffandtippet。Apre-engagementinEdgar\'sBuildingspreventedhisacceptingtheinvitationofonefriend，andobligedhimtohurryawayassoonashehadsatisfiedthedemandsoftheother。ThetimeofthetwopartiesunitingintheOctagonRoombeingcorrectlyadjusted，Catherinewasthenlefttotheluxuryofaraised，restless，andfrightenedimaginationoverthepagesofUdolpho，lostfromallworldlyconcernsofdressinganddinner，incapableofsoothingMrs。Allen\'sfearsonthedelayofanexpecteddressmaker，andhavingonlyoneminuteinsixtytobestowevenonthereflectionofherownfelicity，inbeingalreadyengagedfortheevening。

CHAPTER8

InspiteofUdolphoandthedressmaker，however，thepartyfromPulteneyStreetreachedtheUpperRoomsinverygoodtime。TheThorpesandJamesMorlandwerethereonlytwominutesbeforethem；andIsabellahavinggonethroughtheusualceremonialofmeetingherfriendwiththemostsmilingandaffectionatehaste，ofadmiringthesetofhergown，andenvyingthecurlofherhair，theyfollowedtheirchaperones，arminarm，intotheballroom，whisperingtoeachotherwheneverathoughtoccurred，andsupplyingtheplaceofmanyideasbyasqueezeofthehandorasmileofaffection。

Thedancingbeganwithinafewminutesaftertheywereseated；andJames，whohadbeenengagedquiteaslongashissister，wasveryimportunatewithIsabellatostandup；

butJohnwasgoneintothecard-roomtospeaktoafriend，andnothing，shedeclared，shouldinducehertojointhesetbeforeherdearCatherinecouldjoinittoo。

“Iassureyou，“saidshe，“Iwouldnotstandupwithoutyourdearsisterforalltheworld；forifIdidweshouldcertainlybeseparatedthewholeevening。”

Catherineacceptedthiskindnesswithgratitude，andtheycontinuedastheywereforthreeminuteslonger，whenIsabella，whohadbeentalkingtoJamesontheothersideofher，turnedagaintohissisterandwhispered，“Mydearcreature，IamafraidImustleaveyou，yourbrotherissoamazinglyimpatienttobegin；Iknowyouwillnotmindmygoingaway，andIdaresayJohnwillbebackinamoment，andthenyoumayeasilyfindmeout。”

Catherine，thoughalittledisappointed，hadtoomuchgoodnaturetomakeanyopposition，andtheothersrisingup，Isabellahadonlytimetopressherfriend\'shandandsay，“Good-bye，mydearlove，“beforetheyhurriedoff。

TheyoungerMissThorpesbeingalsodancing，CatherinewaslefttothemercyofMrs。ThorpeandMrs。Allen，betweenwhomshenowremained。Shecouldnothelpbeingvexedatthenon-appearanceofMr。Thorpe，forshenotonlylongedtobedancing，butwaslikewiseawarethat，astherealdignityofhersituationcouldnotbeknown，shewassharingwiththescoresofotheryoungladiesstillsittingdownallthediscreditofwantingapartner。

Tobedisgracedintheeyeoftheworld，toweartheappearanceofinfamywhileherheartisallpurity，heractionsallinnocence，andthemisconductofanotherthetruesourceofherdebasement，isoneofthosecircumstanceswhichpeculiarlybelongtotheheroine\'slife，andherfortitudeunderitwhatparticularlydignifieshercharacter。Catherinehadfortitudetoo；shesuffered，butnomurmurpassedherlips。

Fromthisstateofhumiliation，shewasroused，attheendoftenminutes，toapleasanterfeeling，byseeing，notMr。Thorpe，butMr。Tilney，withinthreeyardsoftheplacewheretheysat；heseemedtobemovingthatway，butbedidnotseeher，andthereforethesmileandtheblush，whichhissuddenreappearanceraisedinCatherine，passedawaywithoutsullyingherheroicimportance。Helookedashandsomeandaslivelyasever，andwastalkingwithinteresttoafashionableandpleasing-lookingyoungwoman，wholeantonhisarm，andwhomCatherineimmediatelyguessedtobehissister；

thusunthinkinglythrowingawayafairopportunityofconsideringhimlosttoherforever，bybeingmarriedalready。

Butguidedonlybywhatwassimpleandprobable，ithadneverenteredherheadthatMr。Tilneycouldbemarried；hehadnotbehaved，hehadnottalked，likethemarriedmentowhomshehadbeenused；hehadnevermentionedawife，andhehadacknowledgedasister。

Fromthesecircumstancessprangtheinstantconclusionofhissister\'snowbeingbyhisside；andtherefore，insteadofturningofadeathlikepalenessandfallinginafitonMrs。Allen\'sbosom，Catherinesaterect，intheperfectuseofhersenses，andwithcheeksonlyalittleredderthanusual。

Mr。Tilneyandhiscompanion，whocontinued，thoughslowly，toapproach，wereimmediatelyprecededbyalady，anacquaintanceofMrs。Thorpe；andthisladystoppingtospeaktoher，they，asbelongingtoher，stoppedlikewise，andCatherine，catchingMr。Tilney\'seye，instantlyreceivedfromhimthesmilingtributeofrecognition。Shereturneditwithpleasure，andthenadvancingstillnearer，hespokebothtoherandMrs。Allen，bywhomhewasverycivillyacknowledged。

“Iamveryhappytoseeyouagain，sir，indeed；IwasafraidyouhadleftBath。”Hethankedherforherfears，andsaidthathehadquitteditforaweek，ontheverymorningafterhishavinghadthepleasureofseeingher。

“Well，sir，andIdaresayyouarenotsorrytobebackagain，foritisjusttheplaceforyoungpeople——

andindeedforeverybodyelsetoo。ItellMr。Allen，whenhetalksofbeingsickofit，thatIamsureheshouldnotcomplain，foritissoveryagreeableaplace，thatitismuchbettertobeherethanathomeatthisdulltimeofyear。Itellhimheisquiteinlucktobesenthereforhishealth。”

“AndIhope，madam，thatMr。Allenwillbeobligedtoliketheplace，fromfindingitofservicetohim。”

“Thankyou，sir。Ihavenodoubtthathewill。

Aneighbourofours，Dr。Skinner，washereforhishealthlastwinter，andcameawayquitestout。”

“Thatcircumstancemustgivegreatencouragement。”

“Yes，sir——andDr。Skinnerandhisfamilywereherethreemonths；soItellMr。Allenhemustnotbeinahurrytogetaway。”

HeretheywereinterruptedbyarequestfromMrs。ThorpetoMrs。Allen，thatshewouldmovealittletoaccommodateMrs。HughesandMissTilneywithseats，astheyhadagreedtojointheirparty。Thiswasaccordinglydone，Mr。Tilneystillcontinuingstandingbeforethem；

andafterafewminutes\'consideration，heaskedCatherinetodancewithhim。Thiscompliment，delightfulasitwas，producedseveremortificationtothelady；andingivingherdenial，sheexpressedhersorrowontheoccasionsoverymuchasifshereallyfeltitthathadThorpe，whojoinedherjustafterwards，beenhalfaminuteearlier，hemighthavethoughthersufferingsrathertooacute。

Theveryeasymannerinwhichhethentoldherthathehadkeptherwaitingdidnotbyanymeansreconcilehermoretoherlot；nordidtheparticularswhichheenteredintowhiletheywerestandingup，ofthehorsesanddogsofthefriendwhomhehadjustleft，andofaproposedexchangeofterriersbetweenthem，interesthersomuchastopreventherlookingveryoftentowardsthatpartoftheroomwhereshehadleftMr。Tilney。OfherdearIsabella，towhomsheparticularlylongedtopointoutthatgentleman，shecouldseenothing。Theywereindifferentsets。

Shewasseparatedfromallherparty，andawayfromallheracquaintance；onemortificationsucceededanother，andfromthewholeshededucedthisusefullesson，thattogopreviouslyengagedtoaballdoesnotnecessarilyincreaseeitherthedignityorenjoymentofayounglady。

Fromsuchamoralizingstrainasthis，shewassuddenlyrousedbyatouchontheshoulder，andturninground，perceivedMrs。Hughesdirectlybehindher，attendedbyMissTilneyandagentleman。“Ibegyourpardon，MissMorland，“

saidshe，“forthisliberty——butIcannotanyhowgettoMissThorpe，andMrs。Thorpesaidshewassureyouwouldnothavetheleastobjectiontolettinginthisyoungladybyyou。”Mrs。HughescouldnothaveappliedtoanycreatureintheroommorehappytoobligeherthanCatherine。

Theyoungladieswereintroducedtoeachother，MissTilneyexpressingapropersenseofsuchgoodness，MissMorlandwiththerealdelicacyofagenerousmindmakinglightoftheobligation；andMrs。Hughes，satisfiedwithhavingsorespectablysettledheryoungcharge，returnedtoherparty。

MissTilneyhadagoodfigure，aprettyface，andaveryagreeablecountenance；andherair，thoughithadnotallthedecidedpretension，theresolutestylishnessofMissThorpe\'s，hadmorerealelegance。

Hermannersshowedgoodsenseandgoodbreeding；

theywereneithershynoraffectedlyopen；andsheseemedcapableofbeingyoung，attractive，andataballwithoutwantingtofixtheattentionofeverymannearher，andwithoutexaggeratedfeelingsofecstaticdelightorinconceivablevexationoneverylittletriflingoccurrence。Catherine，interestedatoncebyherappearanceandherrelationshiptoMr。Tilney，wasdesirousofbeingacquaintedwithher，andreadilytalkedthereforewhenevershecouldthinkofanythingtosay，andhadcourageandleisureforsayingit。

Butthehindrancethrowninthewayofaveryspeedyintimacy，bythefrequentwantofoneormoreoftheserequisites，preventedtheirdoingmorethangoingthroughthefirstrudimentsofanacquaintance，byinformingthemselveshowwelltheotherlikedBath，howmuchsheadmireditsbuildingsandsurroundingcountry，whethershedrew，orplayed，orsang，andwhethershewasfondofridingonhorseback。

ThetwodanceswerescarcelyconcludedbeforeCatherinefoundherarmgentlyseizedbyherfaithfulIsabella，whoingreatspiritsexclaimed，“AtlastIhavegotyou。

Mydearestcreature，Ihavebeenlookingforyouthishour。

Whatcouldinduceyoutocomeintothisset，whenyouknewIwasintheother?Ihavebeenquitewretchedwithoutyou。”

“MydearIsabella，howwasitpossibleformetogetatyou?Icouldnotevenseewhereyouwere。”

“SoItoldyourbrotherallthetime——buthewouldnotbelieveme。Dogoandseeforher，Mr。Morland，saidI——butallinvain——hewouldnotstiraninch。

Wasnotitso，Mr。Morland?Butyoumenareallsoimmoderatelylazy！Ihavebeenscoldinghimtosuchadegree，mydearCatherine，youwouldbequiteamazed。

YouknowIneverstanduponceremonywithsuchpeople。”

“Lookatthatyoungladywiththewhitebeadsroundherhead，“whisperedCatherine，detachingherfriendfromJames。“ItisMr。Tilney\'ssister。”

“Oh！Heavens！Youdon\'tsayso！Letmelookatherthismoment。Whatadelightfulgirl！Ineversawanythinghalfsobeautiful！Butwhereisherall-conqueringbrother?Isheintheroom?Pointhimouttomethisinstant，ifheis。

Idietoseehim。Mr。Morland，youarenottolisten。

Wearenottalkingaboutyou。”

“Butwhatisallthiswhisperingabout?Whatisgoingon?“

“Therenow，Iknewhowitwouldbe。Youmenhavesuchrestlesscuriosity！Talkofthecuriosityofwomen，indeed！\'Tisnothing。Butbesatisfied，foryouarenottoknowanythingatallofthematter。”

“Andisthatlikelytosatisfyme，doyouthink?“

“Well，IdeclareIneverknewanythinglikeyou。

Whatcanitsignifytoyou，whatwearetalkingof。

Perhapswearetalkingaboutyou；thereforeIwouldadviseyounottolisten，oryoumayhappentohearsomethingnotveryagreeable。”

Inthiscommonplacechatter，whichlastedsometime，theoriginalsubjectseemedentirelyforgotten；andthoughCatherinewasverywellpleasedtohaveitdroppedforawhile，shecouldnotavoidalittlesuspicionatthetotalsuspensionofallIsabella\'simpatientdesiretoseeMr。Tilney。

Whentheorchestrastruckupafreshdance，Jameswouldhaveledhisfairpartneraway，butsheresisted。

“Itellyou，Mr。Morland，“shecried，“Iwouldnotdosuchathingforalltheworld。Howcanyoubesoteasing；

onlyconceive，mydearCatherine，whatyourbrotherwantsmetodo。Hewantsmetodancewithhimagain，thoughI

tellhimthatitisamostimproperthing，andentirelyagainsttherules。Itwouldmakeusthetalkoftheplace，ifwewerenottochangepartners。”

“Uponmyhonour，“saidJames，“inthesepublicassemblies，itisasoftendoneasnot。”

“Nonsense，howcanyousayso?Butwhenyoumenhaveapointtocarry，youneverstickatanything。

MysweetCatherine，dosupportme；persuadeyourbrotherhowimpossibleitis。Tellhimthatitwouldquiteshockyoutoseemedosuchathing；nowwouldnotit?“

“No，notatall；butifyouthinkitwrong，youhadmuchbetterchange。”

“There，“criedIsabella，“youhearwhatyoursistersays，andyetyouwillnotmindher。Well，rememberthatitisnotmyfault，ifwesetalltheoldladiesinBathinabustle。Comealong，mydearestCatherine，forheaven\'ssake，andstandbyme。”Andofftheywent，toregaintheirformerplace。JohnThorpe，inthemeanwhile，hadwalkedaway；andCatherine，everwillingtogiveMr。Tilneyanopportunityofrepeatingtheagreeablerequestwhichhadalreadyflatteredheronce，madeherwaytoMrs。AllenandMrs。Thorpeasfastasshecould，inthehopeoffindinghimstillwiththem——ahopewhich，whenitprovedtobefruitless，shefelttohavebeenhighlyunreasonable。“Well，mydear，“saidMrs。Thorpe，impatientforpraiseofherson，“Ihopeyouhavehadanagreeablepartner。”

“Veryagreeable，madam。”

“Iamgladofit。Johnhascharmingspirits，hasnothe?“

“DidyoumeetMr。Tilney，mydear?“saidMrs。Allen。

“No，whereishe?“

“Hewaswithusjustnow，andsaidhewassotiredofloungingabout，thathewasresolvedtogoanddance；

soIthoughtperhapshewouldaskyou，ifhemetwithyou。”

“Wherecanhebe?“saidCatherine，lookinground；

butshehadnotlookedroundlongbeforeshesawhimleadingayoungladytothedance。

“Ah！Hehasgotapartner；Iwishhehadaskedyou，“

saidMrs。Allen；andafterashortsilence，sheadded，“heisaveryagreeableyoungman。”

“Indeedheis，Mrs。Allen，“saidMrs。Thorpe，smilingcomplacently；“Imustsayit，thoughIamhismother，thatthereisnotamoreagreeableyoungmanintheworld。”

Thisinapplicableanswermighthavebeentoomuchforthecomprehensionofmany；butitdidnotpuzzleMrs。Allen，forafteronlyamoment\'sconsideration，shesaid，inawhispertoCatherine，“IdaresayshethoughtIwasspeakingofherson。”

Catherinewasdisappointedandvexed。Sheseemedtohavemissedbysolittletheveryobjectshehadhadinview；andthispersuasiondidnotinclinehertoaverygraciousreply，whenJohnThorpecameuptohersoonafterwardsandsaid，“Well，MissMorland，IsupposeyouandIaretostandupandjigittogetheragain。”

“Oh，no；Iammuchobligedtoyou，ourtwodancesareover；and，besides，Iamtired，anddonotmeantodanceanymore。”

“Donotyou?Thenletuswalkaboutandquizpeople。

Comealongwithme，andIwillshowyouthefourgreatestquizzersintheroom；mytwoyoungersistersandtheirpartners。

Ihavebeenlaughingatthemthishalfhour。”

AgainCatherineexcusedherself；andatlasthewalkedofftoquizhissistersbyhimself。Therestoftheeveningshefoundverydull；Mr。Tilneywasdrawnawayfromtheirpartyattea，toattendthatofhispartner；MissTilney，thoughbelongingtoit，didnotsitnearher，andJamesandIsabellaweresomuchengagedinconversingtogetherthatthelatterhadnoleisuretobestowmoreonherfriendthanonesmile，onesqueeze，andone“dearestCatherine。”

CHAPTER9

TheprogressofCatherine\'sunhappinessfromtheeventsoftheeveningwasasfollows。Itappearedfirstinageneraldissatisfactionwitheverybodyabouther，whilesheremainedintherooms，whichspeedilybroughtonconsiderablewearinessandaviolentdesiretogohome。

This，onarrivinginPulteneyStreet，tookthedirectionofextraordinaryhunger，andwhenthatwasappeased，changedintoanearnestlongingtobeinbed；suchwastheextremepointofherdistress；forwhentheresheimmediatelyfellintoasoundsleepwhichlastedninehours，andfromwhichsheawokeperfectlyrevived，inexcellentspirits，withfreshhopesandfreshschemes。

ThefirstwishofherheartwastoimproveheracquaintancewithMissTilney，andalmostherfirstresolution，toseekherforthatpurpose，inthepump-roomatnoon。

Inthepump-room，onesonewlyarrivedinBathmustbemetwith，andthatbuildingshehadalreadyfoundsofavourableforthediscoveryoffemaleexcellence，andthecompletionoffemaleintimacy，soadmirablyadaptedforsecretdiscoursesandunlimitedconfidence，thatshewasmostreasonablyencouragedtoexpectanotherfriendfromwithinitswalls。Herplanforthemorningthussettled，shesatquietlydowntoherbookafterbreakfast，resolvingtoremaininthesameplaceandthesameemploymenttilltheclockstruckone；andfromhabitudeverylittleincommodedbytheremarksandejaculationsofMrs。Allen，whosevacancyofmindandincapacityforthinkingweresuch，thatasshenevertalkedagreatdeal，soshecouldneverbeentirelysilent；and，therefore，whileshesatatherwork，ifshelostherneedleorbrokeherthread，ifsheheardacarriageinthestreet，orsawaspeckuponhergown，shemustobserveitaloud，whethertherewereanyoneatleisuretoanswerherornot。Atabouthalfpasttwelve，aremarkablyloudrapdrewherinhastetothewindow，andscarcelyhadshetimetoinformCatherineoftherebeingtwoopencarriagesatthedoor，inthefirstonlyaservant，herbrotherdrivingMissThorpeinthesecond，beforeJohnThorpecamerunningupstairs，callingout，“Well，MissMorland，hereIam。Haveyoubeenwaitinglong?Wecouldnotcomebefore；theolddevilofacoachmakerwassuchaneternityfindingoutathingfittobegotinto，andnowitistenthousandtoonebuttheybreakdownbeforeweareoutofthestreet。

Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Allen?Afamousbaglastnight，wasnotit?Come，MissMorland，bequick，fortheothersareinaconfoundedhurrytobeoff。Theywanttogettheirtumbleover。”

“Whatdoyoumean?“saidCatherine。“Whereareyouallgoingto?““Goingto?Why，youhavenotforgotourengagement！Didnotweagreetogethertotakeadrivethismorning?Whataheadyouhave！WearegoingupClavertonDown。”

“Somethingwassaidaboutit，Iremember，“

saidCatherine，lookingatMrs。Allenforheropinion；

“butreallyIdidnotexpectyou。”

“Notexpectme！That\'sagoodone！Andwhatadustyouwouldhavemade，ifIhadnotcome。”

Catherine\'ssilentappealtoherfriend，meanwhile，wasentirelythrownaway，forMrs。Allen，notbeingatallinthehabitofconveyinganyexpressionherselfbyalook，wasnotawareofitsbeingeverintendedbyanybodyelse；

andCatherine，whosedesireofseeingMissTilneyagaincouldatthatmomentbearashortdelayinfavourofadrive，andwhothoughttherecouldbenoimproprietyinhergoingwithMr。Thorpe，asIsabellawasgoingatthesametimewithJames，wasthereforeobligedtospeakplainer。

“Well，ma\'am，whatdoyousaytoit?Canyousparemeforanhourortwo?ShallIgo?“

“Dojustasyouplease，mydear，“repliedMrs。Allen，withthemostplacidindifference。Catherinetooktheadvice，andranofftogetready。Inaveryfewminutesshereappeared，havingscarcelyallowedthetwootherstimeenoughtogetthroughafewshortsentencesinherpraise，afterThorpehadprocuredMrs。Allen\'sadmirationofhisgig；

andthenreceivingherfriend\'spartinggoodwishes，theybothhurrieddownstairs。“Mydearestcreature，“

criedIsabella，towhomthedutyoffriendshipimmediatelycalledherbeforeshecouldgetintothecarriage，“youhavebeenatleastthreehoursgettingready。

Iwasafraidyouwereill。Whatadelightfulballwehadlastnight。Ihaveathousandthingstosaytoyou；

butmakehasteandgetin，forIlongtobeoff。”

Catherinefollowedherordersandturnedaway，butnottoosoontohearherfriendexclaimaloudtoJames，“Whatasweetgirlsheis！Iquitedoteonher。”

“Youwillnotbefrightened，MissMorland，“saidThorpe，ashehandedherin，“ifmyhorseshoulddanceaboutalittleatfirstsettingoff。Hewill，mostlikely，giveaplungeortwo，andperhapstaketherestforaminute；

buthewillsoonknowhismaster。Heisfullofspirits，playfulascanbe，butthereisnoviceinhim。”

Catherinedidnotthinktheportraitaveryinvitingone，butitwastoolatetoretreat，andshewastooyoungtoownherselffrightened；so，resigningherselftoherfate，andtrustingtotheanimal\'sboastedknowledgeofitsowner，shesatpeaceablydown，andsawThorpesitdownbyher。

Everythingbeingthenarranged，theservantwhostoodatthehorse\'sheadwasbidinanimportantvoice“tolethimgo，“

andofftheywentinthequietestmannerimaginable，withoutaplungeoracaper，oranythinglikeone。

Catherine，delightedatsohappyanescape，spokeherpleasurealoudwithgratefulsurprise；andhercompanionimmediatelymadethematterperfectlysimplebyassuringherthatitwasentirelyowingtothepeculiarlyjudiciousmannerinwhichhehadthenheldthereins，andthesingulardiscernmentanddexteritywithwhichhehaddirectedhiswhip。Catherine，thoughshecouldnothelpwonderingthatwithsuchperfectcommandofhishorse，heshouldthinkitnecessarytoalarmherwitharelationofitstricks，congratulatedherselfsincerelyonbeingunderthecareofsoexcellentacoachman；andperceivingthattheanimalcontinuedtogooninthesamequietmanner，withoutshowingthesmallestpropensitytowardsanyunpleasantvivacity，and(consideringitsinevitablepacewastenmilesanhour)

bynomeansalarminglyfast，gaveherselfuptoalltheenjoymentofairandexerciseofthemostinvigoratingkind，inafinemilddayofFebruary，withtheconsciousnessofsafety。Asilenceofseveralminutessucceededtheirfirstshortdialogue；itwasbrokenbyThorpe\'ssayingveryabruptly，“OldAllenisasrichasaJew——isnothe?“

Catherinedidnotunderstandhim——andherepeatedhisquestion，addinginexplanation，“OldAllen，themanyouarewith。”

“Oh！Mr。Allen，youmean。Yes，Ibelieve，heisveryrich。”

“Andnochildrenatall?“

“No——notany。”

“Afamousthingforhisnextheirs。Heisyourgodfather，isnothe?“

“Mygodfather！No。”

“Butyouarealwaysverymuchwiththem。”

“Yes，verymuch。”

“Aye，thatiswhatImeant。Heseemsagoodkindofoldfellowenough，andhaslivedverywellinhistime，Idaresay；heisnotgoutyfornothing。Doeshedrinkhisbottleadaynow?“

“Hisbottleaday！No。Whyshouldyouthinkofsuchathing?Heisaverytemperateman，andyoucouldnotfancyhiminliquorlastnight?“

“Lordhelpyou！Youwomenarealwaysthinkingofmen\'sbeinginliquor。Why，youdonotsupposeamanisoversetbyabottle?Iamsureofthis——thatifeverybodywastodrinktheirbottleaday，therewouldnotbehalfthedisordersintheworldtherearenow。

Itwouldbeafamousgoodthingforusall。”

“Icannotbelieveit。”

“Oh！Lord，itwouldbethesavingofthousands。

Thereisnotthehundredthpartofthewineconsumedinthiskingdomthatthereoughttobe。Ourfoggyclimatewantshelp。”

“AndyetIhaveheardthatthereisagreatdealofwinedrunkinOxford。”

“Oxford！ThereisnodrinkingatOxfordnow，Iassureyou。Nobodydrinksthere。Youwouldhardlymeetwithamanwhogoesbeyondhisfourpintsattheutmost。

Now，forinstance，itwasreckonedaremarkablething，atthelastpartyinmyrooms，thatuponanaverageweclearedaboutfivepintsahead。Itwaslookeduponassomethingoutofthecommonway。Mineisfamousgoodstuff，tobesure。YouwouldnotoftenmeetwithanythinglikeitinOxford——andthatmayaccountforit。

Butthiswilljustgiveyouanotionofthegeneralrateofdrinkingthere。”

“Yes，itdoesgiveanotion，“saidCatherinewarmly，“andthatis，thatyoualldrinkagreatdealmorewinethanIthoughtyoudid。However，IamsureJamesdoesnotdrinksomuch。”

Thisdeclarationbroughtonaloudandoverpoweringreply，ofwhichnopartwasverydistinct，exceptthefrequentexclamations，amountingalmosttooaths，whichadornedit，andCatherinewasleft，whenitended，withratherastrengthenedbeliefoftherebeingagreatdealofwinedrunkinOxford，andthesamehappyconvictionofherbrother\'scomparativesobriety。

Thorpe\'sideasthenallrevertedtothemeritsofhisownequipage，andshewascalledontoadmirethespiritandfreedomwithwhichhishorsemovedalong，andtheeasewhichhispaces，aswellastheexcellenceofthesprings，gavethemotionofthecarriage。

Shefollowedhiminallhisadmirationaswellasshecould。

Togobeforeorbeyondhimwasimpossible。Hisknowledgeandherignoranceofthesubject，hisrapidityofexpression，andherdiffidenceofherselfputthatoutofherpower；

shecouldstrikeoutnothingnewincommendation，butshereadilyechoedwhateverhechosetoassert，anditwasfinallysettledbetweenthemwithoutanydifficultythathisequipagewasaltogetherthemostcompleteofitskindinEngland，hiscarriagetheneatest，hishorsethebestgoer，andhimselfthebestcoachman。

“Youdonotreallythink，Mr。Thorpe，“saidCatherine，venturingaftersometimetoconsiderthematterasentirelydecided，andtooffersomelittlevariationonthesubject，“thatJames\'sgigwillbreakdown?“

“Breakdown！Oh！Lord！Didyoueverseesuchalittletittuppythinginyourlife?Thereisnotasoundpieceofironaboutit。Thewheelshavebeenfairlywornoutthesetenyearsatleast——andasforthebody！Uponmysoul，youmightshakeittopiecesyourselfwithatouch。

ItisthemostdevilishlittlericketybusinessIeverbeheld！ThankGod！wehavegotabetter。Iwouldnotbeboundtogotwomilesinitforfiftythousandpounds。”

“Goodheavens！“criedCatherine，quitefrightened。

“Thenprayletusturnback；theywillcertainlymeetwithanaccidentifwegoon。Doletusturnback，Mr。Thorpe；

stopandspeaktomybrother，andtellhimhowveryunsafeitis。”

“Unsafe！Oh，lord！Whatisthereinthat?Theywillonlygetarollifitdoesbreakdown；andthereisplentyofdirt；itwillbeexcellentfalling。Oh，curseit！Thecarriageissafeenough，ifamanknowshowtodriveit；

athingofthatsortingoodhandswilllastabovetwentyyearsafteritisfairlywornout。Lordblessyou！I

wouldundertakeforfivepoundstodriveittoYorkandbackagain，withoutlosinganail。”

Catherinelistenedwithastonishment；sheknewnothowtoreconciletwosuchverydifferentaccountsofthesamething；forshehadnotbeenbroughtuptounderstandthepropensitiesofarattle，nortoknowtohowmanyidleassertionsandimpudentfalsehoodstheexcessofvanitywilllead。Herownfamilywereplain，matter-of-factpeoplewhoseldomaimedatwitofanykind；

herfather，attheutmost，beingcontentedwithapun，andhermotherwithaproverb；theywerenotinthehabitthereforeoftellingliestoincreasetheirimportance，orofassertingatonemomentwhattheywouldcontradictthenext。Shereflectedontheaffairforsometimeinmuchperplexity，andwasmorethanonceonthepointofrequestingfromMr。Thorpeaclearerinsightintohisrealopiniononthesubject；butshecheckedherself，becauseitappearedtoherthathedidnotexcelingivingthoseclearerinsights，inmakingthosethingsplainwhichhehadbeforemadeambiguous；and，joiningtothis，theconsiderationthathewouldnotreallysufferhissisterandhisfriendtobeexposedtoadangerfromwhichhemighteasilypreservethem，sheconcludedatlastthathemustknowthecarriagetobeinfactperfectlysafe，andthereforewouldalarmherselfnolonger。

Byhimthewholematterseemedentirelyforgotten；

andalltherestofhisconversation，orrathertalk，beganandendedwithhimselfandhisownconcerns。

Hetoldherofhorseswhichhehadboughtforatrifleandsoldforincrediblesums；ofracingmatches，inwhichhisjudgmenthadinfalliblyforetoldthewinner；

ofshootingparties，inwhichhehadkilledmorebirds(thoughwithouthavingonegoodshot)thanallhiscompanionstogether；anddescribedtohersomefamousday\'ssport，withthefox-hounds，inwhichhisforesightandskillindirectingthedogshadrepairedthemistakesofthemostexperiencedhuntsman，andinwhichtheboldnessofhisriding，thoughithadneverendangeredhisownlifeforamoment，hadbeenconstantlyleadingothersintodifficulties，whichhecalmlyconcludedhadbrokenthenecksofmany。

LittleasCatherinewasinthehabitofjudgingforherself，andunfixedaswerehergeneralnotionsofwhatmenoughttobe，shecouldnotentirelyrepressadoubt，whilesheborewiththeeffusionsofhisendlessconceit，ofhisbeingaltogethercompletelyagreeable。Itwasaboldsurmise，forhewasIsabella\'sbrother；andshehadbeenassuredbyJamesthathismannerswouldrecommendhimtoallhersex；butinspiteofthis，theextremewearinessofhiscompany，whichcreptoverherbeforetheyhadbeenoutanhour，andwhichcontinuedunceasinglytoincreasetilltheystoppedinPulteneyStreetagain，inducedher，insomesmalldegree，toresistsuchhighauthority，andtodistrusthispowersofgivinguniversalpleasure。

WhentheyarrivedatMrs。Allen\'sdoor，theastonishmentofIsabellawashardlytobeexpressed，onfindingthatitwastoolateinthedayforthemtoattendherfriendintothehouse:“Pastthreeo\'clock！“Itwasinconceivable，incredible，impossible！Andshewouldneitherbelieveherownwatch，norherbrother\'s，northeservant\'s；shewouldbelievenoassuranceofitfoundedonreasonorreality，tillMorlandproducedhiswatch，andascertainedthefact；

tohavedoubtedamomentlongerthenwouldhavebeenequallyinconceivable，incredible，andimpossible；

andshecouldonlyprotest，overandoveragain，thatnotwohoursandahalfhadevergoneoffsoswiftlybefore，asCatherinewascalledontoconfirm；CatherinecouldnottellafalsehoodeventopleaseIsabella；butthelatterwassparedthemiseryofherfriend\'sdissentingvoice，bynotwaitingforheranswer。Herownfeelingsentirelyengrossedher；herwretchednesswasmostacuteonfindingherselfobligedtogodirectlyhome。Itwasagessinceshehadhadamoment\'sconversationwithherdearestCatherine；

and，thoughshehadsuchthousandsofthingstosaytoher，itappearedasiftheywerenevertobetogetheragain；

so，withsnifflesofmostexquisitemisery，andthelaughingeyeofutterdespondency，shebadeherfriendadieuandwenton。

CatherinefoundMrs。Allenjustreturnedfromallthebusyidlenessofthemorning，andwasimmediatelygreetedwith，“Well，mydear，hereyouare，“atruthwhichshehadnogreaterinclinationthanpowertodispute；

“andIhopeyouhavehadapleasantairing?“

“Yes，ma\'am，Ithankyou；wecouldnothavehadanicerday。”

“SoMrs。Thorpesaid；shewasvastlypleasedatyourallgoing。”

“YouhaveseenMrs。Thorpe，then?“

“Yes，Iwenttothepump-roomassoonasyouweregone，andthereImether，andwehadagreatdealoftalktogether。

Shesaystherewashardlyanyvealtobegotatmarketthismorning，itissouncommonlyscarce。”

“Didyouseeanybodyelseofouracquaintance?“

“Yes；weagreedtotakeaturnintheCrescent，andtherewemetMrs。Hughes，andMr。andMissTilneywalkingwithher。”

“Didyouindeed?Anddidtheyspeaktoyou?“

“Yes，wewalkedalongtheCrescenttogetherforhalfanhour。Theyseemveryagreeablepeople。MissTilneywasinaveryprettyspottedmuslin，andIfancy，bywhatI

canlearn，thatshealwaysdressesveryhandsomely。

Mrs。Hughestalkedtomeagreatdealaboutthefamily。”

“Andwhatdidshetellyouofthem?“

“Oh！Avastdealindeed；shehardlytalkedofanythingelse。”

“DidshetellyouwhatpartofGloucestershiretheycomefrom?“

“Yes，shedid；butIcannotrecollectnow。Buttheyareverygoodkindofpeople，andveryrich。Mrs。TilneywasaMissDrummond，andsheandMrs。Hugheswereschoolfellows；

andMissDrummondhadaverylargefortune；and，whenshemarried，herfathergavehertwentythousandpounds，andfivehundredtobuywedding-clothes。Mrs。Hughessawalltheclothesaftertheycamefromthewarehouse。”

“AndareMr。andMrs。TilneyinBath?“

“Yes，Ifancytheyare，butIamnotquitecertain。

Uponrecollection，however，Ihaveanotiontheyarebothdead；

atleastthemotheris；yes，IamsureMrs。Tilneyisdead，becauseMrs。HughestoldmetherewasaverybeautifulsetofpearlsthatMr。Drummondgavehisdaughteronherwedding-dayandthatMissTilneyhasgotnow，fortheywereputbyforherwhenhermotherdied。”

“AndisMr。Tilney，mypartner，theonlyson?“

“Icannotbequitepositiveaboutthat，mydear；

Ihavesomeideaheis；but，however，heisaveryfineyoungman，Mrs。Hughessays，andlikelytodoverywell。”

Catherineinquirednofurther；shehadheardenoughtofeelthatMrs。Allenhadnorealintelligencetogive，andthatshewasmostparticularlyunfortunateherselfinhavingmissedsuchameetingwithbothbrotherandsister。Couldshehaveforeseensuchacircumstance，nothingshouldhavepersuadedhertogooutwiththeothers；

and，asitwas，shecouldonlylamentherillluck，andthinkoverwhatshehadlost，tillitwascleartoherthatthedrivehadbynomeansbeenverypleasantandthatJohnThorpehimselfwasquitedisagreeable。

CHAPTER10

TheAllens，Thorpes，andMorlandsallmetintheeveningatthetheatre；and，asCatherineandIsabellasattogether，therewasthenanopportunityforthelattertouttersomefewofthemanythousandthingswhichhadbeencollectingwithinherforcommunicationintheimmeasurablelengthoftimewhichhaddividedthem。

“Oh，heavens！MybelovedCatherine，haveIgotyouatlast?“

washeraddressonCatherine\'senteringtheboxandsittingbyher。“Now，Mr。Morland，“forhewasclosetoherontheotherside，“Ishallnotspeakanotherwordtoyoualltherestoftheevening；soIchargeyounottoexpectit。

MysweetestCatherine，howhaveyoubeenthislongage?ButIneednotaskyou，foryoulookdelightfully。Youreallyhavedoneyourhairinamoreheavenlystylethanever；

youmischievouscreature，doyouwanttoattracteverybody?

Iassureyou，mybrotherisquiteinlovewithyoualready；

andasforMr。Tilney——butthatisasettledthing——evenyourmodestycannotdoubthisattachmentnow；hiscomingbacktoBathmakesittooplain。Oh！WhatwouldnotI

givetoseehim！Ireallyamquitewildwithimpatience。

Mymothersaysheisthemostdelightfulyoungmanintheworld；shesawhimthismorning，youknow；youmustintroducehimtome。Isheinthehousenow?Lookabout，forheaven\'ssake！Iassureyou，IcanhardlyexisttillI

seehim。”

“No，“saidCatherine，“heisnothere；Icannotseehimanywhere。”

“Oh，horrid！AmInevertobeacquaintedwithhim?

Howdoyoulikemygown?Ithinkitdoesnotlookamiss；

thesleeveswereentirelymyownthought。Doyouknow，IgetsoimmoderatelysickofBath；yourbrotherandI

wereagreeingthismorningthat，thoughitisvastlywelltobehereforafewweeks，wewouldnotlivehereformillions。Wesoonfoundoutthatourtasteswereexactlyalikeinpreferringthecountrytoeveryotherplace；really，ouropinionsweresoexactlythesame，itwasquiteridiculous！Therewasnotasinglepointinwhichwediffered；Iwouldnothavehadyoubyfortheworld；

youaresuchaslything，Iamsureyouwouldhavemadesomedrollremarkorotheraboutit。”

“No，indeedIshouldnot。”

“Oh，yesyouwouldindeed；Iknowyoubetterthanyouknowyourself。Youwouldhavetoldusthatweseemedbornforeachother，orsomenonsenseofthatkind，whichwouldhavedistressedmebeyondconception；

mycheekswouldhavebeenasredasyourroses；Iwouldnothavehadyoubyfortheworld。”

“Indeedyoudomeinjustice；Iwouldnothavemadesoimproperaremarkuponanyaccount；andbesides，Iamsureitwouldneverhaveenteredmyhead。”

IsabellasmiledincredulouslyandtalkedtherestoftheeveningtoJames。

Catherine\'sresolutionofendeavouringtomeetMissTilneyagaincontinuedinfullforcethenextmorning；

andtilltheusualmomentofgoingtothepump-room，shefeltsomealarmfromthedreadofasecondprevention。

Butnothingofthatkindoccurred，novisitorsappearedtodelaythem，andtheyallthreesetoffingoodtimeforthepump-room，wheretheordinarycourseofeventsandconversationtookplace；Mr。Allen，afterdrinkinghisglassofwater，joinedsomegentlementotalkoverthepoliticsofthedayandcomparetheaccountsoftheirnewspapers；andtheladieswalkedabouttogether，noticingeverynewface，andalmosteverynewbonnetintheroom。ThefemalepartoftheThorpefamily，attendedbyJamesMorland，appearedamongthecrowdinlessthanaquarterofanhour，andCatherineimmediatelytookherusualplacebythesideofherfriend。James，whowasnowinconstantattendance，maintainedasimilarposition，andseparatingthemselvesfromtherestoftheirparty，theywalkedinthatmannerforsometime，tillCatherinebegantodoubtthehappinessofasituationwhich，confiningherentirelytoherfriendandbrother，gaveherverylittleshareinthenoticeofeither。

Theywerealwaysengagedinsomesentimentaldiscussionorlivelydispute，buttheirsentimentwasconveyedinsuchwhisperingvoices，andtheirvivacityattendedwithsomuchlaughter，thatthoughCatherine\'ssupportingopinionwasnotunfrequentlycalledforbyoneortheother，shewasneverabletogiveany，fromnothavingheardawordofthesubject。Atlengthhowevershewasempoweredtodisengageherselffromherfriend，bytheavowednecessityofspeakingtoMissTilney，whomshemostjoyfullysawjustenteringtheroomwithMrs。Hughes，andwhomsheinstantlyjoined，withafirmerdeterminationtobeacquainted，thanshemighthavehadcouragetocommand，hadshenotbeenurgedbythedisappointmentofthedaybefore。

MissTilneymetherwithgreatcivility，returnedheradvanceswithequalgoodwill，andtheycontinuedtalkingtogetheraslongasbothpartiesremainedintheroom；

andthoughinallprobabilitynotanobservationwasmade，noranexpressionusedbyeitherwhichhadnotbeenmadeandusedsomethousandsoftimesbefore，underthatroof，ineveryBathseason，yetthemeritoftheirbeingspokenwithsimplicityandtruth，andwithoutpersonalconceit，mightbesomethinguncommon。

“Howwellyourbrotherdances！“wasanartlessexclamationofCatherine\'stowardsthecloseoftheirconversation，whichatoncesurprisedandamusedhercompanion。

“Henry！“sherepliedwithasmile。“Yes，hedoesdanceverywell。”

“HemusthavethoughtitveryoddtohearmesayI

wasengagedtheotherevening，whenhesawmesittingdown。

ButIreallyhadbeenengagedthewholedaytoMr。Thorpe。”

MissTilneycouldonlybow。“Youcannotthink，“

addedCatherineafteramoment\'ssilence，“howsurprisedI

wastoseehimagain。Ifeltsosureofhisbeingquitegoneaway。”

“WhenHenryhadthepleasureofseeingyoubefore，hewasinBathbutforacoupleofdays。Hecameonlytoengagelodgingsforus。”

“Thatneveroccurredtome；andofcourse，notseeinghimanywhere，Ithoughthemustbegone。

WasnottheyoungladyhedancedwithonMondayaMissSmith?“

“Yes，anacquaintanceofMrs。Hughes。”

“Idaresayshewasverygladtodance。Doyouthinkherpretty?““Notvery。”

“Henevercomestothepump-room，Isuppose?“

“Yes，sometimes；buthehasridoutthismorningwithmyfather。”

Mrs。Hughesnowjoinedthem，andaskedMissTilneyifshewasreadytogo。“IhopeIshallhavethepleasureofseeingyouagainsoon，“saidCatherine。

“Shallyoubeatthecotillionballtomorrow?“

“Perhapswe——Yes，Ithinkwecertainlyshall。”

“Iamgladofit，forweshallallbethere。”

Thiscivilitywasdulyreturned；andtheyparted——onMissTilney\'ssidewithsomeknowledgeofhernewacquaintance\'sfeelings，andonCatherine\'s，withoutthesmallestconsciousnessofhavingexplainedthem。

Shewenthomeveryhappy。Themorninghadansweredallherhopes，andtheeveningofthefollowingdaywasnowtheobjectofexpectation，thefuturegood。

Whatgownandwhathead-dresssheshouldwearontheoccasionbecameherchiefconcern。Shecannotbejustifiedinit。Dressisatalltimesafrivolousdistinction，andexcessivesolicitudeaboutitoftendestroysitsownaim。

Catherineknewallthisverywell；hergreataunthadreadheralectureonthesubjectonlytheChristmasbefore；

andyetshelayawaketenminutesonWednesdaynightdebatingbetweenherspottedandhertambouredmuslin，andnothingbuttheshortnessofthetimepreventedherbuyinganewonefortheevening。Thiswouldhavebeenanerrorinjudgment，greatthoughnotuncommon，fromwhichoneoftheothersexratherthanherown，abrotherratherthanagreataunt，mighthavewarnedher，formanonlycanbeawareoftheinsensibilityofmantowardsanewgown。

Itwouldbemortifyingtothefeelingsofmanyladies，couldtheybemadetounderstandhowlittletheheartofmanisaffectedbywhatiscostlyornewintheirattire；

howlittleitisbiasedbythetextureoftheirmuslin，andhowunsusceptibleofpeculiartendernesstowardsthespotted，thesprigged，themull，orthejackonet。

Womanisfineforherownsatisfactionalone。Nomanwilladmireherthemore，nowomanwilllikeherthebetterforit。Neatnessandfashionareenoughfortheformer，andasomethingofshabbinessorimproprietywillbemostendearingtothelatter。ButnotoneofthesegravereflectionstroubledthetranquillityofCatherine。

SheenteredtheroomsonThursdayeveningwithfeelingsverydifferentfromwhathadattendedherthithertheMondaybefore。ShehadthenbeenexultinginherengagementtoThorpe，andwasnowchieflyanxioustoavoidhissight，lestheshouldengageheragain；forthoughshecouldnot，darednotexpectthatMr。Tilneyshouldaskherathirdtimetodance，herwishes，hopes，andplansallcentredinnothingless。Everyyoungladymayfeelformyheroineinthiscriticalmoment，foreveryyoungladyhasatsometimeorotherknownthesameagitation。

Allhavebeen，oratleastallhavebelievedthemselvestobe，indangerfromthepursuitofsomeonewhomtheywishedtoavoid；andallhavebeenanxiousfortheattentionsofsomeonewhomtheywishedtoplease。AssoonastheywerejoinedbytheThorpes，Catherine\'sagonybegan；

shefidgetedaboutifJohnThorpecametowardsher，hidherselfasmuchaspossiblefromhisview，andwhenhespoketoherpretendednottohearhim。

Thecotillionswereover，thecountry-dancingbeginning，andshesawnothingoftheTilneys。

“Donotbefrightened，mydearCatherine，“

whisperedIsabella，“butIamreallygoingtodancewithyourbrotheragain。Ideclarepositivelyitisquiteshocking。

Itellhimheoughttobeashamedofhimself，butyouandJohnmustkeepusincountenance。Makehaste，mydearcreature，andcometous。Johnisjustwalkedoff，buthewillbebackinamoment。”

Catherinehadneithertimenorinclinationtoanswer。

Theotherswalkedaway，JohnThorpewasstillinview，andshegaveherselfupforlost。Thatshemightnotappear，however，toobserveorexpecthim，shekepthereyesintentlyfixedonherfan；andaself-condemnationforherfolly，insupposingthatamongsuchacrowdtheyshouldevenmeetwiththeTilneysinanyreasonabletime，hadjustpassedthroughhermind，whenshesuddenlyfoundherselfaddressedandagainsolicitedtodance，byMr。Tilneyhimself。Withwhatsparklingeyesandreadymotionshegrantedhisrequest，andwithhowpleasingaflutterofheartshewentwithhimtotheset，maybeeasilyimagined。Toescape，and，asshebelieved，sonarrowlyescapeJohnThorpe，andtobeasked，soimmediatelyonhisjoiningher，askedbyMr。Tilney，asifhehadsoughtheronpurpose！——itdidnotappeartoherthatlifecouldsupplyanygreaterfelicity。

Scarcelyhadtheyworkedthemselvesintothequietpossessionofaplace，however，whenherattentionwasclaimedbyJohnThorpe，whostoodbehindher。

“Heyday，MissMorland！“saidhe。“Whatisthemeaningofthis?IthoughtyouandIweretodancetogether。”

“Iwonderyoushouldthinkso，foryouneveraskedme。”

“Thatisagoodone，byJove！IaskedyouassoonasIcameintotheroom，andIwasjustgoingtoaskyouagain，butwhenIturnedround，youweregone！Thisisacursedshabbytrick！Ionlycameforthesakeofdancingwithyou，andIfirmlybelieveyouwereengagedtomeeversinceMonday。Yes；Iremember，Iaskedyouwhileyouwerewaitinginthelobbyforyourcloak。