第3章

AndherehaveIbeentellingallmyacquaintancethatI

wasgoingtodancewiththeprettiestgirlintheroom；

andwhentheyseeyoustandingupwithsomebodyelse，theywillquizmefamously。”

“Oh，no；theywillneverthinkofme，aftersuchadescriptionasthat。”

“Byheavens，iftheydonot，Iwillkickthemoutoftheroomforblockheads。Whatchaphaveyouthere?“

Catherinesatisfiedhiscuriosity。“Tilney，“herepeated。

“Hum——Idonotknowhim。Agoodfigureofaman；wellputtogether。Doeshewantahorse?Hereisafriendofmine，SamFletcher，hasgotonetosellthatwouldsuitanybody。

Afamouscleveranimalfortheroad——onlyfortyguineas。

Ihadfiftymindstobuyitmyself，foritisoneofmymaximsalwaystobuyagoodhorsewhenImeetwithone；

butitwouldnotanswermypurpose，itwouldnotdoforthefield。Iwouldgiveanymoneyforarealgoodhunter。

Ihavethreenow，thebestthateverwerebacked。

Iwouldnottakeeighthundredguineasforthem。

FletcherandImeantogetahouseinLeicestershire，againstthenextseason。Itissod——uncomfortable，livingataninn。”

ThiswasthelastsentencebywhichhecouldwearyCatherine\'sattention，forhewasjustthenborneoffbytheresistlesspressureofalongstringofpassingladies。

Herpartnernowdrewnear，andsaid，“Thatgentlemanwouldhaveputmeoutofpatience，hadhestayedwithyouhalfaminutelonger。Hehasnobusinesstowithdrawtheattentionofmypartnerfromme。Wehaveenteredintoacontractofmutualagreeablenessforthespaceofanevening，andallouragreeablenessbelongssolelytoeachotherforthattime。Nobodycanfastenthemselvesonthenoticeofone，withoutinjuringtherightsoftheother。

Iconsideracountry-danceasanemblemofmarriage。

Fidelityandcomplaisancearetheprincipaldutiesofboth；

andthosemenwhodonotchoosetodanceormarrythemselves，havenobusinesswiththepartnersorwivesoftheirneighbours。”

“Buttheyaresuchverydifferentthings！“

“——Thatyouthinktheycannotbecomparedtogether。”

“Tobesurenot。Peoplethatmarrycanneverpart，butmustgoandkeephousetogether。Peoplethatdanceonlystandoppositeeachotherinalongroomforhalfanhour。”

“Andsuchisyourdefinitionofmatrimonyanddancing。

Takeninthatlightcertainly，theirresemblanceisnotstriking；butIthinkIcouldplacetheminsuchaview。

Youwillallow，thatinboth，manhastheadvantageofchoice，womanonlythepowerofrefusal；thatinboth，itisanengagementbetweenmanandwoman，formedfortheadvantageofeach；andthatwhenonceenteredinto，theybelongexclusivelytoeachothertillthemomentofitsdissolution；thatitistheirduty，eachtoendeavourtogivetheothernocauseforwishingthatheorshehadbestowedthemselveselsewhere，andtheirbestinteresttokeeptheirownimaginationsfromwanderingtowardstheperfectionsoftheirneighbours，orfancyingthattheyshouldhavebeenbetteroffwithanyoneelse。

Youwillallowallthis?“

“Yes，tobesure，asyoustateit，allthissoundsverywell；butstilltheyaresoverydifferent。

Icannotlookuponthematallinthesamelight，northinkthesamedutiesbelongtothem。”

“Inonerespect，therecertainlyisadifference。

Inmarriage，themanissupposedtoprovideforthesupportofthewoman，thewomantomakethehomeagreeabletotheman；

heistopurvey，andsheistosmile。Butindancing，theirdutiesareexactlychanged；theagreeableness，thecomplianceareexpectedfromhim，whileshefurnishesthefanandthelavenderwater。That，Isuppose，wasthedifferenceofdutieswhichstruckyou，asrenderingtheconditionsincapableofcomparison。”

“No，indeed，Ineverthoughtofthat。”

“ThenIamquiteataloss。Onething，however，Imustobserve。Thisdispositiononyoursideisratheralarming。

Youtotallydisallowanysimilarityintheobligations；

andmayInotthenceinferthatyournotionsofthedutiesofthedancingstatearenotsostrictasyourpartnermightwish?HaveInotreasontofearthatifthegentlemanwhospoketoyoujustnowweretoreturn，orifanyothergentlemanweretoaddressyou，therewouldbenothingtorestrainyoufromconversingwithhimaslongasyouchose?“

“Mr。Thorpeissuchaveryparticularfriendofmybrother\'s，thatifhetalkstome，Imusttalktohimagain；

buttherearehardlythreeyoungmenintheroombesideshimthatIhaveanyacquaintancewith。”

“Andisthattobemyonlysecurity?Alas，alas！“

“Nay，Iamsureyoucannothaveabetter；forifI

donotknowanybody，itisimpossibleformetotalktothem；and，besides，Idonotwanttotalktoanybody。”

“Nowyouhavegivenmeasecurityworthhaving；andI

shallproceedwithcourage。DoyoufindBathasagreeableaswhenIhadthehonourofmakingtheinquirybefore?“

“Yes，quite——moreso，indeed。”

“Moreso！Takecare，oryouwillforgettobetiredofitatthepropertime。Yououghttobetiredattheendofsixweeks。”

“IdonotthinkIshouldbetired，ifIweretostayheresixmonths。”

“Bath，comparedwithLondon，haslittlevariety，andsoeverybodyfindsouteveryyear。\'Forsixweeks，IallowBathispleasantenough；butbeyondthat，itisthemosttiresomeplaceintheworld。\'Youwouldbetoldsobypeopleofalldescriptions，whocomeregularlyeverywinter，lengthentheirsixweeksintotenortwelve，andgoawayatlastbecausetheycanaffordtostaynolonger。”

“Well，otherpeoplemustjudgeforthemselves，andthosewhogotoLondonmaythinknothingofBath。

ButI，wholiveinasmallretiredvillageinthecountry，canneverfindgreatersamenessinsuchaplaceasthisthaninmyownhome；forhereareavarietyofamusements，avarietyofthingstobeseenanddonealldaylong，whichI

canknownothingofthere。”

“Youarenotfondofthecountry。”

“Yes，Iam。Ihavealwayslivedthere，andalwaysbeenveryhappy。ButcertainlythereismuchmoresamenessinacountrylifethaninaBathlife。

Onedayinthecountryisexactlylikeanother。”

“Butthenyouspendyourtimesomuchmorerationallyinthecountry。”

“DoI?“

“Doyounot?“

“Idonotbelievethereismuchdifference。”

“Hereyouareinpursuitonlyofamusementalldaylong。”

“AndsoIamathome——onlyIdonotfindsomuchofit。

Iwalkabouthere，andsoIdothere；buthereIseeavarietyofpeopleineverystreet，andthereIcanonlygoandcallonMrs。Allen。”

Mr。Tilneywasverymuchamused。

“OnlygoandcallonMrs。Allen！“herepeated。

“Whatapictureofintellectualpoverty！However，whenyousinkintothisabyssagain，youwillhavemoretosay。

YouwillbeabletotalkofBath，andofallthatyoudidhere。”

“Oh！Yes。IshallneverbeinwantofsomethingtotalkofagaintoMrs。Allen，oranybodyelse。

IreallybelieveIshallalwaysbetalkingofBath，whenIamathomeagain——Idolikeitsoverymuch。

IfIcouldbuthavePapaandMamma，andtherestofthemhere，IsupposeIshouldbetoohappy！James\'scoming(myeldestbrother)isquitedelightful——andespeciallyasitturnsoutthattheveryfamilywearejustgotsointimatewitharehisintimatefriendsalready。

Oh！WhocaneverbetiredofBath?“

“Notthosewhobringsuchfreshfeelingsofeverysorttoitasyoudo。Butpapasandmammas，andbrothers，andintimatefriendsareagooddealgoneby，tomostofthefrequentersofBath——andthehonestrelishofballsandplays，andeverydaysights，ispastwiththem。”

Heretheirconversationclosed，thedemandsofthedancebecomingnowtooimportunateforadividedattention。

Soonaftertheirreachingthebottomoftheset，Catherineperceivedherselftobeearnestlyregardedbyagentlemanwhostoodamongthelookers-on，immediatelybehindherpartner。Hewasaveryhandsomeman，ofacommandingaspect，pastthebloom，butnotpastthevigouroflife；

andwithhiseyestilldirectedtowardsher，shesawhimpresentlyaddressMr。Tilneyinafamiliarwhisper。

Confusedbyhisnotice，andblushingfromthefearofitsbeingexcitedbysomethingwronginherappearance，sheturnedawayherhead。Butwhileshedidso，thegentlemanretreated，andherpartner，comingnearer，said，“IseethatyouguesswhatIhavejustbeenasked。

Thatgentlemanknowsyourname，andyouhavearighttoknowhis。ItisGeneralTilney，myfather。”

Catherine\'sanswerwasonly“Oh！“——butitwasan“Oh！“

expressingeverythingneedful:attentiontohiswords，andperfectrelianceontheirtruth。Withrealinterestandstrongadmirationdidhereyenowfollowthegeneral，ashemovedthroughthecrowd，and“Howhandsomeafamilytheyare！“washersecretremark。

InchattingwithMissTilneybeforetheeveningconcluded，anewsourceoffelicityarosetoher。ShehadnevertakenacountrywalksinceherarrivalinBath。MissTilney，towhomallthecommonlyfrequentedenvironswerefamiliar，spokeofthemintermswhichmadeheralleagernesstoknowthemtoo；andonheropenlyfearingthatshemightfindnobodytogowithher，itwasproposedbythebrotherandsisterthattheyshouldjoininawalk，somemorningorother。“Ishalllikeit，“shecried，“beyondanythingintheworld；anddonotletusputitoff——letusgotomorrow。”Thiswasreadilyagreedto，withonlyaprovisoofMissTilney\'s，thatitdidnotrain，whichCatherinewassureitwouldnot。Attwelveo\'clock，theyweretocallforherinPulteneyStreet；

and“Remember——twelveo\'clock，“washerpartingspeechtohernewfriend。Ofherother，herolder，hermoreestablishedfriend，Isabella，ofwhosefidelityandworthshehadenjoyedafortnight\'sexperience，shescarcelysawanythingduringtheevening。Yet，thoughlongingtomakeheracquaintedwithherhappiness，shecheerfullysubmittedtothewishofMr。Allen，whichtookthemratherearlyaway，andherspiritsdancedwithinher，asshedancedinherchairallthewayhome。

CHAPTER11

Themorrowbroughtaverysober-lookingmorning，thesunmakingonlyafeweffortstoappear，andCatherineauguredfromiteverythingmostfavourabletoherwishes。

Abrightmorningsoearlyintheyear，sheallowed，wouldgenerallyturntorain，butacloudyoneforetoldimprovementasthedayadvanced。SheappliedtoMr。Allenforconfirmationofherhopes，butMr。Allen，nothavinghisownskiesandbarometerabouthim，declinedgivinganyabsolutepromiseofsunshine。

SheappliedtoMrs。Allen，andMrs。Allen\'sopinionwasmorepositive。“Shehadnodoubtintheworldofitsbeingaveryfineday，ifthecloudswouldonlygooff，andthesunkeepout。”

Atabouteleveno\'clock，however，afewspecksofsmallrainuponthewindowscaughtCatherine\'swatchfuleye，and“Oh！dear，Idobelieveitwillbewet，“brokefromherinamostdespondingtone。

“Ithoughthowitwouldbe，“saidMrs。Allen。

“Nowalkformetoday，“sighedCatherine；“butperhapsitmaycometonothing，oritmayholdupbeforetwelve。”

“Perhapsitmay，butthen，mydear，itwillbesodirty。”

“Oh！Thatwillnotsignify；Ineverminddirt。”

“No，“repliedherfriendveryplacidly，“Iknowyouneverminddirt。”

Afterashortpause，“Itcomesonfasterandfaster！“

saidCatherine，asshestoodwatchingatawindow。

“Soitdoesindeed。Ifitkeepsraining，thestreetswillbeverywet。”

“Therearefourumbrellasupalready。HowIhatethesightofanumbrella！“

“Theyaredisagreeablethingstocarry。Iwouldmuchrathertakeachairatanytime。”

“Itwassuchanice-lookingmorning！Ifeltsoconvinceditwouldbedry！“

“Anybodywouldhavethoughtsoindeed。Therewillbeveryfewpeopleinthepump-room，ifitrainsallthemorning。IhopeMr。Allenwillputonhisgreatcoatwhenhegoes，butIdaresayhewillnot，forhehadratherdoanythingintheworldthanwalkoutinagreatcoat；

Iwonderheshoulddislikeit，itmustbesocomfortable。”

Theraincontinued——fast，thoughnotheavy。

Catherinewenteveryfiveminutestotheclock，threateningoneachreturnthat，ifitstillkeptonraininganotherfiveminutes，shewouldgiveupthematterashopeless。Theclockstrucktwelve，anditstillrained。

“Youwillnotbeabletogo，mydear。”

“Idonotquitedespairyet。Ishallnotgiveituptillaquarteraftertwelve。Thisisjustthetimeofdayforittoclearup，andIdothinkitlooksalittlelighter。There，itistwentyminutesaftertwelve，andnowIshallgiveitupentirely。

Oh！ThatwehadsuchweatherhereastheyhadatUdolpho，oratleastinTuscanyandthesouthofFrance！——thenightthatpoorSt。Aubindied！——suchbeautifulweather！“

Athalfpasttwelve，whenCatherine\'sanxiousattentiontotheweatherwasoverandshecouldnolongerclaimanymeritfromitsamendment，theskybeganvoluntarilytoclear。Agleamofsunshinetookherquitebysurprise；

shelookedround；thecloudswereparting，andsheinstantlyreturnedtothewindowtowatchoverandencouragethehappyappearance。Tenminutesmoremadeitcertainthatabrightafternoonwouldsucceed，andjustifiedtheopinionofMrs。Allen，whohad“alwaysthoughtitwouldclearup。”

ButwhetherCatherinemightstillexpectherfriends，whethertherehadnotbeentoomuchrainforMissTilneytoventure，mustyetbeaquestion。

ItwastoodirtyforMrs。Allentoaccompanyherhusbandtothepump-room；heaccordinglysetoffbyhimself，andCatherinehadbarelywatchedhimdownthestreetwhenhernoticewasclaimedbytheapproachofthesametwoopencarriages，containingthesamethreepeoplethathadsurprisedhersomuchafewmorningsback。

“Isabella，mybrother，andMr。Thorpe，Ideclare！

Theyarecomingformeperhaps——butIshallnotgo——I

cannotgoindeed，foryouknowMissTilneymaystillcall。”

Mrs。Allenagreedtoit。JohnThorpewassoonwiththem，andhisvoicewaswiththemyetsooner，foronthestairshewascallingouttoMissMorlandtobequick。

“Makehaste！Makehaste！“ashethrewopenthedoor。

“Putonyourhatthismoment——thereisnotimetobelost——wearegoingtoBristol。Howd\'yedo，Mrs。Allen?“

“ToBristol！Isnotthatagreatwayoff?But，however，Icannotgowithyoutoday，becauseIamengaged；

Iexpectsomefriendseverymoment。”Thiswasofcoursevehementlytalkeddownasnoreasonatall；Mrs。Allenwascalledontosecondhim，andthetwootherswalkedin，togivetheirassistance。“MysweetestCatherine，isnotthisdelightful?Weshallhaveamostheavenlydrive。

Youaretothankyourbrotherandmeforthescheme；

itdartedintoourheadsatbreakfast-time，Iverilybelieveatthesameinstant；andweshouldhavebeenofftwohoursagoifithadnotbeenforthisdetestablerain。

Butitdoesnotsignify，thenightsaremoonlight，andweshalldodelightfully。Oh！Iaminsuchecstasiesatthethoughtsofalittlecountryairandquiet！SomuchbetterthangoingtotheLowerRooms。WeshalldrivedirectlytoCliftonanddinethere；and，assoonasdinnerisover，ifthereistimeforit，goontoKingsweston。”

“Idoubtourbeingabletodosomuch，“saidMorland。

“Youcroakingfellow！“criedThorpe。“Weshallbeabletodotentimesmore。Kingsweston！Aye，andBlaizeCastletoo，andanythingelsewecanhearof；

buthereisyoursistersaysshewillnotgo。”

“BlaizeCastle！“criedCatherine。“Whatisthat\'?“

“ThefinestplaceinEngland——worthgoingfiftymilesatanytimetosee。”

“What，isitreallyacastle，anoldcastle?“

“Theoldestinthekingdom。”

“Butisitlikewhatonereadsof?“

“Exactly——theverysame。”

“Butnowreally——aretheretowersandlonggalleries?“

“Bydozens。”

“ThenIshouldliketoseeit；butIcannot——I

cannotgo。

“Notgo！Mybelovedcreature，whatdoyoumean\'?“

“Icannotgo，because“——lookingdownasshespoke，fearfulofIsabella\'ssmile——“IexpectMissTilneyandherbrothertocallonmetotakeacountrywalk。

Theypromisedtocomeattwelve，onlyitrained；butnow，asitissofine，Idaresaytheywillbeheresoon。”

“Nottheyindeed，“criedThorpe；“for，asweturnedintoBroadStreet，Isawthem——doeshenotdriveaphaetonwithbrightchestnuts?“

“Idonotknowindeed。”

“Yes，Iknowhedoes；Isawhim。Youaretalkingofthemanyoudancedwithlastnight，arenotyou?“

“Yes。

“Well，IsawhimatthatmomentturnuptheLansdownRoad，drivingasmart-lookinggirl。”

“Didyouindeed?“

“Diduponmysoul；knewhimagaindirectly，andheseemedtohavegotsomeveryprettycattletoo。”

“Itisveryodd！ButIsupposetheythoughtitwouldbetoodirtyforawalk。”

“Andwelltheymight，forIneversawsomuchdirtinmylife。Walk！Youcouldnomorewalkthanyoucouldfly！Ithasnotbeensodirtythewholewinter；

itisankle-deepeverywhere。”

Isabellacorroboratedit:“MydearestCatherine，youcannotformanideaofthedirt；come，youmustgo；

youcannotrefusegoingnow。”

“Ishouldliketoseethecastle；butmaywegoalloverit?Maywegoupeverystaircase，andintoeverysuiteofrooms?“

“Yes，yes，everyholeandcorner。”

“Butthen，iftheyshouldonlybegoneoutforanhourtillitisdryer，andcallbyandby?“

“Makeyourselfeasy，thereisnodangerofthat，forIheardTilneyhallooingtoamanwhowasjustpassingbyonhorseback，thattheyweregoingasfarasWickRocks。”

“ThenIwill。ShallIgo，Mrs。Allen?“

“Justasyouplease，mydear。”

“Mrs。Allen，youmustpersuadehertogo，“

wasthegeneralcry。Mrs。Allenwasnotinattentivetoit:“Well，mydear，“saidshe，“supposeyougo。”

Andintwominutestheywereoff。

Catherine\'sfeelings，asshegotintothecarriage，wereinaveryunsettledstate；dividedbetweenregretforthelossofonegreatpleasure，andthehopeofsoonenjoyinganother，almostitsequalindegree，howeverunlikeinkind。ShecouldnotthinktheTilneyshadactedquitewellbyher，insoreadilygivinguptheirengagement，withoutsendingheranymessageofexcuse。Itwasnowbutanhourlaterthanthetimefixedonforthebeginningoftheirwalk；and，inspiteofwhatshehadheardoftheprodigiousaccumulationofdirtinthecourseofthathour，shecouldnotfromherownobservationhelpthinkingthattheymighthavegonewithverylittleinconvenience。

Tofeelherselfslightedbythemwasverypainful。

Ontheotherhand，thedelightofexploringanedificelikeUdolpho，asherfancyrepresentedBlaizeCastletobe，wassuchacounterpoiseofgoodasmightconsoleherforalmostanything。

TheypassedbrisklydownPulteneyStreet，andthroughLauraPlace，withouttheexchangeofmanywords。

Thorpetalkedtohishorse，andshemeditated，byturns，onbrokenpromisesandbrokenarches，phaetonsandfalsehangings，Tilneysandtrap-doors。AstheyenteredArgyleBuildings，however，shewasrousedbythisaddressfromhercompanion，“Whoisthatgirlwholookedatyousohardasshewentby?“

“Who?Where?“

“Ontheright-handpavement——shemustbealmostoutofsightnow。”CatherinelookedroundandsawMissTilneyleaningonherbrother\'sarm，walkingslowlydownthestreet。Shesawthembothlookingbackather。

“Stop，stop，Mr。Thorpe，“sheimpatientlycried；

“itisMissTilney；itisindeed。Howcouldyoutellmetheyweregone?Stop，stop，Iwillgetoutthismomentandgotothem。”Buttowhatpurposedidshespeak?Thorpeonlylashedhishorseintoabriskertrot；theTilneys，whohadsoonceasedtolookafterher，wereinamomentoutofsightroundthecornerofLauraPlace，andinanothermomentshewasherselfwhiskedintothemarketplace。

Still，however，andduringthelengthofanotherstreet，sheentreatedhimtostop。“Pray，praystop，Mr。Thorpe。

Icannotgoon。Iwillnotgoon。ImustgobacktoMissTilney。”ButMr。Thorpeonlylaughed，smackedhiswhip，encouragedhishorse，madeoddnoises，anddroveon；

andCatherine，angryandvexedasshewas，havingnopowerofgettingaway，wasobligedtogiveupthepointandsubmit。Herreproaches，however，werenotspared。

“Howcouldyoudeceivemeso，Mr。Thorpe?HowcouldyousaythatyousawthemdrivinguptheLansdownRoad?I

wouldnothavehadithappensofortheworld。Theymustthinkitsostrange，sorudeofme！Togobythem，too，withoutsayingaword！YoudonotknowhowvexedIam；

IshallhavenopleasureatClifton，norinanythingelse。

Ihadrather，tenthousandtimesrather，getoutnow，andwalkbacktothem。Howcouldyousayyousawthemdrivingoutinaphaeton?“Thorpedefendedhimselfverystoutly，declaredhehadneverseentwomensomuchalikeinhislife，andwouldhardlygiveupthepointofitshavingbeenTilneyhimself。

Theirdrive，evenwhenthissubjectwasover，wasnotlikelytobeveryagreeable。Catherine\'scomplaisancewasnolongerwhatithadbeenintheirformerairing。

Shelistenedreluctantly，andherreplieswereshort。

BlaizeCastleremainedheronlycomfort；towardsthat，shestilllookedatintervalswithpleasure；thoughratherthanbedisappointedofthepromisedwalk，andespeciallyratherthanbethoughtillofbytheTilneys，shewouldwillinglyhavegivenupallthehappinesswhichitswallscouldsupply——thehappinessofaprogressthroughalongsuiteofloftyrooms，exhibitingtheremainsofmagnificentfurniture，thoughnowformanyyearsdeserted——thehappinessofbeingstoppedintheirwayalongnarrow，windingvaults，byalow，grateddoor；orevenofhavingtheirlamp，theironlylamp，extinguishedbyasuddengustofwind，andofbeingleftintotaldarkness。Inthemeanwhile，theyproceededontheirjourneywithoutanymischance，andwerewithinviewofthetownofKeynsham，whenahalloofromMorland，whowasbehindthem，madehisfriendpullup，toknowwhatwasthematter。Theothersthencamecloseenoughforconversation，andMorlandsaid，“Wehadbettergoback，Thorpe；itistoolatetogoontoday；

yoursisterthinkssoaswellasI。WehavebeenexactlyanhourcomingfromPulteneyStreet，verylittlemorethansevenmiles；and，Isuppose，wehaveatleasteightmoretogo。Itwillneverdo。Wesetoutagreatdealtoolate。Wehadmuchbetterputitofftillanotherday，andturnround。”

“Itisallonetome，“repliedThorperatherangrily；

andinstantlyturninghishorse，theywereontheirwaybacktoBath。

“Ifyourbrotherhadnotgotsuchad——beasttodrive，“

saidhesoonafterwards，“wemighthavedoneitverywell。

MyhorsewouldhavetrottedtoCliftonwithinthehour，iflefttohimself，andIhavealmostbrokemyarmwithpullinghimintothatcursedbroken-windedjade\'space。

Morlandisafoolfornotkeepingahorseandgigofhisown。”

“No，heisnot，“saidCatherinewarmly，“forIamsurehecouldnotaffordit。”

“Andwhycannotheaffordit?“

“Becausehehasnotmoneyenough。”

“Andwhosefaultisthat?“

“Nobody\'s，thatIknowof。”Thorpethensaidsomethingintheloud，incoherentwaytowhichhehadoftenrecourse，aboutitsbeingad——thingtobemiserly；andthatifpeoplewhorolledinmoneycouldnotaffordthings，hedidnotknowwhocould，whichCatherinedidnotevenendeavourtounderstand。Disappointedofwhatwastohavebeentheconsolationforherfirstdisappointment，shewaslessandlessdisposedeithertobeagreeableherselfortofindhercompanionso；andtheyreturnedtoPulteneyStreetwithoutherspeakingtwentywords。

Assheenteredthehouse，thefootmantoldherthatagentlemanandladyhadcattedandinquiredforherafewminutesafterhersettingoff；that，whenhetoldthemshewasgoneoutwithMr。Thorpe，theladyhadaskedwhetheranymessagehadbeenleftforher；andonhissayingno，hadfeltforacard，butsaidshehadnoneabouther，andwentaway。Ponderingovertheseheart-rendingtidings，Catherinewalkedslowlyupstairs。AttheheadofthemshewasmetbyMr。Allen，who，onhearingthereasonoftheirspeedyreturn，said，“Iamgladyourbrotherhadsomuchsense；Iamgladyouarecomeback。

Itwasastrange，wildscheme。”

TheyallspenttheeveningtogetheratThorpe\'s。

Catherinewasdisturbedandoutofspirits；butIsabellaseemedtofindapoolofcommerce，inthefateofwhichsheshared，byprivatepartnershipwithMorland，averygoodequivalentforthequietandcountryairofaninnatClifton。Hersatisfaction，too，innotbeingattheLowerRoomswasspokenmorethanonce。

“HowIpitythepoorcreaturesthataregoingthere！HowgladIamthatIamnotamongstthem！Iwonderwhetheritwillbeafullballornot！Theyhavenotbegundancingyet。Iwouldnotbethereforalltheworld。

Itissodelightfultohaveaneveningnowandthentooneself。Idaresayitwillnotbeaverygoodball。

IknowtheMitchellswillnotbethere。IamsureI

pityeverybodythatis。ButIdaresay，Mr。Morland，youlongtobeatit，donotyou?Iamsureyoudo。

Well，praydonotletanybodyherebearestraintonyou。

Idaresaywecoulddoverywellwithoutyou；butyoumenthinkyourselvesofsuchconsequence。”

CatherinecouldalmosthaveaccusedIsabellaofbeingwantingintendernesstowardsherselfandhersorrows，soverylittledidtheyappeartodwellonhermind，andsoveryinadequatewasthecomfortsheoffered。

“Donotbesodull，mydearestcreature，“shewhispered。

“Youwillquitebreakmyheart。Itwasamazinglyshocking，tobesure；buttheTilneyswereentirelytoblame。

Whywerenottheymorepunctual?Itwasdirty，indeed，butwhatdidthatsignify?IamsureJohnandIshouldnothavemindedit。Inevermindgoingthroughanything，whereafriendisconcerned；thatismydisposition，andJohnisjustthesame；hehasamazingstrongfeelings。

Goodheavens！Whatadelightfulhandyouhavegot！Kings，Ivow！Ineverwassohappyinmylife！Iwouldfiftytimesratheryoushouldhavethemthanmyself。”

AndnowImaydismissmyheroinetothesleeplesscouch，whichisthetrueheroine\'sportion；

toapillowstrewedwiththornsandwetwithtears。

Andluckymayshethinkherself，ifshegetanothergoodnight\'srestinthecourseofthenextthreemonths。

CHAPTER12

“Mrs。Allen，“saidCatherinethenextmorning，“willtherebeanyharminmycallingonMissTilneytoday?

IshallnotbeeasytillIhaveexplainedeverything。”

“Go，byallmeans，mydear；onlyputonawhitegown；

MissTilneyalwayswearswhite。”

Catherinecheerfullycomplied，andbeingproperlyequipped，wasmoreimpatientthanevertobeatthepump-room，thatshemightinformherselfofGeneralTilneyslodgings，forthoughshebelievedtheywereinMilsomStreet，shewasnotcertainofthehouse，andMrs。Allen\'swaveringconvictionsonlymadeitmoredoubtful。ToMilsomStreetshewasdirected，andhavingmadeherselfperfectinthenumber，hastenedawaywitheagerstepsandabeatinghearttopayhervisit，explainherconduct，andbeforgiven；

trippinglightlythroughthechurch-yard，andresolutelyturningawayhereyes，thatshemightnotbeobligedtoseeherbelovedIsabellaandherdearfamily，who，shehadreasontobelieve，wereinashophardby。Shereachedthehousewithoutanyimpediment，lookedatthenumber，knockedatthedoor，andinquiredforMissTilney。

ThemanbelievedMissTilneytobeathome，butwasnotquitecertain。Wouldshebepleasedtosenduphername?

Shegavehercard。Inafewminutestheservantreturned，andwithalookwhichdidnotquiteconfirmhiswords，saidhehadbeenmistaken，forthatMissTilneywaswalkedout。Catherine，withablushofmortification，leftthehouse。ShefeltalmostpersuadedthatMissTilneywasathome，andtoomuchoffendedtoadmither；

andassheretireddownthestreet，couldnotwithholdoneglanceatthedrawing-roomwindows，inexpectationofseeingherthere，butnooneappearedatthem。

Atthebottomofthestreet，however，shelookedbackagain，andthen，notatawindow，butissuingfromthedoor，shesawMissTilneyherself。Shewasfollowedbyagentleman，whomCatherinebelievedtobeherfather，andtheyturneduptowardsEdgar\'sBuildings。

Catherine，indeepmortification，proceededonherway。

Shecouldalmostbeangryherselfatsuchangryincivility；

butshecheckedtheresentfulsensation；sherememberedherownignorance。Sheknewnothowsuchanoffenceashersmightbeclassedbythelawsofworldlypoliteness，towhatadegreeofunforgivingnessitmightwithproprietylead，nortowhatrigoursofrudenessinreturnitmightjustlymakeheramenable。

Dejectedandhumbled，shehadevensomethoughtsofnotgoingwiththeotherstothetheatrethatnight；butitmustbeconfessedthattheywerenotoflongcontinuance，forshesoonrecollected，inthefirstplace，thatshewaswithoutanyexcuseforstayingathome；and，inthesecond，thatitwasaplayshewantedverymuchtosee。

Tothetheatreaccordinglytheyallwent；noTilneysappearedtoplagueorpleaseher；shefearedthat，amongstthemanyperfectionsofthefamily，afondnessforplayswasnottoberanked；butperhapsitwasbecausetheywerehabituatedtothefinerperformancesoftheLondonstage，whichsheknew，onIsabella\'sauthority，renderedeverythingelseofthekind“quitehorrid。”

Shewasnotdeceivedinherownexpectationofpleasure；

thecomedysowellsuspendedhercarethatnoone，observingherduringthefirstfouracts，wouldhavesupposedshehadanywretchednessabouther。Onthebeginningofthefifth，however，thesuddenviewofMr。HenryTilneyandhisfather，joiningapartyintheoppositebox，recalledhertoanxietyanddistress。Thestagecouldnolongerexcitegenuinemerriment——nolongerkeepherwholeattention。Everyotherlookuponanaveragewasdirectedtowardstheoppositebox；and，forthespaceoftwoentirescenes，didshethuswatchHenryTilney，withoutbeingonceabletocatchhiseye。Nolongercouldhebesuspectedofindifferenceforaplay；hisnoticewasneverwithdrawnfromthestageduringtwowholescenes。

Atlength，however，hedidlooktowardsher，andhebowed——butsuchabow！Nosmile，nocontinuedobservanceattendedit；hiseyeswereimmediatelyreturnedtotheirformerdirection。Catherinewasrestlesslymiserable；

shecouldalmosthaverunroundtotheboxinwhichhesatandforcedhimtohearherexplanation。Feelingsrathernaturalthanheroicpossessedher；insteadofconsideringherowndignityinjuredbythisreadycondemnation——insteadofproudlyresolving，inconsciousinnocence，toshowherresentmenttowardshimwhocouldharbouradoubtofit，toleavetohimallthetroubleofseekinganexplanation，andtoenlightenhimonthepastonlybyavoidinghissight，orflirtingwithsomebodyelse——shetooktoherselfalltheshameofmisconduct，oratleastofitsappearance，andwasonlyeagerforanopportunityofexplainingitscause。

Theplayconcluded——thecurtainfell——HenryTilneywasnolongertobeseenwherehehadhithertosat，buthisfatherremained，andperhapshemightbenowcomingroundtotheirbox。Shewasright；inafewminutesheappeared，and，makinghiswaythroughthethenthinningrows，spokewithlikecalmpolitenesstoMrs。Allenandherfriend。

Notwithsuchcalmnesswasheansweredbythelatter:

“Oh！Mr。Tilney，Ihavebeenquitewildtospeaktoyou，andmakemyapologies。Youmusthavethoughtmesorude；

butindeeditwasnotmyownfault，wasit，Mrs。Allen?

DidnottheytellmethatMr。Tilneyandhissisterweregoneoutinaphaetontogether?AndthenwhatcouldIdo?

ButIhadtenthousandtimesratherhavebeenwithyou；

nowhadnotI，Mrs。Allen?“

“Mydear，youtumblemygown，“wasMrs。Allen\'sreply。

Herassurance，however，standingsoleasitdid，wasnotthrownaway；itbroughtamorecordial，morenaturalsmileintohiscountenance，andherepliedinatonewhichretainedonlyalittleaffectedreserve:

“WeweremuchobligedtoyouatanyrateforwishingusapleasantwalkafterourpassingyouinArgyleStreet:

youweresokindastolookbackonpurpose。”

“ButindeedIdidnotwishyouapleasantwalk；

Ineverthoughtofsuchathing；butIbeggedMr。Thorpesoearnestlytostop；IcalledouttohimassoonaseverI

sawyou；now，Mrs。Allen，didnot——Oh！Youwerenotthere；

butindeedIdid；and，ifMr。Thorpewouldonlyhavestopped，Iwouldhavejumpedoutandrunafteryou。”

IsthereaHenryintheworldwhocouldbeinsensibletosuchadeclaration?HenryTilneyatleastwasnot。

Withayetsweetersmile，hesaideverythingthatneedbesaidofhissister\'sconcern，regret，anddependenceonCatherine\'shonour。“Oh！DonotsayMissTilneywasnotangry，“criedCatherine，“becauseIknowshewas；

forshewouldnotseemethismorningwhenIcalled；

Isawherwalkoutofthehousethenextminuteaftermyleavingit；Iwashurt，butIwasnotaffronted。

PerhapsyoudidnotknowIhadbeenthere。”

“Iwasnotwithinatthetime；butIheardofitfromEleanor，andshehasbeenwishingeversincetoseeyou，toexplainthereasonofsuchincivility；

butperhapsIcandoitaswell。Itwasnothingmorethanthatmyfather——theywerejustpreparingtowalkout，andhebeinghurriedfortime，andnotcaringtohaveitputoff——madeapointofherbeingdenied。Thatwasall，Idoassureyou。Shewasverymuchvexed，andmeanttomakeherapologyassoonaspossible。”

Catherine\'smindwasgreatlyeasedbythisinformation，yetasomethingofsolicituderemained，fromwhichsprangthefollowingquestion，thoroughlyartlessinitself，thoughratherdistressingtothegentleman:“But，Mr。Tilney，whywereyoulessgenerousthanyoursister?Ifshefeltsuchconfidenceinmygoodintentions，andcouldsupposeittobeonlyamistake，whyshouldyoubesoreadytotakeoffence?“

“Me！Itakeoffence！“

“Nay，Iamsurebyyourlook，whenyoucameintothebox，youwereangry。”

“Iangry！Icouldhavenoright。”

“Well，nobodywouldhavethoughtyouhadnorightwhosawyourface。”Herepliedbyaskinghertomakeroomforhim，andtalkingoftheplay。

Heremainedwiththemsometime，andwasonlytooagreeableforCatherinetobecontentedwhenhewentaway。

Beforetheyparted，however，itwasagreedthattheprojectedwalkshouldbetakenassoonaspossible；and，settingasidethemiseryofhisquittingtheirbox，shewas，uponthewhole，leftoneofthehappiestcreaturesintheworld。

Whiletalkingtoeachother，shehadobservedwithsomesurprisethatJohnThorpe，whowasneverinthesamepartofthehousefortenminutestogether，wasengagedinconversationwithGeneralTilney；andshefeltsomethingmorethansurprisewhenshethoughtshecouldperceiveherselftheobjectoftheirattentionanddiscourse。

Whatcouldtheyhavetosayofher?ShefearedGeneralTilneydidnotlikeherappearance:shefounditwasimpliedinhispreventingheradmittancetohisdaughter，ratherthanpostponehisownwalkafewminutes。“HowcameMr。Thorpetoknowyourfather?“washeranxiousinquiry，asshepointedthemouttohercompanion。Heknewnothingaboutit；buthisfather，likeeverymilitaryman，hadaverylargeacquaintance。

Whentheentertainmentwasover，Thorpecametoassistthemingettingout。Catherinewastheimmediateobjectofhisgallantry；and，whiletheywaitedinthelobbyforachair，hepreventedtheinquirywhichhadtravelledfromherheartalmosttothetipofhertongue，byasking，inaconsequentialmanner，whethershehadseenhimtalkingwithGeneralTilney:“Heisafineoldfellow，uponmysoul！Stout，active——looksasyoungashisson。

Ihaveagreatregardforhim，Iassureyou:agentleman-like，goodsortoffellowaseverlived。”

“Buthowcameyoutoknowhim?“

“Knowhim！TherearefewpeoplemuchabouttownthatI

donotknow。IhavemethimforeverattheBedford；

andIknewhisfaceagaintodaythemomenthecameintothebilliard-room。Oneofthebestplayerswehave，bytheby；andwehadalittletouchtogether，thoughI

wasalmostafraidofhimatfirst:theoddswerefivetofouragainstme；and，ifIhadnotmadeoneofthecleaneststrokesthatperhapseverwasmadeinthisworld——Itookhisballexactly——butIcouldnotmakeyouunderstanditwithoutatable；however，Ididbeathim。

Averyfinefellow；asrichasaJew。Ishouldliketodinewithhim；Idaresayhegivesfamousdinners。

Butwhatdoyouthinkwehavebeentalkingof?You。

Yes，byheavens！AndthegeneralthinksyouthefinestgirlinBath。”

“Oh！Nonsense！Howcanyousayso?“

“AndwhatdoyouthinkIsaid?“——loweringhisvoice——“welldone，general，saidI；Iamquiteofyourmind。”

HereCatherine，whowasmuchlessgratifiedbyhisadmirationthanbyGeneralTilney\'s，wasnotsorrytobecalledawaybyMr。Allen。Thorpe，however，wouldseehertoherchair，and，tillsheenteredit，continuedthesamekindofdelicateflattery，inspiteofherentreatinghimtohavedone。

ThatGeneralTilney，insteadofdisliking，shouldadmireher，wasverydelightful；andshejoyfullythoughtthattherewasnotoneofthefamilywhomsheneednowfeartomeet。Theeveninghaddonemore，muchmore，forherthancouldhavebeenexpected。

CHAPTER13

Monday，Tuesday，Wednesday，Thursday，Friday，andSaturdayhavenowpassedinreviewbeforethereader；theeventsofeachday，itshopesandfears，mortificationsandpleasures，havebeenseparatelystated，andthepangsofSundayonlynowremaintobedescribed，andclosetheweek。

TheCliftonschemehadbeendeferred，notrelinquished，andontheafternoon\'screscentofthisday，itwasbroughtforwardagain。InaprivateconsultationbetweenIsabellaandJames，theformerofwhomhadparticularlysetherheartupongoing，andthelatternolessanxiouslyplacedhisuponpleasingher，itwasagreedthat，providedtheweatherwerefair，thepartyshouldtakeplaceonthefollowingmorning；andtheyweretosetoffveryearly，inordertobeathomeingoodtime。

Theaffairthusdetermined，andThorpe\'sapprobationsecured，Catherineonlyremainedtobeapprisedofit。ShehadleftthemforafewminutestospeaktoMissTilney。

Inthatintervaltheplanwascompleted，andassoonasshecameagain，heragreementwasdemanded；butinsteadofthegayacquiescenceexpectedbyIsabella，Catherinelookedgrave，wasverysorry，butcouldnotgo。Theengagementwhichoughttohavekeptherfromjoiningintheformerattemptwouldmakeitimpossibleforhertoaccompanythemnow。

ShehadthatmomentsettledwithMissTilneytotaketheirproposedwalktomorrow；itwasquitedetermined，andshewouldnot，uponanyaccount，retract。ButthatshemustandshouldretractwasinstantlytheeagercryofboththeThorpes；theymustgotoCliftontomorrow，theywouldnotgowithouther，itwouldbenothingtoputoffamerewalkforonedaylonger，andtheywouldnothearofarefusal。Catherinewasdistressed，butnotsubdued。“Donoturgeme，Isabella。IamengagedtoMissTilney。Icannotgo。”Thisavailednothing。

Thesameargumentsassailedheragain；shemustgo，sheshouldgo，andtheywouldnothearofarefusal。

“ItwouldbesoeasytotellMissTilneythatyouhadjustbeenremindedofapriorengagement，andmustonlybegtoputoffthewalktillTuesday。”

“No，itwouldnotbeeasy。Icouldnotdoit。

Therehasbeennopriorengagement。”ButIsabellabecameonlymoreandmoreurgent，callingonherinthemostaffectionatemanner，addressingherbythemostendearingnames。

Shewassureherdearest，sweetestCatherinewouldnotseriouslyrefusesuchatriflingrequesttoafriendwholovedhersodearly。SheknewherbelovedCatherinetohavesofeelingaheart，sosweetatemper，tobesoeasilypersuadedbythosesheloved。Butallinvain；

Catherinefeltherselftobeintheright，andthoughpainedbysuchtender，suchflatteringsupplication，couldnotallowittoinfluenceher。Isabellathentriedanothermethod。ShereproachedherwithhavingmoreaffectionforMissTilney，thoughshehadknownhersolittleawhile，thanforherbestandoldestfriends，withbeinggrowncoldandindifferent，inshort，towardsherself。“Icannothelpbeingjealous，Catherine，whenIseemyselfslightedforstrangers，I，wholoveyousoexcessively！Whenoncemyaffectionsareplaced，itisnotinthepowerofanythingtochangethem。

ButIbelievemyfeelingsarestrongerthananybody\'s；

Iamsuretheyaretoostrongformyownpeace；andtoseemyselfsupplantedinyourfriendshipbystrangersdoescutmetothequick，Iown。TheseTilneysseemtoswallowupeverythingelse。”

Catherinethoughtthisreproachequallystrangeandunkind。Wasitthepartofafriendthustoexposeherfeelingstothenoticeofothers?Isabellaappearedtoherungenerousandselfish，regardlessofeverythingbutherowngratification。Thesepainfulideascrossedhermind，thoughshesaidnothing。Isabella，inthemeanwhile，hadappliedherhandkerchieftohereyes；andMorland，miserableatsuchasight，couldnothelpsaying，“Nay，Catherine。Ithinkyoucannotstandoutanylongernow。

Thesacrificeisnotmuch；andtoobligesuchafriend——I

shallthinkyouquiteunkind，ifyoustillrefuse。”

Thiswasthefirsttimeofherbrother\'sopenlysidingagainsther，andanxioustoavoidhisdispleasure，sheproposedacompromise。IftheywouldonlyputofftheirschemetillTuesday，whichtheymighteasilydo，asitdependedonlyonthemselves，shecouldgowiththem，andeverybodymightthenbesatisfied。But“No，no，no！“wastheimmediateanswer；“thatcouldnotbe，forThorpedidnotknowthathemightnotgototownonTuesday。”Catherinewassorry，butcoulddonomore；

andashortsilenceensued，whichwasbrokenbyIsabella，whoinavoiceofcoldresentmentsaid，“Verywell，thenthereisanendoftheparty。IfCatherinedoesnotgo，Icannot。Icannotbetheonlywoman。

Iwouldnot，uponanyaccountintheworld，dosoimproperathing。”

“Catherine，youmustgo，“saidJames。

“ButwhycannotMr。Thorpedriveoneofhisothersisters?Idaresayeitherofthemwouldliketogo。”

“Thankye，“criedThorpe，“butIdidnotcometoBathtodrivemysistersabout，andlooklikeafool。No，ifyoudonotgo，d——meifIdo。Ionlygoforthesakeofdrivingyou。”

“Thatisacomplimentwhichgivesmenopleasure。”

ButherwordswerelostonThorpe，whohadturnedabruptlyaway。

Thethreeothersstillcontinuedtogether，walkinginamostuncomfortablemannertopoorCatherine；

sometimesnotawordwassaid，sometimesshewasagainattackedwithsupplicationsorreproaches，andherarmwasstilllinkedwithinIsabella\'s，thoughtheirheartswereatwar。

Atonemomentshewassoftened，atanotherirritated；

alwaysdistressed，butalwayssteady。

“Ididnotthinkyouhadbeensoobstinate，Catherine，“

saidJames；“youwerenotusedtobesohardtopersuade；

youoncewerethekindest，best-temperedofmysisters。”

“IhopeIamnotlesssonow，“shereplied，veryfeelingly；“butindeedIcannotgo。IfIamwrong，IamdoingwhatIbelievetoberight。”

“Isuspect，“saidIsabella，inalowvoice，“thereisnogreatstruggle。”

Catherine\'sheartswelled；shedrewawayherarm，andIsabellamadenoopposition。Thuspassedalongtenminutes，tilltheywereagainjoinedbyThorpe，who，comingtothemwithagayerlook，said，“Well，Ihavesettledthematter，andnowwemayallgotomorrowwithasafeconscience。

IhavebeentoMissTilney，andmadeyourexcuses。”

“Youhavenot！“criedCatherine。

“Ihave，uponmysoul。Leftherthismoment。Toldheryouhadsentmetosaythat，havingjustrecollectedapriorengagementofgoingtoCliftonwithustomorrow，youcouldnothavethepleasureofwalkingwithhertillTuesday。

Shesaidverywell，Tuesdaywasjustasconvenienttoher；

sothereisanendofallourdifficulties。Aprettygoodthoughtofmine——hey?“

Isabella\'scountenancewasoncemoreallsmilesandgoodhumour，andJamestoolookedhappyagain。

“Amostheavenlythoughtindeed！Now，mysweetCatherine，allourdistressesareover；youarehonourablyacquitted，andweshallhaveamostdelightfulparty。”

“Thiswillnotdo，“saidCatherine；“Icannotsubmittothis。ImustrunafterMissTilneydirectlyandsetherright。”

Isabella，however，caughtholdofonehand，Thorpeoftheother，andremonstrancespouredinfromallthree。

EvenJameswasquiteangry。Wheneverythingwassettled，whenMissTilneyherselfsaidthatTuesdaywouldsuitheraswell，itwasquiteridiculous，quiteabsurd，tomakeanyfurtherobjection。

“Idonotcare。Mr。Thorpehadnobusinesstoinventanysuchmessage。IfIhadthoughtitrighttoputitoff，IcouldhavespokentoMissTilneymyself。

Thisisonlydoingitinaruderway；andhowdoIknowthatMr。Thorpehas——Hemaybemistakenagainperhaps；

heledmeintooneactofrudenessbyhismistakeonFriday。

Letmego，Mr。Thorpe；Isabella，donotholdme。

ThorpetoldheritwouldbeinvaintogoaftertheTilneys；theywereturningthecornerintoBrockStreet，whenhehadovertakenthem，andwereathomebythistime。

“ThenIwillgoafterthem，“saidCatherine；

“wherevertheyareIwillgoafterthem。Itdoesnotsignifytalking。IfIcouldnotbepersuadedintodoingwhatIthoughtwrong，Ineverwillbetrickedintoit。”

Andwiththesewordsshebrokeawayandhurriedoff。

Thorpewouldhavedartedafterher，butMorlandwithheldhim。

“Lethergo，lethergo，ifshewillgo。Sheisasobstinateas——“

Thorpeneverfinishedthesimile，foritcouldhardlyhavebeenaproperone。

AwaywalkedCatherineingreatagitation，asfastasthecrowdwouldpermither，fearfulofbeingpursued，yetdeterminedtopersevere。Asshewalked，shereflectedonwhathadpassed。Itwaspainfultohertodisappointanddispleasethem，particularlytodispleaseherbrother；

butshecouldnotrepentherresistance。Settingherowninclinationapart，tohavefailedasecondtimeinherengagementtoMissTilney，tohaveretractedapromisevoluntarilymadeonlyfiveminutesbefore，andonafalsepretencetoo，musthavebeenwrong。Shehadnotbeenwithstandingthemonselfishprinciplesalone，shehadnotconsultedmerelyherowngratification；thatmighthavebeenensuredinsomedegreebytheexcursionitself，byseeingBlaizeCastle；no，shehadattendedtowhatwasduetoothers，andtoherowncharacterintheiropinion。

Herconvictionofbeingright，however，wasnotenoughtorestorehercomposure；tillshehadspokentoMissTilneyshecouldnotbeatease；andquickeningherpacewhenshegotclearoftheCrescent，shealmostranovertheremaininggroundtillshegainedthetopofMilsomStreet。

SorapidhadbeenhermovementsthatinspiteoftheTilneys\'

advantageintheoutset，theywerebutjustfumingintotheirlodgingsasshecamewithinviewofthem；

andtheservantstillremainingattheopendoor，sheusedonlytheceremonyofsayingthatshemustspeakwithMissTilneythatmoment，andhurryingbyhimproceededupstairs。Then，openingthefirstdoorbeforeher，whichhappenedtobetheright，sheimmediatelyfoundherselfinthedrawing-roomwithGeneralTilney，hisson，anddaughter。Herexplanation，defectiveonlyinbeing——fromherirritationofnervesandshortnessofbreath——noexplanationatall，wasinstantlygiven。

“Iamcomeinagreathurry——Itwasallamistake——I

neverpromisedtogo——ItoldthemfromthefirstIcouldnotgo——Iranawayinagreathurrytoexplainit——I

didnotcarewhatyouthoughtofme——Iwouldnotstayfortheservant。”

Thebusiness，however，thoughnotperfectlyelucidatedbythisspeech，soonceasedtobeapuzzle。

CatherinefoundthatJohnThorpehadgiventhemessage；

andMissTilneyhadnoscrupleinowningherselfgreatlysurprisedbyit。Butwhetherherbrotherhadstillexceededherinresentment，Catherine，thoughsheinstinctivelyaddressedherselfasmuchtooneastotheotherinhervindication，hadnomeansofknowing。

Whatevermighthavebeenfeltbeforeherarrival，hereagerdeclarationsimmediatelymadeeverylookandsentenceasfriendlyasshecoulddesire。

Theaffairthushappilysettled，shewasintroducedbyMissTilneytoherfather，andreceivedbyhimwithsuchready，suchsolicitouspolitenessasrecalledThorpe\'sinformationtohermind，andmadeherthinkwithpleasurethathemightbesometimesdependedon。

Tosuchanxiousattentionwasthegeneral\'scivilitycarried，thatnotawareofherextraordinaryswiftnessinenteringthehouse，hewasquiteangrywiththeservantwhoseneglecthadreducedhertoopenthedooroftheapartmentherself。

“WhatdidWilliammeanbyit?Heshouldmakeapointofinquiringintothematter。”AndifCatherinehadnotmostwarmlyassertedhisinnocence，itseemedlikelythatWilliamwouldlosethefavourofhismasterforever，ifnothisplace，byherrapidity。

Aftersittingwiththemaquarterofanhour，sherosetotakeleave，andwasthenmostagreeablysurprisedbyGeneralTilney\'saskingherifshewoulddohisdaughterthehonourofdiningandspendingtherestofthedaywithher。MissTilneyaddedherownwishes。

Catherinewasgreatlyobliged；butitwasquiteoutofherpower。Mr。andMrs。Allenwouldexpectherbackeverymoment。Thegeneraldeclaredhecouldsaynomore；

theclaimsofMr。andMrs。Allenwerenottobesuperseded；

butonsomeotherdayhetrusted，whenlongernoticecouldbegiven，theywouldnotrefusetosparehertoherfriend。

“Oh，no；Catherinewassuretheywouldnothavetheleastobjection，andsheshouldhavegreatpleasureincoming。”

Thegeneralattendedherhimselftothestreet-door，sayingeverythinggallantastheywentdownstairs，admiringtheelasticityofherwalk，whichcorrespondedexactlywiththespiritofherdancing，andmakingheroneofthemostgracefulbowsshehadeverbeheld，whentheyparted。

Catherine，delightedbyallthathadpassed，proceededgailytoPulteneyStreet，walking，assheconcluded，withgreatelasticity，thoughshehadneverthoughtofitbefore。Shereachedhomewithoutseeinganythingmoreoftheoffendedparty；andnowthatshehadbeentriumphantthroughout，hadcarriedherpoint，andwassecureofherwalk，shebegan(astheflutterofherspiritssubsided)todoubtwhethershehadbeenperfectlyright。Asacrificewasalwaysnoble；andifshehadgivenwaytotheirentreaties，sheshouldhavebeensparedthedistressingideaofafrienddispleased，abrotherangry，andaschemeofgreathappinesstobothdestroyed，perhapsthroughhermeans。Toeasehermind，andascertainbytheopinionofanunprejudicedpersonwhatherownconducthadreallybeen，shetookoccasiontomentionbeforeMr。Allenthehalf-settledschemeofherbrotherandtheThorpesforthefollowingday。

Mr。Allencaughtatitdirectly。“Well，“saidhe，“anddoyouthinkofgoingtoo?“

“No；IhadjustengagedmyselftowalkwithMissTilneybeforetheytoldmeofit；andthereforeyouknowIcouldnotgowiththem，couldI?“

“No，certainlynot；andIamgladyoudonotthinkofit。Theseschemesarenotatallthething。

Youngmenandwomendrivingaboutthecountryinopencarriages！Nowandthenitisverywell；butgoingtoinnsandpublicplacestogether！Itisnotright；andIwonderMrs。Thorpeshouldallowit。Iamgladyoudonotthinkofgoing；IamsureMrs。Morlandwouldnotbepleased。

Mrs。Allen，arenotyouofmywayofthinking?Donotyouthinkthesekindofprojectsobjectionable?“

“Yes，verymuchsoindeed。Opencarriagesarenastythings。Acleangownisnotfiveminutes\'wearinthem。

Youaresplashedgettinginandgettingout；andthewindtakesyourhairandyourbonnetineverydirection。

Ihateanopencarriagemyself。”

“Iknowyoudo；butthatisnotthequestion。

Donotyouthinkithasanoddappearance，ifyoungladiesarefrequentlydrivenaboutinthembyyoungmen，towhomtheyarenotevenrelated?“

“Yes，mydear，averyoddappearanceindeed。

Icannotbeartoseeit。”

“Dearmadam，“criedCatherine，“thenwhydidnotyoutellmesobefore?IamsureifIhadknownittobeimproper，IwouldnothavegonewithMr。Thorpeatall；

butIalwayshopedyouwouldtellme，ifyouthoughtI

wasdoingwrong。”

“AndsoIshould，mydear，youmaydependonit；forasI

toldMrs。Morlandatparting，Iwouldalwaysdothebestforyouinmypower。Butonemustnotbeoverparticular。

Youngpeoplewillbeyoungpeople，asyourgoodmothersaysherself。YouknowIwantedyou，whenwefirstcame，nottobuythatspriggedmuslin，butyouwould。

Youngpeopledonotliketobealwaysthwarted。”

“Butthiswassomethingofrealconsequence；andI

donotthinkyouwouldhavefoundmehardtopersuade。”

“Asfarasithasgonehitherto，thereisnoharmdone，“

saidMr。Allen；“andIwouldonlyadviseyou，mydear，nottogooutwithMr。Thorpeanymore。”

“ThatisjustwhatIwasgoingtosay，“addedhiswife。

Catherine，relievedforherself，feltuneasyforIsabella，andafteramoment\'sthought，askedMr。AllenwhetheritwouldnotbebothproperandkindinhertowritetoMissThorpe，andexplaintheindecorumofwhichshemustbeasinsensibleasherself；forsheconsideredthatIsabellamightotherwiseperhapsbegoingtoCliftonthenextday，inspiteofwhathadpassed。

Mr。Allen，however，discouragedherfromdoinganysuchthing。“Youhadbetterleaveheralone，mydear；

sheisoldenoughtoknowwhatsheisabout，andifnot，hasamothertoadviseher。Mrs。Thorpeistooindulgentbeyondadoubt；but，however，youhadbetternotinterfere。

Sheandyourbrotherchoosetogo，andyouwillbeonlygettingillwill。”

Catherinesubmitted，andthoughsorrytothinkthatIsabellashouldbedoingwrong，feltgreatlyrelievedbyMr。Allen\'sapprobationofherownconduct，andtrulyrejoicedtobepreservedbyhisadvicefromthedangeroffallingintosuchanerrorherself。HerescapefrombeingoneofthepartytoCliftonwasnowanescapeindeed；

forwhatwouldtheTilneyshavethoughtofher，ifshehadbrokenherpromisetotheminordertodowhatwaswronginitself，ifshehadbeenguiltyofonebreachofpropriety，onlytoenablehertobeguiltyofanother?