第4章

CHAPTER14

Thenextmorningwasfair，andCatherinealmostexpectedanotherattackfromtheassembledparty。

WithMr。Allentosupporther，shefeltnodreadoftheevent:butshewouldgladlybesparedacontest，wherevictoryitselfwaspainful，andwasheartilyrejoicedthereforeatneitherseeingnorhearinganythingofthem。

TheTilneyscalledforherattheappointedtime；

andnonewdifficultyarising，nosuddenrecollection，nounexpectedsummons，noimpertinentintrusiontodisconcerttheirmeasures，myheroinewasmostunnaturallyabletofulfilherengagement，thoughitwasmadewiththeherohimself。

TheydeterminedonwalkingroundBeechenCliff，thatnoblehillwhosebeautifulverdureandhangingcoppicerenderitsostrikinganobjectfromalmosteveryopeninginBath。

“Ineverlookatit，“saidCatherine，astheywalkedalongthesideoftheriver，“withoutthinkingofthesouthofFrance。”

“Youhavebeenabroadthen?“saidHenry，alittlesurprised。

“Oh！No，IonlymeanwhatIhavereadabout。

ItalwaysputsmeinmindofthecountrythatEmilyandherfathertravelledthrough，inTheMysteriesofUdolpho。

Butyouneverreadnovels，Idaresay?“

“Whynot?“

“Becausetheyarenotcleverenoughforyou——gentlemenreadbetterbooks。”

“Theperson，beitgentlemanorlady，whohasnotpleasureinagoodnovel，mustbeintolerablystupid。

IhavereadallMrs。Radcliffe\'sworks，andmostofthemwithgreatpleasure。TheMysteriesofUdolpho，whenIhadoncebegunit，Icouldnotlaydownagain；

Irememberfinishingitintwodays——myhairstandingonendthewholetime。”

“Yes，“addedMissTilney，“andIrememberthatyouundertooktoreaditaloudtome，andthatwhenIwascalledawayforonlyfiveminutestoansweranote，insteadofwaitingforme，youtookthevolumeintotheHermitageWalk，andIwasobligedtostaytillyouhadfinishedit。”

“Thankyou，Eleanor——amosthonourabletestimony。

Yousee，MissMorland，theinjusticeofyoursuspicions。

HerewasI，inmyeagernesstogeton，refusingtowaitonlyfiveminutesformysister，breakingthepromiseIhadmadeofreadingitaloud，andkeepingherinsuspenseatamostinterestingpart，byrunningawaywiththevolume，which，youaretoobserve，washerown，particularlyherown。IamproudwhenIreflectonit，andIthinkitmustestablishmeinyourgoodopinion。”

“Iamverygladtohearitindeed，andnowIshallneverbeashamedoflikingUdolphomyself。ButIreallythoughtbefore，youngmendespisednovelsamazingly。”

“Itisamazingly；itmaywellsuggestamazementiftheydo——fortheyreadnearlyasmanyaswomen。

Imyselfhavereadhundredsandhundreds。DonotimaginethatyoucancopewithmeinaknowledgeofJuliasandLouisas。Ifweproceedtoparticulars，andengageinthenever-ceasinginquiryof\'Haveyoureadthis?\'

and\'Haveyoureadthat?\'Ishallsoonleaveyouasfarbehindmeas——whatshallIsay?——lwantanappropriatesimile——asfarasyourfriendEmilyherselfleftpoorValancourtwhenshewentwithherauntintoItaly。

ConsiderhowmanyyearsIhavehadthestartofyou。

IhadenteredonmystudiesatOxford，whileyouwereagoodlittlegirlworkingyoursamplerathome！“

“Notverygood，Iamafraid。Butnowreally，donotyouthinkUdolphothenicestbookintheworld?“

“Thenicest——bywhichIsupposeyoumeantheneatest。

Thatmustdependuponthebinding。”

“Henry，“saidMissTilney，“youareveryimpertinent。

MissMorland，heistreatingyouexactlyashedoeshissister。

Heisforeverfindingfaultwithme，forsomeincorrectnessoflanguage，andnowheistakingthesamelibertywithyou。

Theword\'nicest，\'asyouusedit，didnotsuithim；

andyouhadbetterchangeitassoonasyoucan，orweshallbeoverpoweredwithJohnsonandBlairalltherestoftheway。”

“Iamsure，“criedCatherine，“Ididnotmeantosayanythingwrong；butitisanicebook，andwhyshouldnotIcallitso?“

“Verytrue，“saidHenry，“andthisisaveryniceday，andwearetakingaverynicewalk，andyouaretwoveryniceyoungladies。Oh！Itisaverynicewordindeed！Itdoesforeverything。Originallyperhapsitwasappliedonlytoexpressneatness，propriety，delicacy，orrefinement——peoplewereniceintheirdress，intheirsentiments，ortheirchoice。Butnoweverycommendationoneverysubjectiscomprisedinthatoneword。”

“While，infact，“criedhissister，“itoughtonlytobeappliedtoyou，withoutanycommendationatall。

Youaremorenicethanwise。Come，MissMorland，letusleavehimtomeditateoverourfaultsintheutmostproprietyofdiction，whilewepraiseUdolphoinwhatevertermswelikebest。Itisamostinterestingwork。

Youarefondofthatkindofreading?“

“Tosaythetruth，Idonotmuchlikeanyother。”

“Indeed！“

“Thatis，Icanreadpoetryandplays，andthingsofthatsort，anddonotdisliketravels。Buthistory，realsolemnhistory，Icannotbeinterestedin。

Canyou?“

“Yes，Iamfondofhistory。”

“IwishIweretoo。Ireaditalittleasaduty，butittellsmenothingthatdoesnoteithervexorwearyme。

Thequarrelsofpopesandkings，withwarsorpestilences，ineverypage；themenallsogoodfornothing，andhardlyanywomenatall——itisverytiresome:

andyetIoftenthinkitoddthatitshouldbesodull，foragreatdealofitmustbeinvention。Thespeechesthatareputintotheheroes\'mouths，theirthoughtsanddesigns——thechiefofallthismustbeinvention，andinventioniswhatdelightsmeinotherbooks。”

“Historians，youthink，“saidMissTilney，“arenothappyintheirflightsoffancy。Theydisplayimaginationwithoutraisinginterest。Iamfondofhistory——andamverywellcontentedtotakethefalsewiththetrue。

Intheprincipalfactstheyhavesourcesofintelligenceinformerhistoriesandrecords，whichmaybeasmuchdependedon，Iconclude，asanythingthatdoesnotactuallypassunderone\'sownobservation；andasforthelittleembellishmentsyouspeakof，theyareembellishments，andIlikethemassuch。Ifaspeechbewelldrawnup，Ireaditwithpleasure，bywhomsoeveritmaybemade——andprobablywithmuchgreater，iftheproductionofMr。HumeorMr。Robertson，thanifthegenuinewordsofCaractacus，Agricola，orAlfredtheGreat。”

“Youarefondofhistory！AndsoareMr。Allenandmyfather；andIhavetwobrotherswhodonotdislikeit。

Somanyinstanceswithinmysmallcircleoffriendsisremarkable！Atthisrate，Ishallnotpitythewritersofhistoryanylonger。Ifpeopleliketoreadtheirbooks，itisallverywell，buttobeatsomuchtroubleinfillinggreatvolumes，which，asIusedtothink，nobodywouldwillinglyeverlookinto，tobelabouringonlyforthetormentoflittleboysandgirls，alwaysstruckmeasahardfate；

andthoughIknowitisallveryrightandnecessary，Ihaveoftenwonderedattheperson\'scouragethatcouldsitdownonpurposetodoit。”

“Thatlittleboysandgirlsshouldbetormented，“

saidHenry，“iswhatnooneatallacquaintedwithhumannatureinacivilizedstatecandeny；butinbehalfofourmostdistinguishedhistorians，Imustobservethattheymightwellbeoffendedatbeingsupposedtohavenohigheraim，andthatbytheirmethodandstyle，theyareperfectlywellqualifiedtotormentreadersofthemostadvancedreasonandmaturetimeoflife。

Iusetheverb\'totorment，\'asIobservedtobeyourownmethod，insteadof\'toinstruct，\'supposingthemtobenowadmittedassynonymous。”

“Youthinkmefoolishtocallinstructionatorment，butifyouhadbeenasmuchusedasmyselftohearpoorlittlechildrenfirstlearningtheirlettersandthenlearningtospell，ifyouhadeverseenhowstupidtheytheycanbeforawholemorningtogether，andhowtiredmypoormotherisattheendofit，asIaminthehabitofseeingalmosteverydayofmylifeathome，youwouldallowthat\'totorment\'and\'toinstruct\'mightsometimesbeusedassynonymouswords。”

“Veryprobably。Buthistoriansarenotaccountableforthedifficultyoflearningtoread；andevenyouyourself，whodonotaltogetherseemparticularlyfriendlytoverysevere，veryintenseapplication，mayperhapsbebroughttoacknowledgethatitisverywellworth-whiletobetormentedfortwoorthreeyearsofone\'slife，forthesakeofbeingabletoreadalltherestofit。

Consider——ifreadinghadnotbeentaught，Mrs。Radcliffewouldhavewritteninvain——orperhapsmightnothavewrittenatall。”

Catherineassented——andaverywarmpanegyricfromheronthatlady\'smeritsclosedthesubject。

TheTilneysweresoonengagedinanotheronwhichshehadnothingtosay。Theywereviewingthecountrywiththeeyesofpersonsaccustomedtodrawing，anddecidedonitscapabilityofbeingformedintopictures，withalltheeagernessofrealtaste。HereCatherinewasquitelost。

Sheknewnothingofdrawing——nothingoftaste:andshelistenedtothemwithanattentionwhichbroughtherlittleprofit，fortheytalkedinphraseswhichconveyedscarcelyanyideatoher。Thelittlewhichshecouldunderstand，however，appearedtocontradicttheveryfewnotionsshehadentertainedonthematterbefore。

Itseemedasifagoodviewwerenolongertobetakenfromthetopofanhighhill，andthataclearblueskywasnolongeraproofofafineday。Shewasheartilyashamedofherignorance。Amisplacedshame。

Wherepeoplewishtoattach，theyshouldalwaysbeignorant。

Tocomewithawell-informedmindistocomewithaninabilityofadministeringtothevanityofothers，whichasensiblepersonwouldalwayswishtoavoid。

Awomanespecially，ifshehavethemisfortuneofknowinganything，shouldconcealitaswellasshecan。

Theadvantagesofnaturalfollyinabeautifulgirlhavebeenalreadysetforthbythecapitalpenofasisterauthor；andtohertreatmentofthesubjectIwillonlyadd，injusticetomen，thatthoughtothelargerandmoretriflingpartofthesex，imbecilityinfemalesisagreatenhancementoftheirpersonalcharms，thereisaportionofthemtooreasonableandtoowellinformedthemselvestodesireanythingmoreinwomanthanignorance。ButCatherinedidnotknowherownadvantages——didnotknowthatagood-lookinggirl，withanaffectionateheartandaveryignorantmind，cannotfailofattractingacleveryoungman，unlesscircumstancesareparticularlyuntoward。Inthepresentinstance，sheconfessedandlamentedherwantofknowledge，declaredthatshewouldgiveanythingintheworldtobeabletodraw；

andalectureonthepicturesqueimmediatelyfollowed，inwhichhisinstructionsweresoclearthatshesoonbegantoseebeautyineverythingadmiredbyhim，andherattentionwassoearnestthathebecameperfectlysatisfiedofherhavingagreatdealofnaturaltaste。

Hetalkedofforegrounds，distances，andseconddistances——side-screensandperspectives——lightsandshades；

andCatherinewassohopefulascholarthatwhentheygainedthetopofBeechenCliff，shevoluntarilyrejectedthewholecityofBathasunworthytomakepartofalandscape。

Delightedwithherprogress，andfearfulofwearyingherwithtoomuchwisdomatonce，Henrysufferedthesubjecttodecline，andbyaneasytransitionfromapieceofrockyfragmentandthewitheredoakwhichhehadplacednearitssummit，tooaksingeneral，toforests，theenclosureofthem，wastelands，crownlandsandgovernment，heshortlyfoundhimselfarrivedatpolitics；andfrompolitics，itwasaneasysteptosilence。ThegeneralpausewhichsucceededhisshortdisquisitiononthestateofthenationwasputanendtobyCatherine，who，inratherasolemntoneofvoice，utteredthesewords，“IhaveheardthatsomethingveryshockingindeedwillsooncomeoutinLondon。”

MissTilney，towhomthiswaschieflyaddressed，wasstartled，andhastilyreplied，“Indeed！Andofwhatnature?““ThatIdonotknow，norwhoistheauthor。

Ihaveonlyheardthatitistobemorehorriblethananythingwehavemetwithyet。”

“Goodheaven！Wherecouldyouhearofsuchathing?“

“AparticularfriendofminehadanaccountofitinaletterfromLondonyesterday。Itistobeuncommonlydreadful。

Ishallexpectmurderandeverythingofthekind。”

“Youspeakwithastonishingcomposure！ButIhopeyourfriend\'saccountshavebeenexaggerated；andifsuchadesignisknownbeforehand，propermeasureswillundoubtedlybetakenbygovernmenttopreventitscomingtoeffect。”

“Government，“saidHenry，endeavouringnottosmile，“neitherdesiresnordarestointerfereinsuchmatters。

Theremustbemurder；andgovernmentcaresnothowmuch。”

Theladiesstared。Helaughed，andadded，“Come，shallImakeyouunderstandeachother，orleaveyoutopuzzleoutanexplanationasyoucan?No——Iwillbenoble。Iwillprovemyselfaman，nolessbythegenerosityofmysoulthantheclearnessofmyhead。

Ihavenopatiencewithsuchofmysexasdisdaintoletthemselvessometimesdowntothecomprehensionofyours。

Perhapstheabilitiesofwomenareneithersoundnoracute——neithervigorousnorkeen。Perhapstheymaywantobservation，discernment，judgment，fire，genius，andwit。”

“MissMorland，donotmindwhathesays；buthavethegoodnesstosatisfymeastothisdreadfulriot。”

“Riot！Whatriot?“

“MydearEleanor，theriotisonlyinyourownbrain。

Theconfusionthereisscandalous。MissMorlandhasbeentalkingofnothingmoredreadfulthananewpublicationwhichisshortlytocomeout，inthreeduodecimovolumes，twohundredandseventy-sixpagesineach，withafrontispiecetothefirst，oftwotombstonesandalantern——doyouunderstand?Andyou，MissMorland——mystupidsisterhasmistakenallyourclearestexpressions。YoutalkedofexpectedhorrorsinLondon——andinsteadofinstantlyconceiving，asanyrationalcreaturewouldhavedone，thatsuchwordscouldrelateonlytoacirculatinglibrary，sheimmediatelypicturedtoherselfamobofthreethousandmenassemblinginSt。George\'sFields，theBankattacked，theTowerthreatened，thestreetsofLondonflowingwithblood，adetachmentoftheTwelfthLightDragoons(thehopesofthenation)calledupfromNorthamptontoquelltheinsurgents，andthegallantCaptainFrederickTilney，inthemomentofchargingattheheadofhistroop，knockedoffhishorsebyabrickbatfromanupperwindow。

Forgiveherstupidity。Thefearsofthesisterhaveaddedtotheweaknessofthewoman；butsheisbynomeansasimpletoningeneral。”

Catherinelookedgrave。“Andnow，Henry，“saidMissTilney，“thatyouhavemadeusunderstandeachother，youmayaswellmakeMissMorlandunderstandyourself——unlessyoumeantohaveherthinkyouintolerablyrudetoyoursister，andagreatbruteinyouropinionofwomeningeneral。

MissMorlandisnotusedtoyouroddways。”

“Ishallbemosthappytomakeherbetteracquaintedwiththem。”

“Nodoubt；butthatisnoexplanationofthepresent。”

“WhatamItodo?“

“Youknowwhatyououghttodo。Clearyourcharacterhandsomelybeforeher。Tellherthatyouthinkveryhighlyoftheunderstandingofwomen。”

“MissMorland，Ithinkveryhighlyoftheunderstandingofallthewomenintheworld——especiallyofthose——whoevertheymaybe——withwhomIhappentobeincompany。”

“Thatisnotenough。Bemoreserious。”

“MissMorland，noonecanthinkmorehighlyoftheunderstandingofwomenthanIdo。Inmyopinion，naturehasgiventhemsomuchthattheyneverfinditnecessarytousemorethanhalf。”

“Weshallgetnothingmoreseriousfromhimnow，MissMorland。Heisnotinasobermood。ButIdoassureyouthathemustbeentirelymisunderstood，ifhecaneverappeartosayanunjustthingofanywomanatall，oranunkindoneofme。”

ItwasnoefforttoCatherinetobelievethatHenryTilneycouldneverbewrong。Hismannermightsometimessurprise，buthismeaningmustalwaysbejust:andwhatshedidnotunderstand，shewasalmostasreadytoadmire，aswhatshedid。Thewholewalkwasdelightful，andthoughitendedtoosoon，itsconclusionwasdelightfultoo；

herfriendsattendedherintothehouse，andMissTilney，beforetheyparted，addressingherselfwithrespectfulform，asmuchtoMrs。AllenastoCatherine，petitionedforthepleasureofhercompanytodinneronthedayafterthenext。NodifficultywasmadeonMrs。Allen\'sside，andtheonlydifficultyonCatherine\'swasinconcealingtheexcessofherpleasure。

Themorninghadpassedawaysocharminglyastobanishallherfriendshipandnaturalaffection，fornothoughtofIsabellaorJameshadcrossedherduringtheirwalk。

WhentheTilneysweregone，shebecameamiableagain，butshewasamiableforsometimetolittleeffect；

Mrs。Allenhadnointelligencetogivethatcouldrelieveheranxiety；shehadheardnothingofanyofthem。

Towardstheendofthemorning，however，Catherine，havingoccasionforsomeindispensableyardofribbonwhichmustbeboughtwithoutamoment\'sdelay，walkedoutintothetown，andinBondStreetovertookthesecondMissThorpeasshewasloiteringtowardsEdgar\'sBuildingsbetweentwoofthesweetestgirlsintheworld，whohadbeenherdearfriendsallthemorning。Fromher，shesoonlearnedthatthepartytoCliftonhadtakenplace。

“Theysetoffateightthismorning，“saidMissAnne，“andIamsureIdonotenvythemtheirdrive。IthinkyouandIareverywellofftobeoutofthescrape。

itmustbethedullestthingintheworld，forthereisnotasoulatCliftonatthistimeofyear。Bellewentwithyourbrother，andJohndroveMaria。”

Catherinespokethepleasureshereallyfeltonhearingthispartofthearrangement。

“Oh！yes，“rejoinedtheother，“Mariaisgone。

Shewasquitewildtogo。Shethoughtitwouldbesomethingveryfine。IcannotsayIadmirehertaste；

andformypart，Iwasdeterminedfromthefirstnottogo，iftheypressedmeeversomuch。”

Catherine，alittledoubtfulofthis，couldnothelpanswering，“Iwishyoucouldhavegonetoo。

Itisapityyoucouldnotallgo。”

“Thankyou；butitisquiteamatterofindifferencetome。Indeed，Iwouldnothavegoneonanyaccount。

IwassayingsotoEmilyandSophiawhenyouovertookus。

Catherinewasstillunconvinced；butgladthatAnneshouldhavethefriendshipofanEmilyandaSophiatoconsoleher，shebadeheradieuwithoutmuchuneasiness，andreturnedhome，pleasedthatthepartyhadnotbeenpreventedbyherrefusingtojoinit，andveryheartilywishingthatitmightbetoopleasanttoalloweitherJamesorIsabellatoresentherresistanceanylonger。

CHAPTER15

Earlythenextday，anotefromIsabella，speakingpeaceandtendernessineveryline，andentreatingtheimmediatepresenceofherfriendonamatteroftheutmostimportance，hastenedCatherine，inthehappieststateofconfidenceandcuriosity，toEdgar\'sBuildings。

ThetwoyoungestMissThorpeswerebythemselvesintheparlour；and，onAnne\'squittingittocallhersister，Catherinetooktheopportunityofaskingtheotherforsomeparticularsoftheiryesterday\'sparty。

Mariadesirednogreaterpleasurethantospeakofit；

andCatherineimmediatelylearntthatithadbeenaltogetherthemostdelightfulschemeintheworld，thatnobodycouldimaginehowcharmingithadbeen，andthatithadbeenmoredelightfulthananybodycouldconceive。

Suchwastheinformationofthefirstfiveminutes；

thesecondunfoldedthusmuchindetail——thattheyhaddrivendirectlytotheYorkHotel，atesomesoup，andbespokeanearlydinner，walkeddowntothepump-room，tastedthewater，andlaidoutsomeshillingsinpursesandspars；

thenceadjoinedtoeaticeatapastry-cook\'s，andhurryingbacktothehotel，swallowedtheirdinnerinhaste，topreventbeinginthedark；andthenhadadelightfuldriveback，onlythemoonwasnotup，anditrainedalittle，andMr。Morland\'shorsewassotiredhecouldhardlygetitalong。

Catherinelistenedwithheartfeltsatisfaction。

ItappearedthatBlaizeCastlehadneverbeenthoughtof；

and，asforalltherest，therewasnothingtoregretforhalfaninstant。Maria\'sintelligenceconcludedwithatendereffusionofpityforhersisterAnne，whomsherepresentedasinsupportablycross，frombeingexcludedtheparty。

“Shewillneverforgiveme，Iamsure；but，youknow，howcouldIhelpit?Johnwouldhavemego，forhevowedhewouldnotdriveher，becauseshehadsuchthickankles。

Idaresayshewillnotbeingoodhumouragainthismonth；

butIamdeterminedIwillnotbecross；itisnotalittlematterthatputsmeoutoftemper。”

Isabellanowenteredtheroomwithsoeagerastep，andalookofsuchhappyimportance，asengagedallherfriend\'snotice。Mariawaswithoutceremonysentaway，andIsabella，embracingCatherine，thusbegan:“Yes，mydearCatherine，itissoindeed；yourpenetrationhasnotdeceivedyou。Oh！Thatarcheyeofyours！Itseesthrougheverything。”

Catherinerepliedonlybyalookofwonderingignorance。

“Nay，mybeloved，sweetestfriend，“continuedtheother，“composeyourself。Iamamazinglyagitated，asyouperceive。

Letussitdownandtalkincomfort。Well，andsoyouguesseditthemomentyouhadmynote?Slycreature！

Oh！MydearCatherine，youalone，whoknowmyheart，canjudgeofmypresenthappiness。Yourbrotheristhemostcharmingofmen。IonlywishIweremoreworthyofhim。

Butwhatwillyourexcellentfatherandmothersay?Oh！

Heavens！WhenIthinkofthemIamsoagitated！“

Catherine\'sunderstandingbegantoawake:anideaofthetruthsuddenlydartedintohermind；and，withthenaturalblushofsonewanemotion，shecriedout，“Goodheaven！MydearIsabella，whatdoyoumean?Canyou——canyoureallybeinlovewithJames?“

Thisboldsurmise，however，shesoonlearntcomprehendedbuthalfthefact。Theanxiousaffection，whichshewasaccusedofhavingcontinuallywatchedinIsabella\'severylookandaction，had，inthecourseoftheiryesterday\'sparty，receivedthedelightfulconfessionofanequallove。HerheartandfaithwerealikeengagedtoJames。NeverhadCatherinelistenedtoanythingsofullofinterest，wonder，andjoy。

Herbrotherandherfriendengaged！Newtosuchcircumstances，theimportanceofitappearedunspeakablygreat，andshecontemplateditasoneofthosegrandevents，ofwhichtheordinarycourseoflifecanhardlyaffordareturn。

Thestrengthofherfeelingsshecouldnotexpress；

thenatureofthem，however，contentedherfriend。

Thehappinessofhavingsuchasisterwastheirfirsteffusion，andthefairladiesmingledinembracesandtearsofjoy。

Delighting，however，asCatherinesincerelydidintheprospectoftheconnection，itmustbeacknowledgedthatIsabellafarsurpassedherintenderanticipations。

“Youwillbesoinfinitelydearertome，myCatherine，thaneitherAnneorMaria:IfeelthatIshallbesomuchmoreattachedtomydearMorland\'sfamilythantomyown。”

ThiswasapitchoffriendshipbeyondCatherine。

“Youaresolikeyourdearbrother，“continuedIsabella，“thatIquitedotedonyouthefirstmomentIsawyou。

Butsoitalwaysiswithme；thefirstmomentsettleseverything。TheveryfirstdaythatMorlandcametouslastChristmas——theveryfirstmomentIbeheldhim——myheartwasirrecoverablygone。IrememberIworemyyellowgown，withmyhairdoneupinbraids；andwhenI

cameintothedrawing-room，andJohnintroducedhim，IthoughtIneversawanybodysohandsomebefore。”

HereCatherinesecretlyacknowledgedthepoweroflove；for，thoughexceedinglyfondofherbrother，andpartialtoallhisendowments，shehadneverinherlifethoughthimhandsome。

“Iremembertoo，MissAndrewsdrankteawithusthatevening，andworeherpuce-colouredsarsenet；

andshelookedsoheavenlythatIthoughtyourbrothermustcertainlyfallinlovewithher；Icouldnotsleepawinkallrightforthinkingofit。Oh！Catherine，themanysleeplessnightsIhavehadonyourbrother\'saccount！IwouldnothaveyousufferhalfwhatIhavedone！

Iamgrownwretchedlythin，Iknow；butIwillnotpainyoubydescribingmyanxiety；youhaveseenenoughofit。

IfeelthatIhavebetrayedmyselfperpetually——sounguardedinspeakingofmypartialityforthechurch！ButmysecretIwasalwayssurewouldbesafewithyou。”

Catherinefeltthatnothingcouldhavebeensafer；

butashamedofanignorancelittleexpected，shedarednolongercontestthepoint，norrefusetohavebeenasfullofarchpenetrationandaffectionatesympathyasIsabellachosetoconsiderher。Herbrother，shefound，waspreparingtosetoffwithallspeedtoFullerton，tomakeknownhissituationandaskconsent；andherewasasourceofsomerealagitationtothemindofIsabella。

Catherineendeavouredtopersuadeher，asshewasherselfpersuaded，thatherfatherandmotherwouldneveropposetheirson\'swishes。“Itisimpossible，“

saidshe，“forparentstobemorekind，ormoredesirousoftheirchildren\'shappiness；Ihavenodoubtoftheirconsentingimmediately。”

“Morlandsaysexactlythesame，“repliedIsabella；

“andyetIdarenotexpectit；myfortunewillbesosmall；

theynevercanconsenttoit。Yourbrother，whomightmarryanybody！“

HereCatherineagaindiscernedtheforceoflove。

“Indeed，Isabella，youaretoohumble。Thedifferenceoffortunecanbenothingtosignify。”

“Oh！MysweetCatherine，inyourgenerousheartI

knowitwouldsignifynothing；butwemustnotexpectsuchdisinterestednessinmany。Asformyself，IamsureIonlywishoursituationswerereversed。HadIthecommandofmillions，wereImistressofthewholeworld，yourbrotherwouldbemyonlychoice。”

Thischarmingsentiment，recommendedasmuchbysenseasnovelty，gaveCatherineamostpleasingremembranceofalltheheroinesofheracquaintance；andshethoughtherfriendneverlookedmorelovelythaninutteringthegrandidea。

“Iamsuretheywillconsent，“washerfrequentdeclaration；

“Iamsuretheywillbedelightedwithyou。”

“Formyownpart，“saidIsabella，“mywishesaresomoderatethatthesmallestincomeinnaturewouldbeenoughforme。

Wherepeoplearereallyattached，povertyitselfiswealth；

grandeurIdetest:IwouldnotsettleinLondonfortheuniverse。

Acottageinsomeretiredvillagewouldbeecstasy。

TherearesomecharminglittlevillasaboutRichmond。”

“Richmond！“criedCatherine。“YoumustsettlenearFullerton。Youmustbenearus。”

“IamsureIshallbemiserableifwedonot。

IfIcanbutbenearyou，Ishallbesatisfied。

Butthisisidletalking！Iwillnotallowmyselftothinkofsuchthings，tillwehaveyourfather\'sanswer。

MorlandsaysthatbysendingittonighttoSalisbury，wemayhaveittomorrow。Tomorrow?IknowIshallneverhavecouragetoopentheletter。Iknowitwillbethedeathofme。”

Areveriesucceededthisconviction——andwhenIsabellaspokeagain，itwastoresolveonthequalityofherwedding-gown。

Theirconferencewasputanendtobytheanxiousyoungloverhimself，whocametobreathehispartingsighbeforehesetoffforWiltshire。Catherinewishedtocongratulatehim，butknewnotwhattosay，andhereloquencewasonlyinhereyes。Fromthem，however，theeightpartsofspeechshoneoutmostexpressively，andJamescouldcombinethemwithease。Impatientfortherealizationofallthathehopedathome，hisadieuswerenotlong；

andtheywouldhavebeenyetshorter，hadhenotbeenfrequentlydetainedbytheurgententreatiesofhisfaironethathewouldgo。Twicewashecalledalmostfromthedoorbyhereagernesstohavehimgone。“Indeed，Morland，Imustdriveyouaway。Considerhowfaryouhavetoride。

Icannotbeartoseeyoulingerso。Forheaven\'ssake，wastenomoretime。There，go，go——Iinsistonit。”

Thetwofriends，withheartsnowmoreunitedthanever，wereinseparablefortheday；andinschemesofsisterlyhappinessthehoursflewalong。Mrs。Thorpeandherson，whowereacquaintedwitheverything，andwhoseemedonlytowantMr。Morland\'sconsent，toconsiderIsabella\'sengagementasthemostfortunatecircumstanceimaginablefortheirfamily，wereallowedtojointheircounsels，andaddtheirquotaofsignificantlooksandmysteriousexpressionstofillupthemeasureofcuriositytoberaisedintheunprivilegedyoungersisters。

ToCatherine\'ssimplefeelings，thisoddsortofreserveseemedneitherkindlymeant，norconsistentlysupported；

anditsunkindnessshewouldhardlyhaveforbornepointingout，haditsinconsistencybeenlesstheirfriend；

butAnneandMariasoonsetherheartateasebythesagacityoftheir“Iknowwhat“；andtheeveningwasspentinasortofwarofwit，adisplayoffamilyingenuity，ononesideinthemysteryofanaffectedsecret，ontheotherofundefineddiscovery，allequallyacute。

Catherinewaswithherfriendagainthenextday，endeavouringtosupportherspiritsandwhileawaythemanytedioushoursbeforethedeliveryoftheletters；

aneedfulexertion，forasthetimeofreasonableexpectationdrewnear，Isabellabecamemoreandmoredesponding，andbeforetheletterarrived，hadworkedherselfintoastateofrealdistress。Butwhenitdidcome，wherecoulddistressbefound?“Ihavehadnodifficultyingainingtheconsentofmykindparents，andampromisedthateverythingintheirpowershallbedonetoforwardmyhappiness，“werethefirstthreelines，andinonemomentallwasjoyfulsecurity。ThebrightestglowwasinstantlyspreadoverIsabella\'sfeatures，allcareandanxietyseemedremoved，herspiritsbecamealmosttoohighforcontrol，andshecalledherselfwithoutscruplethehappiestofmortals。

Mrs。Thorpe，withtearsofjoy，embracedherdaughter，herson，hervisitor，andcouldhaveembracedhalftheinhabitantsofBathwithsatisfaction。Herheartwasoverflowingwithtenderness。Itwas“dearJohn“

and“dearCatherine“ateveryword；“dearAnneanddearMaria“

mustimmediatelybemadesharersintheirfelicity；

andtwo“dears“atoncebeforethenameofIsabellawerenotmorethanthatbelovedchildhadnowwellearned。

Johnhimselfwasnoskulkerinjoy。HenotonlybestowedonMr。Morlandthehighcommendationofbeingoneofthefinestfellowsintheworld，butsworeoffmanysentencesinhispraise。

Theletter，whencesprangallthisfelicity，wasshort，containinglittlemorethanthisassuranceofsuccess；

andeveryparticularwasdeferredtillJamescouldwriteagain。

ButforparticularsIsabellacouldwellaffordtowait。

TheneedfulwascomprisedinMr。Morland\'spromise；

hishonourwaspledgedtomakeeverythingeasy；andbywhatmeanstheirincomewastobeformed，whetherlandedpropertyweretoberesigned，orfundedmoneymadeover，wasamatterinwhichherdisinterestedspirittooknoconcern。Sheknewenoughtofeelsecureofanhonourableandspeedyestablishment，andherimaginationtookarapidflightoveritsattendantfelicities。Shesawherselfattheendofafewweeks，thegazeandadmirationofeverynewacquaintanceatFullerton，theenvyofeveryvaluedoldfriendinPutney，withacarriageathercommand，anewnameonhertickets，andabrilliantexhibitionofhoopringsonherfinger。

Whenthecontentsoftheletterwereascertained，JohnThorpe，whohadonlywaiteditsarrivaltobeginhisjourneytoLondon，preparedtosetoff。“Well，MissMorland，“

saidhe，onfindingheraloneintheparlour，“Iamcometobidyougood-bye。”Catherinewishedhimagoodjourney。

Withoutappearingtohearher，hewalkedtothewindow，fidgetedabout，hummedatune，andseemedwhollyself-occupied。

“ShallnotyoubelateatDevizes?“saidCatherine。

Hemadenoanswer；butafteraminute\'ssilenceburstoutwith，“Afamousgoodthingthismarryingscheme，uponmysoul！AcleverfancyofMorland\'sandBelle\'s。

Whatdoyouthinkofit，MissMorland?Isayitisnobadnotion。”

“IamsureIthinkitaverygoodone。”

“Doyou?That\'shonest，byheavens！Iamgladyouarenoenemytomatrimony，however。Didyoueverheartheoldsong\'GoingtoOneWeddingBringsonAnother?\'

Isay，youwillcometoBelle\'swedding，Ihope。”

“Yes；Ihavepromisedyoursistertobewithher，ifpossible。”

“Andthenyouknow“——twistinghimselfaboutandforcingafoolishlaugh——“Isay，thenyouknow，wemaytrythetruthofthissameoldsong。”

“Maywe?ButIneversing。Well，Iwishyouagoodjourney。

IdinewithMissTilneytoday，andmustnowbegoinghome。”

“Nay，butthereisnosuchconfoundedhurry。

Whoknowswhenwemaybetogetheragain?NotbutthatI

shallbedownagainbytheendofafortnight，andadevilishlongfortnightitwillappeartome。”

“Thenwhydoyoustayawaysolong?“

repliedCatherine——findingthathewaitedforananswer。

“Thatiskindofyou，however——kindandgood-natured。

Ishallnotforgetitinahurry。Butyouhavemoregoodnatureandallthat，thananybodyliving，Ibelieve。

Amonstrousdealofgoodnature，anditisnotonlygoodnature，butyouhavesomuch，somuchofeverything；

andthenyouhavesuch——uponmysoul，Idonotknowanybodylikeyou。”

“Oh！dear，thereareagreatmanypeoplelikeme，Idaresay，onlyagreatdealbetter。Goodmorningtoyou。”

“ButIsay，MissMorland，IshallcomeandpaymyrespectsatFullertonbeforeitislong，ifnotdisagreeable。”

“Praydo。Myfatherandmotherwillbeverygladtoseeyou。”

“AndIhope——Ihope，MissMorland，youwillnotbesorrytoseeme。”

“Oh！dear，notatall。ThereareveryfewpeopleIamsorrytosee。Companyisalwayscheerful。”

“Thatisjustmywayofthinking。Givemebutalittlecheerfulcompany，letmeonlyhavethecompanyofthepeopleIlove，letmeonlybewhereIlikeandwithwhomIlike，andthedeviltaketherest，sayI。AndIamheartilygladtohearyousaythesame。ButIhaveanotion，MissMorland，youandIthinkprettymuchalikeuponmostmatters。”

“Perhapswemay；butitismorethanIeverthoughtof。

Andastomostmatters，tosaythetruth，therearenotmanythatIknowmyownmindabout。”

“ByJove，nomoredoI。Itisnotmywaytobothermybrainswithwhatdoesnotconcernme。Mynotionofthingsissimpleenough。LetmeonlyhavethegirlIlike，sayI，withacomfortablehouseovermyhead，andwhatcareIforalltherest?Fortuneisnothing。

Iamsureofagoodincomeofmyown；andifshehadnotapenny，why，somuchthebetter。”

“Verytrue。Ithinklikeyouthere。Ifthereisagoodfortuneononeside，therecanbenooccasionforanyontheother。Nomatterwhichhasit，sothatthereisenough。

Ihatetheideaofonegreatfortunelookingoutforanother。

AndtomarryformoneyIthinkthewickedestthinginexistence。Goodday。WeshallbeverygladtoseeyouatFullerton，wheneveritisconvenient。”Andawayshewent。Itwasnotinthepowerofallhisgallantrytodetainherlonger。Withsuchnewstocommunicate，andsuchavisittopreparefor，herdeparturewasnottobedelayedbyanythinginhisnaturetourge；andshehurriedaway，leavinghimtotheundividedconsciousnessofhisownhappyaddress，andherexplicitencouragement。

Theagitationwhichshehadherselfexperiencedonfirstlearningherbrother\'sengagementmadeherexpecttoraisenoinconsiderableemotioninMr。andMrs。Allen，bythecommunicationofthewonderfulevent。

Howgreatwasherdisappointment！Theimportantaffair，whichmanywordsofpreparationusheredin，hadbeenforeseenbythembotheversinceherbrother\'sarrival；

andallthattheyfeltontheoccasionwascomprehendedinawishfortheyoungpeople\'shappiness，witharemark，onthegentleman\'sside，infavourofIsabella\'sbeauty，andonthelady\'s，ofhergreatgoodluck。ItwastoCatherinethemostsurprisinginsensibility。Thedisclosure，however，ofthegreatsecretofJames\'sgoingtoFullertonthedaybefore，didraisesomeemotioninMrs。Allen。

Shecouldnotlistentothatwithperfectcalmness，butrepeatedlyregrettedthenecessityofitsconcealment，wishedshecouldhaveknownhisintention，wishedshecouldhaveseenhimbeforehewent，assheshouldcertainlyhavetroubledhimwithherbestregardstohisfatherandmother，andherkindcomplimentstoalltheSkinners。

CHAPTER16

Catherine\'sexpectationsofpleasurefromhervisitinMilsomStreetweresoveryhighthatdisappointmentwasinevitable；andaccordingly，thoughshewasmostpolitelyreceivedbyGeneralTilney，andkindlywelcomedbyhisdaughter，thoughHenrywasathome，andnooneelseoftheparty，shefound，onherreturn，withoutspendingmanyhoursintheexaminationofherfeelings，thatshehadgonetoherappointmentpreparingforhappinesswhichithadnotafforded。InsteadoffindingherselfimprovedinacquaintancewithMissTilney，fromtheintercourseoftheday，sheseemedhardlysointimatewithherasbefore；

insteadofseeingHenryTilneytogreateradvantagethanever，intheeaseofafamilyparty，hehadneversaidsolittle，norbeensolittleagreeable；and，inspiteoftheirfather\'sgreatcivilitiestoher——inspiteofhisthanks，invitations，andcompliments——ithadbeenareleasetogetawayfromhim。Itpuzzledhertoaccountforallthis。ItcouldnotbeGeneralTilney\'sfault。

Thathewasperfectlyagreeableandgood-natured，andaltogetheraverycharmingman，didnotadmitofadoubt，forhewastallandhandsome，andHenry\'sfather。

Hecouldnotbeaccountableforhischildren\'swantofspirits，orforherwantofenjoymentinhiscompany。

Theformershehopedatlastmighthavebeenaccidental，andthelattershecouldonlyattributetoherownstupidity。

Isabella，onhearingtheparticularsofthevisit，gaveadifferentexplanation:“Itwasallpride，pride，insufferablehaughtinessandpride！Shehadlongsuspectedthefamilytobeveryhigh，andthismadeitcertain。

SuchinsolenceofbehaviourasMissTilney\'sshehadneverheardofinherlife！Nottodothehonoursofherhousewithcommongoodbreeding！Tobehavetoherguestwithsuchsuperciliousness！Hardlyeventospeaktoher！“

“Butitwasnotsobadasthat，Isabella；therewasnosuperciliousness；shewasverycivil。”

“Oh！Don\'tdefendher！Andthenthebrother，he，whohadappearedsoattachedtoyou！Goodheavens！Well，somepeople\'sfeelingsareincomprehensible。Andsohehardlylookedonceatyouthewholeday?“

“Idonotsayso；buthedidnotseemingoodspirits。”

“Howcontemptible！Ofallthingsintheworldinconstancyismyaversion。Letmeentreatyounevertothinkofhimagain，mydearCatherine；indeedheisunworthyofyou。”

“Unworthy！Idonotsupposeheeverthinksofme。”

“ThatisexactlywhatIsay；heneverthinksofyou。Suchfickleness！Oh！Howdifferenttoyourbrotherandtomine！IreallybelieveJohnhasthemostconstantheart。”

“ButasforGeneralTilney，Iassureyouitwouldbeimpossibleforanybodytobehavetomewithgreatercivilityandattention；itseemedtobehisonlycaretoentertainandmakemehappy。”

“Oh！Iknownoharmofhim；Idonotsuspecthimofpride。Ibelieveheisaverygentleman-likeman。

Johnthinksverywellofhim，andJohn\'sjudgment——“

“Well，Ishallseehowtheybehavetomethisevening；

weshallmeetthemattherooms。”

“AndmustIgo?“

“Donotyouintendit?Ithoughtitwasallsettled。”

“Nay，sinceyoumakesuchapointofit，Icanrefuseyounothing。Butdonotinsistuponmybeingveryagreeable，formyheart，youknow，willbesomefortymilesoff。

Andasfordancing，donotmentionit，Ibeg；thatisquiteoutofthequestion。CharlesHodgeswillplaguemetodeath，Idaresay；butIshallcuthimveryshort。

Tentoonebutheguessesthereason，andthatisexactlywhatIwanttoavoid，soIshallinsistonhiskeepinghisconjecturetohimself。”

Isabella\'sopinionoftheTilneysdidnotinfluenceherfriend；shewassuretherehadbeennoinsolenceinthemannerseitherofbrotherorsister；andshedidnotcredittherebeinganyprideintheirhearts。

Theeveningrewardedherconfidence；shewasmetbyonewiththesamekindness，andbytheotherwiththesameattention，asheretofore:MissTilneytookpainstobenearher，andHenryaskedhertodance。

HavingheardthedaybeforeinMilsomStreetthattheirelderbrother，CaptainTilney，wasexpectedalmosteveryhour，shewasatnolossforthenameofaveryfashionable-looking，handsomeyoungman，whomshehadneverseenbefore，andwhonowevidentlybelongedtotheirparty。Shelookedathimwithgreatadmiration，andevensupposeditpossiblethatsomepeoplemightthinkhimhandsomerthanhisbrother，though，inhereyes，hisairwasmoreassuming，andhiscountenancelessprepossessing。Histasteandmannerswerebeyondadoubtdecidedlyinferior；for，withinherhearing，henotonlyprotestedagainsteverythoughtofdancinghimself，butevenlaughedopenlyatHenryforfindingitpossible。

Fromthelattercircumstanceitmaybepresumedthat，whatevermightbeourheroine\'sopinionofhim，hisadmirationofherwasnotofaverydangerouskind；

notlikelytoproduceanimositiesbetweenthebrothers，norpersecutionstothelady。Hecannotbetheinstigatorofthethreevillainsinhorsemen\'sgreatcoats，bywhomshewillhereafterbeforcedintoatraveling-chaiseandfour，whichwilldriveoffwithincrediblespeed。

Catherine，meanwhile，undisturbedbypresentimentsofsuchanevil，orofanyevilatall，exceptthatofhavingbutashortsettodancedown，enjoyedherusualhappinesswithHenryTilney，listeningwithsparklingeyestoeverythinghesaid；and，infindinghimirresistible，becomingsoherself。

Attheendofthefirstdance，CaptainTilneycametowardsthemagain，and，muchtoCatherine\'sdissatisfaction，pulledhisbrotheraway。Theyretiredwhisperingtogether；

and，thoughherdelicatesensibilitydidnottakeimmediatealarm，andlayitdownasfact，thatCaptainTilneymusthaveheardsomemalevolentmisrepresentationofher，whichhenowhastenedtocommunicatetohisbrother，inthehopeofseparatingthemforever，shecouldnothaveherpartnerconveyedfromhersightwithoutveryuneasysensations。

Hersuspensewasoffullfiveminutes\'duration；andshewasbeginningtothinkitaverylongquarterofanhour，whentheybothreturned，andanexplanationwasgiven，byHenry\'srequestingtoknowifshethoughtherfriend，MissThorpe，wouldhaveanyobjectiontodancing，ashisbrotherwouldbemosthappytobeintroducedtoher。Catherine，withouthesitation，repliedthatshewasverysureMissThorpedidnotmeantodanceatall。

Thecruelreplywaspassedontotheother，andheimmediatelywalkedaway。

“Yourbrotherwillnotmindit，Iknow，“saidshe，“becauseIheardhimsaybeforethathehateddancing；

butitwasverygood-naturedinhimtothinkofit。

IsupposehesawIsabellasittingdown，andfanciedshemightwishforapartner；butheisquitemistaken，forshewouldnotdanceuponanyaccountintheworld。”

Henrysmiled，andsaid，“Howverylittletroubleitcangiveyoutounderstandthemotiveofotherpeople\'sactions。”

“Why?Whatdoyoumean?“

“Withyou，itisnot，Howissuchaonelikelytobeinfluenced，Whatistheinducementmostlikelytoactuponsuchaperson\'sfeelings，age，situation，andprobablehabitsoflifeconsidered——but，HowshouldIbeinfluenced，Whatwouldbemyinducementinactingsoandso?“

“Idonotunderstandyou。”

“Thenweareonveryunequalterms，forIunderstandyouperfectlywell。”

“Me?Yes；Icannotspeakwellenoughtobeunintelligible。”

“Bravo！Anexcellentsatireonmodernlanguage。”

“Butpraytellmewhatyoumean。”

“ShallIindeed?Doyoureallydesireit?Butyouarenotawareoftheconsequences；itwillinvolveyouinaverycruelembarrassment，andcertainlybringonadisagreementbetweenus。

“No，no；itshallnotdoeither；Iamnotafraid。”

“Well，then，Ionlymeantthatyourattributingmybrother\'swishofdancingwithMissThorpetogoodnaturealoneconvincedmeofyourbeingsuperioringoodnatureyourselftoalltherestoftheworld。”

Catherineblushedanddisclaimed，andthegentleman\'spredictionswereverified。Therewasasomething，however，inhiswordswhichrepaidherforthepainofconfusion；

andthatsomethingoccupiedhermindsomuchthatshedrewbackforsometime，forgettingtospeakortolisten，andalmostforgettingwhereshewas；till，rousedbythevoiceofIsabella，shelookedupandsawherwithCaptainTilneypreparingtogivethemhandsacross。

Isabellashruggedhershouldersandsmiled，theonlyexplanationofthisextraordinarychangewhichcouldatthattimebegiven；butasitwasnotquiteenoughforCatherine\'scomprehension，shespokeherastonishmentinveryplaintermstoherpartner。

“Icannotthinkhowitcouldhappen！Isabellawassodeterminednottodance。”

“AnddidIsabellaneverchangehermindbefore?“

“Oh！But，because——Andyourbrother！Afterwhatyoutoldhimfromme，howcouldhethinkofgoingtoaskher?“

“Icannottakesurprisetomyselfonthathead。

Youbidmebesurprisedonyourfriend\'saccount，andthereforeIam；butasformybrother，hisconductinthebusiness，Imustown，hasbeennomorethanI

believedhimperfectlyequalto。Thefairnessofyourfriendwasanopenattraction；herfirmness，youknow，couldonlybeunderstoodbyyourself。”

“Youarelaughing；but，Iassureyou，Isabellaisveryfirmingeneral。”

“Itisasmuchasshouldbesaidofanyone。Tobealwaysfirmmustbetobeoftenobstinate。Whenproperlytorelaxisthetrialofjudgment；and，withoutreferencetomybrother，IreallythinkMissThorpehasbynomeanschosenillinfixingonthepresenthour。”

Thefriendswerenotabletogettogetherforanyconfidentialdiscoursetillallthedancingwasover；

butthen，astheywalkedabouttheroomarminarm，Isabellathusexplainedherself:“Idonotwonderatyoursurprise；andIamreallyfatiguedtodeath。Heissucharattle！Amusingenough，ifmymindhadbeendisengaged；

butIwouldhavegiventheworldtositstill。”

“Thenwhydidnotyou?“

“Oh！Mydear！Itwouldhavelookedsoparticular；

andyouknowhowIabhordoingthat。IrefusedhimaslongasIpossiblycould，buthewouldtakenodenial。

Youhavenoideahowhepressedme。Ibeggedhimtoexcuseme，andgetsomeotherpartner——butno，nothe；

afteraspiringtomyhand，therewasnobodyelseintheroomhecouldbeartothinkof；anditwasnotthathewantedmerelytodance，hewantedtobewithme。

Oh！Suchnonsense！Itoldhimhehadtakenaveryunlikelywaytoprevailuponme；for，ofallthingsintheworld，Ihatedfinespeechesandcompliments；andso——andsothenIfoundtherewouldbenopeaceifIdidnotstandup。

Besides，IthoughtMrs。Hughes，whointroducedhim，mighttakeitillifIdidnot:andyourdearbrother，IamsurehewouldhavebeenmiserableifIhadsatdownthewholeevening。Iamsogladitisover！Myspiritsarequitejadedwithlisteningtohisnonsense:andthen，beingsuchasmartyoungfellow，Isaweveryeyewasuponus。”

“Heisveryhandsomeindeed。”

“Handsome！Yes，Isupposehemay。Idaresaypeoplewouldadmirehimingeneral；butheisnotatallinmystyleofbeauty。Ihateafloridcomplexionanddarkeyesinaman。However，heisverywell。Amazinglyconceited，Iamsure。Itookhimdownseveraltimes，youknow，inmyway。”

Whentheyoungladiesnextmet，theyhadafarmoreinterestingsubjecttodiscuss。JamesMorland\'ssecondletterwasthenreceived，andthekindintentionsofhisfatherfullyexplained。Aliving，ofwhichMr。Morlandwashimselfpatronandincumbent，ofaboutfourhundredpoundsyearlyvalue，wastoberesignedtohissonassoonasheshouldbeoldenoughtotakeit；

notriflingdeductionfromthefamilyincome，noniggardlyassignmenttooneoftenchildren。Anestateofatleastequalvalue，moreover，wasassuredashisfutureinheritance。

Jamesexpressedhimselfontheoccasionwithbecominggratitude；andthenecessityofwaitingbetweentwoandthreeyearsbeforetheycouldmarry，being，howeverunwelcome，nomorethanhehadexpected，wasbornebyhimwithoutdiscontent。Catherine，whoseexpectationshadbeenasunfixedasherideasofherfather\'sincome，andwhosejudgmentwasnowentirelyledbyherbrother，feltequallywellsatisfied，andheartilycongratulatedIsabellaonhavingeverythingsopleasantlysettled。

“Itisverycharmingindeed，“saidIsabella，withagraveface。“Mr。Morlandhasbehavedvastlyhandsomeindeed，“saidthegentleMrs。Thorpe，lookinganxiouslyatherdaughter。“IonlywishIcoulddoasmuch。Onecouldnotexpectmorefromhim，youknow。

Ifhefindshecandomorebyandby，Idaresayhewill，forIamsurehemustbeanexcellentgood-heartedman。

Fourhundredisbutasmallincometobeginonindeed，butyourwishes，mydearIsabella，aresomoderate，youdonotconsiderhowlittleyoueverwant，mydear。”

“ItisnotonmyownaccountIwishformore；butI

cannotbeartobethemeansofinjuringmydearMorland，makinghimsitdownuponanincomehardlyenoughtofindoneinthecommonnecessariesoflife。Formyself，itisnothing；Ineverthinkofmyself。”

“Iknowyouneverdo，mydear；andyouwillalwaysfindyourrewardintheaffectionitmakeseverybodyfeelforyou。Thereneverwasayoungwomansobelovedasyouarebyeverybodythatknowsyou；andIdaresaywhenMr。Morlandseesyou，mydearchild——butdonotletusdistressourdearCatherinebytalkingofsuchthings。

Mr。Morlandhasbehavedsoveryhandsome，youknow。

Ialwaysheardhewasamostexcellentman；andyouknow，mydear，wearenottosupposebutwhat，ifyouhadhadasuitablefortune，hewouldhavecomedownwithsomethingmore，forIamsurehemustbeamostliberal-mindedman。”

“NobodycanthinkbetterofMr。MorlandthanIdo，Iamsure。Buteverybodyhastheirfailing，youknow，andeverybodyhasarighttodowhattheylikewiththeirownmoney。”Catherinewashurtbytheseinsinuations。

“Iamverysure，“saidshe，“thatmyfatherhaspromisedtodoasmuchashecanafford。”

Isabellarecollectedherself。“Astothat，mysweetCatherine，therecannotbeadoubt，andyouknowmewellenoughtobesurethatamuchsmallerincomewouldsatisfyme。Itisnotthewantofmoremoneythatmakesmejustatpresentalittleoutofspirits；Ihatemoney；

andifourunioncouldtakeplacenowupononlyfiftypoundsayear，Ishouldnothaveawishunsatisfied。

Ah！myCatherine，youhavefoundmeout。There\'sthesting。

Thelong，long，endlesstwoyearsandhalfthataretopassbeforeyourbrothercanholdtheliving。”

“Yes，yes，mydarlingIsabella，“saidMrs。Thorpe，“weperfectlyseeintoyourheart。Youhavenodisguise。

Weperfectlyunderstandthepresentvexation；andeverybodymustloveyouthebetterforsuchanoblehonestaffection。”

Catherine\'suncomfortablefeelingsbegantolessen。

SheendeavouredtobelievethatthedelayofthemarriagewastheonlysourceofIsabella\'sregret；andwhenshesawherattheirnextinterviewascheerfulandamiableasever，endeavouredtoforgetthatshehadforaminutethoughtotherwise。Jamessoonfollowedhisletter，andwasreceivedwiththemostgratifyingkindness。

CHAPTER17

TheAllenshadnowenteredonthesixthweekoftheirstayinBath；andwhetheritshouldbethelastwasforsometimeaquestion，towhichCatherinelistenedwithabeatingheart。TohaveheracquaintancewiththeTilneysendsosoonwasanevilwhichnothingcouldcounterbalance。

Herwholehappinessseemedatstake，whiletheaffairwasinsuspense，andeverythingsecuredwhenitwasdeterminedthatthelodgingsshouldbetakenforanotherfortnight。

WhatthisadditionalfortnightwastoproducetoherbeyondthepleasureofsometimesseeingHenryTilneymadebutasmallpartofCatherine\'sspeculation。

Onceortwiceindeed，sinceJames\'sengagementhadtaughtherwhatcouldbedone，shehadgotsofarastoindulgeinasecret“perhaps，“butingeneralthefelicityofbeingwithhimforthepresentboundedherviews:thepresentwasnowcomprisedinanotherthreeweeks，andherhappinessbeingcertainforthatperiod，therestofherlifewasatsuchadistanceastoexcitebutlittleinterest。

Inthecourseofthemorningwhichsawthisbusinessarranged，shevisitedMissTilney，andpouredforthherjoyfulfeelings。

Itwasdoomedtobeadayoftrial。NosoonerhadsheexpressedherdelightinMr。Allen\'slengthenedstaythanMissTilneytoldherofherfather\'shavingjustdetermineduponquittingBathbytheendofanotherweek。

Herewasablow！Thepastsuspenseofthemorninghadbeeneaseandquiettothepresentdisappointment。

Catherine\'scountenancefell，andinavoiceofmostsincereconcernsheechoedMissTilney\'sconcludingwords，“Bytheendofanotherweek！“

“Yes，myfathercanseldombeprevailedontogivethewaterswhatIthinkafairtrial。Hehasbeendisappointedofsomefriends\'arrivalwhomheexpectedtomeethere，andasheisnowprettywell，isinahurrytogethome。”

“Iamverysorryforit，“saidCatherinedejectedly；

“ifIhadknownthisbefore——“

“Perhaps，“saidMissTilneyinanembarrassedmanner，“youwouldbesogood——itwouldmakemeveryhappyif——“

Theentranceofherfatherputastoptothecivility，whichCatherinewasbeginningtohopemightintroduceadesireoftheircorresponding。Afteraddressingherwithhisusualpoliteness，heturnedtohisdaughterandsaid，“Well，Eleanor，mayIcongratulateyouonbeingsuccessfulinyourapplicationtoyourfairfriend?“

“Iwasjustbeginningtomaketherequest，sir，asyoucamein。”

“Well，proceedbyallmeans。Iknowhowmuchyourheartisinit。Mydaughter，MissMorland，“

hecontinued，withoutleavinghisdaughtertimetospeak，“hasbeenformingaveryboldwish。WeleaveBath，asshehasperhapstoldyou，onSaturdayse\'nnight。A

letterfrommystewardtellsmethatmypresenceiswantedathome；andbeingdisappointedinmyhopeofseeingtheMarquisofLongtownandGeneralCourteneyhere，someofmyveryoldfriends，thereisnothingtodetainmelongerinBath。Andcouldwecarryourselfishpointwithyou，weshouldleaveitwithoutasingleregret。

Canyou，inshort，beprevailedontoquitthissceneofpublictriumphandobligeyourfriendEleanorwithyourcompanyinGloucestershire?Iamalmostashamedtomaketherequest，thoughitspresumptionwouldcertainlyappeargreatertoeverycreatureinBaththanyourself。

Modestysuchasyours——butnotfortheworldwouldIpainitbyopenpraise。Ifyoucanbeinducedtohonouruswithavisit，youwillmakeushappybeyondexpression。

\'Tistrue，wecanofferyounothinglikethegaietiesofthislivelyplace；wecantemptyouneitherbyamusementnorsplendour，forourmodeofliving，asyousee，isplainandunpretending；yetnoendeavoursshallbewantingonoursidetomakeNorthangerAbbeynotwhollydisagreeable。”

NorthangerAbbey！Thesewerethrillingwords，andwoundupCatherine\'sfeelingstothehighestpointofecstasy。

Hergratefulandgratifiedheartcouldhardlyrestrainitsexpressionswithinthelanguageoftolerablecalmness。

Toreceivesoflatteringaninvitation！Tohavehercompanysowarmlysolicited！Everythinghonourableandsoothing，everypresentenjoyment，andeveryfuturehopewascontainedinit；andheracceptance，withonlythesavingclauseofPapaandMamma\'sapprobation，waseagerlygiven。

“Iwillwritehomedirectly，“saidshe，andiftheydonotobject，asIdaresaytheywillnot——“

GeneralTilneywasnotlesssanguine，havingalreadywaitedonherexcellentfriendsinPulteneyStreet，andobtainedtheirsanctionofhiswishes。“Sincetheycanconsenttopartwithyou，“saidhe，“wemayexpectphilosophyfromalltheworld。”

MissTilneywasearnest，thoughgentle，inhersecondarycivilities，andtheaffairbecameinafewminutesasnearlysettledasthisnecessaryreferencetoFullertonwouldallow。

ThecircumstancesofthemorninghadledCatherine\'sfeelingsthroughthevarietiesofsuspense，security，anddisappointment；buttheywerenowsafelylodgedinperfectbliss；andwithspiritselatedtorapture，withHenryatherheart，andNorthangerAbbeyonherlips，shehurriedhometowriteherletter。Mr。andMrs。Morland，relyingonthediscretionofthefriendstowhomtheyhadalreadyentrustedtheirdaughter，feltnodoubtoftheproprietyofanacquaintancewhichhadbeenformedundertheireye，andsentthereforebyreturnofposttheirreadyconsenttohervisitinGloucestershire。

Thisindulgence，thoughnotmorethanCatherinehadhopedfor，completedherconvictionofbeingfavouredbeyondeveryotherhumancreature，infriendsandfortune，circumstanceandchance。Everythingseemedtocooperateforheradvantage。Bythekindnessofherfirstfriends，theAllens，shehadbeenintroducedintosceneswherepleasuresofeverykindhadmether。Herfeelings，herpreferences，hadeachknownthehappinessofareturn。

Wherevershefeltattachment，shehadbeenabletocreateit。TheaffectionofIsabellawastobesecuredtoherinasister。TheTilneys，they，bywhom，aboveall，shedesiredtobefavourablythoughtof，outstrippedevenherwishesintheflatteringmeasuresbywhichtheirintimacywastobecontinued。Shewastobetheirchosenvisitor，shewastobeforweeksunderthesameroofwiththepersonwhosesocietyshemostlyprized——and，inadditiontoalltherest，thisroofwastobetheroofofanabbey！HerpassionforancientedificeswasnextindegreetoherpassionforHenryTilney——andcastlesandabbeysmadeusuallythecharmofthosereverieswhichhisimagedidnotfill。

Toseeandexploreeithertherampartsandkeepoftheone，orthecloistersoftheother，hadbeenformanyweeksadarlingwish，thoughtobemorethanthevisitorofanhourhadseemedtoonearlyimpossiblefordesire。