第5章

Andyet，thiswastohappen。Withallthechancesagainstherofhouse，hall，place，park，court，andcottage，Northangerturnedupanabbey，andshewastobeitsinhabitant。

Itslong，damppassages，itsnarrowcellsandruinedchapel，weretobewithinherdailyreach，andshecouldnotentirelysubduethehopeofsometraditionallegends，someawfulmemorialsofaninjuredandill-fatednun。

Itwaswonderfulthatherfriendsshouldseemsolittleelatedbythepossessionofsuchahome，thattheconsciousnessofitshouldbesomeeklyborne。

Thepowerofearlyhabitonlycouldaccountforit。

Adistinctiontowhichtheyhadbeenborngavenopride。

Theirsuperiorityofabodewasnomoretothemthantheirsuperiorityofperson。

ManyweretheinquiriesshewaseagertomakeofMissTilney；butsoactivewereherthoughts，thatwhentheseinquirieswereanswered，shewashardlymoreassuredthanbefore，ofNorthangerAbbeyhavingbeenarichlyendowedconventatthetimeoftheReformation，ofitshavingfallenintothehandsofanancestoroftheTilneysonitsdissolution，ofalargeportionoftheancientbuildingstillmakingapartofthepresentdwellingalthoughtherestwasdecayed，orofitsstandinglowinavalley，shelteredfromthenorthandeastbyrisingwoodsofoak。

CHAPTER18

Withamindthusfullofhappiness，Catherinewashardlyawarethattwoorthreedayshadpassedaway，withoutherseeingIsabellaformorethanafewminutestogether。

Shebeganfirsttobesensibleofthis，andtosighforherconversation，asshewalkedalongthepump-roomonemorning，byMrs。Allen\'sside，withoutanythingtosayortohear；andscarcelyhadshefeltafiveminutes\'

longingoffriendship，beforetheobjectofitappeared，andinvitinghertoasecretconference，ledthewaytoaseat。“Thisismyfavouriteplace，“saidsheastheysatdownonabenchbetweenthedoors，whichcommandedatolerableviewofeverybodyenteringateither；

“itissooutoftheway。”

Catherine，observingthatIsabella\'seyeswerecontinuallybenttowardsonedoorortheother，asineagerexpectation，andrememberinghowoftenshehadbeenfalselyaccusedofbeingarch，thoughtthepresentafineopportunityforbeingreallyso；andthereforegailysaid，“Donotbeuneasy，Isabella，Jameswillsoonbehere。”

“Psha！Mydearcreature，“shereplied，“donotthinkmesuchasimpletonastobealwayswantingtoconfinehimtomyelbow。Itwouldbehideoustobealwaystogether；

weshouldbethejestoftheplace。AndsoyouaregoingtoNorthanger！Iamamazinglygladofit。ItisoneofthefinestoldplacesinEngland，Iunderstand。

Ishalldependuponamostparticulardescriptionofit。”

“Youshallcertainlyhavethebestinmypowertogive。

Butwhoareyoulookingfor?Areyoursisterscoming?“

“Iamnotlookingforanybody。One\'seyesmustbesomewhere，andyouknowwhatafoolishtrickIhaveoffixingmine，whenmythoughtsareanhundredmilesoff。

Iamamazinglyabsent；IbelieveIamthemostabsentcreatureintheworld。Tilneysaysitisalwaysthecasewithmindsofacertainstamp。”

“ButIthought，Isabella，youhadsomethinginparticulartotellme?“

“Oh！Yes，andsoIhave。ButhereisaproofofwhatIwassaying。Mypoorhead，Ihadquiteforgotit。

Well，thethingisthis:IhavejusthadaletterfromJohn；

youcanguessthecontents。”

“No，indeed，Icannot。”

“Mysweetlove，donotbesoabominablyaffected。

Whatcanhewriteabout，butyourself?Youknowheisoverheadandearsinlovewithyou。”

“Withme，dearIsabella！“

“Nay，mysweetestCatherine，thisisbeingquiteabsurd！Modesty，andallthat，isverywellinitsway，butreallyalittlecommonhonestyissometimesquiteasbecoming。Ihavenoideaofbeingsooverstrained！

Itisfishingforcompliments。Hisattentionsweresuchasachildmusthavenoticed。AnditwasbuthalfanhourbeforeheleftBaththatyougavehimthemostpositiveencouragement。Hesayssointhisletter，saysthatheasgoodasmadeyouanoffer，andthatyoureceivedhisadvancesinthekindestway；andnowhewantsmetourgehissuit，andsayallmannerofprettythingstoyou。Soitisinvaintoaffectignorance。”

Catherine，withalltheearnestnessoftruth，expressedherastonishmentatsuchacharge，protestingherinnocenceofeverythoughtofMr。Thorpe\'sbeinginlovewithher，andtheconsequentimpossibilityofherhavingeverintendedtoencouragehim。“Astoanyattentionsonhisside，Idodeclare，uponmyhonour，Ineverwassensibleofthemforamoment——exceptjusthisaskingmetodancethefirstdayofhiscoming。

Andastomakingmeanoffer，oranythinglikeit，theremustbesomeunaccountable，mistake。Icouldnothavemisunderstoodathingofthatkind，youknow！And，asIeverwishtobebelieved，Isolemnlyprotestthatnosyllableofsuchanatureeverpassedbetweenus。

Thelasthalfhourbeforehewentaway！Itmustbeallandcompletelyamistake——forIdidnotseehimoncethatwholemorning。”

“Butthatyoucertainlydid，foryouspentthewholemorninginEdgar\'sBuildings——itwasthedayyourfather\'sconsentcame——andIamprettysurethatyouandJohnwerealoneintheparloursometimebeforeyouleftthehouse。”

“Areyou?Well，ifyousayit，itwasso，Idaresay——butforthelifeofme，Icannotrecollectit。

Idoremembernowbeingwithyou，andseeinghimaswellastherest——butthatwewereeveraloneforfiveminutes——However，itisnotwortharguingabout，forwhatevermightpassonhisside，youmustbeconvinced，bymyhavingnorecollectionofit，thatIneverthought，norexpected，norwishedforanythingofthekindfromhim。

Iamexcessivelyconcernedthatheshouldhaveanyregardforme——butindeedithasbeenquiteunintentionalonmyside；Ineverhadthesmallestideaofit。

Prayundeceivehimassoonasyoucan，andtellhimIbeghispardon——thatis——IdonotknowwhatIoughttosay——butmakehimunderstandwhatImean，intheproperestway。

Iwouldnotspeakdisrespectfullyofabrotherofyours，Isabella，Iamsure；butyouknowverywellthatifIcouldthinkofonemanmorethananother——heisnottheperson。”

Isabellawassilent。“Mydearfriend，youmustnotbeangrywithme。Icannotsupposeyourbrothercaressoverymuchaboutme。And，youknow，weshallstillbesisters。”

“Yes，yes“(withablush)，“therearemorewaysthanoneofourbeingsisters。ButwhereamIwanderingto?Well，mydearCatherine，thecaseseemstobethatyouaredeterminedagainstpoorJohn——isnotitso?“

“Icertainlycannotreturnhisaffection，andascertainlynevermeanttoencourageit。”

“Sincethatisthecase，IamsureIshallnotteaseyouanyfurther。Johndesiredmetospeaktoyouonthesubject，andthereforeIhave。ButIconfess，assoonasIreadhisletter，Ithoughtitaveryfoolish，imprudentbusiness，andnotlikelytopromotethegoodofeither；forwhatwereyoutoliveupon，supposingyoucametogether?Youhavebothofyousomething，tobesure，butitisnotatriflethatwillsupportafamilynowadays；

andafterallthatromancersmaysay，thereisnodoingwithoutmoney。IonlywonderJohncouldthinkofit；

hecouldnothavereceivedmylast。”

“Youdoacquitme，then，ofanythingwrong?——YouareconvincedthatInevermeanttodeceiveyourbrother，neversuspectedhimoflikingmetillthismoment?“

“Oh！Astothat，“answeredIsabellalaughingly，“Idonotpretendtodeterminewhatyourthoughtsanddesignsintimepastmayhavebeen。Allthatisbestknowntoyourself。Alittleharmlessflirtationorsowilloccur，andoneisoftendrawnontogivemoreencouragementthanonewishestostandby。ButyoumaybeassuredthatI

amthelastpersonintheworldtojudgeyouseverely。

Allthosethingsshouldbeallowedforinyouthandhighspirits。Whatonemeansoneday，youknow，onemaynotmeanthenext。Circumstanceschange，opinionsalter。”

“Butmyopinionofyourbrotherneverdidalter；

itwasalwaysthesame。Youaredescribingwhatneverhappened。”

“MydearestCatherine，“continuedtheotherwithoutatalllisteningtoher，“Iwouldnotforalltheworldbethemeansofhurryingyouintoanengagementbeforeyouknewwhatyouwereabout。Idonotthinkanythingwouldjustifymeinwishingyoutosacrificeallyourhappinessmerelytoobligemybrother，becauseheismybrother，andwhoperhapsafterall，youknow，mightbejustashappywithoutyou，forpeopleseldomknowwhattheywouldbeat，youngmenespecially，theyaresoamazinglychangeableandinconstant。WhatIsayis，whyshouldabrother\'shappinessbedearertomethanafriend\'s?YouknowI

carrymynotionsoffriendshipprettyhigh。But，aboveallthings，mydearCatherine，donotbeinahurry。

Takemywordforit，thatifyouareintoogreatahurry，youwillcertainlylivetorepentit。Tilneysaysthereisnothingpeoplearesooftendeceivedinasthestateoftheirownaffections，andIbelieveheisveryright。

Ah！Herehecomes；nevermind，hewillnotseeus，Iamsure。”

Catherine，lookingup，perceivedCaptainTilney；

andIsabella，earnestlyfixinghereyeonhimasshespoke，sooncaughthisnotice。Heapproachedimmediately，andtooktheseattowhichhermovementsinvitedhim。

HisfirstaddressmadeCatherinestart。Thoughspokenlow，shecoulddistinguish，“What！Alwaystobewatched，inpersonorbyproxy！“

“Psha，nonsense！“wasIsabella\'sanswerinthesamehalfwhisper。“Whydoyouputsuchthingsintomyhead?IfIcouldbelieveit——myspirit，youknow，isprettyindependent。”

“Iwishyourheartwereindependent。Thatwouldbeenoughforme。”

“Myheart，indeed！Whatcanyouhavetodowithhearts?Youmenhavenoneofyouanyhearts。”

“Ifwehavenothearts，wehaveeyes；andtheygiveustormentenough。”

“Dothey?Iamsorryforit；Iamsorrytheyfindanythingsodisagreeableinme。Iwilllookanotherway。

Ihopethispleasesyou“(turningherbackonhim)；

“Ihopeyoureyesarenottormentednow。”

“Nevermoreso；fortheedgeofabloomingcheekisstillinview——atoncetoomuchandtoolittle。”

Catherineheardallthis，andquiteoutofcountenance，couldlistennolonger。AmazedthatIsabellacouldendureit，andjealousforherbrother，sheroseup，andsayingsheshouldjoinMrs。Allen，proposedtheirwalking。ButforthisIsabellashowednoinclination。Shewassoamazinglytired，anditwassoodioustoparadeaboutthepump-room；

andifshemovedfromherseatsheshouldmisshersisters；

shewasexpectinghersisterseverymoment；sothatherdearestCatherinemustexcuseher，andmustsitquietlydownagain。

ButCatherinecouldbestubborntoo；andMrs。Allenjustthencominguptoproposetheirreturninghome，shejoinedherandwalkedoutofthepump-room，leavingIsabellastillsittingwithCaptainTilney。Withmuchuneasinessdidshethusleavethem。ItseemedtoherthatCaptainTilneywasfallinginlovewithIsabella，andIsabellaunconsciouslyencouraginghim；unconsciouslyitmustbe，forIsabella\'sattachmenttoJameswasascertainandwellacknowledgedasherengagement。Todoubthertruthorgoodintentionswasimpossible；andyet，duringthewholeoftheirconversationhermannerhadbeenodd。

ShewishedIsabellahadtalkedmorelikeherusualself，andnotsomuchaboutmoney，andhadnotlookedsowellpleasedatthesightofCaptainTilney。Howstrangethatsheshouldnotperceivehisadmiration！Catherinelongedtogiveherahintofit，toputheronherguard，andpreventallthepainwhichhertoolivelybehaviourmightotherwisecreatebothforhimandherbrother。

ThecomplimentofJohnThorpe\'saffectiondidnotmakeamendsforthisthoughtlessnessinhissister。Shewasalmostasfarfrombelievingasfromwishingittobesincere；

forshehadnotforgottenthathecouldmistake，andhisassertionoftheofferandofherencouragementconvincedherthathismistakescouldsometimesbeveryegregious。

Invanity，therefore，shegainedbutlittle；herchiefprofitwasinwonder。Thatheshouldthinkitworthhiswhiletofancyhimselfinlovewithherwasamatteroflivelyastonishment。Isabellatalkedofhisattentions；

shehadneverbeensensibleofany；butIsabellahadsaidmanythingswhichshehopedhadbeenspokeninhaste，andwouldneverbesaidagain；anduponthisshewasgladtorestaltogetherforpresenteaseandcomfort。

CHAPTER19

Afewdayspassedaway，andCatherine，thoughnotallowingherselftosuspectherfriend，couldnothelpwatchingherclosely。Theresultofherobservationswasnotagreeable。Isabellaseemedanalteredcreature。

Whenshesawher，indeed，surroundedonlybytheirimmediatefriendsinEdgar\'sBuildingsorPulteneyStreet，herchangeofmannerswassotriflingthat，haditgonenofarther，itmighthavepassedunnoticed。

Asomethingoflanguidindifference，orofthatboastedabsenceofmindwhichCatherinehadneverheardofbefore，wouldoccasionallycomeacrossher；buthadnothingworseappeared，thatmightonlyhavespreadanewgraceandinspiredawarmerinterest。ButwhenCatherinesawherinpublic，admittingCaptainTilney\'sattentionsasreadilyastheywereoffered，andallowinghimalmostanequalsharewithJamesinhernoticeandsmiles，thealterationbecametoopositivetobepassedover。

Whatcouldbemeantbysuchunsteadyconduct，whatherfriendcouldbeat，wasbeyondhercomprehension。

Isabellacouldnotbeawareofthepainshewasinflicting；

butitwasadegreeofwilfulthoughtlessnesswhichCatherinecouldnotbutresent。Jameswasthesufferer。

Shesawhimgraveanduneasy；andhowevercarelessofhispresentcomfortthewomanmightbewhohadgivenhimherheart，toheritwasalwaysanobject。

ForpoorCaptainTilneytooshewasgreatlyconcerned。

Thoughhislooksdidnotpleaseher，hisnamewasapassporttohergoodwill，andshethoughtwithsincerecompassionofhisapproachingdisappointment；for，inspiteofwhatshehadbelievedherselftooverbearinthepump-room，hisbehaviourwassoincompatiblewithaknowledgeofIsabella\'sengagementthatshecouldnot，uponreflection，imaginehimawareofit。Hemightbejealousofherbrotherasarival，butifmorebadseemedimplied，thefaultmusthavebeeninhermisapprehension。

Shewished，byagentleremonstrance，toremindIsabellaofhersituation，andmakeherawareofthisdoubleunkindness；

butforremonstrance，eitheropportunityorcomprehensionwasalwaysagainsther。Ifabletosuggestahint，Isabellacouldneverunderstandit。Inthisdistress，theintendeddepartureoftheTilneyfamilybecameherchiefconsolation；theirjourneyintoGloucestershirewastotakeplacewithinafewdays，andCaptainTilney\'sremovalwouldatleastrestorepeacetoeveryheartbuthisown。ButCaptainTilneyhadatpresentnointentionofremoving；hewasnottobeofthepartytoNorthanger；

hewastocontinueatBath。WhenCatherineknewthis，herresolutionwasdirectlymade。ShespoketoHenryTilneyonthesubject，regrettinghisbrother\'sevidentpartialityforMissThorpe，andentreatinghimtomakeknownherpriorengagement。

“Mybrotherdoesknowit，“wasHenry\'sanswer。

“Doeshe?Thenwhydoeshestayhere?“

Hemadenoreply，andwasbeginningtotalkofsomethingelse；butsheeagerlycontinued，“Whydonotyoupersuadehimtogoaway?Thelongerhestays，theworseitwillbeforhimatlast。Prayadvisehimforhisownsake，andforeverybody\'ssake，toleaveBathdirectly。Absencewillintimemakehimcomfortableagain；buthecanhavenohopehere，anditisonlystayingtobemiserable。”Henrysmiledandsaid，“Iamsuremybrotherwouldnotwishtodothat。”

“Thenyouwillpersuadehimtogoaway?“

“Persuasionisnotatcommand；butpardonme，ifI

cannotevenendeavourtopersuadehim。IhavemyselftoldhimthatMissThorpeisengaged。Heknowswhatheisabout，andmustbehisownmaster。”

“No，hedoesnotknowwhatheisabout，“criedCatherine；

“hedoesnotknowthepainheisgivingmybrother。

NotthatJameshasevertoldmeso，butIamsureheisveryuncomfortable。”

“Andareyousureitismybrother\'sdoing?“

“Yes，verysure。”

“Isitmybrother\'sattentionstoMissThorpe，orMissThorpe\'sadmissionofthem，thatgivesthepain?“

“Isnotitthesamething?“

“IthinkMr。Morlandwouldacknowledgeadifference。

Nomanisoffendedbyanotherman\'sadmirationofthewomanheloves；itisthewomanonlywhocanmakeitatorment。”

Catherineblushedforherfriend，andsaid，“Isabellaiswrong。ButIamsureshecannotmeantotorment，forsheisverymuchattachedtomybrother。

Shehasbeeninlovewithhimeversincetheyfirstmet，andwhilemyfather\'sconsentwasuncertain，shefrettedherselfalmostintoafever。Youknowshemustbeattachedtohim。”

“Iunderstand:sheisinlovewithJames，andflirtswithFrederick。”

“Oh！no，notflirts。Awomaninlovewithonemancannotflirtwithanother。”

“Itisprobablethatshewillneitherlovesowell，norflirtsowell，asshemightdoeithersingly。

Thegentlemenmusteachgiveupalittle。”

Afterashortpause，Catherineresumedwith，“ThenyoudonotbelieveIsabellasoverymuchattachedtomybrother?“

“Icanhavenoopiniononthatsubject。”

“Butwhatcanyourbrothermean?Ifheknowsherengagement，whatcanhemeanbyhisbehaviour?“

“Youareaveryclosequestioner。”

“AmI?IonlyaskwhatIwanttobetold。”

“ButdoyouonlyaskwhatIcanbeexpectedtotell?“

“Yes，Ithinkso；foryoumustknowyourbrother\'sheart。”

“Mybrother\'sheart，asyoutermit，onthepresentoccasion，IassureyouIcanonlyguessat。”

“Well?“

“Well！Nay，ifitistobeguesswork，letusallguessforourselves。Tobeguidedbysecond-handconjectureispitiful。Thepremisesarebeforeyou。Mybrotherisalivelyandperhapssometimesathoughtlessyoungman；

hehashadaboutaweek\'sacquaintancewithyourfriend，andhehasknownherengagementalmostaslongashehasknownher。”

“Well，“saidCatherine，aftersomemoments\'consideration，“youmaybeabletoguessatyourbrother\'sintentionsfromallthis；butIamsureIcannot。Butisnotyourfatheruncomfortableaboutit?DoesnothewantCaptainTilneytogoaway?Sure，ifyourfatherweretospeaktohim，hewouldgo。”

“MydearMissMorland，“saidHenry，“inthisamiablesolicitudeforyourbrother\'scomfort，mayyounotbealittlemistaken?Areyounotcarriedalittletoofar?

Wouldhethankyou，eitheronhisownaccountorMissThorpe\'s，forsupposingthatheraffection，oratleasthergoodbehaviour，isonlytobesecuredbyherseeingnothingofCaptainTilney?Ishesafeonlyinsolitude?

Orisherheartconstanttohimonlywhenunsolicitedbyanyoneelse?Hecannotthinkthis——andyoumaybesurethathewouldnothaveyouthinkit。Iwillnotsay，\'Donotbeuneasy，\'becauseIknowthatyouareso，atthismoment；butbeaslittleuneasyasyoucan。

Youhavenodoubtofthemutualattachmentofyourbrotherandyourfriend；dependuponit，therefore，thatrealjealousynevercanexistbetweenthem；dependuponitthatnodisagreementbetweenthemcanbeofanyduration。

Theirheartsareopentoeachother，asneitherheartcanbetoyou；theyknowexactlywhatisrequiredandwhatcanbeborne；andyoumaybecertainthatonewillneverteasetheotherbeyondwhatisknowntobepleasant。”

Perceivingherstilltolookdoubtfulandgrave，headded，“ThoughFrederickdoesnotleaveBathwithus，hewillprobablyremainbutaveryshorttime，perhapsonlyafewdaysbehindus。Hisleaveofabsencewillsoonexpire，andhemustreturntohisregiment。

Andwhatwillthenbetheiracquaintance?Themess-roomwilldrinkIsabellaThorpeforafortnight，andshewilllaughwithyourbrotheroverpoorTilney\'spassionforamonth。”

Catherinewouldcontendnolongeragainstcomfort。

Shehadresisteditsapproachesduringthewholelengthofaspeech，butitnowcarriedhercaptive。HenryTilneymustknowbest。Sheblamedherselffortheextentofherfears，andresolvednevertothinksoseriouslyonthesubjectagain。

HerresolutionwassupportedbyIsabella\'sbehaviourintheirpartinginterview。TheThorpesspentthelasteveningofCatherine\'sstayinPulteneyStreet，andnothingpassedbetweentheloverstoexciteheruneasiness，ormakeherquittheminapprehension。Jameswasinexcellentspirits，andIsabellamostengaginglyplacid。

Hertendernessforherfriendseemedratherthefirstfeelingofherheart；butthatatsuchamomentwasallowable；

andonceshegaveherloveraflatcontradiction，andonceshedrewbackherhand；butCatherinerememberedHenry\'sinstructions，andplaceditalltojudiciousaffection。

Theembraces，tears，andpromisesofthepartingfaironesmaybefancied。

CHAPTER20

Mr。andMrs。Allenweresorrytolosetheiryoungfriend，whosegoodhumourandcheerfulnesshadmadeheravaluablecompanion，andinthepromotionofwhoseenjoymenttheirownhadbeengentlyincreased。HerhappinessingoingwithMissTilney，however，preventedtheirwishingitotherwise；and，astheyweretoremainonlyonemoreweekinBaththemselves，herquittingthemnowwouldnotlongbefelt。Mr。AllenattendedhertoMilsomStreet，whereshewastobreakfast，andsawherseatedwiththekindestwelcomeamonghernewfriends；butsogreatwasheragitationinfindingherselfasoneofthefamily，andsofearfulwassheofnotdoingexactlywhatwasright，andofnotbeingabletopreservetheirgoodopinion，that，intheembarrassmentofthefirstfiveminutes，shecouldalmosthavewishedtoreturnwithhimtoPulteneyStreet。

MissTilney\'smannersandHenry\'ssmilesoondidawaysomeofherunpleasantfeelings；butstillshewasfarfrombeingatease；norcouldtheincessantattentionsofthegeneralhimselfentirelyreassureher。

Nay，perverseasitseemed，shedoubtedwhethershemightnothavefeltless，hadshebeenlessattendedto。

Hisanxietyforhercomfort——hiscontinualsolicitationsthatshewouldeat，andhisoften-expressedfearsofherseeingnothingtohertaste——thoughneverinherlifebeforehadshebeheldhalfsuchvarietyonabreakfast-table——madeitimpossibleforhertoforgetforamomentthatshewasavisitor。Shefeltutterlyunworthyofsuchrespect，andknewnothowtoreplytoit。Hertranquillitywasnotimprovedbythegeneral\'simpatiencefortheappearanceofhiseldestson，norbythedispleasureheexpressedathislazinesswhenCaptainTilneyatlastcamedown。

Shewasquitepainedbytheseverityofhisfather\'sreproof，whichseemeddisproportionatetotheoffence；andmuchwasherconcernincreasedwhenshefoundherselftheprincipalcauseofthelecture，andthathistardinesswaschieflyresentedfrombeingdisrespectfultoher。

Thiswasplacingherinaveryuncomfortablesituation，andshefeltgreatcompassionforCaptainTilney，withoutbeingabletohopeforhisgoodwill。

Helistenedtohisfatherinsilence，andattemptednotanydefence，whichconfirmedherinfearingthattheinquietudeofhismind，onIsabella\'saccount，might，bykeepinghimlongsleepless，havebeentherealcauseofhisrisinglate。Itwasthefirsttimeofherbeingdecidedlyinhiscompany，andshehadhopedtobenowabletoformheropinionofhim；butshescarcelyheardhisvoicewhilehisfatherremainedintheroom；

andevenafterwards，somuchwerehisspiritsaffected，shecoulddistinguishnothingbutthesewords，inawhispertoEleanor，“HowgladIshallbewhenyouarealloff。”

Thebustleofgoingwasnotpleasant。Theclockstrucktenwhilethetrunkswerecarryingdown，andthegeneralhadfixedtobeoutofMilsomStreetbythathour。

Hisgreatcoat，insteadofbeingbroughtforhimtoputondirectly，wasspreadoutinthecurricleinwhichhewastoaccompanyhisson。Themiddleseatofthechaisewasnotdrawnout，thoughtherewerethreepeopletogoinit，andhisdaughter\'smaidhadsocrowdeditwithparcelsthatMissMorlandwouldnothaveroomtosit；and，somuchwasheinfluencedbythisapprehensionwhenhehandedherin，thatshehadsomedifficultyinsavingherownnewwriting-deskfrombeingthrownoutintothestreet。

Atlast，however，thedoorwascloseduponthethreefemales，andtheysetoffatthesoberpaceinwhichthehandsome，highlyfedfourhorsesofagentlemanusuallyperformajourneyofthirtymiles:suchwasthedistanceofNorthangerfromBath，tobenowdividedintotwoequalstages。

Catherine\'sspiritsrevivedastheydrovefromthedoor；

forwithMissTilneyshefeltnorestraint；and，withtheinterestofaroadentirelynewtoher，ofanabbeybefore，andacurriclebehind，shecaughtthelastviewofBathwithoutanyregret，andmetwitheverymilestonebeforesheexpectedit。Thetediousnessofatwohours\'

waitatPettyFrance，inwhichtherewasnothingtobedonebuttoeatwithoutbeinghungry，andloiteraboutwithoutanythingtosee，nextfollowed——andheradmirationofthestyleinwhichtheytravelled，ofthefashionablechaiseandfour——postilionshandsomelyliveried，risingsoregularlyintheirstirrups，andnumerousoutridersproperlymounted，sunkalittleunderthisconsequentinconvenience。

Hadtheirpartybeenperfectlyagreeable，thedelaywouldhavebeennothing；butGeneralTilney，thoughsocharmingaman，seemedalwaysacheckuponhischildren\'sspirits，andscarcelyanythingwassaidbutbyhimself；

theobservationofwhich，withhisdiscontentatwhatevertheinnafforded，andhisangryimpatienceatthewaiters，madeCatherinegroweverymomentmoreinaweofhim，andappearedtolengthenthetwohoursintofour。

Atlast，however，theorderofreleasewasgiven；

andmuchwasCatherinethensurprisedbythegeneral\'sproposalofhertakinghisplaceinhisson\'scurriclefortherestofthejourney:“thedaywasfine，andhewasanxiousforherseeingasmuchofthecountryaspossible。”

TheremembranceofMr。Allen\'sopinion，respectingyoungmen\'sopencarriages，madeherblushatthementionofsuchaplan，andherfirstthoughtwastodeclineit；

buthersecondwasofgreaterdeferenceforGeneralTilney\'sjudgment；hecouldnotproposeanythingimproperforher；and，inthecourseofafewminutes，shefoundherselfwithHenryinthecurricle，ashappyabeingaseverexisted。Averyshorttrialconvincedherthatacurriclewastheprettiestequipageintheworld；

thechaiseandfourwheeledoffwithsomegrandeur，tobesure，butitwasaheavyandtroublesomebusiness，andshecouldnoteasilyforgetitshavingstoppedtwohoursatPettyFrance。Halfthetimewouldhavebeenenoughforthecurricle，andsonimblywerethelighthorsesdisposedtomove，that，hadnotthegeneralchosentohavehisowncarriageleadtheway，theycouldhavepasseditwitheaseinhalfaminute。Butthemeritofthecurricledidnotallbelongtothehorses；Henrydrovesowell——soquietly——withoutmakinganydisturbance，withoutparadingtoher，orswearingatthem:sodifferentfromtheonlygentleman-coachmanwhomitwasinherpowertocomparehimwith！Andthenhishatsatsowell，andtheinnumerablecapesofhisgreatcoatlookedsobecominglyimportant！

Tobedrivenbyhim，nexttobeingdancingwithhim，wascertainlythegreatesthappinessintheworld。

Inadditiontoeveryotherdelight，shehadnowthatoflisteningtoherownpraise；ofbeingthankedatleast，onhissister\'saccount，forherkindnessinthusbecominghervisitor；ofhearingitrankedasrealfriendship，anddescribedascreatingrealgratitude。Hissister，hesaid，wasuncomfortablycircumstanced——shehadnofemalecompanion——and，inthefrequentabsenceofherfather，wassometimeswithoutanycompanionatall。

“Buthowcanthatbe?“saidCatherine。“Arenotyouwithher?“

“Northangerisnotmorethanhalfmyhome；

IhaveanestablishmentatmyownhouseinWoodston，whichisnearlytwentymilesfrommyfather\'s，andsomeofmytimeisnecessarilyspentthere。”

“Howsorryyoumustbeforthat！“

“IamalwayssorrytoleaveEleanor。”

“Yes；butbesidesyouraffectionforher，youmustbesofondoftheabbey！Afterbeingusedtosuchahomeastheabbey，anordinaryparsonage-housemustbeverydisagreeable。”

Hesmiled，andsaid，“Youhaveformedaveryfavourableideaoftheabbey。”

“Tobesure，Ihave。Isnotitafineoldplace，justlikewhatonereadsabout?“

“Andareyoupreparedtoencounterallthehorrorsthatabuildingsuchas\'whatonereadsabout\'mayproduce?

Haveyouastoutheart?Nervesfitforslidingpanelsandtapestry?“

“Oh！yes——IdonotthinkIshouldbeeasilyfrightened，becausetherewouldbesomanypeopleinthehouse——andbesides，ithasneverbeenuninhabitedandleftdesertedforyears，andthenthefamilycomebacktoitunawares，withoutgivinganynotice，asgenerallyhappens。”

“No，certainly。Weshallnothavetoexploreourwayintoahalldimlylightedbytheexpiringembersofawoodfire——norbeobligedtospreadourbedsonthefloorofaroomwithoutwindows，doors，orfurniture。

Butyoumustbeawarethatwhenayoungladyis(bywhatevermeans)introducedintoadwellingofthiskind，sheisalwayslodgedapartfromtherestofthefamily。

Whiletheysnuglyrepairtotheirownendofthehouse，sheisformallyconductedbyDorothy，theancienthousekeeper，upadifferentstaircase，andalongmanygloomypassages，intoanapartmentneverusedsincesomecousinorkindiedinitabouttwentyyearsbefore。Canyoustandsuchaceremonyasthis?Willnotyourmindmisgiveyouwhenyoufindyourselfinthisgloomychamber——tooloftyandextensiveforyou，withonlythefeebleraysofasinglelamptotakeinitssize——itswallshungwithtapestryexhibitingfiguresaslargeaslife，andthebed，ofdarkgreenstufforpurplevelvet，presentingevenafunerealappearance?Willnotyourheartsinkwithinyou?“

“Oh！Butthiswillnothappentome，Iamsure。”

“Howfearfullywillyouexaminethefurnitureofyourapartment！Andwhatwillyoudiscern?Nottables，toilettes，wardrobes，ordrawers，butononesideperhapstheremainsofabrokenlute，ontheotheraponderouschestwhichnoeffortscanopen，andoverthefireplacetheportraitofsomehandsomewarrior，whosefeatureswillsoincomprehensiblystrikeyou，thatyouwillnotbeabletowithdrawyoureyesfromit。Dorothy，meanwhile，nolessstruckbyyourappearance，gazesonyouingreatagitation，anddropsafewunintelligiblehints。

Toraiseyourspirits，moreover，shegivesyoureasontosupposethatthepartoftheabbeyyouinhabitisundoubtedlyhaunted，andinformsyouthatyouwillnothaveasingledomesticwithincall。Withthispartingcordialshecurtsiesoff——youlistentothesoundofherrecedingfootstepsaslongasthelastechocanreachyou——andwhen，withfaintingspirits，youattempttofastenyourdoor，youdiscover，withincreasedalarm，thatithasnolock。”

“Oh！Mr。Tilney，howfrightful！Thisisjustlikeabook！Butitcannotreallyhappentome。IamsureyourhousekeeperisnotreallyDorothy。Well，whatthen?“

“Nothingfurthertoalarmperhapsmayoccurthefirstnight。Aftersurmountingyourunconquerablehorrorofthebed，youwillretiretorest，andgetafewhours\'

unquietslumber。Butonthesecond，oratfarthestthethirdnightafteryourarrival，youwillprobablyhaveaviolentstorm。Pealsofthundersoloudastoseemtoshaketheedificetoitsfoundationwillrollroundtheneighbouringmountains——andduringthefrightfulgustsofwindwhichaccompanyit，youwillprobablythinkyoudiscern(foryourlampisnotextinguished)onepartofthehangingmoreviolentlyagitatedthantherest。

Unableofcoursetorepressyourcuriosityinsofavourableamomentforindulgingit，youwillinstantlyarise，andthrowingyourdressing-gownaroundyou，proceedtoexaminethismystery。Afteraveryshortsearch，youwilldiscoveradivisioninthetapestrysoartfullyconstructedastodefytheminutestinspection，andonopeningit，adoorwillimmediatelyappear——whichdoor，beingonlysecuredbymassybarsandapadlock，youwill，afterafewefforts，succeedinopening——and，withyourlampinyourhand，willpassthroughitintoasmallvaultedroom。”

“No，indeed；Ishouldbetoomuchfrightenedtodoanysuchthing。”

“What！NotwhenDorothyhasgivenyoutounderstandthatthereisasecretsubterraneouscommunicationbetweenyourapartmentandthechapelofSt。Anthony，scarcelytwomilesoff?Couldyoushrinkfromsosimpleanadventure?

No，no，youwillproceedintothissmallvaultedroom，andthroughthisintoseveralothers，withoutperceivinganythingveryremarkableineither。Inoneperhapstheremaybeadagger，inanotherafewdropsofblood，andinathirdtheremainsofsomeinstrumentoftorture；

buttherebeingnothinginallthisoutofthecommonway，andyourlampbeingnearlyexhausted，youwillreturntowardsyourownapartment。Inrepassingthroughthesmallvaultedroom，however，youreyeswillbeattractedtowardsalarge，old-fashionedcabinetofebonyandgold，which，thoughnarrowlyexaminingthefurniturebefore，youhadpassedunnoticed。Impelledbyanirresistiblepresentiment，youwilleagerlyadvancetoit，unlockitsfoldingdoors，andsearchintoeverydrawer——butforsometimewithoutdiscoveringanythingofimportance——perhapsnothingbutaconsiderablehoardofdiamonds。Atlast，however，bytouchingasecretspring，aninnercompartmentwillopen——arollofpaperappears——youseizeit——itcontainsmanysheetsofmanuscript——youhastenwiththeprecioustreasureintoyourownchamber，butscarcelyhaveyoubeenabletodecipher\'Oh！Thou——whomsoeverthoumaystbe，intowhosehandsthesememoirsofthewretchedMatildamayfall\'——whenyourlampsuddenlyexpiresinthesocket，andleavesyouintotaldarkness。”

“Oh！No，no——donotsayso。Well，goon。”

ButHenrywastoomuchamusedbytheinteresthehadraisedtobeabletocarryitfarther；hecouldnolongercommandsolemnityeitherofsubjectorvoice，andwasobligedtoentreathertouseherownfancyintheperusalofMatilda\'swoes。Catherine，recollectingherself，grewashamedofhereagerness，andbeganearnestlytoassurehimthatherattentionhadbeenfixedwithoutthesmallestapprehensionofreallymeetingwithwhatherelated。

“MissTilney，shewassure，wouldneverputherintosuchachamberashehaddescribed！Shewasnotatallafraid。”

Astheydrewneartheendoftheirjourney，herimpatienceforasightoftheabbey——forsometimesuspendedbyhisconversationonsubjectsverydifferent——returnedinfullforce，andeverybendintheroadwasexpectedwithsolemnawetoaffordaglimpseofitsmassywallsofgreystone，risingamidstagroveofancientoaks，withthelastbeamsofthesunplayinginbeautifulsplendouronitshighGothicwindows。Butsolowdidthebuildingstand，thatshefoundherselfpassingthroughthegreatgatesofthelodgeintotheverygroundsofNorthanger，withouthavingdiscernedevenanantiquechimney。

Sheknewnotthatshehadanyrighttobesurprised，buttherewasasomethinginthismodeofapproachwhichshecertainlyhadnotexpected。Topassbetweenlodgesofamodernappearance，tofindherselfwithsucheaseintheveryprecinctsoftheabbey，anddrivensorapidlyalongasmooth，levelroadoffinegravel，withoutobstacle，alarm，orsolemnityofanykind，struckherasoddandinconsistent。Shewasnotlongatleisure，however，forsuchconsiderations。

Asuddenscudofrain，drivingfullinherface，madeitimpossibleforhertoobserveanythingfurther，andfixedallherthoughtsonthewelfareofhernewstrawbonnet；

andshewasactuallyundertheabbeywalls，wasspringing，withHenry\'sassistance，fromthecarriage，wasbeneaththeshelteroftheoldporch，andhadevenpassedontothehall，whereherfriendandthegeneralwerewaitingtowelcomeher，withoutfeelingoneawfulforebodingoffuturemiserytoherself，oronemoment\'ssuspicionofanypastscenesofhorrorbeingactedwithinthesolemnedifice。Thebreezehadnotseemedtowaftthesighsofthemurderedtoher；

ithadwaftednothingworsethanathickmizzlingrain；

andhavinggivenagoodshaketoherhabit，shewasreadytobeshownintothecommondrawing-room，andcapableofconsideringwhereshewas。

Anabbey！Yes，itwasdelightfultobereallyinanabbey！Butshedoubted，asshelookedroundtheroom，whetheranythingwithinherobservationwouldhavegivenhertheconsciousness。Thefurniturewasinalltheprofusionandeleganceofmoderntaste。

Thefireplace，whereshehadexpectedtheamplewidthandponderouscarvingofformertimes，wascontractedtoaRumford，withslabsofplainthoughhandsomemarble，andornamentsoveritoftheprettiestEnglishchina。

Thewindows，towhichshelookedwithpeculiardependence，fromhavingheardthegeneraltalkofhispreservingthemintheirGothicformwithreverentialcare，wereyetlesswhatherfancyhadportrayed。Tobesure，thepointedarchwaspreserved——theformofthemwasGothic——theymightbeevencasements——buteverypanewassolarge，soclear，solight！Toanimaginationwhichhadhopedforthesmallestdivisions，andtheheavieststone-work，forpaintedglass，dirt，andcobwebs，thedifferencewasverydistressing。

Thegeneral，perceivinghowhereyewasemployed，begantotalkofthesmallnessoftheroomandsimplicityofthefurniture，whereeverything，beingfordailyuse，pretendedonlytocomfort，etc。；flatteringhimself，however，thatthereweresomeapartmentsintheAbbeynotunworthyhernotice——andwasproceedingtomentionthecostlygildingofoneinparticular，when，takingouthiswatch，hestoppedshorttopronounceitwithsurprisewithintwentyminutesoffive！Thisseemedthewordofseparation，andCatherinefoundherselfhurriedawaybyMissTilneyinsuchamannerasconvincedherthatthestrictestpunctualitytothefamilyhourswouldbeexpectedatNorthanger。

Returningthroughthelargeandloftyhall，theyascendedabroadstaircaseofshiningoak，which，aftermanyflightsandmanylanding-places，broughtthemuponalong，widegallery。Ononesideithadarangeofdoors，anditwaslightedontheotherbywindowswhichCatherinehadonlytimetodiscoverlookedintoaquadrangle，beforeMissTilneyledthewayintoachamber，andscarcelystayingtohopeshewouldfinditcomfortable，leftherwithananxiousentreatythatshewouldmakeaslittlealterationaspossibleinherdress。

CHAPTER21

Amoment\'sglancewasenoughtosatisfyCatherinethatherapartmentwasveryunliketheonewhichHenryhadendeavouredtoalarmherbythedescriptionof。

Itwasbynomeansunreasonablylarge，andcontainedneithertapestrynorvelvet。Thewallswerepapered，thefloorwascarpeted；thewindowswereneitherlessperfectnormoredimthanthoseofthedrawing-roombelow；thefurniture，thoughnotofthelatestfashion，washandsomeandcomfortable，andtheairoftheroomaltogetherfarfromuncheerful。

Herheartinstantaneouslyateaseonthispoint，sheresolvedtolosenotimeinparticularexaminationofanything，asshegreatlydreadeddisobligingthegeneralbyanydelay。

Herhabitthereforewasthrownoffwithallpossiblehaste，andshewaspreparingtounpinthelinenpackage，whichthechaise-seathadconveyedforherimmediateaccommodation，whenhereyesuddenlyfellonalargehighchest，standingbackinadeeprecessononesideofthefireplace。

Thesightofitmadeherstart；and，forgettingeverythingelse，shestoodgazingonitinmotionlesswonder，whilethesethoughtscrossedher:

“Thisisstrangeindeed！Ididnotexpectsuchasightasthis！Animmenseheavychest！Whatcanithold?Whyshoulditbeplacedhere?Pushedbacktoo，asifmeanttobeoutofsight！Iwilllookintoit——costmewhatitmay，Iwilllookintoit——anddirectlytoo——bydaylight。

IfIstaytilleveningmycandlemaygoout。”

Sheadvancedandexamineditclosely:itwasofcedar，curiouslyinlaidwithsomedarkerwood，andraised，aboutafootfromtheground，onacarvedstandofthesame。

Thelockwassilver，thoughtarnishedfromage；ateachendweretheimperfectremainsofhandlesalsoofsilver，brokenperhapsprematurelybysomestrangeviolence；

and，onthecentreofthelid，wasamysteriouscipher，inthesamemetal。Catherinebentoveritintently，butwithoutbeingabletodistinguishanythingwithcertainty。

Shecouldnot，inwhateverdirectionshetookit，believethelastlettertobeaT；andyetthatitshouldbeanythingelseinthathousewasacircumstancetoraisenocommondegreeofastonishment。Ifnotoriginallytheirs，bywhatstrangeeventscouldithavefallenintotheTilneyfamily?

Herfearfulcuriositywaseverymomentgrowinggreater；

andseizing，withtremblinghands，thehaspofthelock，sheresolvedatallhazardstosatisfyherselfatleastastoitscontents。Withdifficulty，forsomethingseemedtoresistherefforts，sheraisedthelidafewinches；

butatthatmomentasuddenknockingatthedooroftheroommadeher，starting，quitherhold，andthelidclosedwithalarmingviolence。Thisill-timedintruderwasMissTilney\'smaid，sentbyhermistresstobeofusetoMissMorland；andthoughCatherineimmediatelydismissedher，itrecalledhertothesenseofwhatsheoughttobedoing，andforcedher，inspiteofheranxiousdesiretopenetratethismystery，toproceedinherdressingwithoutfurtherdelay。Herprogresswasnotquick，forherthoughtsandhereyeswerestillbentontheobjectsowellcalculatedtointerestandalarm；andthoughshedarednotwasteamomentuponasecondattempt，shecouldnotremainmanypacesfromthechest。

Atlength，however，havingslippedonearmintohergown，hertoiletteseemedsonearlyfinishedthattheimpatienceofhercuriositymightsafelybeindulged。Onemomentsurelymightbespared；and，sodesperateshouldbetheexertionofherstrength，that，unlesssecuredbysupernaturalmeans，thelidinonemomentshouldbethrownback。Withthisspiritshesprangforward，andherconfidencedidnotdeceiveher。Herresoluteeffortthrewbackthelid，andgavetoherastonishedeyestheviewofawhitecottoncounterpane，properlyfolded，reposingatoneendofthechestinundisputedpossession！

ShewasgazingonitwiththefirstblushofsurprisewhenMissTilney，anxiousforherfriend\'sbeingready，enteredtheroom，andtotherisingshameofhavingharbouredforsomeminutesanabsurdexpectation，wasthenaddedtheshameofbeingcaughtinsoidleasearch。

“Thatisacuriousoldchest，isnotit?“saidMissTilney，asCatherinehastilycloseditandturnedawaytotheglass。

“Itisimpossibletosayhowmanygenerationsithasbeenhere。HowitcametobefirstputinthisroomI

knownot，butIhavenothaditmoved，becauseIthoughtitmightsometimesbeofuseinholdinghatsandbonnets。

Theworstofitisthatitsweightmakesitdifficulttoopen。Inthatcorner，however，itisatleastoutoftheway。”

Catherinehadnoleisureforspeech，beingatonceblushing，tyinghergown，andformingwiseresolutionswiththemostviolentdispatch。MissTilneygentlyhintedherfearofbeinglate；andinhalfaminutetheyrandownstairstogether，inanalarmnotwhollyunfounded，forGeneralTilneywaspacingthedrawing-room，hiswatchinhishand，andhaving，ontheveryinstantoftheirentering，pulledthebellwithviolence，ordered“Dinnertobeontabledirectly！“

Catherinetrembledattheemphasiswithwhichhespoke，andsatpaleandbreathless，inamosthumblemood，concernedforhischildren，anddetestingoldchests；

andthegeneral，recoveringhispolitenessashelookedather，spenttherestofhistimeinscoldinghisdaughterforsofoolishlyhurryingherfairfriend，whowasabsolutelyoutofbreathfromhaste，whentherewasnottheleastoccasionforhurryintheworld:butCatherinecouldnotatallgetoverthedoubledistressofhavinginvolvedherfriendinalectureandbeenagreatsimpletonherself，tilltheywerehappilyseatedatthedinner-table，whenthegeneral\'scomplacentsmiles，andagoodappetiteofherown，restoredhertopeace。Thedining-parlourwasanobleroom，suitableinitsdimensionstoamuchlargerdrawing-roomthantheoneincommonuse，andfittedupinastyleofluxuryandexpensewhichwasalmostlostontheunpractisedeyeofCatherine，whosawlittlemorethanitsspaciousnessandthenumberoftheirattendants。

Oftheformer，shespokealoudheradmiration；

andthegeneral，withaverygraciouscountenance，acknowledgedthatitwasbynomeansanill-sizedroom，andfurtherconfessedthat，thoughascarelessonsuchsubjectsasmostpeople，hedidlookuponatolerablylargeeating-roomasoneofthenecessariesoflife；

hesupposed，however，“thatshemusthavebeenusedtomuchbetter-sizedapartmentsatMr。Allen\'s?“

“No，indeed，“wasCatherine\'shonestassurance；

“Mr。Allen\'sdining-parlourwasnotmorethanhalfaslarge，“

andshehadneverseensolargearoomasthisinherlife。

Thegeneral\'sgoodhumourincreased。Why，ashehadsuchrooms，hethoughtitwouldbesimplenottomakeuseofthem；but，uponhishonour，hebelievedtheremightbemorecomfortinroomsofonlyhalftheirsize。

Mr。Allen\'shouse，hewassure，mustbeexactlyofthetruesizeforrationalhappiness。

Theeveningpassedwithoutanyfurtherdisturbance，and，intheoccasionalabsenceofGeneralTilney，withmuchpositivecheerfulness。ItwasonlyinhispresencethatCatherinefeltthesmallestfatiguefromherjourney；

andeventhen，eveninmomentsoflanguororrestraint，asenseofgeneralhappinesspreponderated，andshecouldthinkofherfriendsinBathwithoutonewishofbeingwiththem。

Thenightwasstormy；thewindhadbeenrisingatintervalsthewholeafternoon；andbythetimethepartybrokeup，itblewandrainedviolently。Catherine，asshecrossedthehall，listenedtothetempestwithsensationsofawe；and，whenshehearditrageroundacorneroftheancientbuildingandclosewithsuddenfuryadistantdoor，feltforthefirsttimethatshewasreallyinanabbey。

Yes，thesewerecharacteristicsounds；theybroughttoherrecollectionacountlessvarietyofdreadfulsituationsandhorridscenes，whichsuchbuildingshadwitnessed，andsuchstormsusheredin；andmostheartilydidsherejoiceinthehappiercircumstancesattendingherentrancewithinwallssosolemn！Shehadnothingtodreadfrommidnightassassinsordrunkengallants。

Henryhadcertainlybeenonlyinjestinwhathehadtoldherthatmorning。Inahousesofurnished，andsoguarded，shecouldhavenothingtoexploreortosuffer，andmightgotoherbedroomassecurelyasifithadbeenherownchamberatFullerton。Thuswiselyfortifyinghermind，assheproceededupstairs，shewasenabled，especiallyonperceivingthatMissTilneysleptonlytwodoorsfromher，toenterherroomwithatolerablystoutheart；andherspiritswereimmediatelyassistedbythecheerfulblazeofawoodfire。“Howmuchbetteristhis，“saidshe，asshewalkedtothefender——“howmuchbettertofindafirereadylit，thantohavetowaitshiveringinthecoldtillallthefamilyareinbed，assomanypoorgirlshavebeenobligedtodo，andthentohaveafaithfuloldservantfrighteningonebycominginwithafaggot！HowgladIamthatNorthangeriswhatitis！Ifithadbeenlikesomeotherplaces，Idonotknowthat，insuchanightasthis，Icouldhaveansweredformycourage:butnow，tobesure，thereisnothingtoalarmone。”

Shelookedroundtheroom。Thewindowcurtainsseemedinmotion。Itcouldbenothingbuttheviolenceofthewindpenetratingthroughthedivisionsoftheshutters；

andshesteppedboldlyforward，carelesslyhummingatune，toassureherselfofitsbeingso，peepedcourageouslybehindeachcurtain，sawnothingoneitherlowwindowseattoscareher，andonplacingahandagainsttheshutter，feltthestrongestconvictionofthewind\'sforce。

Aglanceattheoldchest，assheturnedawayfromthisexamination，wasnotwithoutitsuse；shescornedthecauselessfearsofanidlefancy，andbeganwithamosthappyindifferencetoprepareherselfforbed。

“Sheshouldtakehertime；sheshouldnothurryherself；

shedidnotcareifshewerethelastpersonupinthehouse。

Butshewouldnotmakeupherfire；thatwouldseemcowardly，asifshewishedfortheprotectionoflightaftershewereinbed。”Thefirethereforediedaway，andCatherine，havingspentthebestpartofanhourinherarrangements，wasbeginningtothinkofsteppingintobed，when，ongivingapartingglanceroundtheroom，shewasstruckbytheappearanceofahigh，old-fashionedblackcabinet，which，thoughinasituationconspicuousenough，hadnevercaughthernoticebefore。Henry\'swords，hisdescriptionoftheebonycabinetwhichwastoescapeherobservationatfirst，immediatelyrushedacrossher；andthoughtherecouldbenothingreallyinit，therewassomethingwhimsical，itwascertainlyaveryremarkablecoincidence！Shetookhercandleandlookedcloselyatthecabinet。

Itwasnotabsolutelyebonyandgold；butitwasjapan，blackandyellowjapanofthehandsomestkind；andassheheldhercandle，theyellowhadverymuchtheeffectofgold。Thekeywasinthedoor，andshehadastrangefancytolookintoit；not，however，withthesmallestexpectationoffindinganything，butitwassoveryodd，afterwhatHenryhadsaid。Inshort，shecouldnotsleeptillshehadexaminedit。So，placingthecandlewithgreatcautiononachair，sheseizedthekeywithaverytremuloushandandtriedtoturnit；butitresistedherutmoststrength。Alarmed，butnotdiscouraged，shetrieditanotherway；aboltflew，andshebelievedherselfsuccessful；buthowstrangelymysterious！

Thedoorwasstillimmovable。Shepausedamomentinbreathlesswonder。Thewindroareddownthechimney，therainbeatintorrentsagainstthewindows，andeverythingseemedtospeaktheawfulnessofhersituation。

Toretiretobed，however，unsatisfiedonsuchapoint，wouldbevain，sincesleepmustbeimpossiblewiththeconsciousnessofacabinetsomysteriouslyclosedinherimmediatevicinity。Again，therefore，sheappliedherselftothekey，andaftermovingitineverypossiblewayforsomeinstantswiththedeterminedcelerityofhope\'slasteffort，thedoorsuddenlyyieldedtoherhand:herheartleapedwithexultationatsuchavictory，andhavingthrownopeneachfoldingdoor，thesecondbeingsecuredonlybyboltsoflesswonderfulconstructionthanthelock，thoughinthathereyecouldnotdiscernanythingunusual，adoublerangeofsmalldrawersappearedinview，withsomelargerdrawersaboveandbelowthem；andinthecentre，asmalldoor，closedalsowithalockandkey，securedinallprobabilityacavityofimportance。

Catherine\'sheartbeatquick，buthercouragedidnotfailher。Withacheekflushedbyhope，andaneyestrainingwithcuriosity，herfingersgraspedthehandleofadraweranddrewitforth。Itwasentirelyempty。

Withlessalarmandgreatereagernesssheseizedasecond，athird，afourth；eachwasequallyempty。Notonewasleftunsearched，andinnotonewasanythingfound。

Wellreadintheartofconcealingatreasure，thepossibilityoffalseliningstothedrawersdidnotescapeher，andshefeltroundeachwithanxiousacutenessinvain。

Theplaceinthemiddlealoneremainednowunexplored；

andthoughshehad“neverfromthefirsthadthesmallestideaoffindinganythinginanypartofthecabinet，andwasnotintheleastdisappointedatherillsuccessthusfar，itwouldbefoolishnottoexamineitthoroughlywhileshewasaboutit。”Itwassometimehoweverbeforeshecouldunfastenthedoor，thesamedifficultyoccurringinthemanagementofthisinnerlockasoftheouter；

butatlengthitdidopen；andnotvain，ashitherto，washersearch；herquickeyesdirectlyfellonarollofpaperpushedbackintothefurtherpartofthecavity，apparentlyforconcealment，andherfeelingsatthatmomentwereindescribable。Herheartfluttered，herkneestrembled，andhercheeksgrewpale。Sheseized，withanunsteadyhand，thepreciousmanuscript，forhalfaglancesufficedtoascertainwrittencharacters；

andwhilesheacknowledgedwithawfulsensationsthisstrikingexemplificationofwhatHenryhadforetold，resolvedinstantlytoperuseeverylinebeforesheattemptedtorest。

Thedimnessofthelighthercandleemittedmadeherturntoitwithalarm；buttherewasnodangerofitssuddenextinction；ithadyetsomehourstoburn；

andthatshemightnothaveanygreaterdifficultyindistinguishingthewritingthanwhatitsancientdatemightoccasion，shehastilysnuffedit。Alas！Itwassnuffedandextinguishedinone。Alampcouldnothaveexpiredwithmoreawfuleffect。Catherine，forafewmoments，wasmotionlesswithhorror。Itwasdonecompletely；

notaremnantoflightinthewickcouldgivehopetotherekindlingbreath。Darknessimpenetrableandimmovablefilledtheroom。Aviolentgustofwind，risingwithsuddenfury，addedfreshhorrortothemoment。

Catherinetrembledfromheadtofoot。Inthepausewhichsucceeded，asoundlikerecedingfootstepsandtheclosingofadistantdoorstruckonheraffrightedear。

Humannaturecouldsupportnomore。Acoldsweatstoodonherforehead，themanuscriptfellfromherhand，andgropingherwaytothebed，shejumpedhastilyin，andsoughtsomesuspensionofagonybycreepingfarunderneaththeclothes。Toclosehereyesinsleepthatnight，shefeltmustbeentirelyoutofthequestion。

Withacuriositysojustlyawakened，andfeelingsineverywaysoagitated，reposemustbeabsolutelyimpossible。

Thestormtooabroadsodreadful！Shehadnotbeenusedtofeelalarmfromwind，butnoweveryblastseemedfraughtwithawfulintelligence。Themanuscriptsowonderfullyfound，sowonderfullyaccomplishingthemorning\'sprediction，howwasittobeaccountedfor?Whatcoulditcontain?Towhomcoulditrelate?Bywhatmeanscouldithavebeensolongconcealed?Andhowsingularlystrangethatitshouldfalltoherlottodiscoverit！Tillshehadmadeherselfmistressofitscontents，however，shecouldhaveneitherreposenorcomfort；andwiththesun\'sfirstraysshewasdeterminedtoperuseit。Butmanywerethetedioushourswhichmustyetintervene。Sheshuddered，tossedaboutinherbed，andenviedeveryquietsleeper。

Thestormstillraged，andvariouswerethenoises，moreterrificeventhanthewind，whichstruckatintervalsonherstartledear。Theverycurtainsofherbedseemedatonemomentinmotion，andatanotherthelockofherdoorwasagitated，asifbytheattemptofsomebodytoenter。

Hollowmurmursseemedtocreepalongthegallery，andmorethanonceherbloodwaschilledbythesoundofdistantmoans。

Hourafterhourpassedaway，andtheweariedCatherinehadheardthreeproclaimedbyalltheclocksinthehousebeforethetempestsubsidedorsheunknowinglyfellfastasleep。

CHAPTER22

Thehousemaid\'sfoldingbackherwindow-shuttersateighto\'clockthenextdaywasthesoundwhichfirstrousedCatherine；andsheopenedhereyes，wonderingthattheycouldeverhavebeenclosed，onobjectsofcheerfulness；herfirewasalreadyburning，andabrightmorninghadsucceededthetempestofthenight。

Instantaneously，withtheconsciousnessofexistence，returnedherrecollectionofthemanuscript；andspringingfromthebedintheverymomentofthemaid\'sgoingaway，sheeagerlycollectedeveryscatteredsheetwhichhadburstfromtherollonitsfallingtotheground，andflewbacktoenjoytheluxuryoftheirperusalonherpillow。

Shenowplainlysawthatshemustnotexpectamanuscriptofequallengthwiththegeneralityofwhatshehadshudderedoverinbooks，fortheroll，seemingtoconsistentirelyofsmalldisjointedsheets，wasaltogetherbutoftriflingsize，andmuchlessthanshehadsupposedittobeatfirst。

Hergreedyeyeglancedrapidlyoverapage。

Shestartedatitsimport。Coulditbepossible，ordidnothersensesplayherfalse?Aninventoryoflinen，incoarseandmoderncharacters，seemedallthatwasbeforeher！Iftheevidenceofsightmightbetrusted，sheheldawashing-billinherhand。Sheseizedanothersheet，andsawthesamearticleswithlittlevariation；

athird，afourth，andafifthpresentednothingnew。

Shirts，stockings，cravats，andwaistcoatsfacedherineach。Twoothers，pennedbythesamehand，markedanexpenditurescarcelymoreinteresting，inletters，hair-powder，shoe-string，andbreeches-ball。

Andthelargersheet，whichhadenclosedtherest，seemedbyitsfirstcrampline，“Topoulticechestnutmare“——afarrier\'sbill！Suchwasthecollectionofpapers(leftperhaps，asshecouldthensuppose，bythenegligenceofaservantintheplacewhenceshehadtakenthem)

whichhadfilledherwithexpectationandalarm，androbbedherofhalfhernight\'srest！Shefelthumbledtothedust。

Couldnottheadventureofthechesthavetaughtherwisdom?Acornerofit，catchinghereyeasshelay，seemedtoriseupinjudgmentagainsther。Nothingcouldnowbeclearerthantheabsurdityofherrecentfancies。

Tosupposethatamanuscriptofmanygenerationsbackcouldhaveremainedundiscoveredinaroomsuchasthat，somodern，sohabitable！——Orthatsheshouldbethefirsttopossesstheskillofunlockingacabinet，thekeyofwhichwasopentoall！

Howcouldshehavesoimposedonherself?HeavenforbidthatHenryTilneyshouldeverknowherfolly！Anditwasinagreatmeasurehisowndoing，forhadnotthecabinetappearedsoexactlytoagreewithhisdescriptionofheradventures，sheshouldneverhavefeltthesmallestcuriosityaboutit。Thiswastheonlycomfortthatoccurred。

Impatienttogetridofthosehatefulevidencesofherfolly，thosedetestablepapersthenscatteredoverthebed，sherosedirectly，andfoldingthemupasnearlyaspossibleinthesameshapeasbefore，returnedthemtothesamespotwithinthecabinet，withaveryheartywishthatnountowardaccidentmighteverbringthemforwardagain，todisgraceherevenwithherself。

Whythelocksshouldhavebeensodifficulttoopen，however，wasstillsomethingremarkable，forshecouldnowmanagethemwithperfectease。Inthistherewassurelysomethingmysterious，andsheindulgedintheflatteringsuggestionforhalfaminute，tillthepossibilityofthedoor\'shavingbeenatfirstunlocked，andofbeingherselfitsfastener，dartedintoherhead，andcostheranotherblush。

Shegotawayassoonasshecouldfromaroominwhichherconductproducedsuchunpleasantreflections，andfoundherwaywithallspeedtothebreakfast-parlour，asithadbeenpointedouttoherbyMissTilneytheeveningbefore。Henrywasaloneinit；andhisimmediatehopeofherhavingbeenundisturbedbythetempest，withanarchreferencetothecharacterofthebuildingtheyinhabited，wasratherdistressing。Fortheworldwouldshenothaveherweaknesssuspected，andyet，unequaltoanabsolutefalsehood，wasconstrainedtoacknowledgethatthewindhadkeptherawakealittle。

“Butwehaveacharmingmorningafterit，“sheadded，desiringtogetridofthesubject；“andstormsandsleeplessnessarenothingwhentheyareover。

Whatbeautifulhyacinths！Ihavejustlearnttoloveahyacinth。”

“Andhowmightyoulearn?Byaccidentorargument?“

“Yoursistertaughtme；Icannottellhow。Mrs。Allenusedtotakepains，yearafteryear，tomakemelikethem；

butInevercould，tillIsawthemtheotherdayinMilsomStreet；Iamnaturallyindifferentaboutflowers。”

“Butnowyouloveahyacinth。Somuchthebetter。

Youhavegainedanewsourceofenjoyment，anditiswelltohaveasmanyholdsuponhappinessaspossible。

Besides，atasteforflowersisalwaysdesirableinyoursex，asameansofgettingyououtofdoors，andtemptingyoutomorefrequentexercisethanyouwouldotherwisetake。

Andthoughtheloveofahyacinthmayberatherdomestic，whocantell，thesentimentonceraised，butyoumayintimecometolovearose?“

“ButIdonotwantanysuchpursuittogetmeoutofdoors。Thepleasureofwalkingandbreathingfreshairisenoughforme，andinfineweatherIamoutmorethanhalfmytime。MammasaysIamneverwithin。”

“Atanyrate，however，Iampleasedthatyouhavelearnttoloveahyacinth。Themerehabitoflearningtoloveisthething；andateachablenessofdispositioninayoungladyisagreatblessing。Hasmysisterapleasantmodeofinstruction?“

Catherinewassavedtheembarrassmentofattemptingananswerbytheentranceofthegeneral，whosesmilingcomplimentsannouncedahappystateofmind，butwhosegentlehintofsympatheticearlyrisingdidnotadvancehercomposure。

TheeleganceofthebreakfastsetforceditselfonCatherine\'snoticewhentheywereseatedattable；

and，lucidly，ithadbeenthegeneral\'schoice。Hewasenchantedbyherapprobationofhistaste，confessedittobeneatandsimple，thoughtitrighttoencouragethemanufactureofhiscountry；andforhispart，tohisuncriticalpalate，theteawasaswellflavouredfromtheclayofStaffordshire，asfromthatofDresdenorSave。

Butthiswasquiteanoldset，purchasedtwoyearsago。

Themanufacturewasmuchimprovedsincethattime；

hehadseensomebeautifulspecimenswhenlastintown，andhadhenotbeenperfectlywithoutvanityofthatkind，mighthavebeentemptedtoorderanewset。

Hetrusted，however，thatanopportunitymighterelongoccurofselectingone——thoughnotforhimself。

Catherinewasprobablytheonlyoneofthepartywhodidnotunderstandhim。

ShortlyafterbreakfastHenryleftthemforWoodston，wherebusinessrequiredandwouldkeephimtwoorthreedays。

Theyallattendedinthehalltoseehimmounthishorse，andimmediatelyonre-enteringthebreakfast-room，Catherinewalkedtoawindowinthehopeofcatchinganotherglimpseofhisfigure。“Thisisasomewhatheavycalluponyourbrother\'sfortitude，“observedthegeneraltoEleanor。

“Woodstonwillmakebutasombreappearancetoday。”

“Isitaprettyplace?“askedCatherine。

“Whatsayyou，Eleanor?Speakyouropinion，forladiescanbesttellthetasteofladiesinregardtoplacesaswellasmen。Ithinkitwouldbeacknowledgedbythemostimpartialeyetohavemanyrecommendations。