第6章

Thehousestandsamongfinemeadowsfacingthesouth-east，withanexcellentkitchen-gardeninthesameaspect；

thewallssurroundingwhichIbuiltandstockedmyselfabouttenyearsago，forthebenefitofmyson。Itisafamilyliving，MissMorland；andthepropertyintheplacebeingchieflymyown，youmaybelieveItakecarethatitshallnotbeabadone。DidHenry\'sincomedependsolelyonthisliving，hewouldnotbeill-providedfor。

Perhapsitmayseemodd，thatwithonlytwoyoungerchildren，Ishouldthinkanyprofessionnecessaryforhim；

andcertainlytherearemomentswhenwecouldallwishhimdisengagedfromeverytieofbusiness。ButthoughImaynotexactlymakeconvertsofyouyoungladies，Iamsureyourfather，MissMorland，wouldagreewithmeinthinkingitexpedienttogiveeveryyoungmansomeemployment。

Themoneyisnothing，itisnotanobject，butemploymentisthething。EvenFrederick，myeldestson，yousee，whowillperhapsinheritasconsiderablealandedpropertyasanyprivatemaninthecounty，hashisprofession。”

Theimposingeffectofthislastargumentwasequaltohiswishes。Thesilenceoftheladyprovedittobeunanswerable。

Somethinghadbeensaidtheeveningbeforeofherbeingshownoverthehouse，andhenowofferedhimselfasherconductor；andthoughCatherinehadhopedtoexploreitaccompaniedonlybyhisdaughter，itwasaproposaloftoomuchhappinessinitself，underanycircumstances，nottobegladlyaccepted；forshehadbeenalreadyeighteenhoursintheabbey，andhadseenonlyafewofitsrooms。Thenetting-box，justleisurelydrawnforth，wasclosedwithjoyfulhaste，andshewasreadytoattendhiminamoment。“Andwhentheyhadgoneoverthehouse，hepromisedhimselfmoreoverthepleasureofaccompanyingherintotheshrubberiesandgarden。”

Shecurtsiedheracquiescence。“Butperhapsitmightbemoreagreeabletohertomakethoseherfirstobject。

Theweatherwasatpresentfavourable，andatthistimeofyeartheuncertaintywasverygreatofitscontinuingso。

Whichwouldsheprefer?Hewasequallyatherservice。

Whichdidhisdaughterthinkwouldmostaccordwithherfairfriend\'swishes?Buthethoughthecoulddiscern。

Yes，hecertainlyreadinMissMorland\'seyesajudiciousdesireofmakinguseofthepresentsmilingweather。

Butwhendidshejudgeamiss?Theabbeywouldbealwayssafeanddry。Heyieldedimplicitly，andwouldfetchhishatandattendtheminamoment。”Helefttheroom，andCatherine，withadisappointed，anxiousface，begantospeakofherunwillingnessthatheshouldbetakingthemoutofdoorsagainsthisowninclination，underamistakenideaofpleasingher；butshewasstoppedbyMissTilney\'ssaying，withalittleconfusion，“Ibelieveitwillbewisesttotakethemorningwhileitissofine；

anddonotbeuneasyonmyfather\'saccount；healwayswalksoutatthistimeofday。”

Catherinedidnotexactlyknowhowthiswastobeunderstood。WhywasMissTilneyembarrassed?

Couldtherebeanyunwillingnessonthegeneral\'ssidetoshowherovertheabbey?Theproposalwashisown。

Andwasnotitoddthatheshouldalwaystakehiswalksoearly?NeitherherfathernorMr。Allendidso。

Itwascertainlyveryprovoking。Shewasallimpatiencetoseethehouse，andhadscarcelyanycuriosityaboutthegrounds。IfHenryhadbeenwiththemindeed！Butnowsheshouldnotknowwhatwaspicturesquewhenshesawit。

Suchwereherthoughts，butshekeptthemtoherself，andputonherbonnetinpatientdiscontent。

Shewasstruck，however，beyondherexpectation，bythegrandeuroftheabbey，asshesawitforthefirsttimefromthelawn。Thewholebuildingenclosedalargecourt；

andtwosidesofthequadrangle，richinGothicornaments，stoodforwardforadmiration。Theremainderwasshutoffbyknollsofoldtrees，orluxuriantplantations，andthesteepwoodyhillsrisingbehind，togiveitshelter，werebeautifulevenintheleaflessmonthofMarch。

Catherinehadseennothingtocomparewithit；andherfeelingsofdelightweresostrong，thatwithoutwaitingforanybetterauthority，sheboldlyburstforthinwonderandpraise。Thegenerallistenedwithassentinggratitude；

anditseemedasifhisownestimationofNorthangerhadwaitedunfixedtillthathour。

Thekitchen-gardenwastobenextadmired，andheledthewaytoitacrossasmallportionofthepark。

ThenumberofacrescontainedinthisgardenwassuchasCatherinecouldnotlistentowithoutdismay，beingmorethandoubletheextentofallMr。Allen\'s，aswellherfather\'s，includingchurch-yardandorchard。

Thewallsseemedcountlessinnumber，endlessinlength；

avillageofhot-housesseemedtoariseamongthem，andawholeparishtobeatworkwithintheenclosure。

Thegeneralwasflatteredbyherlooksofsurprise，whichtoldhimalmostasplainly，ashesoonforcedhertotellhiminwords，thatshehadneverseenanygardensatallequaltothembefore；andhethenmodestlyownedthat，“withoutanyambitionofthatsorthimself——withoutanysolicitudeaboutit——hedidbelievethemtobeunrivalledinthekingdom。Ifhehadahobby-horse，itwasthat。

Helovedagarden。Thoughcarelessenoughinmostmattersofeating，helovedgoodfruit——orifhedidnot，hisfriendsandchildrendid。Thereweregreatvexations，however，attendingsuchagardenashis。Theutmostcarecouldnotalwayssecurethemostvaluablefruits。

Thepineryhadyieldedonlyonehundredinthelastyear。

Mr。Allen，hesupposed，mustfeeltheseinconveniencesaswellashimself。”

“No，notatall。Mr。Allendidnotcareaboutthegarden，andneverwentintoit。”

Withatriumphantsmileofself-satisfaction，thegeneralwishedhecoulddothesame，forheneverenteredhis，withoutbeingvexedinsomewayorother，byitsfallingshortofhisplan。

“HowwereMr。Allen\'ssuccession-housesworked?“

describingthenatureofhisownastheyenteredthem。

“Mr。Allenhadonlyonesmallhot-house，whichMrs。Allenhadtheuseofforherplantsinwinter，andtherewasafireinitnowandthen。”

“Heisahappyman！“saidthegeneral，withalookofveryhappycontempt。

Havingtakenherintoeverydivision，andledherundereverywall，tillshewasheartilywearyofseeingandwondering，hesufferedthegirlsatlasttoseizetheadvantageofanouterdoor，andthenexpressinghiswishtoexaminetheeffectofsomerecentalterationsaboutthetea-house，proposeditasnounpleasantextensionoftheirwalk，ifMissMorlandwerenottired。

“Butwhereareyougoing，Eleanor?Whydoyouchoosethatcold，damppathtoit?MissMorlandwillgetwet。

Ourbestwayisacrossthepark。”

“Thisissofavouriteawalkofmine，“saidMissTilney，“thatIalwaysthinkitthebestandnearestway。

Butperhapsitmaybedamp。”

ItwasanarrowwindingpaththroughathickgroveofoldScotchfirs；andCatherine，struckbyitsgloomyaspect，andeagertoenterit，couldnot，evenbythegeneral\'sdisapprobation，bekeptfromsteppingforward。Heperceivedherinclination，andhavingagainurgedthepleaofhealthinvain，wastoopolitetomakefurtheropposition。

Heexcusedhimself，however，fromattendingthem:“Theraysofthesunwerenottoocheerfulforhim，andhewouldmeetthembyanothercourse。”Heturnedaway；

andCatherinewasshockedtofindhowmuchherspiritswererelievedbytheseparation。Theshock，however，beinglessrealthantherelief，offereditnoinjury；

andshebegantotalkwitheasygaietyofthedelightfulmelancholywhichsuchagroveinspired。

“Iamparticularlyfondofthisspot，“saidhercompanion，withasigh。“Itwasmymother\'sfavouritewalk。”

CatherinehadneverheardMrs。Tilneymentionedinthefamilybefore，andtheinterestexcitedbythistenderremembranceshoweditselfdirectlyinheralteredcountenance，andintheattentivepausewithwhichshewaitedforsomethingmore。

“Iusedtowalkheresooftenwithher！“addedEleanor；

“thoughIneverloveditthen，asIhaveloveditsince。

AtthattimeindeedIusedtowonderatherchoice。

Buthermemoryendearsitnow。”

“Andoughtitnot，“reflectedCatherine，“toendearittoherhusband?Yetthegeneralwouldnotenterit。”

MissTilneycontinuingsilent，sheventuredtosay，“Herdeathmusthavebeenagreataffliction！“

“Agreatandincreasingone，“repliedtheother，inalowvoice。“Iwasonlythirteenwhenithappened；

andthoughIfeltmylossperhapsasstronglyasonesoyoungcouldfeelit，Ididnot，Icouldnot，thenknowwhatalossitwas。”Shestoppedforamoment，andthenadded，withgreatfirmness，“Ihavenosister，youknow——andthoughHenry——thoughmybrothersareveryaffectionate，andHenryisagreatdealhere，whichIammostthankfulfor，itisimpossibleformenottobeoftensolitary。”

“Tobesureyoumustmisshimverymuch。”

“Amotherwouldhavebeenalwayspresent。Amotherwouldhavebeenaconstantfriend；herinfluencewouldhavebeenbeyondallother。”

“Wassheaverycharmingwoman?Wasshehandsome?

Wasthereanypictureofherintheabbey?Andwhyhadshebeensopartialtothatgrove?Wasitfromdejectionofspirits?“——werequestionsnoweagerlypouredforth；

thefirstthreereceivedareadyaffirmative，thetwootherswerepassedby；andCatherine\'sinterestinthedeceasedMrs。Tilneyaugmentedwitheveryquestion，whetheransweredornot。Ofherunhappinessinmarriage，shefeltpersuaded。Thegeneralcertainlyhadbeenanunkindhusband。Hedidnotloveherwalk:couldhethereforehavelovedher?Andbesides，handsomeashewas，therewasasomethingintheturnofhisfeatureswhichspokehisnothavingbehavedwelltoher。

“Herpicture，Isuppose，“blushingattheconsummateartofherownquestion，“hangsinyourfather\'sroom?“

“No；itwasintendedforthedrawing-room；butmyfatherwasdissatisfiedwiththepainting，andforsometimeithadnoplace。SoonafterherdeathIobtaineditformyown，andhungitinmybed-chamber——whereIshallbehappytoshowityou；itisverylike。”Herewasanotherproof。

Aportrait——verylike——ofadepartedwife，notvaluedbythehusband！Hemusthavebeendreadfullycrueltoher！

Catherineattemptednolongertohidefromherselfthenatureofthefeelingswhich，inspiteofallhisattentions，hehadpreviouslyexcited；andwhathadbeenterroranddislikebefore，wasnowabsoluteaversion。Yes，aversion！Hiscrueltytosuchacharmingwomanmadehimodioustoher。

Shehadoftenreadofsuchcharacters，characterswhichMr。Allenhadbeenusedtocallunnaturalandoverdrawn；

butherewasproofpositiveofthecontrary。

Shehadjustsettledthispointwhentheendofthepathbroughtthemdirectlyuponthegeneral；

andinspiteofallhervirtuousindignation，shefoundherselfagainobligedtowalkwithhim，listentohim，andeventosmilewhenhesmiled。Beingnolongerable，however，toreceivepleasurefromthesurroundingobjects，shesoonbegantowalkwithlassitude；thegeneralperceivedit，andwithaconcernforherhealth，whichseemedtoreproachherforheropinionofhim，wasmosturgentforreturningwithhisdaughtertothehouse。Hewouldfollowtheminaquarterofanhour。Againtheyparted——butEleanorwascalledbackinhalfaminutetoreceiveastrictchargeagainsttakingherfriendroundtheabbeytillhisreturn。

ThissecondinstanceofhisanxietytodelaywhatshesomuchwishedforstruckCatherineasveryremarkable。

CHAPTER23

Anhourpassedawaybeforethegeneralcamein，spent，onthepartofhisyoungguest，innoveryfavourableconsiderationofhischaracter。

“Thislengthenedabsence，thesesolitaryrambles，didnotspeakamindatease，oraconsciencevoidofreproach。”

Atlengthheappeared；and，whatevermighthavebeenthegloomofhismeditations，hecouldstillsmilewiththem。

MissTilney，understandinginpartherfriend\'scuriositytoseethehouse，soonrevivedthesubject；

andherfatherbeing，contrarytoCatherine\'sexpectations，unprovidedwithanypretenceforfurtherdelay，beyondthatofstoppingfiveminutestoorderrefreshmentstobeintheroombytheirreturn，wasatlastreadytoescortthem。

Theysetforward；and，withagrandeurofair，adignifiedstep，whichcaughttheeye，butcouldnotshakethedoubtsofthewell-readCatherine，heledthewayacrossthehall，throughthecommondrawing-roomandoneuselessantechamber，intoaroommagnificentbothinsizeandfurniture——therealdrawing-room，usedonlywithcompanyofconsequence。Itwasverynoble——verygrand——verycharming！——wasallthatCatherinehadtosay，forherindiscriminatingeyescarcelydiscernedthecolourofthesatin；andallminutenessofpraise，allpraisethathadmuchmeaning，wassuppliedbythegeneral:

thecostlinessoreleganceofanyroom\'sfitting-upcouldbenothingtoher；shecaredfornofurnitureofamoremoderndatethanthefifteenthcentury。

Whenthegeneralhadsatisfiedhisowncuriosity，inacloseexaminationofeverywell-knownornament，theyproceededintothelibrary，anapartment，initsway，ofequalmagnificence，exhibitingacollectionofbooks，onwhichanhumblemanmighthavelookedwithpride。

Catherineheard，admired，andwonderedwithmoregenuinefeelingthanbefore——gatheredallthatshecouldfromthisstorehouseofknowledge，byrunningoverthetitlesofhalfashelf，andwasreadytoproceed。Butsuitesofapartmentsdidnotspringupwithherwishes。

Largeaswasthebuilding，shehadalreadyvisitedthegreatestpart；though，onbeingtoldthat，withtheadditionofthekitchen，thesixorsevenroomsshehadnowseensurroundedthreesidesofthecourt，shecouldscarcelybelieveit，orovercomethesuspicionoftherebeingmanychamberssecreted。Itwassomerelief，however，thattheyweretoreturntotheroomsincommonuse，bypassingthroughafewoflessimportance，lookingintothecourt，which，withoccasionalpassages，notwhollyunintricate，connectedthedifferentsides；

andshewasfurthersoothedinherprogressbybeingtoldthatshewastreadingwhathadoncebeenacloister，havingtracesofcellspointedout，andobservingseveraldoorsthatwereneitheropenednorexplainedtoher——byfindingherselfsuccessivelyinabilliard-room，andinthegeneral\'sprivateapartment，withoutcomprehendingtheirconnection，orbeingabletoturnarightwhensheleftthem；andlastly，bypassingthroughadarklittleroom，owningHenry\'sauthority，andstrewedwithhislitterofbooks，guns，andgreatcoats。

Fromthedining-room，ofwhich，thoughalreadyseen，andalwaystobeseenatfiveo\'clock，thegeneralcouldnotforgothepleasureofpacingoutthelength，forthemorecertaininformationofMissMorland，astowhatsheneitherdoubtednorcaredfor，theyproceededbyquickcommunicationtothekitchen——

theancientkitchenoftheconvent，richinthemassywallsandsmokeofformerdays，andinthestovesandhotclosetsofthepresent。Thegeneral\'simprovinghandhadnotloiteredhere:everymoderninventiontofacilitatethelabourofthecookshadbeenadoptedwithinthis，theirspacioustheatre；and，whenthegeniusofothershadfailed，hisownhadoftenproducedtheperfectionwanted。

Hisendowmentsofthisspotalonemightatanytimehaveplacedhimhighamongthebenefactorsoftheconvent。

Withthewallsofthekitchenendedalltheantiquityoftheabbey；thefourthsideofthequadranglehaving，onaccountofitsdecayingstate，beenremovedbythegeneral\'sfather，andthepresenterectedinitsplace。

Allthatwasvenerableceasedhere。Thenewbuildingwasnotonlynew，butdeclareditselftobeso；intendedonlyforoffices，andenclosedbehindbystable-yards，nouniformityofarchitecturehadbeenthoughtnecessary。

Catherinecouldhaveravedatthehandwhichhadsweptawaywhatmusthavebeenbeyondthevalueofalltherest，forthepurposesofmeredomesticeconomy；andwouldwillinglyhavebeensparedthemortificationofawalkthroughscenessofallen，hadthegeneralallowedit；

butifhehadavanity，itwasinthearrangementofhisoffices；andashewasconvincedthat，toamindlikeMissMorland\'s，aviewoftheaccommodationsandcomforts，bywhichthelaboursofherinferiorsweresoftened，mustalwaysbegratifying，heshouldmakenoapologyforleadingheron。Theytookaslightsurveyofall；

andCatherinewasimpressed，beyondherexpectation，bytheirmultiplicityandtheirconvenience。ThepurposesforwhichafewshapelesspantriesandacomfortlesssculleryweredeemedsufficientatFullerton，wereherecarriedoninappropriatedivisions，commodiousandroomy。

Thenumberofservantscontinuallyappearingdidnotstrikeherlessthanthenumberoftheiroffices。

Wherevertheywent，somepattenedgirlstoppedtocurtsy，orsomefootmanindishabillesneakedoff。Yetthiswasanabbey！Howinexpressiblydifferentinthesedomesticarrangementsfromsuchasshehadreadabout——fromabbeysandcastles，inwhich，thoughcertainlylargerthanNorthanger，allthedirtyworkofthehousewastobedonebytwopairoffemalehandsattheutmost。

HowtheycouldgetthroughitallhadoftenamazedMrs。Allen；

and，whenCatherinesawwhatwasnecessaryhere，shebegantobeamazedherself。

Theyreturnedtothehall，thatthechiefstaircasemightbeascended，andthebeautyofitswood，andornamentsofrichcarvingmightbepointedout:havinggainedthetop，theyturnedinanoppositedirectionfromthegalleryinwhichherroomlay，andshortlyenteredoneonthesameplan，butsuperiorinlengthandbreadth。

Shewashereshownsuccessivelyintothreelargebed-chambers，withtheirdressing-rooms，mostcompletelyandhandsomelyfittedup；everythingthatmoneyandtastecoulddo，togivecomfortandelegancetoapartments，hadbeenbestowedonthese；and，beingfurnishedwithinthelastfiveyears，theywereperfectinallthatwouldbegenerallypleasing，andwantinginallthatcouldgivepleasuretoCatherine。Astheyweresurveyingthelast，thegeneral，afterslightlynamingafewofthedistinguishedcharactersbywhomtheyhadattimesbeenhonoured，turnedwithasmilingcountenancetoCatherine，andventuredtohopethathenceforwardsomeoftheirearliesttenantsmightbe“ourfriendsfromFullerton。”

Shefelttheunexpectedcompliment，anddeeplyregrettedtheimpossibilityofthinkingwellofamansokindlydisposedtowardsherself，andsofullofcivilitytoallherfamily。

Thegallerywasterminatedbyfoldingdoors，whichMissTilney，advancing，hadthrownopen，andpassedthrough，andseemedonthepointofdoingthesamebythefirstdoortotheleft，inanotherlongreachofgallery，whenthegeneral，comingforwards，calledherhastily，and，asCatherinethought，ratherangrilyback，demandingwhethersheweregoing?——Andwhatwastheremoretobeseen?——HadnotMissMorlandalreadyseenallthatcouldbeworthhernotice?——Anddidshenotsupposeherfriendmightbegladofsomerefreshmentaftersomuchexercise?MissTilneydrewbackdirectly，andtheheavydoorswerecloseduponthemortifiedCatherine，who，havingseen，inamomentaryglancebeyondthem，anarrowerpassage，morenumerousopenings，andsymptomsofawindingstaircase，believedherselfatlastwithinthereachofsomethingworthhernotice；andfelt，assheunwillinglypacedbackthegallery，thatshewouldratherbeallowedtoexaminethatendofthehousethanseeallthefineryofalltherest。Thegeneral\'sevidentdesireofpreventingsuchanexaminationwasanadditionalstimulant。

Somethingwascertainlytobeconcealed；herfancy，thoughithadtrespassedlatelyonceortwice，couldnotmisleadherhere；andwhatthatsomethingwas，ashortsentenceofMissTilney\'s，astheyfollowedthegeneralatsomedistancedownstairs，seemedtopointout:“Iwasgoingtotakeyouintowhatwasmymother\'sroom——theroominwhichshedied——“wereallherwords；

butfewastheywere，theyconveyedpagesofintelligencetoCatherine。Itwasnowonderthatthegeneralshouldshrinkfromthesightofsuchobjectsasthatroommustcontain；aroominallprobabilityneverenteredbyhimsincethedreadfulscenehadpassed，whichreleasedhissufferingwife，andlefthimtothestingsofconscience。

Sheventured，whennextalonewithEleanor，toexpressherwishofbeingpermittedtoseeit，aswellasalltherestofthatsideofthehouse；

andEleanorpromisedtoattendherthere，whenevertheyshouldhaveaconvenienthour。Catherineunderstoodher:

thegeneralmustbewatchedfromhome，beforethatroomcouldbeentered。“Itremainsasitwas，Isuppose?“

saidshe，inatoneoffeeling。

“Yes，entirely。”

“Andhowlongagomayitbethatyourmotherdied?“

“Shehasbeendeadthesenineyears。”Andnineyears，Catherineknew，wasatrifleoftime，comparedwithwhatgenerallyelapsedafterthedeathofaninjuredwife，beforeherroomwasputtorights。

“Youwerewithher，Isuppose，tothelast?“

“No，“saidMissTilney，sighing；“Iwasunfortunatelyfromhome。Herillnesswassuddenandshort；and，beforeI

arriveditwasallover。”

Catherine\'sbloodrancoldwiththehorridsuggestionswhichnaturallysprangfromthesewords。

Coulditbepossible?CouldHenry\'sfather——?Andyethowmanyweretheexamplestojustifyeventheblackestsuspicions！And，whenshesawhimintheevening，whilesheworkedwithherfriend，slowlypacingthedrawing-roomforanhourtogetherinsilentthoughtfulness，withdowncasteyesandcontractedbrow，shefeltsecurefromallpossibilityofwronginghim。ItwastheairandattitudeofaMontoni！Whatcouldmoreplainlyspeakthegloomyworkingsofamindnotwhollydeadtoeverysenseofhumanity，initsfearfulreviewofpastscenesofguilt?Unhappyman！Andtheanxiousnessofherspiritsdirectedhereyestowardshisfiguresorepeatedly，astocatchMissTilney\'snotice。“Myfather，“

shewhispered，“oftenwalksabouttheroominthisway；

itisnothingunusual。”

“Somuchtheworse！“thoughtCatherine；suchill-timedexercisewasofapiecewiththestrangeunseasonablenessofhismorningwalks，andbodednothinggood。

Afteranevening，thelittlevarietyandseeminglengthofwhichmadeherpeculiarlysensibleofHenry\'simportanceamongthem，shewasheartilygladtobedismissed；

thoughitwasalookfromthegeneralnotdesignedforherobservationwhichsenthisdaughtertothebell。

Whenthebutlerwouldhavelithismaster\'scandle，however，hewasforbidden。Thelatterwasnotgoingtoretire。

“Ihavemanypamphletstofinish，“saidhetoCatherine，“beforeIcanclosemyeyes，andperhapsmaybeporingovertheaffairsofthenationforhoursafteryouareasleep。

Caneitherofusbemoremeetlyemployed?Myeyeswillbeblindingforthegoodofothers，andyourspreparingbyrestforfuturemischief。”

Butneitherthebusinessalleged，northemagnificentcompliment，couldwinCatherinefromthinkingthatsomeverydifferentobjectmustoccasionsoseriousadelayofproperrepose。Tobekeptupforhours，afterthefamilywereinbed，bystupidpamphletswasnotverylikely。

Theremustbesomedeepercause:somethingwastobedonewhichcouldbedoneonlywhilethehouseholdslept；

andtheprobabilitythatMrs。Tilneyyetlived，shutupforcausesunknown，andreceivingfromthepitilesshandsofherhusbandanightlysupplyofcoarsefood，wastheconclusionwhichnecessarilyfollowed。

Shockingaswastheidea，itwasatleastbetterthanadeathunfairlyhastened，as，inthenaturalcourseofthings，shemusterelongbereleased。Thesuddennessofherreputedillness，theabsenceofherdaughter，andprobablyofherotherchildren，atthetime——allfavouredthesuppositionofherimprisonment。Itsorigin——jealousyperhaps，orwantoncruelty——wasyettobeunravelled。

Inrevolvingthesematters，whilesheundressed，itsuddenlystruckherasnotunlikelythatshemightthatmorninghavepassedneartheveryspotofthisunfortunatewoman\'sconfinement——mighthavebeenwithinafewpacesofthecellinwhichshelanguishedoutherdays；

forwhatpartoftheabbeycouldbemorefittedforthepurposethanthatwhichyetborethetracesofmonasticdivision?Inthehigh-archedpassage，pavedwithstone，whichalreadyshehadtroddenwithpeculiarawe，shewellrememberedthedoorsofwhichthegeneralhadgivennoaccount。Towhatmightnotthosedoorslead?Insupportoftheplausibilityofthisconjecture，itfurtheroccurredtoherthattheforbiddengallery，inwhichlaytheapartmentsoftheunfortunateMrs。Tilney，mustbe，ascertainlyashermemorycouldguideher，exactlyoverthissuspectedrangeofcells，andthestaircasebythesideofthoseapartmentsofwhichshehadcaughtatransientglimpse，communicatingbysomesecretmeanswiththosecells，mightwellhavefavouredthebarbarousproceedingsofherhusband。Downthatstaircaseshehadperhapsbeenconveyedinastateofwell-preparedinsensibility！

Catherinesometimesstartedattheboldnessofherownsurmises，andsometimeshopedorfearedthatshehadgonetoofar；buttheyweresupportedbysuchappearancesasmadetheirdismissalimpossible。

Thesideofthequadrangle，inwhichshesupposedtheguiltyscenetobeacting，being，accordingtoherbelief，justoppositeherown，itstruckherthat，ifjudiciouslywatched，someraysoflightfromthegeneral\'slampmightglimmerthroughthelowerwindows，ashepassedtotheprisonofhiswife；and，twicebeforeshesteppedintobed，shestolegentlyfromherroomtothecorrespondingwindowinthegallery，toseeifitappeared；

butallabroadwasdark，anditmustyetbetooearly。

Thevariousascendingnoisesconvincedherthattheservantsmuststillbeup。Tillmidnight，shesupposeditwouldbeinvaintowatch；butthen，whentheclockhadstrucktwelve，andallwasquiet，shewould，ifnotquiteappalledbydarkness，stealoutandlookoncemore。

Theclockstrucktwelve——andCatherinehadbeenhalfanhourasleep。

CHAPTER24

Thenextdayaffordednoopportunityfortheproposedexaminationofthemysteriousapartments。ItwasSunday，andthewholetimebetweenmorningandafternoonservicewasrequiredbythegeneralinexerciseabroadoreatingcoldmeatathome；andgreataswasCatherine\'scuriosity，hercouragewasnotequaltoawishofexploringthemafterdinner，eitherbythefadinglightoftheskybetweensixandseveno\'clock，orbytheyetmorepartialthoughstrongerilluminationofatreacherouslamp。ThedaywasunmarkedthereforebyanythingtointerestherimaginationbeyondthesightofaveryelegantmonumenttothememoryofMrs。Tilney，whichimmediatelyfrontedthefamilypew。

Bythathereyewasinstantlycaughtandlongretained；

andtheperusalofthehighlystrainedepitaph，inwhicheveryvirtuewasascribedtoherbytheinconsolablehusband，whomusthavebeeninsomewayorotherherdestroyer，affectedhereventotears。

Thatthegeneral，havingerectedsuchamonument，shouldbeabletofaceit，wasnotperhapsverystrange，andyetthathecouldsitsoboldlycollectedwithinitsview，maintainsoelevatedanair，looksofearlesslyaround，nay，thatheshouldevenenterthechurch，seemedwonderfultoCatherine。Not，however，thatmanyinstancesofbeingsequallyhardenedinguiltmightnotbeproduced。Shecouldrememberdozenswhohadperseveredineverypossiblevice，goingonfromcrimetocrime，murderingwhomsoevertheychose，withoutanyfeelingofhumanityorremorse；

tillaviolentdeathorareligiousretirementclosedtheirblackcareer。TheerectionofthemonumentitselfcouldnotinthesmallestdegreeaffectherdoubtsofMrs。Tilney\'sactualdecease。Weresheeventodescendintothefamilyvaultwhereherashesweresupposedtoslumber，wereshetobeholdthecoffininwhichtheyweresaidtobeenclosed——whatcoulditavailinsuchacase?

Catherinehadreadtoomuchnottobeperfectlyawareoftheeasewithwhichawaxenfiguremightbeintroduced，andasupposititiousfuneralcarriedon。

Thesucceedingmorningpromisedsomethingbetter。

Thegeneral\'searlywalk，ill-timedasitwasineveryotherview，wasfavourablehere；andwhensheknewhimtobeoutofthehouse，shedirectlyproposedtoMissTilneytheaccomplishmentofherpromise。

Eleanorwasreadytoobligeher；andCatherineremindingherastheywentofanotherpromise，theirfirstvisitinconsequencewastotheportraitinherbed-chamber。Itrepresentedaverylovelywoman，withamildandpensivecountenance，justifying，sofar，theexpectationsofitsnewobserver；buttheywerenotineveryrespectanswered，forCatherinehaddependeduponmeetingwithfeatures，hair，complexion，thatshouldbetheverycounterpart，theveryimage，ifnotofHenry\'s，ofEleanor\'s——theonlyportraitsofwhichshehadbeeninthehabitofthinking，bearingalwaysanequalresemblanceofmotherandchild。

Afaceoncetakenwastakenforgenerations。Buthereshewasobligedtolookandconsiderandstudyforalikeness。

Shecontemplatedit，however，inspiteofthisdrawback，withmuchemotion，and，butforayetstrongerinterest，wouldhaveleftitunwillingly。

Heragitationastheyenteredthegreatgallerywastoomuchforanyendeavouratdiscourse；shecouldonlylookathercompanion。Eleanor\'scountenancewasdejected，yetsedate；anditscomposurespokeherinuredtoallthegloomyobjectstowhichtheywereadvancing。Againshepassedthroughthefoldingdoors，againherhandwasupontheimportantlock，andCatherine，hardlyabletobreathe，wasturningtoclosetheformerwithfearfulcaution，whenthefigure，thedreadedfigureofthegeneralhimselfatthefurtherendofthegallery，stoodbeforeher！Thenameof“Eleanor“atthesamemoment，inhisloudesttone，resoundedthroughthebuilding，givingtohisdaughterthefirstintimationofhispresence，andtoCatherineterroruponterror。Anattemptatconcealmenthadbeenherfirstinstinctivemovementonperceivinghim，yetshecouldscarcelyhopetohaveescapedhiseye；

andwhenherfriend，whowithanapologizinglookdartedhastilybyher，hadjoinedanddisappearedwithhim，sheranforsafetytoherownroom，and，lockingherselfin，believedthatsheshouldneverhavecouragetogodownagain。Sheremainedthereatleastanhour，inthegreatestagitation，deeplycommiseratingthestateofherpoorfriend，andexpectingasummonsherselffromtheangrygeneraltoattendhiminhisownapartment。

Nosummons，however，arrived；andatlast，onseeingacarriagedriveuptotheabbey，shewasemboldenedtodescendandmeethimundertheprotectionofvisitors。

Thebreakfast-roomwasgaywithcompany；andshewasnamedtothembythegeneralasthefriendofhisdaughter，inacomplimentarystyle，whichsowellconcealedhisresentfulire，astomakeherfeelsecureatleastoflifeforthepresent。

AndEleanor，withacommandofcountenancewhichdidhonourtoherconcernforhischaracter，takinganearlyoccasionofsayingtoher，“Myfatheronlywantedmetoansweranote，“shebegantohopethatshehadeitherbeenunseenbythegeneral，orthatfromsomeconsiderationofpolicysheshouldbeallowedtosupposeherselfso。

Uponthistrustshedaredstilltoremaininhispresence，afterthecompanyleftthem，andnothingoccurredtodisturbit。

Inthecourseofthismorning\'sreflections，shecametoaresolutionofmakinghernextattemptontheforbiddendooralone。ItwouldbemuchbetterineveryrespectthatEleanorshouldknownothingofthematter。

Toinvolveherinthedangerofaseconddetection，tocourtherintoanapartmentwhichmustwringherheart，couldnotbetheofficeofafriend。Thegeneral\'sutmostangercouldnotbetoherselfwhatitmightbetoadaughter；and，besides，shethoughttheexaminationitselfwouldbemoresatisfactoryifmadewithoutanycompanion。

ItwouldbeimpossibletoexplaintoEleanorthesuspicions，fromwhichtheotherhad，inalllikelihood，beenhithertohappilyexempt；norcouldshetherefore，inherpresence，searchforthoseproofsofthegeneral\'scruelty，whichhowevertheymightyethaveescapeddiscovery，shefeltconfidentofsomewheredrawingforth，intheshapeofsomefragmentedjournal，continuedtothelastgasp。

Ofthewaytotheapartmentshewasnowperfectlymistress；

andasshewishedtogetitoverbeforeHenry\'sreturn，whowasexpectedonthemorrow，therewasnotimetobelost，Thedaywasbright，hercouragehigh；atfouro\'clock，thesunwasnowtwohoursabovethehorizon，anditwouldbeonlyherretiringtodresshalfanhourearlierthanusual。

Itwasdone；andCatherinefoundherselfaloneinthegallerybeforetheclockshadceasedtostrike。

Itwasnotimeforthought；shehurriedon，slippedwiththeleastpossiblenoisethroughthefoldingdoors，andwithoutstoppingtolookorbreathe，rushedforwardtotheoneinquestion。Thelockyieldedtoherhand，and，luckily，withnosullensoundthatcouldalarmahumanbeing。Ontiptoesheentered；theroomwasbeforeher；butitwassomeminutesbeforeshecouldadvanceanotherstep。Shebeheldwhatfixedhertothespotandagitatedeveryfeature。Shesawalarge，well-proportionedapartment，anhandsomedimitybed，arrangedasunoccupiedwithanhousemaid\'scare，abrightBathstove，mahoganywardrobes，andneatlypaintedchairs，onwhichthewarmbeamsofawesternsungailypouredthroughtwosashwindows！Catherinehadexpectedtohaveherfeelingsworked，andworkedtheywere。

Astonishmentanddoubtfirstseizedthem；andashortlysucceedingrayofcommonsenseaddedsomebitteremotionsofshame。Shecouldnotbemistakenastotheroom；

buthowgrosslymistakenineverythingelse！——inMissTilney\'smeaning，inherowncalculation！Thisapartment，towhichshehadgivenadatesoancient，apositionsoawful，provedtobeoneendofwhatthegeneral\'sfatherhadbuilt。

Thereweretwootherdoorsinthechamber，leadingprobablyintodressing-closets；butshehadnoinclinationtoopeneither。WouldtheveilinwhichMrs。Tilneyhadlastwalked，orthevolumeinwhichshehadlastread，remaintotellwhatnothingelsewasallowedtowhisper?

No:whatevermighthavebeenthegeneral\'scrimes，hehadcertainlytoomuchwittoletthemsuefordetection。

Shewassickofexploring，anddesiredbuttobesafeinherownroom，withherownheartonlyprivytoitsfolly；

andshewasonthepointofretreatingassoftlyasshehadentered，whenthesoundoffootsteps，shecouldhardlytellwhere，madeherpauseandtremble。Tobefoundthere，evenbyaservant，wouldbeunpleasant；butbythegeneral(andheseemedalwaysathandwhenleastwanted)，muchworse！Shelistened——thesoundhadceased；andresolvingnottoloseamoment，shepassedthroughandclosedthedoor。

Atthatinstantadoorunderneathwashastilyopened；

someoneseemedwithswiftstepstoascendthestairs，bytheheadofwhichshehadyettopassbeforeshecouldgainthegallery。Shebadnopowertomove。

Withafeelingofterrornotverydefinable，shefixedhereyesonthestaircase，andinafewmomentsitgaveHenrytoherview。“Mr。Tilney！“sheexclaimedinavoiceofmorethancommonastonishment。Helookedastonishedtoo。

“GoodGod！“shecontinued，notattendingtohisaddress。

“Howcameyouhere?Howcameyouupthatstaircase?“

“HowcameIupthatstaircase！“hereplied，greatlysurprised。“Becauseitismynearestwayfromthestable-yardtomyownchamber；andwhyshouldInotcomeupit?“

Catherinerecollectedherself，blusheddeeply，andcouldsaynomore。Heseemedtobelookinginhercountenanceforthatexplanationwhichherlipsdidnotafford。

Shemovedontowardsthegallery。“AndmayInot，inmyturn，“

saidhe，asbepushedbackthefoldingdoors，“askhowyoucamehere?Thispassageisatleastasextraordinaryaroadfromthebreakfast-parlourtoyourapartment，asthatstaircasecanbefromthestablestomine。”

“Ihavebeen，“saidCatherine，lookingdown，“toseeyourmother\'sroom。”

“Mymother\'sroom！Isthereanythingextraordinarytobeseenthere?“

“No，nothingatall。Ithoughtyoudidnotmeantocomebacktilltomorrow。”

“Ididnotexpecttobeabletoreturnsooner，whenIwentaway；butthreehoursagoIhadthepleasureoffindingnothingtodetainme。Youlookpale。IamafraidIalarmedyoubyrunningsofastupthosestairs。

Perhapsyoudidnotknow——youwerenotawareoftheirleadingfromtheofficesincommonuse?“

“No，Iwasnot。Youhavehadaveryfinedayforyourride。”

“Very；anddoesEleanorleaveyoutofindyourwayintoantheroomsinthehousebyyourself?“

“Oh！No；sheshowedmeoverthegreatestpartonSaturday——andwewerecomingheretotheserooms——butonly“——droppinghervoice——“yourfatherwaswithus。”

“Andthatpreventedyou，“saidHenry，earnestlyregardingher。“Haveyoulookedintoalltheroomsinthatpassage?“

“No，Ionlywantedtosee——Isnotitverylate?I

mustgoanddress。”

“Itisonlyaquarterpastfour“showinghiswatch——“andyouarenotnowinBath。Notheatre，noroomstopreparefor。HalfanhouratNorthangermustbeenough。”

Shecouldnotcontradictit，andthereforesufferedherselftobedetained，thoughherdreadoffurtherquestionsmadeher，forthefirsttimeintheiracquaintance，wishtoleavehim。Theywalkedslowlyupthegallery。

“HaveyouhadanyletterfromBathsinceIsawyou?“

“No，andIamverymuchsurprised。Isabellapromisedsofaithfullytowritedirectly。”

“Promisedsofaithfully！Afaithfulpromise！Thatpuzzlesme。Ihaveheardofafaithfulperformance。

Butafaithfulpromise——thefidelityofpromising！Itisapowerlittleworthknowing，however，sinceitcandeceiveandpainyou。Mymother\'sroomisverycommodious，isitnot?Largeandcheerful-looking，andthedressing-closetssowelldisposed！Italwaysstrikesmeasthemostcomfortableapartmentinthehouse，andI

ratherwonderthatEleanorshouldnottakeitforherown。

Shesentyoutolookatit，Isuppose?“

“No。”

“Ithasbeenyourowndoingentirely?“Catherinesaidnothing。Afterashortsilence，duringwhichhehadcloselyobservedher，headded，“Asthereisnothingintheroominitselftoraisecuriosity，thismusthaveproceededfromasentimentofrespectformymother\'scharacter，asdescribedbyEleanor，whichdoeshonourtohermemory。

Theworld，Ibelieve，neversawabetterwoman。

Butitisnotoftenthatvirtuecanboastaninterestsuchasthis。Thedomestic，unpretendingmeritsofapersonneverknowndonotoftencreatethatkindoffervent，veneratingtendernesswhichwouldpromptavisitlikeyours。Eleanor，Isuppose，hastalkedofheragreatdeal?“

“Yes，agreatdeal。Thatis——no，notmuch，butwhatshedidsaywasveryinteresting。Herdyingsosuddenly“(slowly，andwithhesitationitwasspoken)，“andyou——noneofyoubeingathome——andyourfather，Ithought——perhapshadnotbeenveryfondofher。”

“Andfromthesecircumstances，“hereplied(hisquickeyefixedonhers)，“youinferperhapstheprobabilityofsomenegligence——some“——(involuntarilysheshookherhead)——“oritmaybe——ofsomethingstilllesspardonable。”

Sheraisedhereyestowardshimmorefullythanshehadeverdonebefore。“Mymother\'sillness，“hecontinued，“theseizurewhichendedinherdeath，wassudden。

Themaladyitself，onefromwhichshehadoftensuffered，abiliousfever——itscausethereforeconstitutional。

Onthethirdday，inshort，assoonasshecouldbeprevailedon，aphysicianattendedher，averyrespectableman，andoneinwhomshehadalwaysplacedgreatconfidence。

Uponhisopinionofherdanger，twootherswerecalledinthenextday，andremainedinalmostconstantattendanceforfourandtwentyhours。Onthefifthdayshedied。

Duringtheprogressofherdisorder，FrederickandI(wewerebothathome)sawherrepeatedly；andfromourownobservationcanbearwitnesstoherhavingreceivedeverypossibleattentionwhichcouldspringfromtheaffectionofthoseabouther，orwhichhersituationinlifecouldcommand。PoorEleanorwasabsent，andatsuchadistanceastoreturnonlytoseehermotherinhercoffin。”

“Butyourfather，“saidCatherine，“washeafflicted?“

“Foratime，greatlyso。Youhaveerredinsupposinghimnotattachedtoher。Helovedher，Iampersuaded，aswellasitwaspossibleforhimto——wehavenotall，youknow，thesametendernessofdisposition——andIwillnotpretendtosaythatwhileshelived，shemightnotoftenhavehadmuchtobear，butthoughhistemperinjuredher，hisjudgmentneverdid。

Hisvalueofherwassincere；and，ifnotpermanently，hewastrulyafflictedbyherdeath。”

“Iamverygladofit，“saidCatherine；“itwouldhavebeenveryshocking！“

“IfIunderstandyourightly，youhadformedasurmiseofsuchhorrorasIhavehardlywordsto——DearMissMorland，considerthedreadfulnatureofthesuspicionsyouhaveentertained。Whathaveyoubeenjudgingfrom?

Rememberthecountryandtheageinwhichwelive。

RememberthatweareEnglish，thatweareChristians。

Consultyourownunderstanding，yourownsenseoftheprobable，yourownobservationofwhatispassingaroundyou。

Doesoureducationprepareusforsuchatrocities?Doourlawsconniveatthem?Couldtheybeperpetratedwithoutbeingknown，inacountrylikethis，wheresocialandliteraryintercourseisonsuchafooting，whereeverymanissurroundedbyaneighbourhoodofvoluntaryspies，andwhereroadsandnewspaperslayeverythingopen?DearestMissMorland，whatideashaveyoubeenadmitting?“

Theyhadreachedtheendofthegallery，andwithtearsofshamesheranofftoherownroom。

CHAPTER25

Thevisionsofromancewereover。Catherinewascompletelyawakened。Henry\'saddress，shortasithadbeen，hadmorethoroughlyopenedhereyestotheextravaganceofherlatefanciesthanalltheirseveraldisappointmentshaddone。

Mostgrievouslywasshehumbled。Mostbitterlydidshecry。

Itwasnotonlywithherselfthatshewassunk——butwithHenry。Herfolly，whichnowseemedevencriminal，wasallexposedtohim，andhemustdespiseherforever。

Thelibertywhichherimaginationhaddaredtotakewiththecharacterofhisfather——couldheeverforgiveit?Theabsurdityofhercuriosityandherfears——couldtheyeverbeforgotten?Shehatedherselfmorethanshecouldexpress。

Hehad——shethoughthehad，onceortwicebeforethisfatalmorning，shownsomethinglikeaffectionforher。

Butnow——inshort，shemadeherselfasmiserableaspossibleforabouthalfanhour，wentdownwhentheclockstruckfive，withabrokenheart，andcouldscarcelygiveanintelligibleanswertoEleanor\'sinquiryifshewaswell。

TheformidableHenrysoonfollowedherintotheroom，andtheonlydifferenceinhisbehaviourtoherwasthathepaidherrathermoreattentionthanusual。

Catherinehadneverwantedcomfortmore，andhelookedasifhewasawareofit。

Theeveningworeawaywithnoabatementofthissoothingpoliteness；andherspiritsweregraduallyraisedtoamodesttranquillity。Shedidnotlearneithertoforgetordefendthepast；butshelearnedtohopethatitwouldnevertranspirefarther，andthatitmightnotcostherHenry\'sentireregard。Herthoughtsbeingstillchieflyfixedonwhatshehadwithsuchcauselessterrorfeltanddone，nothingcouldshortlybeclearerthanthatithadbeenallavoluntary，self-createddelusion，eachtriflingcircumstancereceivingimportancefromanimaginationresolvedonalarm，andeverythingforcedtobendtoonepurposebyamindwhich，beforesheenteredtheabbey，hadbeencravingtobefrightened。

SherememberedwithwhatfeelingsshehadpreparedforaknowledgeofNorthanger。Shesawthattheinfatuationhadbeencreated，themischiefsettled，longbeforeherquittingBath，anditseemedasifthewholemightbetracedtotheinfluenceofthatsortofreadingwhichshehadthereindulged。

CharmingaswereallMrs。Radcliffe\'sworks，andcharmingevenasweretheworksofallherimitators，itwasnotinthemperhapsthathumannature，atleastintheMidlandcountiesofEngland，wastobelookedfor。

OftheAlpsandPyrenees，withtheirpineforestsandtheirvices，theymightgiveafaithfuldelineation；

andItaly，Switzerland，andthesouthofFrancemightbeasfruitfulinhorrorsastheywerethererepresented。

Catherinedarednotdoubtbeyondherowncountry，andevenofthat，ifhardpressed，wouldhaveyieldedthenorthernandwesternextremities。ButinthecentralpartofEnglandtherewassurelysomesecurityfortheexistenceevenofawifenotbeloved，inthelawsoftheland，andthemannersoftheage。Murderwasnottolerated，servantswerenotslaves，andneitherpoisonnorsleepingpotionstobeprocured，likerhubarb，fromeverydruggist。

AmongtheAlpsandPyrenees，perhaps，therewerenomixedcharacters。There，suchaswerenotasspotlessasanangelmighthavethedispositionsofafiend。

ButinEnglanditwasnotso；amongtheEnglish，shebelieved，intheirheartsandhabits，therewasageneralthoughunequalmixtureofgoodandbad。Uponthisconviction，shewouldnotbesurprisedifeveninHenryandEleanorTilney，someslightimperfectionmighthereafterappear；

anduponthisconvictionsheneednotfeartoacknowledgesomeactualspecksinthecharacteroftheirfather，who，thoughclearedfromthegrosslyinjurioussuspicionswhichshemusteverblushtohaveentertained，shedidbelieve，uponseriousconsideration，tobenotperfectlyamiable。

Hermindmadeupontheseseveralpoints，andherresolutionformed，ofalwaysjudgingandactinginfuturewiththegreatestgoodsense，shehadnothingtodobuttoforgiveherselfandbehappierthanever；

andthelenienthandoftimedidmuchforherbyinsensiblegradationsinthecourseofanotherday。

Henry\'sastonishinggenerosityandnoblenessofconduct，inneveralludingintheslightestwaytowhathadpassed，wasofthegreatestassistancetoher；andsoonerthanshecouldhavesupposeditpossibleinthebeginningofherdistress，herspiritsbecameabsolutelycomfortable，andcapable，asheretofore，ofcontinualimprovementbyanythinghesaid。Therewerestillsomesubjects，indeed，underwhichshebelievedtheymustalwaystremble——thementionofachestoracabinet，forinstance——andshedidnotlovethesightofjapaninanyshape:butevenshecouldallowthatanoccasionalmementoofpastfolly，howeverpainful，mightnotbewithoutuse。

Theanxietiesofcommonlifebegansoontosucceedtothealarmsofromance。HerdesireofhearingfromIsabellagreweverydaygreater。ShewasquiteimpatienttoknowhowtheBathworldwenton，andhowtheroomswereattended；

andespeciallywassheanxioustobeassuredofIsabella\'shavingmatchedsomefinenetting-cotton，onwhichshehadleftherintent；andofhercontinuingonthebesttermswithJames。HeronlydependenceforinformationofanykindwasonIsabella。JameshadprotestedagainstwritingtohertillhisreturntoOxford；andMrs。AllenhadgivenhernohopesofalettertillshehadgotbacktoFullerton。ButIsabellahadpromisedandpromisedagain；

andwhenshepromisedathing，shewassoscrupulousinperformingit！Thismadeitsoparticularlystrange！

Forninesuccessivemornings，Catherinewonderedovertherepetitionofadisappointment，whicheachmorningbecamemoresevere:but，onthetenth，whensheenteredthebreakfast-room，herfirstobjectwasaletter，heldoutbyHenry\'swillinghand。Shethankedhimasheartilyasifhehadwrittenithimself。“\'TisonlyfromJames，however，“asshelookedatthedirection。

Sheopenedit；itwasfromOxford；andtothispurpose:

“DearCatherine，“Though，Godknows，withlittleinclinationforwriting，IthinkitmydutytotellyouthateverythingisatanendbetweenMissThorpeandme。

IleftherandBathyesterday，nevertoseeeitheragain。Ishallnotenterintoparticulars——theywouldonlypainyoumore。Youwillsoonhearenoughfromanotherquartertoknowwhereliestheblame；

andIhopewillacquityourbrotherofeverythingbutthefollyoftooeasilythinkinghisaffectionreturned。ThankGod！Iamundeceivedintime！Butitisaheavyblow！Aftermyfather\'sconsenthadbeensokindlygiven——butnomoreofthis。Shehasmadememiserableforever！Letmesoonhearfromyou，dearCatherine；youaremyonlyfriend；yourloveIdobuildupon。IwishyourvisitatNorthangermaybeoverbeforeCaptainTilneymakeshisengagementknown，oryouwillbeuncomfortablycircumstanced。

PoorThorpeisintown:Idreadthesightofhim；

hishonestheartwouldfeelsomuch。Ihavewrittentohimandmyfather。Herduplicityhurtsmemorethanall；tilltheverylast，ifIreasonedwithher，shedeclaredherselfasmuchattachedtomeasever，andlaughedatmyfears。IamashamedtothinkhowlongIborewithit；butifevermanhadreasontobelievehimselfloved，Iwasthatman。

Icannotunderstandevennowwhatshewouldbeat，fortherecouldbenoneedofmybeingplayedofftomakehersecureofTilney。Wepartedatlastbymutualconsent——happyformehadwenevermet！I

canneverexpecttoknowsuchanotherwoman！DearestCatherine，bewarehowyougiveyourheart。

“Believeme，“&c。

Catherinehadnotreadthreelinesbeforehersuddenchangeofcountenance，andshortexclamationsofsorrowingwonder，declaredhertobereceivingunpleasantnews；

andHenry，earnestlywatchingherthroughthewholeletter，sawplainlythatitendednobetterthanitbegan。

Hewasprevented，however，fromevenlookinghissurprisebyhisfather\'sentrance。Theywenttobreakfastdirectly；

butCatherinecouldhardlyeatanything。Tearsfilledhereyes，andevenrandownhercheeksasshesat。

Theletterwasonemomentinherhand，theninherlap，andtheninherpocket；andshelookedasifsheknewnotwhatshedid。Thegeneral，betweenhiscocoaandhisnewspaper，hadluckilynoleisurefornoticingher；

buttotheothertwoherdistresswasequallyvisible。

Assoonasshedaredleavethetableshehurriedawaytoherownroom；butthehousemaidswerebusyinit，andshewasobligedtocomedownagain。Sheturnedintothedrawing-roomforprivacy，butHenryandEleanorhadlikewiseretreatedthither，andwereatthatmomentdeepinconsultationabouther。Shedrewback，tryingtobegtheirpardon，butwas，withgentleviolence，forcedtoreturn；andtheotherswithdrew，afterEleanorhadaffectionatelyexpressedawishofbeingofuseorcomforttoher。

Afterhalfanhour\'sfreeindulgenceofgriefandreflection，Catherinefeltequaltoencounteringherfriends；

butwhethersheshouldmakeherdistressknowntothemwasanotherconsideration。Perhaps，ifparticularlyquestioned，shemightjustgiveanidea——justdistantlyhintatit——butnotmore。Toexposeafriend，suchafriendasIsabellahadbeentoher——andthentheirownbrothersocloselyconcernedinit！Shebelievedshemustwaivethesubjectaltogether。HenryandEleanorwerebythemselvesinthebreakfast-room；andeach，assheenteredit，lookedatheranxiously。Catherinetookherplaceatthetable，and，afterashortsilence，Eleanorsaid，“NobadnewsfromFullerton，Ihope?Mr。andMrs。Morland——yourbrothersandsisters——Ihopetheyarenoneofthemill?“

“No，Ithankyou“(sighingasshespoke)；“theyareallverywell。MyletterwasfrommybrotheratOxford。”

Nothingfurtherwassaidforafewminutes；andthenspeakingthroughhertears，sheadded，“IdonotthinkIshalleverwishforaletteragain！“

“Iamsorry，“saidHenry，closingthebookhehadjustopened；“ifIhadsuspectedtheletterofcontaininganythingunwelcome，Ishouldhavegivenitwithverydifferentfeelings。”

“Itcontainedsomethingworsethananybodycouldsuppose！PoorJamesissounhappy！Youwillsoonknowwhy。”

“Tohavesokind-hearted，soaffectionateasister，“

repliedHenrywarmly，“mustbeacomforttohimunderanydistress。”

“Ihaveonefavourtobeg，“saidCatherine，shortlyafterwards，inanagitatedmanner，“that，ifyourbrothershouldbecominghere，youwillgivemenoticeofit，thatImaygoaway。”

“Ourbrother！Frederick！“

“Yes；IamsureIshouldbeverysorrytoleaveyousosoon，butsomethinghashappenedthatwouldmakeitverydreadfulformetobeinthesamehousewithCaptainTilney。”

Eleanor\'sworkwassuspendedwhileshegazedwithincreasingastonishment；butHenrybegantosuspectthetruth，andsomething，inwhichMissThorpe\'snamewasincluded，passedhislips。

“Howquickyouare！“criedCatherine:“youhaveguessedit，Ideclare！Andyet，whenwetalkedaboutitinBath，youlittlethoughtofitsendingso。

Isabella——nowondernowIhavenotheardfromher——Isabellahasdesertedmybrother，andistomarryyours！Couldyouhavebelievedtherehadbeensuchinconstancyandfickleness，andeverythingthatisbadintheworld?“

“Ihope，sofarasconcernsmybrother，youaremisinformed。

IhopehehasnothadanymaterialshareinbringingonMr。Morland\'sdisappointment。HismarryingMissThorpeisnotprobable。Ithinkyoumustbedeceivedsofar。

IamverysorryforMr。Morland——sorrythatanyoneyouloveshouldbeunhappy；butmysurprisewouldbegreateratFrederick\'smarryingherthanatanyotherpartofthestory。”

“Itisverytrue，however；youshallreadJames\'sletteryourself。Stay——Thereisonepart——“

recollectingwithablushthelastline。

“Willyoutakethetroubleofreadingtousthepassageswhichconcernmybrother?“

“No，readityourself，“criedCatherine，whosesecondthoughtswereclearer。“IdonotknowwhatIwasthinkingof“(blushingagainthatshehadblushedbefore)；

“Jamesonlymeanstogivemegoodadvice。”

Hegladlyreceivedtheletter，and，havingreaditthrough，withcloseattention，returneditsaying，“Well，ifitistobeso，IcanonlysaythatIamsorryforit。Frederickwillnotbethefirstmanwhohaschosenawifewithlesssensethanhisfamilyexpected。

Idonotenvyhissituation，eitherasaloverorason。”

MissTilney，atCatherine\'sinvitation，nowreadtheletterlikewise，and，havingexpressedalsoherconcernandsurprise，begantoinquireintoMissThorpe\'sconnectionsandfortune。

“Hermotherisaverygoodsortofwoman，“

wasCatherine\'sanswer。

“Whatwasherfather?“

“Alawyer，Ibelieve。TheyliveatPutney。”

“Aretheyawealthyfamily?“

“No，notvery。IdonotbelieveIsabellahasanyfortuneatall:butthatwillnotsignifyinyourfamily。

Yourfatherissoveryliberal！Hetoldmetheotherdaythatheonlyvaluedmoneyasitallowedhimtopromotethehappinessofhischildren。”Thebrotherandsisterlookedateachother。“But，“saidEleanor，afterashortpause，“woulditbetopromotehishappiness，toenablehimtomarrysuchagirl?Shemustbeanunprincipledone，orshecouldnothaveusedyourbrotherso。AndhowstrangeaninfatuationonFrederick\'sside！Agirlwho，beforehiseyes，isviolatinganengagementvoluntarilyenteredintowithanotherman！Isnotitinconceivable，Henry?Fredericktoo，whoalwaysworehisheartsoproudly！

Whofoundnowomangoodenoughtobeloved！“

“Thatisthemostunpromisingcircumstance，thestrongestpresumptionagainsthim。WhenIthinkofhispastdeclarations，Igivehimup。Moreover，IhavetoogoodanopinionofMissThorpe\'sprudencetosupposethatshewouldpartwithonegentlemanbeforetheotherwassecured。ItisalloverwithFrederickindeed！Heisadeceasedman——defunctinunderstanding。Prepareforyoursister-in-law，Eleanor，andsuchasister-in-lawasyoumustdelightin！Open，candid，artless，guileless，withaffectionsstrongbutsimple，formingnopretensions，andknowingnodisguise。”

“Suchasister-in-law，Henry，Ishoulddelightin，“

saidEleanorwithasmile。

“Butperhaps，“observedCatherine，“thoughshehasbehavedsoillbyourfamily，shemaybehavebetterbyyours。Nowshehasreallygotthemanshelikes，shemaybeconstant。”

“IndeedIamafraidshewill，“repliedHenry；

“Iamafraidshewillbeveryconstant，unlessabaronetshouldcomeinherway；thatisFrederick\'sonlychance。

IwillgettheBathpaper，andlookoverthearrivals。”

“Youthinkitisallforambition，then?And，uponmyword，therearesomethingsthatseemverylikeit。

Icannotforgetthat，whenshefirstknewwhatmyfatherwoulddoforthem，sheseemedquitedisappointedthatitwasnotmore。Ineverwassodeceivedinanyone\'scharacterinmylifebefore。”

“Amongallthegreatvarietythatyouhaveknownandstudied。”

“Myowndisappointmentandlossinherisverygreat；

but，asforpoorJames，Isupposehewillhardlyeverrecoverit。”

“Yourbrotheriscertainlyverymuchtobepitiedatpresent；butwemustnot，inourconcernforhissufferings，undervalueyours。Youfeel，Isuppose，thatinlosingIsabella，youlosehalfyourself:youfeelavoidinyourheartwhichnothingelsecanoccupy。

Societyisbecomingirksome；andasfortheamusementsinwhichyouwerewonttoshareatBath，theveryideaofthemwithoutherisabhorrent。Youwouldnot，forinstance，nowgotoaballfortheworld。Youfeelthatyouhavenolongeranyfriendtowhomyoucanspeakwithunreserve，onwhoseregardyoucanplacedependence，orwhosecounsel，inanydifficulty，youcouldrelyon。

Youfeelallthis?“

“No，“saidCatherine，afterafewmoments\'reflection，“Idonot——oughtI?Tosaythetruth，thoughIamhurtandgrieved，thatIcannotstillloveher，thatIamnevertohearfromher，perhapsnevertoseeheragain，Idonotfeelsovery，verymuchafflictedasonewouldhavethought。”

“Youfeel，asyoualwaysdo，whatismosttothecreditofhumannature。Suchfeelingsoughttobeinvestigated，thattheymayknowthemselves。”

Catherine，bysomechanceorother，foundherspiritssoverymuchrelievedbythisconversationthatshecouldnotregretherbeingledon，thoughsounaccountably，tomentionthecircumstancewhichhadproducedit。

CHAPTER26

Fromthistime，thesubjectwasfrequentlycanvassedbythethreeyoungpeople；andCatherinefound，withsomesurprise，thathertwoyoungfriendswereperfectlyagreedinconsideringIsabella\'swantofconsequenceandfortuneaslikelytothrowgreatdifficultiesinthewayofhermarryingtheirbrother。

Theirpersuasionthatthegeneralwould，uponthisgroundalone，independentoftheobjectionthatmightberaisedagainsthercharacter，opposetheconnection，turnedherfeelingsmoreoverwithsomealarmtowardsherself。

Shewasasinsignificant，andperhapsasportionless，asIsabella；andiftheheiroftheTilneypropertyhadnotgrandeurandwealthenoughinhimself，atwhatpointofinterestwerethedemandsofhisyoungerbrothertorest?Theverypainfulreflectionstowhichthisthoughtledcouldonlybedispersedbyadependenceontheeffectofthatparticularpartiality，which，asshewasgiventounderstandbyhiswordsaswellashisactions，shehadfromthefirstbeensofortunateastoexciteinthegeneral；andbyarecollectionofsomemostgenerousanddisinterestedsentimentsonthesubjectofmoney，whichshehadmorethanonceheardhimutter，andwhichtemptedhertothinkhisdispositioninsuchmattersmisunderstoodbyhischildren。

Theyweresofullyconvinced，however，thattheirbrotherwouldnothavethecouragetoapplyinpersonforhisfather\'sconsent，andsorepeatedlyassuredherthathehadneverinhislifebeenlesslikelytocometoNorthangerthanatthepresenttime，thatshesufferedhermindtobeateaseastothenecessityofanysuddenremovalofherown。ButasitwasnottobesupposedthatCaptainTilney，wheneverhemadehisapplication，wouldgivehisfatheranyjustideaofIsabella\'sconduct，itoccurredtoherashighlyexpedientthatHenryshouldlaythewholebusinessbeforehimasitreallywas，enablingthegeneralbythatmeanstoformacoolandimpartialopinion，andpreparehisobjectionsonafairergroundthaninequalityofsituations。

Sheproposedittohimaccordingly；buthedidnotcatchatthemeasuresoeagerlyasshehadexpected。