ADVERTISEMENTBYTHEAUTHORESS，TONORTHANGERABBEY
THISlittleworkwasfinishedintheyear1803，andintendedforimmediatepublication。Itwasdisposedoftoabookseller，itwasevenadvertised，andwhythebusinessproceedednofarther，theauthorhasneverbeenabletolearn。
Thatanybooksellershouldthinkitworth-whiletopurchasewhathedidnotthinkitworth-whiletopublishseemsextraordinary。Butwiththis，neithertheauthornorthepublichaveanyotherconcernthanassomeobservationisnecessaryuponthosepartsoftheworkwhichthirteenyearshavemadecomparativelyobsolete。
Thepublicareentreatedtobearinmindthatthirteenyearshavepassedsinceitwasfinished，manymoresinceitwasbegun，andthatduringthatperiod，places，manners，books，andopinionshaveundergoneconsiderablechanges。
CHAPTER1
NoonewhohadeverseenCatherineMorlandinherinfancywouldhavesupposedherborntobeanheroine。
Hersituationinlife，thecharacterofherfatherandmother，herownpersonanddisposition，wereallequallyagainsther。
Herfatherwasaclergyman，withoutbeingneglected，orpoor，andaveryrespectableman，thoughhisnamewasRichard——andhehadneverbeenhandsome。Hehadaconsiderableindependencebesidestwogoodlivings——andhewasnotintheleastaddictedtolockinguphisdaughters。
Hermotherwasawomanofusefulplainsense，withagoodtemper，and，whatismoreremarkable，withagoodconstitution。ShehadthreesonsbeforeCatherinewasborn；andinsteadofdyinginbringingthelatterintotheworld，asanybodymightexpect，shestilllivedon——livedtohavesixchildrenmore——toseethemgrowinguparoundher，andtoenjoyexcellenthealthherself。
Afamilyoftenchildrenwillbealwayscalledafinefamily，wherethereareheadsandarmsandlegsenoughforthenumber；
buttheMorlandshadlittleotherrighttotheword，fortheywereingeneralveryplain，andCatherine，formanyyearsofherlife，asplainasany。Shehadathinawkwardfigure，asallowskinwithoutcolour，darklankhair，andstrongfeatures——somuchforherperson；
andnotlessunpropiteousforheroismseemedhermind。
Shewasfondofallboy\'splays，andgreatlypreferredcricketnotmerelytodolls，buttothemoreheroicenjoymentsofinfancy，nursingadormouse，feedingacanary-bird，orwateringarose-bush。Indeedshehadnotasteforagarden；andifshegatheredflowersatall，itwaschieflyforthepleasureofmischief——atleastsoitwasconjecturedfromheralwayspreferringthosewhichshewasforbiddentotake。Suchwereherpropensities——herabilitieswerequiteasextraordinary。Shenevercouldlearnorunderstandanythingbeforeshewastaught；
andsometimesnoteventhen，forshewasofteninattentive，andoccasionallystupid。Hermotherwasthreemonthsinteachingheronlytorepeatthe“Beggar\'sPetition“；
andafterall，hernextsister，Sally，couldsayitbetterthanshedid。NotthatCatherinewasalwaysstupid——bynomeans；shelearntthefableof“TheHareandManyFriends“asquicklyasanygirlinEngland。
Hermotherwishedhertolearnmusic；andCatherinewassuresheshouldlikeit，forshewasveryfondoftinklingthekeysoftheoldforlornspinner；so，ateightyearsoldshebegan。Shelearntayear，andcouldnotbearit；
andMrs。Morland，whodidnotinsistonherdaughtersbeingaccomplishedinspiteofincapacityordistaste，allowedhertoleaveoff。Thedaywhichdismissedthemusic-masterwasoneofthehappiestofCatherine\'slife。
Hertastefordrawingwasnotsuperior；thoughwhenevershecouldobtaintheoutsideofaletterfromhermotherorseizeuponanyotheroddpieceofpaper，shedidwhatshecouldinthatway，bydrawinghousesandtrees，hensandchickens，allverymuchlikeoneanother。
Writingandaccountsshewastaughtbyherfather；Frenchbyhermother:herproficiencyineitherwasnotremarkable，andsheshirkedherlessonsinbothwhenevershecould。
Whatastrange，unaccountablecharacter！——forwithallthesesymptomsofprofligacyattenyearsold，shehadneitherabadheartnorabadtemper，wasseldomstubborn，scarcelyeverquarrelsome，andverykindtothelittleones，withfewinterruptionsoftyranny；shewasmoreovernoisyandwild，hatedconfinementandcleanliness，andlovednothingsowellintheworldasrollingdownthegreenslopeatthebackofthehouse。
SuchwasCatherineMorlandatten。Atfifteen，appearancesweremending；shebegantocurlherhairandlongforballs；hercomplexionimproved，herfeaturesweresoftenedbyplumpnessandcolour，hereyesgainedmoreanimation，andherfiguremoreconsequence。
Herloveofdirtgavewaytoaninclinationforfinery，andshegrewcleanasshegrewsmart；shehadnowthepleasureofsometimeshearingherfatherandmotherremarkonherpersonalimprovement。“Catherinegrowsquiteagood-lookinggirl——sheisalmostprettytoday，“
werewordswhichcaughtherearsnowandthen；
andhowwelcomewerethesounds！Tolookalmostprettyisanacquisitionofhigherdelighttoagirlwhohasbeenlookingplainthefirstfifteenyearsofherlifethanabeautyfromhercradlecaneverreceive。
Mrs。Morlandwasaverygoodwoman，andwishedtoseeherchildreneverythingtheyoughttobe；
buthertimewassomuchoccupiedinlying-inandteachingthelittleones，thatherelderdaughterswereinevitablylefttoshiftforthemselves；anditwasnotverywonderfulthatCatherine，whohadbynaturenothingheroicabouther，shouldprefercricket，baseball，ridingonhorseback，andrunningaboutthecountryattheageoffourteen，tobooks——oratleastbooksofinformation——for，providedthatnothinglikeusefulknowledgecouldbegainedfromthem，providedtheywereallstoryandnoreflection，shehadneveranyobjectiontobooksatall。Butfromfifteentoseventeenshewasintrainingforaheroine；
shereadallsuchworksasheroinesmustreadtosupplytheirmemorieswiththosequotationswhicharesoserviceableandsosoothinginthevicissitudesoftheireventfullives。
FromPope，shelearnttocensurethosewho“bearaboutthemockeryofwoe。”
FromGray，that“Manyaflowerisborntoblushunseen，“Andwasteitsfragranceonthedesertair。”
FromThompson，that——“Itisadelightfultask“Toteachtheyoungideahowtoshoot。”
AndfromShakespeareshegainedagreatstoreofinformation——
amongsttherest，that——“Trifleslightasair，“Are，tothejealous，confirmationstrong，“AsproofsofHolyWrit。”
That“Thepoorbeetle，whichwetreadupon，“Incorporalsufferancefeelsapangasgreat“Aswhenagiantdies。”
Andthatayoungwomaninlovealwayslooks——“likePatienceonamonument”SmilingatGrief。”
Sofarherimprovementwassufficient——andinmanyotherpointsshecameonexceedinglywell；forthoughshecouldnotwritesonnets，shebroughtherselftoreadthem；
andthoughthereseemednochanceofherthrowingawholepartyintorapturesbyapreludeonthepianoforte，ofherowncomposition，shecouldlistentootherpeople\'sperformancewithverylittlefatigue。Hergreatestdeficiencywasinthepencil——shehadnonotionofdrawing——notenougheventoattemptasketchofherlover\'sprofile，thatshemightbedetectedinthedesign。
Thereshefellmiserablyshortofthetrueheroicheight。
Atpresentshedidnotknowherownpoverty，forshehadnolovertoportray。Shehadreachedtheageofseventeen，withouthavingseenoneamiableyouthwhocouldcallforthhersensibility，withouthavinginspiredonerealpassion，andwithouthavingexcitedevenanyadmirationbutwhatwasverymoderateandverytransient。Thiswasstrangeindeed！Butstrangethingsmaybegenerallyaccountedforiftheircausebefairlysearchedout。Therewasnotonelordintheneighbourhood；no——notevenabaronet。
Therewasnotonefamilyamongtheiracquaintancewhohadrearedandsupportedaboyaccidentallyfoundattheirdoor——notoneyoungmanwhoseoriginwasunknown。
Herfatherhadnoward，andthesquireoftheparishnochildren。
Butwhenayoungladyistobeaheroine，theperversenessoffortysurroundingfamiliescannotpreventher。
Somethingmustandwillhappentothrowaheroinherway。
Mr。Allen，whoownedthechiefofthepropertyaboutFullerton，thevillageinWiltshirewheretheMorlandslived，wasorderedtoBathforthebenefitofagoutyconstitution——andhislady，agood-humouredwoman，fondofMissMorland，andprobablyawarethatifadventureswillnotbefallayoungladyinherownvillage，shemustseekthemabroad，invitedhertogowiththem。
Mr。andMrs。Morlandwereallcompliance，andCatherineallhappiness。
CHAPTER2
InadditiontowhathasbeenalreadysaidofCatherineMorlandspersonalandmentalendowments，whenabouttobelaunchedintoallthedifficultiesanddangersofasixweeks\'residenceinBath，itmaybestated，forthereader\'smorecertaininformation，lestthefollowingpagesshouldotherwisefailofgivinganyideaofwhathercharacterismeanttobe，thatherheartwasaffectionate；herdispositioncheerfulandopen，withoutconceitoraffectationofanykind——hermannersjustremovedfromtheawkwardnessandshynessofagirl；herpersonpleasing，and，wheningoodlooks，pretty——andhermindaboutasignorantanduninformedasthefemalemindatseventeenusuallyis。
Whenthehourofdeparturedrewnear，thematernalanxietyofMrs。Morlandwillbenaturallysupposedtobemostsevere。AthousandalarmingpresentimentsofeviltoherbelovedCatherinefromthisterrificseparationmustoppressherheartwithsadness，anddrownherintearsforthelastdayortwooftheirbeingtogether；
andadviceofthemostimportantandapplicablenaturemustofcourseflowfromherwiselipsintheirpartingconferenceinhercloset。Cautionsagainsttheviolenceofsuchnoblemenandbaronetsasdelightinforcingyoungladiesawaytosomeremotefarm-house，must，atsuchamoment，relievethefulnessofherheart。
Whowouldnotthinkso?ButMrs。Morlandknewsolittleoflordsandbaronets，thatsheentertainednonotionoftheirgeneralmischievousness，andwaswhollyunsuspiciousofdangertoherdaughterfromtheirmachinations。
Hercautionswereconfinedtothefollowingpoints。
“Ibeg，Catherine，youwillalwayswrapyourselfupverywarmaboutthethroat，whenyoucomefromtheroomsatnight；andIwishyouwouldtrytokeepsomeaccountofthemoneyyouspend；Iwillgiveyouthislittlebookonpurpose。
Sally，orratherSarahforwhatyoungladyofcommongentilitywillreachtheageofsixteenwithoutalteringhernameasfarasshecan?，mustfromsituationbeatthistimetheintimatefriendandconfidanteofhersister。
Itisremarkable，however，thatsheneitherinsistedonCatherine\'swritingbyeverypost，norexactedherpromiseoftransmittingthecharacterofeverynewacquaintance，noradetailofeveryinterestingconversationthatBathmightproduce。Everythingindeedrelativetothisimportantjourneywasdone，onthepartoftheMorlands，withadegreeofmoderationandcomposure，whichseemedratherconsistentwiththecommonfeelingsofcommonlife，thanwiththerefinedsusceptibilities，thetenderemotionswhichthefirstseparationofaheroinefromherfamilyoughtalwaystoexcite。Herfather，insteadofgivingheranunlimitedorderonhisbanker，orevenputtinganhundredpoundsbank-billintoherhands，gaveheronlytenguineas，andpromosedhermorewhenshewantedit。
Undertheseunpromisingauspices，thepartingtookplace，andthejourneybegan。Itwasperformedwithsuitablequietnessanduneventfulsafety。
Neitherrobbersnortempestsbefriendedthem，noroneluckyoverturntointroducethemtothehero。Nothingmorealarmingoccurredthanafear，onMrs。Allen\'sside，ofhavingonceleftherclogsbehindherataninn，andthatfortunatelyprovedtobegroundless。
TheyarrivedatBath。Catherinewasalleagerdelight——hereyeswerehere，there，everywhere，astheyapproacheditsfineandstrikingenvirons，andafterwardsdrovethroughthosestreetswhichconductedthemtothehotel。
Shewascometobehappy，andshefelthappyalready。
TheyweresoonsettledincomfortablelodgingsinPulteneyStreet。
ItisnowexpedienttogivesomedescriptionofMrs。Allen，thatthereadermaybeabletojudgeinwhatmannerheractionswillhereaftertendtopromotethegeneraldistressofthework，andhowshewill，probably，contributetoreducepoorCatherinetoallthedesperatewretchednessofwhichalastvolumeiscapable——whetherbyherimprudence，vulgarity，orjealousy——whetherbyinterceptingherletters，ruininghercharacter，orturningheroutofdoors。
Mrs。Allenwasoneofthatnumerousclassoffemales，whosesocietycanraisenootheremotionthansurpriseattherebeinganymenintheworldwhocouldlikethemwellenoughtomarrythem。Shehadneitherbeauty，genius，accomplishment，normanner。Theairofagentlewoman，agreatdealofquiet，inactivegoodtemper，andatriflingturnofmindwereallthatcouldaccountforherbeingthechoiceofasensible，intelligentmanlikeMr。Allen。
Inonerespectshewasadmirablyfittedtointroduceayoungladyintopublic，beingasfondofgoingeverywhereandseeingeverythingherselfasanyyoungladycouldbe。
Dresswasherpassion。Shehadamostharmlessdelightinbeingfine；andourheroine\'sentreeintolifecouldnottakeplacetillafterthreeorfourdayshadbeenspentinlearningwhatwasmostlyworn，andherchaperonewasprovidedwithadressofthenewestfashion。
Catherinetoomadesomepurchasesherself，andwhenallthesematterswerearranged，theimportanteveningcamewhichwastousherherintotheUpperRooms。Herhairwascutanddressedbythebesthand，herclothesputonwithcare，andbothMrs。Allenandhermaiddeclaredshelookedquiteassheshoulddo。Withsuchencouragement，Catherinehopedatleasttopassuncensuredthroughthecrowd。
Asforadmiration，itwasalwaysverywelcomewhenitcame，butshedidnotdependonit。
Mrs。Allenwassolongindressingthattheydidnotentertheballroomtilllate。Theseasonwasfull，theroomcrowded，andthetwoladiessqueezedinaswellastheycould。
AsforMr。Allen，herepaireddirectlytothecard-room，andleftthemtoenjoyamobbythemselves。Withmorecareforthesafetyofhernewgownthanforthecomfortofherprotegee，Mrs。Allenmadeherwaythroughthethrongofmenbythedoor，asswiftlyasthenecessarycautionwouldallow；Catherine，however，keptcloseatherside，andlinkedherarmtoofirmlywithinherfriend\'stobetornasunderbyanycommoneffortofastrugglingassembly。
Buttoherutteramazementshefoundthattoproceedalongtheroomwasbynomeansthewaytodisengagethemselvesfromthecrowd；itseemedrathertoincreaseastheywenton，whereasshehadimaginedthatwhenoncefairlywithinthedoor，theyshouldeasilyfindseatsandbeabletowatchthedanceswithperfectconvenience。
Butthiswasfarfrombeingthecase，andthoughbyunwearieddiligencetheygainedeventhetopoftheroom，theirsituationwasjustthesame；theysawnothingofthedancersbutthehighfeathersofsomeoftheladies。
Stilltheymovedon——somethingbetterwasyetinview；
andbyacontinuedexertionofstrengthandingenuitytheyfoundthemselvesatlastinthepassagebehindthehighestbench。Heretherewassomethinglessofcrowdthanbelow；andhenceMissMorlandhadacomprehensiveviewofallthecompanybeneathher，andofallthedangersofherlatepassagethroughthem。
Itwasasplendidsight，andshebegan，forthefirsttimethatevening，tofeelherselfataball:shelongedtodance，butshehadnotanacquaintanceintheroom。
Mrs。Allendidallthatshecoulddoinsuchacasebysayingveryplacidly，everynowandthen，“Iwishyoucoulddance，mydear——Iwishyoucouldgetapartner。”
Forsometimeheryoungfriendfeltobligedtoherforthesewishes；buttheywererepeatedsooften，andprovedsototallyineffectual，thatCatherinegrewtiredatlast，andwouldthankhernomore。
Theywerenotlongable，however，toenjoythereposeoftheeminencetheyhadsolaboriouslygained。
Everybodywasshortlyinmotionfortea，andtheymustsqueezeoutliketherest。Catherinebegantofeelsomethingofdisappointment——shewastiredofbeingcontinuallypressedagainstbypeople，thegeneralityofwhosefacespossessednothingtointerest，andwithallofwhomshewassowhollyunacquaintedthatshecouldnotrelievetheirksomenessofimprisonmentbytheexchangeofasyllablewithanyofherfellowcaptives；
andwhenatlastarrivedinthetea-room，shefeltyetmoretheawkwardnessofhavingnopartytojoin，noacquaintancetoclaim，nogentlemantoassistthem。
TheysawnothingofMr。Allen；andafterlookingabouttheminvainforamoreeligiblesituation，wereobligedtositdownattheendofatable，atwhichalargepartywerealreadyplaced，withouthavinganythingtodothere，oranybodytospeakto，excepteachother。
Mrs。Allencongratulatedherself，assoonastheywereseated，onhavingpreservedhergownfrominjury。
“Itwouldhavebeenveryshockingtohaveittorn，“saidshe，“wouldnotit?Itissuchadelicatemuslin。FormypartIhavenotseenanythingIlikesowellinthewholeroom，Iassureyou。”
“Howuncomfortableitis，“whisperedCatherine，“nottohaveasingleacquaintancehere！“
“Yes，mydear，“repliedMrs。Allen，withperfectserenity，“itisveryuncomfortableindeed。”
“Whatshallwedo?Thegentlemenandladiesatthistablelookasiftheywonderedwhywecamehere——weseemforcingourselvesintotheirparty。”
“Aye，sowedo。Thatisverydisagreeable。
Iwishwehadalargeacquaintancehere。”
“Iwishwehadany——itwouldbesomebodytogoto。”
“Verytrue，mydear；andifweknewanybodywewouldjointhemdirectly。TheSkinnerswereherelastyear——I
wishtheywereherenow。”
“Hadnotwebettergoawayasitis?Herearenotea-thingsforus，yousee。”
“Nomorethereare，indeed。Howveryprovoking！ButIthinkwehadbettersitstill，foronegetssotumbledinsuchacrowd！Howismyhead，mydear?Somebodygavemeapushthathashurtit，Iamafraid。”
“No，indeed，itlooksverynice。But，dearMrs。Allen，areyousurethereisnobodyyouknowinallthismultitudeofpeople?Ithinkyoumustknowsomebody。”
“Idon\'t，uponmyword——IwishIdid。IwishIhadalargeacquaintanceherewithallmyheart，andthenIshouldgetyouapartner。Ishouldbesogladtohaveyoudance。
Theregoesastrange-lookingwoman！Whatanoddgownshehasgoton！Howold-fashioneditis！Lookattheback。”
Aftersometimetheyreceivedanofferofteafromoneoftheirneighbours；itwasthankfullyaccepted，andthisintroducedalightconversationwiththegentlemanwhoofferedit，whichwastheonlytimethatanybodyspoketothemduringtheevening，tilltheywerediscoveredandjoinedbyMr。Allenwhenthedancewasover。
“Well，MissMorland，“saidhe，directly，“Ihopeyouhavehadanagreeableball。”
“Veryagreeableindeed，“shereplied，vainlyendeavouringtohideagreatyawn。
“Iwishshehadbeenabletodance，“saidhiswife；
“Iwishwecouldhavegotapartnerforher。IhavebeensayinghowgladIshouldbeiftheSkinnerswereherethiswinterinsteadoflast；oriftheParryshadcome，astheytalkedofonce，shemighthavedancedwithGeorgeParry。
Iamsosorryshehasnothadapartner！“
“WeshalldobetteranothereveningIhope，“
wasMr。Allen\'sconsolation。
Thecompanybegantodispersewhenthedancingwasover——enoughtoleavespacefortheremaindertowalkaboutinsomecomfort；andnowwasthetimeforaheroine，whohadnotyetplayedaverydistinguishedpartintheeventsoftheevening，tobenoticedandadmired。
Everyfiveminutes，byremovingsomeofthecrowd，gavegreateropeningsforhercharms。Shewasnowseenbymanyyoungmenwhohadnotbeennearherbefore。
Notone，however，startedwithrapturouswonderonbeholdingher，nowhisperofeagerinquiryranroundtheroom，norwassheoncecalledadivinitybyanybody。
YetCatherinewasinverygoodlooks，andhadthecompanyonlyseenherthreeyearsbefore，theywouldnowhavethoughtherexceedinglyhandsome。
Shewaslookedat，however，andwithsomeadmiration；
for，inherownhearing，twogentlemenpronouncedhertobeaprettygirl。Suchwordshadtheirdueeffect；
sheimmediatelythoughttheeveningpleasanterthanshehadfounditbefore——herhumblevanitywascontented——shefeltmoreobligedtothetwoyoungmenforthissimplepraisethanatrue-qualityheroinewouldhavebeenforfifteensonnetsincelebrationofhercharms，andwenttoherchairingoodhumourwitheverybody，andperfectlysatisfiedwithhershareofpublicattention。
CHAPTER3
Everymorningnowbroughtitsregularduties——shopsweretobevisited；somenewpartofthetowntobelookedat；
andthepump-roomtobeattended，wheretheyparadedupanddownforanhour，lookingateverybodyandspeakingtonoone。ThewishofanumerousacquaintanceinBathwasstilluppermostwithMrs。Allen，andsherepeateditaftereveryfreshproof，whicheverymorningbrought，ofherknowingnobodyatall。
TheymadetheirappearanceintheLowerRooms；
andherefortunewasmorefavourabletoourheroine。
Themasteroftheceremoniesintroducedtoheraverygentlemanlikeyoungmanasapartner；hisnamewasTilney。
Heseemedtobeaboutfourorfiveandtwenty，wasrathertall，hadapleasingcountenance，averyintelligentandlivelyeye，and，ifnotquitehandsome，wasverynearit。
Hisaddresswasgood，andCatherinefeltherselfinhighluck。
Therewaslittleleisureforspeakingwhiletheydanced；
butwhentheywereseatedattea，shefoundhimasagreeableasshehadalreadygivenhimcreditforbeing。
Hetalkedwithfluencyandspirit——andtherewasanarchnessandpleasantryinhismannerwhichinterested，thoughitwashardlyunderstoodbyher。Afterchattingsometimeonsuchmattersasnaturallyarosefromtheobjectsaroundthem，hesuddenlyaddressedherwith——“Ihavehithertobeenveryremiss，madam，intheproperattentionsofapartnerhere；IhavenotyetaskedyouhowlongyouhavebeeninBath；whetheryouwereeverherebefore；
whetheryouhavebeenattheUpperRooms，thetheatre，andtheconcert；andhowyouliketheplacealtogether。
Ihavebeenverynegligent——butareyounowatleisuretosatisfymeintheseparticulars?IfyouareIwillbegindirectly。”
“Youneednotgiveyourselfthattrouble，sir。”
“Notrouble，Iassureyou，madam。”Thenforminghisfeaturesintoasetsmile，andaffectedlysofteninghisvoice，headded，withasimperingair，“HaveyoubeenlonginBath，madam?“
“Aboutaweek，sir，“repliedCatherine，tryingnottolaugh。
“Really！“withaffectedastonishment。
“Whyshouldyoubesurprised，sir?“
“Why，indeed！“saidhe，inhisnaturaltone。
“Butsomeemotionmustappeartoberaisedbyyourreply，andsurpriseismoreeasilyassumed，andnotlessreasonablethananyother。Nowletusgoon。Wereyouneverherebefore，madam?“
“Never，sir。”
“Indeed！HaveyouyethonouredtheUpperRooms?“
“Yes，sir，IwastherelastMonday。”
“Haveyoubeentothetheatre?“
“Yes，sir，IwasattheplayonTuesday。”
“Totheconcert?“
“Yes，sir，onWednesday。”
“AndareyoualtogetherpleasedwithBath?“
“Yes——Ilikeitverywell。”
“NowImustgiveonesmirk，andthenwemayberationalagain。”Catherineturnedawayherhead，notknowingwhethershemightventuretolaugh。
“Iseewhatyouthinkofme，“saidhegravely——“I
shallmakebutapoorfigureinyourjournaltomorrow。”
“Myjournal！““Yes，Iknowexactlywhatyouwillsay:Friday，wenttotheLowerRooms；woremyspriggedmuslinrobewithbluetrimmings——plainblackshoes——appearedtomuchadvantage；butwasstrangelyharassedbyaqueer，half-wittedman，whowouldmakemedancewithhim，anddistressedmebyhisnonsense。”
“IndeedIshallsaynosuchthing。”
“ShallItellyouwhatyououghttosay?“
“Ifyouplease。”
“Idancedwithaveryagreeableyoungman，introducedbyMr。King；hadagreatdealofconversationwithhim——seemsamostextraordinarygenius——hopeImayknowmoreofhim。That，madam，iswhatIwishyoutosay。”
“But，perhaps，Ikeepnojournal。”
“Perhapsyouarenotsittinginthisroom，andIamnotsittingbyyou。Thesearepointsinwhichadoubtisequallypossible。Notkeepajournal！HowareyourabsentcousinstounderstandthetenourofyourlifeinBathwithoutone?Howarethecivilitiesandcomplimentsofeverydaytoberelatedastheyoughttobe，unlessnoteddowneveryeveninginajournal?Howareyourvariousdressestoberemembered，andtheparticularstateofyourcomplexion，andcurlofyourhairtobedescribedinalltheirdiversities，withouthavingconstantrecoursetoajournal?Mydearmadam，Iamnotsoignorantofyoungladies\'waysasyouwishtobelieveme；itisthisdelightfulhabitofjournalingwhichlargelycontributestoformtheeasystyleofwritingforwhichladiesaresogenerallycelebrated。Everybodyallowsthatthetalentofwritingagreeablelettersispeculiarlyfemale。
Naturemayhavedonesomething，butIamsureitmustbeessentiallyassistedbythepracticeofkeepingajournal。”
“Ihavesometimesthought，“saidCatherine，doubtingly，“whetherladiesdowritesomuchbetterlettersthangentlemen！
Thatis——Ishouldnotthinkthesuperioritywasalwaysonourside。”
“AsfarasIhavehadopportunityofjudging，itappearstomethattheusualstyleofletter-writingamongwomenisfaultless，exceptinthreeparticulars。”
“Andwhatarethey?“
“Ageneraldeficiencyofsubject，atotalinattentiontostops，andaveryfrequentignoranceofgrammar。”
“Uponmyword！Ineednothavebeenafraidofdisclaimingthecompliment。Youdonotthinktoohighlyofusinthatway。”
“Ishouldnomorelayitdownasageneralrulethatwomenwritebetterlettersthanmen，thanthattheysingbetterduets，ordrawbetterlandscapes。Ineverypower，ofwhichtasteisthefoundation，excellenceisprettyfairlydividedbetweenthesexes。”
TheywereinterruptedbyMrs。Allen:“MydearCatherine，“
saidshe，“dotakethispinoutofmysleeve；Iamafraidithastornaholealready；Ishallbequitesorryifithas，forthisisafavouritegown，thoughitcostbutnineshillingsayard。”
“ThatisexactlywhatIshouldhaveguessedit，madam，“saidMr。Tilney，lookingatthemuslin。
“Doyouunderstandmuslins，sir?“
“Particularlywell；Ialwaysbuymyowncravats，andamallowedtobeanexcellentjudge；andmysisterhasoftentrustedmeinthechoiceofagown。
Iboughtoneforhertheotherday，anditwaspronouncedtobeaprodigiousbargainbyeveryladywhosawit。
Igavebutfiveshillingsayardforit，andatrueIndianmuslin。”
Mrs。Allenwasquitestruckbyhisgenius。“Mencommonlytakesolittlenoticeofthosethings，“saidshe；“IcannevergetMr。Allentoknowoneofmygownsfromanother。
Youmustbeagreatcomforttoyoursister，sir。”
“IhopeIam，madam。”
“Andpray，sir，whatdoyouthinkofMissMorland\'sgown?“
“Itisverypretty，madam，“saidhe，gravelyexaminingit；
“butIdonotthinkitwillwashwell；Iamafraiditwillfray。”
“Howcanyou，“saidCatherine，laughing，“beso——“
Shehadalmostsaid“strange。”
“Iamquiteofyouropinion，sir，“repliedMrs。Allen；
“andsoItoldMissMorlandwhensheboughtit。”
“Butthenyouknow，madam，muslinalwaysturnstosomeaccountorother；MissMorlandwillgetenoughoutofitforahandkerchief，oracap，oracloak。
Muslincanneverbesaidtobewasted。Ihaveheardmysistersaysofortytimes，whenshehasbeenextravagantinbuyingmorethanshewanted，orcarelessincuttingittopieces。”
“Bathisacharmingplace，sir；therearesomanygoodshopshere。Wearesadlyoffinthecountry；
notbutwhatwehaveverygoodshopsinSalisbury，butitissofartogo——eightmilesisalongway；
Mr。Allensaysitisnine，measurednine；butIamsureitcannotbemorethaneight；anditissuchafag——Icomebacktiredtodeath。Now，hereonecanstepoutofdoorsandgetathinginfiveminutes。”
Mr。Tilneywaspoliteenoughtoseeminterestedinwhatshesaid；andshekepthimonthesubjectofmuslinstillthedancingrecommenced。Catherinefeared，asshelistenedtotheirdiscourse，thatheindulgedhimselfalittletoomuchwiththefoiblesofothers。
“Whatareyouthinkingofsoearnestly?“saidhe，astheywalkedbacktotheballroom；“notofyourpartner，Ihope，for，bythatshakeofthehead，yourmeditationsarenotsatisfactory。”
Catherinecoloured，andsaid，“Iwasnotthinkingofanything。”
“Thatisartfulanddeep，tobesure；butIhadratherbetoldatoncethatyouwillnottellme。”
“Wellthen，Iwillnot。”
“Thankyou；fornowweshallsoonbeacquainted，asIamauthorizedtoteaseyouonthissubjectwheneverwemeet，andnothingintheworldadvancesintimacysomuch。”
Theydancedagain；and，whentheassemblyclosed，parted，onthelady\'ssideatleast，withastronginclinationforcontinuingtheacquaintance。Whethershethoughtofhimsomuch，whileshedrankherwarmwineandwater，andpreparedherselfforbed，astodreamofhimwhenthere，cannotbeascertained；butIhopeitwasnomorethaninaslightslumber，oramorningdozeatmost；
forifitbetrue，asacelebratedwriterhasmaintained，thatnoyoungladycanbejustifiedinfallinginlovebeforethegentleman\'sloveisdeclared，*itmustbeveryimproperthatayoungladyshoulddreamofagentlemanbeforethegentlemanisfirstknowntohavedreamtofher。
HowproperMr。TilneymightbeasadreameroraloverhadnotyetperhapsenteredMr。Allen\'shead，butthathewasnotobjectionableasacommonacquaintanceforhisyoungchargehewasoninquirysatisfied；forhehadearlyintheeveningtakenpainstoknowwhoherpartnerwas，andhadbeenassuredofMr。Tilney\'sbeingaclergyman，andofaveryrespectablefamilyinGloucestershire。
CHAPTER4
WithmorethanusualeagernessdidCatherinehastentothepump-roomthenextday，securewithinherselfofseeingMr。Tilneytherebeforethemorningwereover，andreadytomeethimwithasmile；butnosmilewasdemanded——Mr。Tilneydidnotappear。EverycreatureinBath，excepthimself，wastobeseenintheroomatdifferentperiodsofthefashionablehours；crowdsofpeoplewereeverymomentpassinginandout，upthestepsanddown；
peoplewhomnobodycaredabout，andnobodywantedtosee；
andheonlywasabsent。“WhatadelightfulplaceBathis，“
saidMrs。Allenastheysatdownnearthegreatclock，afterparadingtheroomtilltheyweretired；“andhowpleasantitwouldbeifwehadanyacquaintancehere。”
ThissentimenthadbeenutteredsoofteninvainthatMrs。Allenhadnoparticularreasontohopeitwouldbefollowedwithmoreadvantagenow；butwearetoldto“despairofnothingwewouldattain，“as“unwearieddiligenceourpointwouldgain“；andtheunwearieddiligencewithwhichshehadeverydaywishedforthesamethingwasatlengthtohaveitsjustreward，forhardlyhadshebeenseatedtenminutesbeforealadyofaboutherownage，whowassittingbyher，andhadbeenlookingatherattentivelyforseveralminutes，addressedherwithgreatcomplaisanceinthesewords:“Ithink，madam，Icannotbemistaken；
itisalongtimesinceIhadthepleasureofseeingyou，butisnotyournameAllen?“Thisquestionanswered，asitreadilywas，thestrangerpronouncedherstobeThorpe；
andMrs。Allenimmediatelyrecognizedthefeaturesofaformerschoolfellowandintimate，whomshehadseenonlyoncesincetheirrespectivemarriages，andthatmanyyearsago。Theirjoyonthismeetingwasverygreat，aswellitmight，sincetheyhadbeencontentedtoknownothingofeachotherforthelastfifteenyears。
Complimentsongoodlooksnowpassed；and，afterobservinghowtimehadslippedawaysincetheywerelasttogether，howlittletheyhadthoughtofmeetinginBath，andwhatapleasureitwastoseeanoldfriend，theyproceededtomakeinquiriesandgiveintelligenceastotheirfamilies，sisters，andcousins，talkingbothtogether，farmorereadytogivethantoreceiveinformation，andeachhearingverylittleofwhattheothersaid。
Mrs。Thorpe，however，hadonegreatadvantageasatalker，overMrs。Allen，inafamilyofchildren；andwhensheexpatiatedonthetalentsofhersons，andthebeautyofherdaughters，whensherelatedtheirdifferentsituationsandviews——thatJohnwasatOxford，EdwardatMerchantTaylors\'，andWilliamatsea——andallofthemmorebelovedandrespectedintheirdifferentstationthananyotherthreebeingseverwere，Mrs。Allenhadnosimilarinformationtogive，nosimilartriumphstopressontheunwillingandunbelievingearofherfriend，andwasforcedtositandappeartolistentoallthesematernaleffusions，consolingherself，however，withthediscovery，whichherkeeneyesoonmade，thatthelaceonMrs。Thorpe\'spelissewasnothalfsohandsomeasthatonherown。
“Herecomemydeargirls，“criedMrs。Thorpe，pointingatthreesmart-lookingfemaleswho，arminarm，werethenmovingtowardsher。“MydearMrs。Allen，Ilongtointroducethem；theywillbesodelightedtoseeyou:thetallestisIsabella，myeldest；isnotsheafineyoungwoman?Theothersareverymuchadmiredtoo，butI
believeIsabellaisthehandsomest。”
TheMissThorpeswereintroduced；andMissMorland，whohadbeenforashorttimeforgotten，wasintroducedlikewise。
Thenameseemedtostrikethemall；and，afterspeakingtoherwithgreatcivility，theeldestyoungladyobservedaloudtotherest，“HowexcessivelylikeherbrotherMissMorlandis！“
“Theverypictureofhimindeed！“criedthemother——and“Ishouldhaveknownheranywhereforhissister！“
wasrepeatedbythemall，twoorthreetimesover。
ForamomentCatherinewassurprised；butMrs。ThorpeandherdaughtershadscarcelybegunthehistoryoftheiracquaintancewithMr。JamesMorland，beforesherememberedthathereldestbrotherhadlatelyformedanintimacywithayoungmanofhisowncollege，ofthenameofThorpe；
andthathehadspentthelastweekoftheChristmasvacationwithhisfamily，nearLondon。
Thewholebeingexplained，manyobligingthingsweresaidbytheMissThorpesoftheirwishofbeingbetteracquaintedwithher；ofbeingconsideredasalreadyfriends，throughthefriendshipoftheirbrothers，etc。，whichCatherineheardwithpleasure，andansweredwithalltheprettyexpressionsshecouldcommand；and，asthefirstproofofamity，shewassooninvitedtoacceptanarmoftheeldestMissThorpe，andtakeaturnwithherabouttheroom。CatherinewasdelightedwiththisextensionofherBathacquaintance，andalmostforgotMr。TilneywhileshetalkedtoMissThorpe。Friendshipiscertainlythefinestbalmforthepangsofdisappointedlove。
Theirconversationturneduponthosesubjects，ofwhichthefreediscussionhasgenerallymuchtodoinperfectingasuddenintimacybetweentwoyoungladies:suchasdress，balls，flirtations，andquizzes。
MissThorpe，however，beingfouryearsolderthanMissMorland，andatleastfouryearsbetterinformed，hadaverydecidedadvantageindiscussingsuchpoints；
shecouldcomparetheballsofBathwiththoseofTunbridge，itsfashionswiththefashionsofLondon；couldrectifytheopinionsofhernewfriendinmanyarticlesoftastefulattire；coulddiscoveraflirtationbetweenanygentlemanandladywhoonlysmiledoneachother；
andpointoutaquizthroughthethicknessofacrowd。
ThesepowersreceiveddueadmirationfromCatherine，towhomtheywereentirelynew；andtherespectwhichtheynaturallyinspiredmighthavebeentoogreatforfamiliarity，hadnottheeasygaietyofMissThorpe\'smanners，andherfrequentexpressionsofdelightonthisacquaintancewithher，softeneddowneveryfeelingofawe，andleftnothingbuttenderaffection。Theirincreasingattachmentwasnottobesatisfiedwithhalfadozenturnsinthepump-room，butrequired，whentheyallquittedittogether，thatMissThorpeshouldaccompanyMissMorlandtotheverydoorofMr。Allen\'shouse；
andthattheyshouldtherepartwithamostaffectionateandlengthenedshakeofhands，afterlearning，totheirmutualrelief，thattheyshouldseeeachotheracrossthetheatreatnight，andsaytheirprayersinthesamechapelthenextmorning。Catherinethenrandirectlyupstairs，andwatchedMissThorpe\'sprogressdownthestreetfromthedrawing-roomwindow；admiredthegracefulspiritofherwalk，thefashionableairofherfigureanddress；
andfeltgrateful，aswellshemight，forthechancewhichhadprocuredhersuchafriend。
Mrs。Thorpewasawidow，andnotaveryrichone；
shewasagood-humoured，well-meaningwoman，andaveryindulgentmother。Hereldestdaughterhadgreatpersonalbeauty，andtheyoungerones，bypretendingtobeashandsomeastheirsister，imitatingherair，anddressinginthesamestyle，didverywell。
ThisbriefaccountofthefamilyisintendedtosupersedethenecessityofalongandminutedetailfromMrs。Thorpeherself，ofherpastadventuresandsufferings，whichmightotherwisebeexpectedtooccupythethreeorfourfollowingchapters；inwhichtheworthlessnessoflordsandattorniesmightbesetforth，andconversations，whichhadpassedtwentyyearsbefore，beminutelyrepeated。
CHAPTER5
Catherinewasnotsomuchengagedatthetheatrethatevening，inreturningthenodsandsmilesofMissThorpe，thoughtheycertainlyclaimedmuchofherleisure，astoforgettolookwithaninquiringeyeforMr。Tilneyineveryboxwhichhereyecouldreach；butshelookedinvain。Mr。Tilneywasnofonderoftheplaythanthepump-room。Shehopedtobemorefortunatethenextday；
andwhenherwishesforfineweatherwereansweredbyseeingabeautifulmorning，shehardlyfeltadoubtofit；forafineSundayinBathemptieseveryhouseofitsinhabitants，andalltheworldappearsonsuchanoccasiontowalkaboutandtelltheiracquaintancewhatacharmingdayitis。
Assoonasdivineservicewasover，theThorpesandAllenseagerlyjoinedeachother；andafterstayinglongenoughinthepump-roomtodiscoverthatthecrowdwasinsupportable，andthattherewasnotagenteelfacetobeseen，whicheverybodydiscoverseverySundaythroughouttheseason，theyhastenedawaytotheCrescent，tobreathethefreshairofbettercompany。HereCatherineandIsabella，arminarm，againtastedthesweetsoffriendshipinanunreservedconversation；theytalkedmuch，andwithmuchenjoyment；butagainwasCatherinedisappointedinherhopeofreseeingherpartner。Hewasnowheretobemetwith；everysearchforhimwasequallyunsuccessful，inmorningloungesoreveningassemblies；neitherattheuppernorlowerrooms，atdressedorundressedballs，washeperceivable；noramongthewalkers，thehorsemen，orthecurricle-driversofthemorning。Hisnamewasnotinthepump-roombook，andcuriositycoulddonomore。
HemustbegonefromBath。Yethehadnotmentionedthathisstaywouldbesoshort！Thissortofmysteriousness，whichisalwayssobecominginahero，threwafreshgraceinCatherine\'simaginationaroundhispersonandmanners，andincreasedheranxietytoknowmoreofhim。
FromtheThorpesshecouldlearnnothing，fortheyhadbeenonlytwodaysinBathbeforetheymetwithMrs。Allen。
Itwasasubject，however，inwhichsheoftenindulgedwithherfairfriend，fromwhomshereceivedeverypossibleencouragementtocontinuetothinkofhim；andhisimpressiononherfancywasnotsufferedthereforetoweaken。
Isabellawasverysurethathemustbeacharmingyoungman，andwasequallysurethathemusthavebeendelightedwithherdearCatherine，andwouldthereforeshortlyreturn。
Shelikedhimthebetterforbeingaclergyman，“forshemustconfessherselfverypartialtotheprofession“；
andsomethinglikeasighescapedherasshesaidit。
PerhapsCatherinewaswronginnotdemandingthecauseofthatgentleemotion——butshewasnotexperiencedenoughinthefinesseoflove，orthedutiesoffriendship，toknowwhendelicateraillerywasproperlycalledfor，orwhenaconfidenceshouldbeforced。
Mrs。Allenwasnowquitehappy——quitesatisfiedwithBath。Shehadfoundsomeacquaintance，hadbeensoluckytooastofindinthemthefamilyofamostworthyoldfriend；and，asthecompletionofgoodfortune，hadfoundthesefriendsbynomeanssoexpensivelydressedasherself。Herdailyexpressionswerenolonger，“IwishwehadsomeacquaintanceinBath！“Theywerechangedinto，“HowgladIamwehavemetwithMrs。Thorpe！“andshewasaseagerinpromotingtheintercourseofthetwofamilies，asheryoungchargeandIsabellathemselvescouldbe；
neversatisfiedwiththedayunlessshespentthechiefofitbythesideofMrs。Thorpe，inwhattheycalledconversation，butinwhichtherewasscarcelyeveranyexchangeofopinion，andnotoftenanyresemblanceofsubject，forMrs。Thorpetalkedchieflyofherchildren，andMrs。Allenofhergowns。
TheprogressofthefriendshipbetweenCatherineandIsabellawasquickasitsbeginninghadbeenwarm，andtheypassedsorapidlythrougheverygradationofincreasingtendernessthattherewasshortlynofreshproofofittobegiventotheirfriendsorthemselves。
TheycalledeachotherbytheirChristianname，werealwaysarminarmwhentheywalked，pinnedupeachother\'strainforthedance，andwerenottobedividedintheset；
andifarainymorningdeprivedthemofotherenjoyments，theywerestillresoluteinmeetingindefianceofwetanddirt，andshutthemselvesup，toreadnovelstogether。
Yes，novels；forIwillnotadoptthatungenerousandimpoliticcustomsocommonwithnovel-writers，ofdegradingbytheircontemptuouscensuretheveryperformances，tothenumberofwhichtheyarethemselvesadding——joiningwiththeirgreatestenemiesinbestowingtheharshestepithetsonsuchworks，andscarcelyeverpermittingthemtobereadbytheirownheroine，who，ifsheaccidentallytakeupanovel，issuretoturnoveritsinsipidpageswithdisgust。Alas！Iftheheroineofonenovelbenotpatronizedbytheheroineofanother，fromwhomcansheexpectprotectionandregard?Icannotapproveofit。
Letusleaveittothereviewerstoabusesucheffusionsoffancyattheirleisure，andovereverynewnoveltotalkinthreadbarestrainsofthetrashwithwhichthepressnowgroans。Letusnotdesertoneanother；
weareaninjuredbody。Althoughourproductionshaveaffordedmoreextensiveandunaffectedpleasurethanthoseofanyotherliterarycorporationintheworld，nospeciesofcompositionhasbeensomuchdecried。
Frompride，ignorance，orfashion，ourfoesarealmostasmanyasourreaders。Andwhiletheabilitiesofthenine-hundredthabridgeroftheHistoryofEngland，orofthemanwhocollectsandpublishesinavolumesomedozenlinesofMilton，Pope，andPrior，withapaperfromtheSpectator，andachapterfromSterne，areeulogizedbyathousandpens——thereseemsalmostageneralwishofdecryingthecapacityandundervaluingthelabourofthenovelist，andofslightingtheperformanceswhichhaveonlygenius，wit，andtastetorecommendthem。
“Iamnonovel-reader——Iseldomlookintonovels——DonotimaginethatIoftenreadnovels——Itisreallyverywellforanovel。”Suchisthecommoncant。
“Andwhatareyoureading，Miss——?““Oh！Itisonlyanovel！“repliestheyounglady，whileshelaysdownherbookwithaffectedindifference，ormomentaryshame。
“ItisonlyCecilia，orCamilla，orBelinda“；or，inshort，onlysomeworkinwhichthegreatestpowersofthemindaredisplayed，inwhichthemostthoroughknowledgeofhumannature，thehappiestdelineationofitsvarieties，theliveliesteffusionsofwitandhumour，areconveyedtotheworldinthebest-chosenlanguage。Now，hadthesameyoungladybeenengagedwithavolumeoftheSpectator，insteadofsuchawork，howproudlywouldshehaveproducedthebook，andtolditsname；thoughthechancesmustbeagainstherbeingoccupiedbyanypartofthatvoluminouspublication，ofwhicheitherthematterormannerwouldnotdisgustayoungpersonoftaste:thesubstanceofitspaperssooftenconsistinginthestatementofimprobablecircumstances，unnaturalcharacters，andtopicsofconversationwhichnolongerconcernanyoneliving；
andtheirlanguage，too，frequentlysocoarseastogivenoveryfavourableideaoftheagethatcouldendureit。
CHAPTER6
Thefollowingconversation，whichtookplacebetweenthetwofriendsinthepump-roomonemorning，afteranacquaintanceofeightorninedays，isgivenasaspecimenoftheirverywarmattachment，andofthedelicacy，discretion，originalityofthought，andliterarytastewhichmarkedthereasonablenessofthatattachment。
Theymetbyappointment；andasIsabellahadarrivednearlyfiveminutesbeforeherfriend，herfirstaddressnaturallywas，“Mydearestcreature，whatcanhavemadeyousolate?Ihavebeenwaitingforyouatleastthisage！“
“Haveyou，indeed！Iamverysorryforit；butreallyIthoughtIwasinverygoodtime。Itisbutjustone。
Ihopeyouhavenotbeenherelong?“
“Oh！Thesetenagesatleast。IamsureIhavebeenherethishalfhour。Butnow，letusgoandsitdownattheotherendoftheroom，andenjoyourselves。
Ihaveanhundredthingstosaytoyou。Inthefirstplace，Iwassoafraiditwouldrainthismorning，justasIwantedtosetoff；itlookedveryshowery，andthatwouldhavethrownmeintoagonies！Doyouknow，Isawtheprettiesthatyoucanimagine，inashopwindowinMilsomStreetjustnow——verylikeyours，onlywithcoquelicotribbonsinsteadofgreen；Iquitelongedforit。But，mydearestCatherine，whathaveyoubeendoingwithyourselfallthismorning?HaveyougoneonwithUdolpho?“
“Yes，IhavebeenreadingiteversinceIwoke；
andIamgottotheblackveil。”
“Areyou，indeed?Howdelightful！Oh！Iwouldnottellyouwhatisbehindtheblackveilfortheworld！
Arenotyouwildtoknow?“
“Oh！Yes，quite；whatcanitbe?Butdonottellme——Iwouldnotbetolduponanyaccount。Iknowitmustbeaskeleton，IamsureitisLaurentina\'sskeleton。
Oh！Iamdelightedwiththebook！Ishouldliketospendmywholelifeinreadingit。Iassureyou，ifithadnotbeentomeetyou，Iwouldnothavecomeawayfromitforalltheworld。”
“Dearcreature！HowmuchIamobligedtoyou；
andwhenyouhavefinishedUdolpho，wewillreadtheItaliantogether；andIhavemadeoutalistoftenortwelvemoreofthesamekindforyou。”
“Haveyou，indeed！HowgladIam！Whataretheyall?“
“Iwillreadyoutheirnamesdirectly；heretheyare，inmypocketbook。CastleofWolfenbach，Clermont，MysteriousWarnings，NecromanceroftheBlackForest，MidnightBell，OrphanoftheRhine，andHorridMysteries。
Thosewilllastussometime。”
“Yes，prettywell；butaretheyallhorrid，areyousuretheyareallhorrid?“
“Yes，quitesure；foraparticularfriendofmine，aMissAndrews，asweetgirl，oneofthesweetestcreaturesintheworld，hasreadeveryoneofthem。IwishyouknewMissAndrews，youwouldbedelightedwithher。
Sheisnettingherselfthesweetestcloakyoucanconceive。
Ithinkherasbeautifulasanangel，andIamsovexedwiththemenfornotadmiringher！Iscoldthemallamazinglyaboutit。”
“Scoldthem！Doyouscoldthemfornotadmiringher?“
“Yes，thatIdo。ThereisnothingIwouldnotdoforthosewhoarereallymyfriends。Ihavenonotionoflovingpeoplebyhalves；itisnotmynature。
Myattachmentsarealwaysexcessivelystrong。ItoldCaptainHuntatoneofourassembliesthiswinterthatifhewastoteasemeallnight，Iwouldnotdancewithhim，unlesshewouldallowMissAndrewstobeasbeautifulasanangel。Thementhinkusincapableofrealfriendship，youknow，andIamdeterminedtoshowthemthedifference。
Now，ifIweretohearanybodyspeakslightinglyofyou，Ishouldfireupinamoment:butthatisnotatalllikely，foryouarejustthekindofgirltobeagreatfavouritewiththemen。”
“Oh，dear！“criedCatherine，colouring。“Howcanyousayso?“
“Iknowyouverywell；youhavesomuchanimation，whichisexactlywhatMissAndrewswants，forImustconfessthereissomethingamazinglyinsipidabouther。
Oh！Imusttellyou，thatjustafterwepartedyesterday，Isawayoungmanlookingatyousoearnestly——Iamsureheisinlovewithyou。”Catherinecoloured，anddisclaimedagain。Isabellalaughed。“Itisverytrue，uponmyhonour，butIseehowitis；youareindifferenttoeverybody\'sadmiration，exceptthatofonegentleman，whoshallbenameless。Nay，Icannotblameyou“——speakingmoreseriously——“yourfeelingsareeasilyunderstood。
Wheretheheartisreallyattached，Iknowverywellhowlittleonecanbepleasedwiththeattentionofanybodyelse。
Everythingissoinsipid，souninteresting，thatdoesnotrelatetothebelovedobject！Icanperfectlycomprehendyourfeelings。”
“ButyoushouldnotpersuademethatIthinksoverymuchaboutMr。Tilney，forperhapsImayneverseehimagain。”
“Notseehimagain！Mydearestcreature，donottalkofit。Iamsureyouwouldbemiserableifyouthoughtso！“
“No，indeed，Ishouldnot。IdonotpretendtosaythatIwasnotverymuchpleasedwithhim；butwhileI
haveUdolphotoread，Ifeelasifnobodycouldmakememiserable。Oh！Thedreadfulblackveil！MydearIsabella，IamsuretheremustbeLaurentina\'sskeletonbehindit。”
“Itissooddtome，thatyoushouldneverhavereadUdolphobefore；butIsupposeMrs。Morlandobjectstonovels。”
“No，shedoesnot。SheveryoftenreadsSirCharlesGrandisonherself；butnewbooksdonotfallinourway。”
“SirCharlesGrandison！Thatisanamazinghorridbook，isitnot?IrememberMissAndrewscouldnotgetthroughthefirstvolume。”
“ItisnotlikeUdolphoatall；butyetIthinkitisveryentertaining。”
“Doyouindeed！Yousurpriseme；Ithoughtithadnotbeenreadable。But，mydearestCatherine，haveyousettledwhattowearonyourheadtonight?Iamdeterminedatalleventstobedressedexactlylikeyou。
Thementakenoticeofthatsometimes，youknow。”
“Butitdoesnotsignifyiftheydo，“saidCatherine，veryinnocently。
“Signify！Oh，heavens！Imakeitarulenevertomindwhattheysay。Theyareveryoftenamazinglyimpertinentifyoudonottreatthemwithspirit，andmakethemkeeptheirdistance。”
“Arethey?Well，Ineverobservedthat。Theyalwaysbehaveverywelltome。”
“Oh！Theygivethemselvessuchairs。Theyarethemostconceitedcreaturesintheworld，andthinkthemselvesofsomuchimportance！Bytheby，thoughI
havethoughtofitahundredtimes，Ihavealwaysforgottoaskyouwhatisyourfavouritecomplexioninaman。
Doyoulikethembestdarkorfair?“
“Ihardlyknow。Inevermuchthoughtaboutit。
Somethingbetweenboth，Ithink。Brown——notfair，and——andnotverydark。”
“Verywell，Catherine。Thatisexactlyhe。IhavenotforgotyourdescriptionofMr。Tilney——\'abrownskin，withdarkeyes，andratherdarkhair。\'Well，mytasteisdifferent。Ipreferlighteyes，andastocomplexion——doyouknow——Ilikeasallowbetterthananyother。
Youmustnotbetrayme，ifyoushouldevermeetwithoneofyouracquaintanceansweringthatdescription。”
“Betrayyou！Whatdoyoumean?“
“Nay，donotdistressme。IbelieveIhavesaidtoomuch。Letusdropthesubject。”
Catherine，insomeamazement，complied，andafterremainingafewmomentssilent，wasonthepointofrevertingtowhatinterestedheratthattimerathermorethananythingelseintheworld，Laurentina\'sskeleton，whenherfriendpreventedher，bysaying，“Forheaven\'ssake！Letusmoveawayfromthisendoftheroom。
Doyouknow，therearetwoodiousyoungmenwhohavebeenstaringatmethishalfhour。Theyreallyputmequiteoutofcountenance。Letusgoandlookatthearrivals。
Theywillhardlyfollowusthere。”
Awaytheywalkedtothebook；andwhileIsabellaexaminedthenames，itwasCatherine\'semploymenttowatchtheproceedingsofthesealarmingyoungmen。
“Theyarenotcomingthisway，arethey?Ihopetheyarenotsoimpertinentastofollowus。Prayletmeknowiftheyarecoming。IamdeterminedIwillnotlookup。”
InafewmomentsCatherine，withunaffectedpleasure，assuredherthatsheneednotbelongeruneasy，asthegentlemenhadjustleftthepump-room。
“Andwhichwayaretheygone?“saidIsabella，turninghastilyround。“Onewasaverygood-lookingyoungman。”
“Theywenttowardsthechurch-yard。”
“Well，IamamazinglygladIhavegotridofthem！
Andnow，whatsayyoutogoingtoEdgar\'sBuildingswithme，andlookingatmynewhat?Yousaidyoushouldliketoseeit。”
Catherinereadilyagreed。“Only，“sheadded，“perhapswemayovertakethetwoyoungmen。”
“Oh！Nevermindthat。Ifwemakehaste，weshallpassbythempresently，andIamdyingtoshowyoumyhat。”
“Butifweonlywaitafewminutes，therewillbenodangerofourseeingthematall。”
“Ishallnotpaythemanysuchcompliment，Iassureyou。
Ihavenonotionoftreatingmenwithsuchrespect。
Thatisthewaytospoilthem。”
Catherinehadnothingtoopposeagainstsuchreasoning；
andtherefore，toshowtheindependenceofMissThorpe，andherresolutionofhumblingthesex，theysetoffimmediatelyasfastastheycouldwalk，inpursuitofthetwoyoungmen。