CHAPTER7
Halfaminuteconductedthemthroughthepump-yardtothearchway，oppositeUnionPassage；butheretheywerestopped。EverybodyacquaintedwithBathmayrememberthedifficultiesofcrossingCheapStreetatthispoint；
itisindeedastreetofsoimpertinentanature，sounfortunatelyconnectedwiththegreatLondonandOxfordroads，andtheprincipalinnofthecity，thatadayneverpassesinwhichpartiesofladies，howeverimportanttheirbusiness，whetherinquestofpastry，millinery，orevenasinthepresentcase
ofyoungmen，arenotdetainedononesideorotherbycarriages，horsemen，orcarts。Thisevilhadbeenfeltandlamented，atleastthreetimesaday，byIsabellasinceherresidenceinBath；andshewasnowfatedtofeelandlamentitoncemore，forattheverymomentofcomingoppositetoUnionPassage，andwithinviewofthetwogentlemenwhowereproceedingthroughthecrowds，andthreadingtheguttersofthatinterestingalley，theywerepreventedcrossingbytheapproachofagig，drivenalongonbadpavementbyamostknowing-lookingcoachmanwithallthevehemencethatcouldmostfitlyendangerthelivesofhimself，hiscompanion，andhishorse。
“Oh，theseodiousgigs！“saidIsabella，lookingup。
“HowIdetestthem。”Butthisdetestation，thoughsojust，wasofshortduration，forshelookedagainandexclaimed，“Delightful！Mr。Morlandandmybrother！“
“Goodheaven！\'TisJames！“wasutteredatthesamemomentbyCatherine；and，oncatchingtheyoungmen\'seyes，thehorsewasimmediatelycheckedwithaviolencewhichalmostthrewhimonhishaunches，andtheservanthavingnowscamperedup，thegentlemenjumpedout，andtheequipagewasdeliveredtohiscare。
Catherine，bywhomthismeetingwaswhollyunexpected，receivedherbrotherwiththeliveliestpleasure；andhe，beingofaveryamiabledisposition，andsincerelyattachedtoher，gaveeveryproofonhissideofequalsatisfaction，whichhecouldhaveleisuretodo，whilethebrighteyesofMissThorpewereincessantlychallenginghisnotice；
andtoherhisdevoirswerespeedilypaid，withamixtureofjoyandembarrassmentwhichmighthaveinformedCatherine，hadshebeenmoreexpertinthedevelopmentofotherpeople\'sfeelings，andlesssimplyengrossedbyherown，thatherbrotherthoughtherfriendquiteasprettyasshecoulddoherself。
JohnThorpe，whointhemeantimehadbeengivingordersaboutthehorses，soonjoinedthem，andfromhimshedirectlyreceivedtheamendswhichwereherdue；forwhileheslightlyandcarelesslytouchedthehandofIsabella，onherhebestowedawholescrapeandhalfashortbow。
Hewasastoutyoungmanofmiddlingheight，who，withaplainfaceandungracefulform，seemedfearfulofbeingtoohandsomeunlessheworethedressofagroom，andtoomuchlikeagentlemanunlesshewereeasywhereheoughttobecivil，andimpudentwherehemightbeallowedtobeeasy。Hetookouthiswatch:“HowlongdoyouthinkwehavebeenrunningitfromTetbury，MissMorland?“
“Idonotknowthedistance。”Herbrothertoldherthatitwastwenty-threemiles。
“Threeandtwenty！“criedThorpe。“Fiveandtwentyifitisaninch。”Morlandremonstrated，pleadedtheauthorityofroad-books，innkeepers，andmilestones；buthisfrienddisregardedthemall；hehadasurertestofdistance。
“Iknowitmustbefiveandtwenty，“saidhe，“bythetimewehavebeendoingit。Itisnowhalfafterone；
wedroveoutoftheinn-yardatTetburyasthetownclockstruckeleven；andIdefyanymaninEnglandtomakemyhorsegolessthantenmilesanhourinharness；
thatmakesitexactlytwenty-five。”
“Youhavelostanhour，“saidMorland；“itwasonlyteno\'clockwhenwecamefromTetbury。”
“Teno\'clock！Itwaseleven，uponmysoul！Icountedeverystroke。Thisbrotherofyourswouldpersuademeoutofmysenses，MissMorland；dobutlookatmyhorse；
didyoueverseeananimalsomadeforspeedinyourlife?“
Theservanthadjustmountedthecarriageandwasdrivingoff。
“Suchtrueblood！Threehoursandandahalfindeedcomingonlythreeandtwentymiles！Lookatthatcreature，andsupposeitpossibleifyoucan。”
“Hedoeslookveryhot，tobesure。”
“Hot！HehadnotturnedahairtillwecametoWalcotChurch；butlookathisforehand；lookathisloins；
onlyseehowhemoves；thathorsecannotgolessthantenmilesanhour:tiehislegsandhewillgeton。
Whatdoyouthinkofmygig，MissMorland?Aneatone，isnotit?Wellhung；town-built；Ihavenothaditamonth。
ItwasbuiltforaChristchurchman，afriendofmine，averygoodsortoffellow；heranitafewweeks，till，Ibelieve，itwasconvenienttohavedonewithit。
Ihappenedjustthentobelookingoutforsomelightthingofthekind，thoughIhadprettywelldeterminedonacurricletoo；butIchancedtomeethimonMagdalenBridge，ashewasdrivingintoOxford，lastterm:\'Ah！Thorpe，\'
saidhe，\'doyouhappentowantsuchalittlethingasthis?Itisacapitaloneofthekind，butIamcursedtiredofit。\'\'Oh！D——，\'saidI；\'Iamyourman；
whatdoyouask?\'Andhowmuchdoyouthinkhedid，MissMorland?“
“IamsureIcannotguessatall。”
“Curricle-hung，yousee；seat，trunk，sword-case，splashing-board，lamps，silvermoulding，allyouseecomplete；theiron-workasgoodasnew，orbetter。
Heaskedfiftyguineas；Iclosedwithhimdirectly，threwdownthemoney，andthecarriagewasmine。”
“AndIamsure，“saidCatherine，“IknowsolittleofsuchthingsthatIcannotjudgewhetheritwascheapordear。”
“Neitheronenort\'other；Imighthavegotitforless，Idaresay；butIhatehaggling，andpoorFreemanwantedcash。”
“Thatwasverygood-naturedofyou，“saidCatherine，quitepleased。
“Oh！D——it，whenonehasthemeansofdoingakindthingbyafriend，Ihatetobepitiful。”
Aninquirynowtookplaceintotheintendedmovementsoftheyoungladies；and，onfindingwhithertheyweregoing，itwasdecidedthatthegentlemenshouldaccompanythemtoEdgar\'sBuildings，andpaytheirrespectstoMrs。Thorpe。
JamesandIsabellaledtheway；andsowellsatisfiedwasthelatterwithherlot，socontentedlywassheendeavouringtoensureapleasantwalktohimwhobroughtthedoublerecommendationofbeingherbrother\'sfriend，andherfriend\'sbrother，sopureanduncoquettishwereherfeelings，that，thoughtheyovertookandpassedthetwooffendingyoungmeninMilsomStreet，shewassofarfromseekingtoattracttheirnotice，thatshelookedbackatthemonlythreetimes。
JohnThorpekeptofcoursewithCatherine，and，afterafewminutes\'silence，renewedtheconversationabouthisgig。
“Youwillfind，however，MissMorland，itwouldbereckonedacheapthingbysomepeople，forImighthavesolditfortenguineasmorethenextday；Jackson，ofOriel，bidmesixtyatonce；Morlandwaswithmeatthetime。”
“Yes，“saidMorland，whooverheardthis；“butyouforgetthatyourhorsewasincluded。”
“Myhorse！Oh，d——it！Iwouldnotsellmyhorseforahundred。Areyoufondofanopencarriage，MissMorland?“
“Yes，very；Ihavehardlyeveranopportunityofbeinginone；butIamparticularlyfondofit。”
“Iamgladofit；Iwilldriveyououtinmineeveryday。”
“Thankyou，“saidCatherine，insomedistress，fromadoubtoftheproprietyofacceptingsuchanoffer。
“IwilldriveyouupLansdownHilltomorrow。”
“Thankyou；butwillnotyourhorsewantrest?“
“Rest！Hehasonlycomethreeandtwentymilestoday；
allnonsense；nothingruinshorsessomuchasrest；
nothingknocksthemupsosoon。No，no；IshallexercisemineattheaverageoffourhourseverydaywhileI
amhere。”
“Shallyouindeed！“saidCatherineveryseriously。
“Thatwillbefortymilesaday。”
“Forty！Aye，fifty，forwhatIcare。Well，IwilldriveyouupLansdowntomorrow；mind，Iamengaged。”
“Howdelightfulthatwillbe！“criedIsabella，turninground。“MydearestCatherine，Iquiteenvyyou；
butIamafraid，brother，youwillnothaveroomforathird。”
“Athirdindeed！No，no；IdidnotcometoBathtodrivemysistersabout；thatwouldbeagoodjoke，faith！Morlandmusttakecareofyou。”
Thisbroughtonadialogueofcivilitiesbetweentheothertwo；butCatherineheardneithertheparticularsnortheresult。Hercompanion\'sdiscoursenowsunkfromitshithertoanimatedpitchtonothingmorethanashortdecisivesentenceofpraiseorcondemnationonthefaceofeverywomantheymet；andCatherine，afterlisteningandagreeingaslongasshecould，withallthecivilityanddeferenceoftheyouthfulfemalemind，fearfulofhazardinganopinionofitsowninoppositiontothatofaself-assuredman，especiallywherethebeautyofherownsexisconcerned，venturedatlengthtovarythesubjectbyaquestionwhichhadbeenlonguppermostinherthoughts；
itwas，“HaveyoueverreadUdolpho，Mr。Thorpe?“
“Udolpho！Oh，Lord！NotI；Ineverreadnovels；
Ihavesomethingelsetodo。”
Catherine，humbledandashamed，wasgoingtoapologizeforherquestion，buthepreventedherbysaying，“Novelsareallsofullofnonsenseandstuff；therehasnotbeenatolerablydecentonecomeoutsinceTomJones，exceptTheMonk；Ireadthatt\'otherday；butasforalltheothers，theyarethestupidestthingsincreation。”
“IthinkyoumustlikeUdolpho，ifyouweretoreadit；
itissoveryinteresting。”
“NotI，faith！No，ifIreadany，itshallbeMrs。Radcliffe\'s；hernovelsareamusingenough；
theyareworthreading；somefunandnatureinthem。”
“UdolphowaswrittenbyMrs。Radcliffe，“saidCatherine，withsomehesitation，fromthefearofmortifyinghim。
“Nosure；wasit?Aye，Iremember，soitwas；
Iwasthinkingofthatotherstupidbook，writtenbythatwomantheymakesuchafussabout，shewhomarriedtheFrenchemigrant。”
“IsupposeyoumeanCamilla?“
“Yes，that\'sthebook；suchunnaturalstuff！Anoldmanplayingatsee-saw，Itookupthefirstvolumeonceandlookeditover，butIsoonfounditwouldnotdo；
indeedIguessedwhatsortofstuffitmustbebeforeI
sawit:assoonasIheardshehadmarriedanemigrant，IwassureIshouldneverbeabletogetthroughit。”
“Ihaveneverreadit。”
“Youhadnoloss，Iassureyou；itisthehorridestnonsenseyoucanimagine；thereisnothingintheworldinitbutanoldman\'splayingatsee-sawandlearningLatin；
uponmysoulthereisnot。”
Thiscritique，thejustnessofwhichwasunfortunatelylostonpoorCatherine，broughtthemtothedoorofMrs。Thorpe\'slodgings，andthefeelingsofthediscerningandunprejudicedreaderofCamillagavewaytothefeelingsofthedutifulandaffectionateson，astheymetMrs。Thorpe，whohaddescriedthemfromabove，inthepassage。“Ah，Mother！Howdoyoudo?“saidhe，givingheraheartyshakeofthehand。“Wheredidyougetthatquizofahat?Itmakesyoulooklikeanoldwitch。
HereisMorlandandIcometostayafewdayswithyou，soyoumustlookoutforacoupleofgoodbedssomewherenear。”Andthisaddressseemedtosatisfyallthefondestwishesofthemother\'sheart，forshereceivedhimwiththemostdelightedandexultingaffection。
Onhistwoyoungersistershethenbestowedanequalportionofhisfraternaltenderness，forheaskedeachofthemhowtheydid，andobservedthattheybothlookedveryugly。
ThesemannersdidnotpleaseCatherine；
buthewasJames\'sfriendandIsabella\'sbrother；
andherjudgmentwasfurtherboughtoffbyIsabella\'sassuringher，whentheywithdrewtoseethenewhat，thatJohnthoughtherthemostcharminggirlintheworld，andbyJohn\'sengagingherbeforetheypartedtodancewithhimthatevening。Hadshebeenolderorvainer，suchattacksmighthavedonelittle；but，whereyouthanddiffidenceareunited，itrequiresuncommonsteadinessofreasontoresisttheattractionofbeingcalledthemostcharminggirlintheworld，andofbeingsoveryearlyengagedasapartner；andtheconsequencewasthat，whenthetwoMorlands，aftersittinganhourwiththeThorpes，setofftowalktogethertoMr。Allen\'s，andJames，asthedoorwasclosedonthem，said，“Well，Catherine，howdoyoulikemyfriendThorpe?“insteadofanswering，assheprobablywouldhavedone，hadtherebeennofriendshipandnoflatteryinthecase，“Idonotlikehimatall，“
shedirectlyreplied，“Ilikehimverymuch；heseemsveryagreeable。”
“Heisasgood-naturedafellowaseverlived；
alittleofarattle；butthatwillrecommendhimtoyoursex，Ibelieve:andhowdoyouliketherestofthefamily?“
“Very，verymuchindeed:Isabellaparticularly。”
“Iamverygladtohearyousayso；sheisjustthekindofyoungwomanIcouldwishtoseeyouattachedto；
shehassomuchgoodsense，andissothoroughlyunaffectedandamiable；Ialwayswantedyoutoknowher；
andsheseemsveryfondofyou。Shesaidthehighestthingsinyourpraisethatcouldpossiblybe；andthepraiseofsuchagirlasMissThorpeevenyou，Catherine，“
takingherhandwithaffection，“maybeproudof。”
“IndeedIam，“shereplied；“Iloveherexceedingly，andamdelightedtofindthatyoulikehertoo。
Youhardlymentionedanythingofherwhenyouwrotetomeafteryourvisitthere。”
“BecauseIthoughtIshouldsoonseeyoumyself。
IhopeyouwillbeagreatdealtogetherwhileyouareinBath。Sheisamostamiablegirl；suchasuperiorunderstanding！Howfondallthefamilyareofher；
sheisevidentlythegeneralfavourite；andhowmuchshemustbeadmiredinsuchaplaceasthis——isnotshe?“
“Yes，verymuchindeed，Ifancy；Mr。AllenthinkshertheprettiestgirlinBath。”
“Idaresayhedoes；andIdonotknowanymanwhoisabetterjudgeofbeautythanMr。Allen。Ineednotaskyouwhetheryouarehappyhere，mydearCatherine；
withsuchacompanionandfriendasIsabellaThorpe，itwouldbeimpossibleforyoutobeotherwise；andtheAllens，Iamsure，areverykindtoyou?“
“Yes，verykind；Ineverwassohappybefore；
andnowyouarecomeitwillbemoredelightfulthanever；
howgooditisofyoutocomesofaronpurposetoseeme。”
Jamesacceptedthistributeofgratitude，andqualifiedhisconscienceforacceptingittoo，bysayingwithperfectsincerity，“Indeed，Catherine，Iloveyoudearly。”
Inquiriesandcommunicationsconcerningbrothersandsisters，thesituationofsome，thegrowthoftherest，andotherfamilymattersnowpassedbetweenthem，andcontinued，withonlyonesmalldigressiononJames\'spart，inpraiseofMissThorpe，tilltheyreachedPulteneyStreet，wherehewaswelcomedwithgreatkindnessbyMr。andMrs。Allen，invitedbytheformertodinewiththem，andsummonedbythelattertoguessthepriceandweighthemeritsofanewmuffandtippet。Apre-engagementinEdgar\'sBuildingspreventedhisacceptingtheinvitationofonefriend，andobligedhimtohurryawayassoonashehadsatisfiedthedemandsoftheother。ThetimeofthetwopartiesunitingintheOctagonRoombeingcorrectlyadjusted，Catherinewasthenlefttotheluxuryofaraised，restless，andfrightenedimaginationoverthepagesofUdolpho，lostfromallworldlyconcernsofdressinganddinner，incapableofsoothingMrs。Allen\'sfearsonthedelayofanexpecteddressmaker，andhavingonlyoneminuteinsixtytobestowevenonthereflectionofherownfelicity，inbeingalreadyengagedfortheevening。
CHAPTER8
InspiteofUdolphoandthedressmaker，however，thepartyfromPulteneyStreetreachedtheUpperRoomsinverygoodtime。TheThorpesandJamesMorlandwerethereonlytwominutesbeforethem；andIsabellahavinggonethroughtheusualceremonialofmeetingherfriendwiththemostsmilingandaffectionatehaste，ofadmiringthesetofhergown，andenvyingthecurlofherhair，theyfollowedtheirchaperones，arminarm，intotheballroom，whisperingtoeachotherwheneverathoughtoccurred，andsupplyingtheplaceofmanyideasbyasqueezeofthehandorasmileofaffection。
Thedancingbeganwithinafewminutesaftertheywereseated；andJames，whohadbeenengagedquiteaslongashissister，wasveryimportunatewithIsabellatostandup；
butJohnwasgoneintothecard-roomtospeaktoafriend，andnothing，shedeclared，shouldinducehertojointhesetbeforeherdearCatherinecouldjoinittoo。
“Iassureyou，“saidshe，“Iwouldnotstandupwithoutyourdearsisterforalltheworld；forifIdidweshouldcertainlybeseparatedthewholeevening。”
Catherineacceptedthiskindnesswithgratitude，andtheycontinuedastheywereforthreeminuteslonger，whenIsabella，whohadbeentalkingtoJamesontheothersideofher，turnedagaintohissisterandwhispered，“Mydearcreature，IamafraidImustleaveyou，yourbrotherissoamazinglyimpatienttobegin；Iknowyouwillnotmindmygoingaway，andIdaresayJohnwillbebackinamoment，andthenyoumayeasilyfindmeout。”
Catherine，thoughalittledisappointed，hadtoomuchgoodnaturetomakeanyopposition，andtheothersrisingup，Isabellahadonlytimetopressherfriend\'shandandsay，“Good-bye，mydearlove，“beforetheyhurriedoff。
TheyoungerMissThorpesbeingalsodancing，CatherinewaslefttothemercyofMrs。ThorpeandMrs。Allen，betweenwhomshenowremained。Shecouldnothelpbeingvexedatthenon-appearanceofMr。Thorpe，forshenotonlylongedtobedancing，butwaslikewiseawarethat，astherealdignityofhersituationcouldnotbeknown，shewassharingwiththescoresofotheryoungladiesstillsittingdownallthediscreditofwantingapartner。
Tobedisgracedintheeyeoftheworld，toweartheappearanceofinfamywhileherheartisallpurity，heractionsallinnocence，andthemisconductofanotherthetruesourceofherdebasement，isoneofthosecircumstanceswhichpeculiarlybelongtotheheroine\'slife，andherfortitudeunderitwhatparticularlydignifieshercharacter。Catherinehadfortitudetoo；shesuffered，butnomurmurpassedherlips。
Fromthisstateofhumiliation，shewasroused，attheendoftenminutes，toapleasanterfeeling，byseeing，notMr。Thorpe，butMr。Tilney，withinthreeyardsoftheplacewheretheysat；heseemedtobemovingthatway，butbedidnotseeher，andthereforethesmileandtheblush，whichhissuddenreappearanceraisedinCatherine，passedawaywithoutsullyingherheroicimportance。Helookedashandsomeandaslivelyasever，andwastalkingwithinteresttoafashionableandpleasing-lookingyoungwoman，wholeantonhisarm，andwhomCatherineimmediatelyguessedtobehissister；
thusunthinkinglythrowingawayafairopportunityofconsideringhimlosttoherforever，bybeingmarriedalready。
Butguidedonlybywhatwassimpleandprobable，ithadneverenteredherheadthatMr。Tilneycouldbemarried；hehadnotbehaved，hehadnottalked，likethemarriedmentowhomshehadbeenused；hehadnevermentionedawife，andhehadacknowledgedasister。
Fromthesecircumstancessprangtheinstantconclusionofhissister\'snowbeingbyhisside；andtherefore，insteadofturningofadeathlikepalenessandfallinginafitonMrs。Allen\'sbosom，Catherinesaterect，intheperfectuseofhersenses，andwithcheeksonlyalittleredderthanusual。
Mr。Tilneyandhiscompanion，whocontinued，thoughslowly，toapproach，wereimmediatelyprecededbyalady，anacquaintanceofMrs。Thorpe；andthisladystoppingtospeaktoher，they，asbelongingtoher，stoppedlikewise，andCatherine，catchingMr。Tilney\'seye，instantlyreceivedfromhimthesmilingtributeofrecognition。Shereturneditwithpleasure，andthenadvancingstillnearer，hespokebothtoherandMrs。Allen，bywhomhewasverycivillyacknowledged。
“Iamveryhappytoseeyouagain，sir，indeed；IwasafraidyouhadleftBath。”Hethankedherforherfears，andsaidthathehadquitteditforaweek，ontheverymorningafterhishavinghadthepleasureofseeingher。
“Well，sir，andIdaresayyouarenotsorrytobebackagain，foritisjusttheplaceforyoungpeople——
andindeedforeverybodyelsetoo。ItellMr。Allen，whenhetalksofbeingsickofit，thatIamsureheshouldnotcomplain，foritissoveryagreeableaplace，thatitismuchbettertobeherethanathomeatthisdulltimeofyear。Itellhimheisquiteinlucktobesenthereforhishealth。”
“AndIhope，madam，thatMr。Allenwillbeobligedtoliketheplace，fromfindingitofservicetohim。”
“Thankyou，sir。Ihavenodoubtthathewill。
Aneighbourofours，Dr。Skinner，washereforhishealthlastwinter，andcameawayquitestout。”
“Thatcircumstancemustgivegreatencouragement。”
“Yes，sir——andDr。Skinnerandhisfamilywereherethreemonths；soItellMr。Allenhemustnotbeinahurrytogetaway。”
HeretheywereinterruptedbyarequestfromMrs。ThorpetoMrs。Allen，thatshewouldmovealittletoaccommodateMrs。HughesandMissTilneywithseats，astheyhadagreedtojointheirparty。Thiswasaccordinglydone，Mr。Tilneystillcontinuingstandingbeforethem；
andafterafewminutes\'consideration，heaskedCatherinetodancewithhim。Thiscompliment，delightfulasitwas，producedseveremortificationtothelady；andingivingherdenial，sheexpressedhersorrowontheoccasionsoverymuchasifshereallyfeltitthathadThorpe，whojoinedherjustafterwards，beenhalfaminuteearlier，hemighthavethoughthersufferingsrathertooacute。
Theveryeasymannerinwhichhethentoldherthathehadkeptherwaitingdidnotbyanymeansreconcilehermoretoherlot；nordidtheparticularswhichheenteredintowhiletheywerestandingup，ofthehorsesanddogsofthefriendwhomhehadjustleft，andofaproposedexchangeofterriersbetweenthem，interesthersomuchastopreventherlookingveryoftentowardsthatpartoftheroomwhereshehadleftMr。Tilney。OfherdearIsabella，towhomsheparticularlylongedtopointoutthatgentleman，shecouldseenothing。Theywereindifferentsets。
Shewasseparatedfromallherparty，andawayfromallheracquaintance；onemortificationsucceededanother，andfromthewholeshededucedthisusefullesson，thattogopreviouslyengagedtoaballdoesnotnecessarilyincreaseeitherthedignityorenjoymentofayounglady。
Fromsuchamoralizingstrainasthis，shewassuddenlyrousedbyatouchontheshoulder，andturninground，perceivedMrs。Hughesdirectlybehindher，attendedbyMissTilneyandagentleman。“Ibegyourpardon，MissMorland，“
saidshe，“forthisliberty——butIcannotanyhowgettoMissThorpe，andMrs。Thorpesaidshewassureyouwouldnothavetheleastobjectiontolettinginthisyoungladybyyou。”Mrs。HughescouldnothaveappliedtoanycreatureintheroommorehappytoobligeherthanCatherine。
Theyoungladieswereintroducedtoeachother，MissTilneyexpressingapropersenseofsuchgoodness，MissMorlandwiththerealdelicacyofagenerousmindmakinglightoftheobligation；andMrs。Hughes，satisfiedwithhavingsorespectablysettledheryoungcharge，returnedtoherparty。
MissTilneyhadagoodfigure，aprettyface，andaveryagreeablecountenance；andherair，thoughithadnotallthedecidedpretension，theresolutestylishnessofMissThorpe\'s，hadmorerealelegance。
Hermannersshowedgoodsenseandgoodbreeding；
theywereneithershynoraffectedlyopen；andsheseemedcapableofbeingyoung，attractive，andataballwithoutwantingtofixtheattentionofeverymannearher，andwithoutexaggeratedfeelingsofecstaticdelightorinconceivablevexationoneverylittletriflingoccurrence。Catherine，interestedatoncebyherappearanceandherrelationshiptoMr。Tilney，wasdesirousofbeingacquaintedwithher，andreadilytalkedthereforewhenevershecouldthinkofanythingtosay，andhadcourageandleisureforsayingit。
Butthehindrancethrowninthewayofaveryspeedyintimacy，bythefrequentwantofoneormoreoftheserequisites，preventedtheirdoingmorethangoingthroughthefirstrudimentsofanacquaintance，byinformingthemselveshowwelltheotherlikedBath，howmuchsheadmireditsbuildingsandsurroundingcountry，whethershedrew，orplayed，orsang，andwhethershewasfondofridingonhorseback。
ThetwodanceswerescarcelyconcludedbeforeCatherinefoundherarmgentlyseizedbyherfaithfulIsabella，whoingreatspiritsexclaimed，“AtlastIhavegotyou。
Mydearestcreature，Ihavebeenlookingforyouthishour。
Whatcouldinduceyoutocomeintothisset，whenyouknewIwasintheother?Ihavebeenquitewretchedwithoutyou。”
“MydearIsabella，howwasitpossibleformetogetatyou?Icouldnotevenseewhereyouwere。”
“SoItoldyourbrotherallthetime——buthewouldnotbelieveme。Dogoandseeforher，Mr。Morland，saidI——butallinvain——hewouldnotstiraninch。
Wasnotitso，Mr。Morland?Butyoumenareallsoimmoderatelylazy！Ihavebeenscoldinghimtosuchadegree，mydearCatherine，youwouldbequiteamazed。
YouknowIneverstanduponceremonywithsuchpeople。”
“Lookatthatyoungladywiththewhitebeadsroundherhead，“whisperedCatherine，detachingherfriendfromJames。“ItisMr。Tilney\'ssister。”
“Oh！Heavens！Youdon\'tsayso！Letmelookatherthismoment。Whatadelightfulgirl！Ineversawanythinghalfsobeautiful！Butwhereisherall-conqueringbrother?Isheintheroom?Pointhimouttomethisinstant，ifheis。
Idietoseehim。Mr。Morland，youarenottolisten。
Wearenottalkingaboutyou。”
“Butwhatisallthiswhisperingabout?Whatisgoingon?“
“Therenow，Iknewhowitwouldbe。Youmenhavesuchrestlesscuriosity！Talkofthecuriosityofwomen，indeed！\'Tisnothing。Butbesatisfied，foryouarenottoknowanythingatallofthematter。”
“Andisthatlikelytosatisfyme，doyouthink?“
“Well，IdeclareIneverknewanythinglikeyou。
Whatcanitsignifytoyou，whatwearetalkingof。
Perhapswearetalkingaboutyou；thereforeIwouldadviseyounottolisten，oryoumayhappentohearsomethingnotveryagreeable。”
Inthiscommonplacechatter，whichlastedsometime，theoriginalsubjectseemedentirelyforgotten；andthoughCatherinewasverywellpleasedtohaveitdroppedforawhile，shecouldnotavoidalittlesuspicionatthetotalsuspensionofallIsabella\'simpatientdesiretoseeMr。Tilney。
Whentheorchestrastruckupafreshdance，Jameswouldhaveledhisfairpartneraway，butsheresisted。
“Itellyou，Mr。Morland，“shecried，“Iwouldnotdosuchathingforalltheworld。Howcanyoubesoteasing；
onlyconceive，mydearCatherine，whatyourbrotherwantsmetodo。Hewantsmetodancewithhimagain，thoughI
tellhimthatitisamostimproperthing，andentirelyagainsttherules。Itwouldmakeusthetalkoftheplace，ifwewerenottochangepartners。”
“Uponmyhonour，“saidJames，“inthesepublicassemblies，itisasoftendoneasnot。”
“Nonsense，howcanyousayso?Butwhenyoumenhaveapointtocarry，youneverstickatanything。
MysweetCatherine，dosupportme；persuadeyourbrotherhowimpossibleitis。Tellhimthatitwouldquiteshockyoutoseemedosuchathing；nowwouldnotit?“
“No，notatall；butifyouthinkitwrong，youhadmuchbetterchange。”
“There，“criedIsabella，“youhearwhatyoursistersays，andyetyouwillnotmindher。Well，rememberthatitisnotmyfault，ifwesetalltheoldladiesinBathinabustle。Comealong，mydearestCatherine，forheaven\'ssake，andstandbyme。”Andofftheywent，toregaintheirformerplace。JohnThorpe，inthemeanwhile，hadwalkedaway；andCatherine，everwillingtogiveMr。Tilneyanopportunityofrepeatingtheagreeablerequestwhichhadalreadyflatteredheronce，madeherwaytoMrs。AllenandMrs。Thorpeasfastasshecould，inthehopeoffindinghimstillwiththem——ahopewhich，whenitprovedtobefruitless，shefelttohavebeenhighlyunreasonable。“Well，mydear，“saidMrs。Thorpe，impatientforpraiseofherson，“Ihopeyouhavehadanagreeablepartner。”
“Veryagreeable，madam。”
“Iamgladofit。Johnhascharmingspirits，hasnothe?“
“DidyoumeetMr。Tilney，mydear?“saidMrs。Allen。
“No，whereishe?“
“Hewaswithusjustnow，andsaidhewassotiredofloungingabout，thathewasresolvedtogoanddance；
soIthoughtperhapshewouldaskyou，ifhemetwithyou。”
“Wherecanhebe?“saidCatherine，lookinground；
butshehadnotlookedroundlongbeforeshesawhimleadingayoungladytothedance。
“Ah！Hehasgotapartner；Iwishhehadaskedyou，“
saidMrs。Allen；andafterashortsilence，sheadded，“heisaveryagreeableyoungman。”
“Indeedheis，Mrs。Allen，“saidMrs。Thorpe，smilingcomplacently；“Imustsayit，thoughIamhismother，thatthereisnotamoreagreeableyoungmanintheworld。”
Thisinapplicableanswermighthavebeentoomuchforthecomprehensionofmany；butitdidnotpuzzleMrs。Allen，forafteronlyamoment\'sconsideration，shesaid，inawhispertoCatherine，“IdaresayshethoughtIwasspeakingofherson。”
Catherinewasdisappointedandvexed。Sheseemedtohavemissedbysolittletheveryobjectshehadhadinview；andthispersuasiondidnotinclinehertoaverygraciousreply，whenJohnThorpecameuptohersoonafterwardsandsaid，“Well，MissMorland，IsupposeyouandIaretostandupandjigittogetheragain。”
“Oh，no；Iammuchobligedtoyou，ourtwodancesareover；and，besides，Iamtired，anddonotmeantodanceanymore。”
“Donotyou?Thenletuswalkaboutandquizpeople。
Comealongwithme，andIwillshowyouthefourgreatestquizzersintheroom；mytwoyoungersistersandtheirpartners。
Ihavebeenlaughingatthemthishalfhour。”
AgainCatherineexcusedherself；andatlasthewalkedofftoquizhissistersbyhimself。Therestoftheeveningshefoundverydull；Mr。Tilneywasdrawnawayfromtheirpartyattea，toattendthatofhispartner；MissTilney，thoughbelongingtoit，didnotsitnearher，andJamesandIsabellaweresomuchengagedinconversingtogetherthatthelatterhadnoleisuretobestowmoreonherfriendthanonesmile，onesqueeze，andone“dearestCatherine。”
CHAPTER9
TheprogressofCatherine\'sunhappinessfromtheeventsoftheeveningwasasfollows。Itappearedfirstinageneraldissatisfactionwitheverybodyabouther，whilesheremainedintherooms，whichspeedilybroughtonconsiderablewearinessandaviolentdesiretogohome。
This，onarrivinginPulteneyStreet，tookthedirectionofextraordinaryhunger，andwhenthatwasappeased，changedintoanearnestlongingtobeinbed；suchwastheextremepointofherdistress；forwhentheresheimmediatelyfellintoasoundsleepwhichlastedninehours，andfromwhichsheawokeperfectlyrevived，inexcellentspirits，withfreshhopesandfreshschemes。
ThefirstwishofherheartwastoimproveheracquaintancewithMissTilney，andalmostherfirstresolution，toseekherforthatpurpose，inthepump-roomatnoon。
Inthepump-room，onesonewlyarrivedinBathmustbemetwith，andthatbuildingshehadalreadyfoundsofavourableforthediscoveryoffemaleexcellence，andthecompletionoffemaleintimacy，soadmirablyadaptedforsecretdiscoursesandunlimitedconfidence，thatshewasmostreasonablyencouragedtoexpectanotherfriendfromwithinitswalls。Herplanforthemorningthussettled，shesatquietlydowntoherbookafterbreakfast，resolvingtoremaininthesameplaceandthesameemploymenttilltheclockstruckone；andfromhabitudeverylittleincommodedbytheremarksandejaculationsofMrs。Allen，whosevacancyofmindandincapacityforthinkingweresuch，thatasshenevertalkedagreatdeal，soshecouldneverbeentirelysilent；and，therefore，whileshesatatherwork，ifshelostherneedleorbrokeherthread，ifsheheardacarriageinthestreet，orsawaspeckuponhergown，shemustobserveitaloud，whethertherewereanyoneatleisuretoanswerherornot。Atabouthalfpasttwelve，aremarkablyloudrapdrewherinhastetothewindow，andscarcelyhadshetimetoinformCatherineoftherebeingtwoopencarriagesatthedoor，inthefirstonlyaservant，herbrotherdrivingMissThorpeinthesecond，beforeJohnThorpecamerunningupstairs，callingout，“Well，MissMorland，hereIam。Haveyoubeenwaitinglong?Wecouldnotcomebefore；theolddevilofacoachmakerwassuchaneternityfindingoutathingfittobegotinto，andnowitistenthousandtoonebuttheybreakdownbeforeweareoutofthestreet。
Howdoyoudo，Mrs。Allen?Afamousbaglastnight，wasnotit?Come，MissMorland，bequick，fortheothersareinaconfoundedhurrytobeoff。Theywanttogettheirtumbleover。”
“Whatdoyoumean?“saidCatherine。“Whereareyouallgoingto?““Goingto?Why，youhavenotforgotourengagement！Didnotweagreetogethertotakeadrivethismorning?Whataheadyouhave！WearegoingupClavertonDown。”
“Somethingwassaidaboutit，Iremember，“
saidCatherine，lookingatMrs。Allenforheropinion；
“butreallyIdidnotexpectyou。”
“Notexpectme！That\'sagoodone！Andwhatadustyouwouldhavemade，ifIhadnotcome。”
Catherine\'ssilentappealtoherfriend，meanwhile，wasentirelythrownaway，forMrs。Allen，notbeingatallinthehabitofconveyinganyexpressionherselfbyalook，wasnotawareofitsbeingeverintendedbyanybodyelse；
andCatherine，whosedesireofseeingMissTilneyagaincouldatthatmomentbearashortdelayinfavourofadrive，andwhothoughttherecouldbenoimproprietyinhergoingwithMr。Thorpe，asIsabellawasgoingatthesametimewithJames，wasthereforeobligedtospeakplainer。
“Well，ma\'am，whatdoyousaytoit?Canyousparemeforanhourortwo?ShallIgo?“
“Dojustasyouplease，mydear，“repliedMrs。Allen，withthemostplacidindifference。Catherinetooktheadvice，andranofftogetready。Inaveryfewminutesshereappeared，havingscarcelyallowedthetwootherstimeenoughtogetthroughafewshortsentencesinherpraise，afterThorpehadprocuredMrs。Allen\'sadmirationofhisgig；
andthenreceivingherfriend\'spartinggoodwishes，theybothhurrieddownstairs。“Mydearestcreature，“
criedIsabella，towhomthedutyoffriendshipimmediatelycalledherbeforeshecouldgetintothecarriage，“youhavebeenatleastthreehoursgettingready。
Iwasafraidyouwereill。Whatadelightfulballwehadlastnight。Ihaveathousandthingstosaytoyou；
butmakehasteandgetin，forIlongtobeoff。”
Catherinefollowedherordersandturnedaway，butnottoosoontohearherfriendexclaimaloudtoJames，“Whatasweetgirlsheis！Iquitedoteonher。”
“Youwillnotbefrightened，MissMorland，“saidThorpe，ashehandedherin，“ifmyhorseshoulddanceaboutalittleatfirstsettingoff。Hewill，mostlikely，giveaplungeortwo，andperhapstaketherestforaminute；
buthewillsoonknowhismaster。Heisfullofspirits，playfulascanbe，butthereisnoviceinhim。”
Catherinedidnotthinktheportraitaveryinvitingone，butitwastoolatetoretreat，andshewastooyoungtoownherselffrightened；so，resigningherselftoherfate，andtrustingtotheanimal\'sboastedknowledgeofitsowner，shesatpeaceablydown，andsawThorpesitdownbyher。
Everythingbeingthenarranged，theservantwhostoodatthehorse\'sheadwasbidinanimportantvoice“tolethimgo，“
andofftheywentinthequietestmannerimaginable，withoutaplungeoracaper，oranythinglikeone。
Catherine，delightedatsohappyanescape，spokeherpleasurealoudwithgratefulsurprise；andhercompanionimmediatelymadethematterperfectlysimplebyassuringherthatitwasentirelyowingtothepeculiarlyjudiciousmannerinwhichhehadthenheldthereins，andthesingulardiscernmentanddexteritywithwhichhehaddirectedhiswhip。Catherine，thoughshecouldnothelpwonderingthatwithsuchperfectcommandofhishorse，heshouldthinkitnecessarytoalarmherwitharelationofitstricks，congratulatedherselfsincerelyonbeingunderthecareofsoexcellentacoachman；andperceivingthattheanimalcontinuedtogooninthesamequietmanner，withoutshowingthesmallestpropensitytowardsanyunpleasantvivacity，andconsideringitsinevitablepacewastenmilesanhour
bynomeansalarminglyfast，gaveherselfuptoalltheenjoymentofairandexerciseofthemostinvigoratingkind，inafinemilddayofFebruary，withtheconsciousnessofsafety。Asilenceofseveralminutessucceededtheirfirstshortdialogue；itwasbrokenbyThorpe\'ssayingveryabruptly，“OldAllenisasrichasaJew——isnothe?“
Catherinedidnotunderstandhim——andherepeatedhisquestion，addinginexplanation，“OldAllen，themanyouarewith。”
“Oh！Mr。Allen，youmean。Yes，Ibelieve，heisveryrich。”
“Andnochildrenatall?“
“No——notany。”
“Afamousthingforhisnextheirs。Heisyourgodfather，isnothe?“
“Mygodfather！No。”
“Butyouarealwaysverymuchwiththem。”
“Yes，verymuch。”
“Aye，thatiswhatImeant。Heseemsagoodkindofoldfellowenough，andhaslivedverywellinhistime，Idaresay；heisnotgoutyfornothing。Doeshedrinkhisbottleadaynow?“
“Hisbottleaday！No。Whyshouldyouthinkofsuchathing?Heisaverytemperateman，andyoucouldnotfancyhiminliquorlastnight?“
“Lordhelpyou！Youwomenarealwaysthinkingofmen\'sbeinginliquor。Why，youdonotsupposeamanisoversetbyabottle?Iamsureofthis——thatifeverybodywastodrinktheirbottleaday，therewouldnotbehalfthedisordersintheworldtherearenow。
Itwouldbeafamousgoodthingforusall。”
“Icannotbelieveit。”
“Oh！Lord，itwouldbethesavingofthousands。
Thereisnotthehundredthpartofthewineconsumedinthiskingdomthatthereoughttobe。Ourfoggyclimatewantshelp。”
“AndyetIhaveheardthatthereisagreatdealofwinedrunkinOxford。”
“Oxford！ThereisnodrinkingatOxfordnow，Iassureyou。Nobodydrinksthere。Youwouldhardlymeetwithamanwhogoesbeyondhisfourpintsattheutmost。
Now，forinstance，itwasreckonedaremarkablething，atthelastpartyinmyrooms，thatuponanaverageweclearedaboutfivepintsahead。Itwaslookeduponassomethingoutofthecommonway。Mineisfamousgoodstuff，tobesure。YouwouldnotoftenmeetwithanythinglikeitinOxford——andthatmayaccountforit。
Butthiswilljustgiveyouanotionofthegeneralrateofdrinkingthere。”
“Yes，itdoesgiveanotion，“saidCatherinewarmly，“andthatis，thatyoualldrinkagreatdealmorewinethanIthoughtyoudid。However，IamsureJamesdoesnotdrinksomuch。”
Thisdeclarationbroughtonaloudandoverpoweringreply，ofwhichnopartwasverydistinct，exceptthefrequentexclamations，amountingalmosttooaths，whichadornedit，andCatherinewasleft，whenitended，withratherastrengthenedbeliefoftherebeingagreatdealofwinedrunkinOxford，andthesamehappyconvictionofherbrother\'scomparativesobriety。
Thorpe\'sideasthenallrevertedtothemeritsofhisownequipage，andshewascalledontoadmirethespiritandfreedomwithwhichhishorsemovedalong，andtheeasewhichhispaces，aswellastheexcellenceofthesprings，gavethemotionofthecarriage。
Shefollowedhiminallhisadmirationaswellasshecould。
Togobeforeorbeyondhimwasimpossible。Hisknowledgeandherignoranceofthesubject，hisrapidityofexpression，andherdiffidenceofherselfputthatoutofherpower；
shecouldstrikeoutnothingnewincommendation，butshereadilyechoedwhateverhechosetoassert，anditwasfinallysettledbetweenthemwithoutanydifficultythathisequipagewasaltogetherthemostcompleteofitskindinEngland，hiscarriagetheneatest，hishorsethebestgoer，andhimselfthebestcoachman。
“Youdonotreallythink，Mr。Thorpe，“saidCatherine，venturingaftersometimetoconsiderthematterasentirelydecided，andtooffersomelittlevariationonthesubject，“thatJames\'sgigwillbreakdown?“
“Breakdown！Oh！Lord！Didyoueverseesuchalittletittuppythinginyourlife?Thereisnotasoundpieceofironaboutit。Thewheelshavebeenfairlywornoutthesetenyearsatleast——andasforthebody！Uponmysoul，youmightshakeittopiecesyourselfwithatouch。
ItisthemostdevilishlittlericketybusinessIeverbeheld！ThankGod！wehavegotabetter。Iwouldnotbeboundtogotwomilesinitforfiftythousandpounds。”
“Goodheavens！“criedCatherine，quitefrightened。
“Thenprayletusturnback；theywillcertainlymeetwithanaccidentifwegoon。Doletusturnback，Mr。Thorpe；
stopandspeaktomybrother，andtellhimhowveryunsafeitis。”
“Unsafe！Oh，lord！Whatisthereinthat?Theywillonlygetarollifitdoesbreakdown；andthereisplentyofdirt；itwillbeexcellentfalling。Oh，curseit！Thecarriageissafeenough，ifamanknowshowtodriveit；
athingofthatsortingoodhandswilllastabovetwentyyearsafteritisfairlywornout。Lordblessyou！I
wouldundertakeforfivepoundstodriveittoYorkandbackagain，withoutlosinganail。”
Catherinelistenedwithastonishment；sheknewnothowtoreconciletwosuchverydifferentaccountsofthesamething；forshehadnotbeenbroughtuptounderstandthepropensitiesofarattle，nortoknowtohowmanyidleassertionsandimpudentfalsehoodstheexcessofvanitywilllead。Herownfamilywereplain，matter-of-factpeoplewhoseldomaimedatwitofanykind；
herfather，attheutmost，beingcontentedwithapun，andhermotherwithaproverb；theywerenotinthehabitthereforeoftellingliestoincreasetheirimportance，orofassertingatonemomentwhattheywouldcontradictthenext。Shereflectedontheaffairforsometimeinmuchperplexity，andwasmorethanonceonthepointofrequestingfromMr。Thorpeaclearerinsightintohisrealopiniononthesubject；butshecheckedherself，becauseitappearedtoherthathedidnotexcelingivingthoseclearerinsights，inmakingthosethingsplainwhichhehadbeforemadeambiguous；and，joiningtothis，theconsiderationthathewouldnotreallysufferhissisterandhisfriendtobeexposedtoadangerfromwhichhemighteasilypreservethem，sheconcludedatlastthathemustknowthecarriagetobeinfactperfectlysafe，andthereforewouldalarmherselfnolonger。
Byhimthewholematterseemedentirelyforgotten；
andalltherestofhisconversation，orrathertalk，beganandendedwithhimselfandhisownconcerns。
Hetoldherofhorseswhichhehadboughtforatrifleandsoldforincrediblesums；ofracingmatches，inwhichhisjudgmenthadinfalliblyforetoldthewinner；
ofshootingparties，inwhichhehadkilledmorebirdsthoughwithouthavingonegoodshotthanallhiscompanionstogether；anddescribedtohersomefamousday\'ssport，withthefox-hounds，inwhichhisforesightandskillindirectingthedogshadrepairedthemistakesofthemostexperiencedhuntsman，andinwhichtheboldnessofhisriding，thoughithadneverendangeredhisownlifeforamoment，hadbeenconstantlyleadingothersintodifficulties，whichhecalmlyconcludedhadbrokenthenecksofmany。
LittleasCatherinewasinthehabitofjudgingforherself，andunfixedaswerehergeneralnotionsofwhatmenoughttobe，shecouldnotentirelyrepressadoubt，whilesheborewiththeeffusionsofhisendlessconceit，ofhisbeingaltogethercompletelyagreeable。Itwasaboldsurmise，forhewasIsabella\'sbrother；andshehadbeenassuredbyJamesthathismannerswouldrecommendhimtoallhersex；butinspiteofthis，theextremewearinessofhiscompany，whichcreptoverherbeforetheyhadbeenoutanhour，andwhichcontinuedunceasinglytoincreasetilltheystoppedinPulteneyStreetagain，inducedher，insomesmalldegree，toresistsuchhighauthority，andtodistrusthispowersofgivinguniversalpleasure。
WhentheyarrivedatMrs。Allen\'sdoor，theastonishmentofIsabellawashardlytobeexpressed，onfindingthatitwastoolateinthedayforthemtoattendherfriendintothehouse:“Pastthreeo\'clock！“Itwasinconceivable，incredible，impossible！Andshewouldneitherbelieveherownwatch，norherbrother\'s，northeservant\'s；shewouldbelievenoassuranceofitfoundedonreasonorreality，tillMorlandproducedhiswatch，andascertainedthefact；
tohavedoubtedamomentlongerthenwouldhavebeenequallyinconceivable，incredible，andimpossible；
andshecouldonlyprotest，overandoveragain，thatnotwohoursandahalfhadevergoneoffsoswiftlybefore，asCatherinewascalledontoconfirm；CatherinecouldnottellafalsehoodeventopleaseIsabella；butthelatterwassparedthemiseryofherfriend\'sdissentingvoice，bynotwaitingforheranswer。Herownfeelingsentirelyengrossedher；herwretchednesswasmostacuteonfindingherselfobligedtogodirectlyhome。Itwasagessinceshehadhadamoment\'sconversationwithherdearestCatherine；
and，thoughshehadsuchthousandsofthingstosaytoher，itappearedasiftheywerenevertobetogetheragain；
so，withsnifflesofmostexquisitemisery，andthelaughingeyeofutterdespondency，shebadeherfriendadieuandwenton。
CatherinefoundMrs。Allenjustreturnedfromallthebusyidlenessofthemorning，andwasimmediatelygreetedwith，“Well，mydear，hereyouare，“atruthwhichshehadnogreaterinclinationthanpowertodispute；
“andIhopeyouhavehadapleasantairing?“
“Yes，ma\'am，Ithankyou；wecouldnothavehadanicerday。”
“SoMrs。Thorpesaid；shewasvastlypleasedatyourallgoing。”
“YouhaveseenMrs。Thorpe，then?“
“Yes，Iwenttothepump-roomassoonasyouweregone，andthereImether，andwehadagreatdealoftalktogether。
Shesaystherewashardlyanyvealtobegotatmarketthismorning，itissouncommonlyscarce。”
“Didyouseeanybodyelseofouracquaintance?“
“Yes；weagreedtotakeaturnintheCrescent，andtherewemetMrs。Hughes，andMr。andMissTilneywalkingwithher。”
“Didyouindeed?Anddidtheyspeaktoyou?“
“Yes，wewalkedalongtheCrescenttogetherforhalfanhour。Theyseemveryagreeablepeople。MissTilneywasinaveryprettyspottedmuslin，andIfancy，bywhatI
canlearn，thatshealwaysdressesveryhandsomely。
Mrs。Hughestalkedtomeagreatdealaboutthefamily。”
“Andwhatdidshetellyouofthem?“
“Oh！Avastdealindeed；shehardlytalkedofanythingelse。”
“DidshetellyouwhatpartofGloucestershiretheycomefrom?“
“Yes，shedid；butIcannotrecollectnow。Buttheyareverygoodkindofpeople，andveryrich。Mrs。TilneywasaMissDrummond，andsheandMrs。Hugheswereschoolfellows；
andMissDrummondhadaverylargefortune；and，whenshemarried，herfathergavehertwentythousandpounds，andfivehundredtobuywedding-clothes。Mrs。Hughessawalltheclothesaftertheycamefromthewarehouse。”
“AndareMr。andMrs。TilneyinBath?“
“Yes，Ifancytheyare，butIamnotquitecertain。
Uponrecollection，however，Ihaveanotiontheyarebothdead；
atleastthemotheris；yes，IamsureMrs。Tilneyisdead，becauseMrs。HughestoldmetherewasaverybeautifulsetofpearlsthatMr。Drummondgavehisdaughteronherwedding-dayandthatMissTilneyhasgotnow，fortheywereputbyforherwhenhermotherdied。”
“AndisMr。Tilney，mypartner，theonlyson?“
“Icannotbequitepositiveaboutthat，mydear；
Ihavesomeideaheis；but，however，heisaveryfineyoungman，Mrs。Hughessays，andlikelytodoverywell。”
Catherineinquirednofurther；shehadheardenoughtofeelthatMrs。Allenhadnorealintelligencetogive，andthatshewasmostparticularlyunfortunateherselfinhavingmissedsuchameetingwithbothbrotherandsister。Couldshehaveforeseensuchacircumstance，nothingshouldhavepersuadedhertogooutwiththeothers；
and，asitwas，shecouldonlylamentherillluck，andthinkoverwhatshehadlost，tillitwascleartoherthatthedrivehadbynomeansbeenverypleasantandthatJohnThorpehimselfwasquitedisagreeable。
CHAPTER10
TheAllens，Thorpes，andMorlandsallmetintheeveningatthetheatre；and，asCatherineandIsabellasattogether，therewasthenanopportunityforthelattertouttersomefewofthemanythousandthingswhichhadbeencollectingwithinherforcommunicationintheimmeasurablelengthoftimewhichhaddividedthem。
“Oh，heavens！MybelovedCatherine，haveIgotyouatlast?“
washeraddressonCatherine\'senteringtheboxandsittingbyher。“Now，Mr。Morland，“forhewasclosetoherontheotherside，“Ishallnotspeakanotherwordtoyoualltherestoftheevening；soIchargeyounottoexpectit。
MysweetestCatherine，howhaveyoubeenthislongage?ButIneednotaskyou，foryoulookdelightfully。Youreallyhavedoneyourhairinamoreheavenlystylethanever；
youmischievouscreature，doyouwanttoattracteverybody?
Iassureyou，mybrotherisquiteinlovewithyoualready；
andasforMr。Tilney——butthatisasettledthing——evenyourmodestycannotdoubthisattachmentnow；hiscomingbacktoBathmakesittooplain。Oh！WhatwouldnotI
givetoseehim！Ireallyamquitewildwithimpatience。
Mymothersaysheisthemostdelightfulyoungmanintheworld；shesawhimthismorning，youknow；youmustintroducehimtome。Isheinthehousenow?Lookabout，forheaven\'ssake！Iassureyou，IcanhardlyexisttillI
seehim。”
“No，“saidCatherine，“heisnothere；Icannotseehimanywhere。”
“Oh，horrid！AmInevertobeacquaintedwithhim?
Howdoyoulikemygown?Ithinkitdoesnotlookamiss；
thesleeveswereentirelymyownthought。Doyouknow，IgetsoimmoderatelysickofBath；yourbrotherandI
wereagreeingthismorningthat，thoughitisvastlywelltobehereforafewweeks，wewouldnotlivehereformillions。Wesoonfoundoutthatourtasteswereexactlyalikeinpreferringthecountrytoeveryotherplace；really，ouropinionsweresoexactlythesame，itwasquiteridiculous！Therewasnotasinglepointinwhichwediffered；Iwouldnothavehadyoubyfortheworld；
youaresuchaslything，Iamsureyouwouldhavemadesomedrollremarkorotheraboutit。”
“No，indeedIshouldnot。”
“Oh，yesyouwouldindeed；Iknowyoubetterthanyouknowyourself。Youwouldhavetoldusthatweseemedbornforeachother，orsomenonsenseofthatkind，whichwouldhavedistressedmebeyondconception；
mycheekswouldhavebeenasredasyourroses；Iwouldnothavehadyoubyfortheworld。”
“Indeedyoudomeinjustice；Iwouldnothavemadesoimproperaremarkuponanyaccount；andbesides，Iamsureitwouldneverhaveenteredmyhead。”
IsabellasmiledincredulouslyandtalkedtherestoftheeveningtoJames。
Catherine\'sresolutionofendeavouringtomeetMissTilneyagaincontinuedinfullforcethenextmorning；
andtilltheusualmomentofgoingtothepump-room，shefeltsomealarmfromthedreadofasecondprevention。
Butnothingofthatkindoccurred，novisitorsappearedtodelaythem，andtheyallthreesetoffingoodtimeforthepump-room，wheretheordinarycourseofeventsandconversationtookplace；Mr。Allen，afterdrinkinghisglassofwater，joinedsomegentlementotalkoverthepoliticsofthedayandcomparetheaccountsoftheirnewspapers；andtheladieswalkedabouttogether，noticingeverynewface，andalmosteverynewbonnetintheroom。ThefemalepartoftheThorpefamily，attendedbyJamesMorland，appearedamongthecrowdinlessthanaquarterofanhour，andCatherineimmediatelytookherusualplacebythesideofherfriend。James，whowasnowinconstantattendance，maintainedasimilarposition，andseparatingthemselvesfromtherestoftheirparty，theywalkedinthatmannerforsometime，tillCatherinebegantodoubtthehappinessofasituationwhich，confiningherentirelytoherfriendandbrother，gaveherverylittleshareinthenoticeofeither。
Theywerealwaysengagedinsomesentimentaldiscussionorlivelydispute，buttheirsentimentwasconveyedinsuchwhisperingvoices，andtheirvivacityattendedwithsomuchlaughter，thatthoughCatherine\'ssupportingopinionwasnotunfrequentlycalledforbyoneortheother，shewasneverabletogiveany，fromnothavingheardawordofthesubject。Atlengthhowevershewasempoweredtodisengageherselffromherfriend，bytheavowednecessityofspeakingtoMissTilney，whomshemostjoyfullysawjustenteringtheroomwithMrs。Hughes，andwhomsheinstantlyjoined，withafirmerdeterminationtobeacquainted，thanshemighthavehadcouragetocommand，hadshenotbeenurgedbythedisappointmentofthedaybefore。
MissTilneymetherwithgreatcivility，returnedheradvanceswithequalgoodwill，andtheycontinuedtalkingtogetheraslongasbothpartiesremainedintheroom；
andthoughinallprobabilitynotanobservationwasmade，noranexpressionusedbyeitherwhichhadnotbeenmadeandusedsomethousandsoftimesbefore，underthatroof，ineveryBathseason，yetthemeritoftheirbeingspokenwithsimplicityandtruth，andwithoutpersonalconceit，mightbesomethinguncommon。
“Howwellyourbrotherdances！“wasanartlessexclamationofCatherine\'stowardsthecloseoftheirconversation，whichatoncesurprisedandamusedhercompanion。
“Henry！“sherepliedwithasmile。“Yes，hedoesdanceverywell。”
“HemusthavethoughtitveryoddtohearmesayI
wasengagedtheotherevening，whenhesawmesittingdown。
ButIreallyhadbeenengagedthewholedaytoMr。Thorpe。”
MissTilneycouldonlybow。“Youcannotthink，“
addedCatherineafteramoment\'ssilence，“howsurprisedI
wastoseehimagain。Ifeltsosureofhisbeingquitegoneaway。”
“WhenHenryhadthepleasureofseeingyoubefore，hewasinBathbutforacoupleofdays。Hecameonlytoengagelodgingsforus。”
“Thatneveroccurredtome；andofcourse，notseeinghimanywhere，Ithoughthemustbegone。
WasnottheyoungladyhedancedwithonMondayaMissSmith?“
“Yes，anacquaintanceofMrs。Hughes。”
“Idaresayshewasverygladtodance。Doyouthinkherpretty?““Notvery。”
“Henevercomestothepump-room，Isuppose?“
“Yes，sometimes；buthehasridoutthismorningwithmyfather。”
Mrs。Hughesnowjoinedthem，andaskedMissTilneyifshewasreadytogo。“IhopeIshallhavethepleasureofseeingyouagainsoon，“saidCatherine。
“Shallyoubeatthecotillionballtomorrow?“
“Perhapswe——Yes，Ithinkwecertainlyshall。”
“Iamgladofit，forweshallallbethere。”
Thiscivilitywasdulyreturned；andtheyparted——onMissTilney\'ssidewithsomeknowledgeofhernewacquaintance\'sfeelings，andonCatherine\'s，withoutthesmallestconsciousnessofhavingexplainedthem。
Shewenthomeveryhappy。Themorninghadansweredallherhopes，andtheeveningofthefollowingdaywasnowtheobjectofexpectation，thefuturegood。
Whatgownandwhathead-dresssheshouldwearontheoccasionbecameherchiefconcern。Shecannotbejustifiedinit。Dressisatalltimesafrivolousdistinction，andexcessivesolicitudeaboutitoftendestroysitsownaim。
Catherineknewallthisverywell；hergreataunthadreadheralectureonthesubjectonlytheChristmasbefore；
andyetshelayawaketenminutesonWednesdaynightdebatingbetweenherspottedandhertambouredmuslin，andnothingbuttheshortnessofthetimepreventedherbuyinganewonefortheevening。Thiswouldhavebeenanerrorinjudgment，greatthoughnotuncommon，fromwhichoneoftheothersexratherthanherown，abrotherratherthanagreataunt，mighthavewarnedher，formanonlycanbeawareoftheinsensibilityofmantowardsanewgown。
Itwouldbemortifyingtothefeelingsofmanyladies，couldtheybemadetounderstandhowlittletheheartofmanisaffectedbywhatiscostlyornewintheirattire；
howlittleitisbiasedbythetextureoftheirmuslin，andhowunsusceptibleofpeculiartendernesstowardsthespotted，thesprigged，themull，orthejackonet。
Womanisfineforherownsatisfactionalone。Nomanwilladmireherthemore，nowomanwilllikeherthebetterforit。Neatnessandfashionareenoughfortheformer，andasomethingofshabbinessorimproprietywillbemostendearingtothelatter。ButnotoneofthesegravereflectionstroubledthetranquillityofCatherine。
SheenteredtheroomsonThursdayeveningwithfeelingsverydifferentfromwhathadattendedherthithertheMondaybefore。ShehadthenbeenexultinginherengagementtoThorpe，andwasnowchieflyanxioustoavoidhissight，lestheshouldengageheragain；forthoughshecouldnot，darednotexpectthatMr。Tilneyshouldaskherathirdtimetodance，herwishes，hopes，andplansallcentredinnothingless。Everyyoungladymayfeelformyheroineinthiscriticalmoment，foreveryyoungladyhasatsometimeorotherknownthesameagitation。
Allhavebeen，oratleastallhavebelievedthemselvestobe，indangerfromthepursuitofsomeonewhomtheywishedtoavoid；andallhavebeenanxiousfortheattentionsofsomeonewhomtheywishedtoplease。AssoonastheywerejoinedbytheThorpes，Catherine\'sagonybegan；
shefidgetedaboutifJohnThorpecametowardsher，hidherselfasmuchaspossiblefromhisview，andwhenhespoketoherpretendednottohearhim。
Thecotillionswereover，thecountry-dancingbeginning，andshesawnothingoftheTilneys。
“Donotbefrightened，mydearCatherine，“
whisperedIsabella，“butIamreallygoingtodancewithyourbrotheragain。Ideclarepositivelyitisquiteshocking。
Itellhimheoughttobeashamedofhimself，butyouandJohnmustkeepusincountenance。Makehaste，mydearcreature，andcometous。Johnisjustwalkedoff，buthewillbebackinamoment。”
Catherinehadneithertimenorinclinationtoanswer。
Theotherswalkedaway，JohnThorpewasstillinview，andshegaveherselfupforlost。Thatshemightnotappear，however，toobserveorexpecthim，shekepthereyesintentlyfixedonherfan；andaself-condemnationforherfolly，insupposingthatamongsuchacrowdtheyshouldevenmeetwiththeTilneysinanyreasonabletime，hadjustpassedthroughhermind，whenshesuddenlyfoundherselfaddressedandagainsolicitedtodance，byMr。Tilneyhimself。Withwhatsparklingeyesandreadymotionshegrantedhisrequest，andwithhowpleasingaflutterofheartshewentwithhimtotheset，maybeeasilyimagined。Toescape，and，asshebelieved，sonarrowlyescapeJohnThorpe，andtobeasked，soimmediatelyonhisjoiningher，askedbyMr。Tilney，asifhehadsoughtheronpurpose！——itdidnotappeartoherthatlifecouldsupplyanygreaterfelicity。
Scarcelyhadtheyworkedthemselvesintothequietpossessionofaplace，however，whenherattentionwasclaimedbyJohnThorpe，whostoodbehindher。
“Heyday，MissMorland！“saidhe。“Whatisthemeaningofthis?IthoughtyouandIweretodancetogether。”
“Iwonderyoushouldthinkso，foryouneveraskedme。”
“Thatisagoodone，byJove！IaskedyouassoonasIcameintotheroom，andIwasjustgoingtoaskyouagain，butwhenIturnedround，youweregone！Thisisacursedshabbytrick！Ionlycameforthesakeofdancingwithyou，andIfirmlybelieveyouwereengagedtomeeversinceMonday。Yes；Iremember，Iaskedyouwhileyouwerewaitinginthelobbyforyourcloak。