CHAPTER14
Thenextmorningwasfair，andCatherinealmostexpectedanotherattackfromtheassembledparty。
WithMr。Allentosupporther，shefeltnodreadoftheevent:butshewouldgladlybesparedacontest，wherevictoryitselfwaspainful，andwasheartilyrejoicedthereforeatneitherseeingnorhearinganythingofthem。
TheTilneyscalledforherattheappointedtime；
andnonewdifficultyarising，nosuddenrecollection，nounexpectedsummons，noimpertinentintrusiontodisconcerttheirmeasures，myheroinewasmostunnaturallyabletofulfilherengagement，thoughitwasmadewiththeherohimself。
TheydeterminedonwalkingroundBeechenCliff，thatnoblehillwhosebeautifulverdureandhangingcoppicerenderitsostrikinganobjectfromalmosteveryopeninginBath。
“Ineverlookatit，“saidCatherine，astheywalkedalongthesideoftheriver，“withoutthinkingofthesouthofFrance。”
“Youhavebeenabroadthen?“saidHenry，alittlesurprised。
“Oh！No，IonlymeanwhatIhavereadabout。
ItalwaysputsmeinmindofthecountrythatEmilyandherfathertravelledthrough，inTheMysteriesofUdolpho。
Butyouneverreadnovels，Idaresay?“
“Whynot?“
“Becausetheyarenotcleverenoughforyou——gentlemenreadbetterbooks。”
“Theperson，beitgentlemanorlady，whohasnotpleasureinagoodnovel，mustbeintolerablystupid。
IhavereadallMrs。Radcliffe\'sworks，andmostofthemwithgreatpleasure。TheMysteriesofUdolpho，whenIhadoncebegunit，Icouldnotlaydownagain；
Irememberfinishingitintwodays——myhairstandingonendthewholetime。”
“Yes，“addedMissTilney，“andIrememberthatyouundertooktoreaditaloudtome，andthatwhenIwascalledawayforonlyfiveminutestoansweranote，insteadofwaitingforme，youtookthevolumeintotheHermitageWalk，andIwasobligedtostaytillyouhadfinishedit。”
“Thankyou，Eleanor——amosthonourabletestimony。
Yousee，MissMorland，theinjusticeofyoursuspicions。
HerewasI，inmyeagernesstogeton，refusingtowaitonlyfiveminutesformysister，breakingthepromiseIhadmadeofreadingitaloud，andkeepingherinsuspenseatamostinterestingpart，byrunningawaywiththevolume，which，youaretoobserve，washerown，particularlyherown。IamproudwhenIreflectonit，andIthinkitmustestablishmeinyourgoodopinion。”
“Iamverygladtohearitindeed，andnowIshallneverbeashamedoflikingUdolphomyself。ButIreallythoughtbefore，youngmendespisednovelsamazingly。”
“Itisamazingly；itmaywellsuggestamazementiftheydo——fortheyreadnearlyasmanyaswomen。
Imyselfhavereadhundredsandhundreds。DonotimaginethatyoucancopewithmeinaknowledgeofJuliasandLouisas。Ifweproceedtoparticulars，andengageinthenever-ceasinginquiryof\'Haveyoureadthis?\'
and\'Haveyoureadthat?\'Ishallsoonleaveyouasfarbehindmeas——whatshallIsay?——lwantanappropriatesimile——asfarasyourfriendEmilyherselfleftpoorValancourtwhenshewentwithherauntintoItaly。
ConsiderhowmanyyearsIhavehadthestartofyou。
IhadenteredonmystudiesatOxford，whileyouwereagoodlittlegirlworkingyoursamplerathome！“
“Notverygood，Iamafraid。Butnowreally，donotyouthinkUdolphothenicestbookintheworld?“
“Thenicest——bywhichIsupposeyoumeantheneatest。
Thatmustdependuponthebinding。”
“Henry，“saidMissTilney，“youareveryimpertinent。
MissMorland，heistreatingyouexactlyashedoeshissister。
Heisforeverfindingfaultwithme，forsomeincorrectnessoflanguage，andnowheistakingthesamelibertywithyou。
Theword\'nicest，\'asyouusedit，didnotsuithim；
andyouhadbetterchangeitassoonasyoucan，orweshallbeoverpoweredwithJohnsonandBlairalltherestoftheway。”
“Iamsure，“criedCatherine，“Ididnotmeantosayanythingwrong；butitisanicebook，andwhyshouldnotIcallitso?“
“Verytrue，“saidHenry，“andthisisaveryniceday，andwearetakingaverynicewalk，andyouaretwoveryniceyoungladies。Oh！Itisaverynicewordindeed！Itdoesforeverything。Originallyperhapsitwasappliedonlytoexpressneatness，propriety，delicacy，orrefinement——peoplewereniceintheirdress，intheirsentiments，ortheirchoice。Butnoweverycommendationoneverysubjectiscomprisedinthatoneword。”
“While，infact，“criedhissister，“itoughtonlytobeappliedtoyou，withoutanycommendationatall。
Youaremorenicethanwise。Come，MissMorland，letusleavehimtomeditateoverourfaultsintheutmostproprietyofdiction，whilewepraiseUdolphoinwhatevertermswelikebest。Itisamostinterestingwork。
Youarefondofthatkindofreading?“
“Tosaythetruth，Idonotmuchlikeanyother。”
“Indeed！“
“Thatis，Icanreadpoetryandplays，andthingsofthatsort，anddonotdisliketravels。Buthistory，realsolemnhistory，Icannotbeinterestedin。
Canyou?“
“Yes，Iamfondofhistory。”
“IwishIweretoo。Ireaditalittleasaduty，butittellsmenothingthatdoesnoteithervexorwearyme。
Thequarrelsofpopesandkings，withwarsorpestilences，ineverypage；themenallsogoodfornothing，andhardlyanywomenatall——itisverytiresome:
andyetIoftenthinkitoddthatitshouldbesodull，foragreatdealofitmustbeinvention。Thespeechesthatareputintotheheroes\'mouths，theirthoughtsanddesigns——thechiefofallthismustbeinvention，andinventioniswhatdelightsmeinotherbooks。”
“Historians，youthink，“saidMissTilney，“arenothappyintheirflightsoffancy。Theydisplayimaginationwithoutraisinginterest。Iamfondofhistory——andamverywellcontentedtotakethefalsewiththetrue。
Intheprincipalfactstheyhavesourcesofintelligenceinformerhistoriesandrecords，whichmaybeasmuchdependedon，Iconclude，asanythingthatdoesnotactuallypassunderone\'sownobservation；andasforthelittleembellishmentsyouspeakof，theyareembellishments，andIlikethemassuch。Ifaspeechbewelldrawnup，Ireaditwithpleasure，bywhomsoeveritmaybemade——andprobablywithmuchgreater，iftheproductionofMr。HumeorMr。Robertson，thanifthegenuinewordsofCaractacus，Agricola，orAlfredtheGreat。”
“Youarefondofhistory！AndsoareMr。Allenandmyfather；andIhavetwobrotherswhodonotdislikeit。
Somanyinstanceswithinmysmallcircleoffriendsisremarkable！Atthisrate，Ishallnotpitythewritersofhistoryanylonger。Ifpeopleliketoreadtheirbooks，itisallverywell，buttobeatsomuchtroubleinfillinggreatvolumes，which，asIusedtothink，nobodywouldwillinglyeverlookinto，tobelabouringonlyforthetormentoflittleboysandgirls，alwaysstruckmeasahardfate；
andthoughIknowitisallveryrightandnecessary，Ihaveoftenwonderedattheperson\'scouragethatcouldsitdownonpurposetodoit。”
“Thatlittleboysandgirlsshouldbetormented，“
saidHenry，“iswhatnooneatallacquaintedwithhumannatureinacivilizedstatecandeny；butinbehalfofourmostdistinguishedhistorians，Imustobservethattheymightwellbeoffendedatbeingsupposedtohavenohigheraim，andthatbytheirmethodandstyle，theyareperfectlywellqualifiedtotormentreadersofthemostadvancedreasonandmaturetimeoflife。
Iusetheverb\'totorment，\'asIobservedtobeyourownmethod，insteadof\'toinstruct，\'supposingthemtobenowadmittedassynonymous。”
“Youthinkmefoolishtocallinstructionatorment，butifyouhadbeenasmuchusedasmyselftohearpoorlittlechildrenfirstlearningtheirlettersandthenlearningtospell，ifyouhadeverseenhowstupidtheytheycanbeforawholemorningtogether，andhowtiredmypoormotherisattheendofit，asIaminthehabitofseeingalmosteverydayofmylifeathome，youwouldallowthat\'totorment\'and\'toinstruct\'mightsometimesbeusedassynonymouswords。”
“Veryprobably。Buthistoriansarenotaccountableforthedifficultyoflearningtoread；andevenyouyourself，whodonotaltogetherseemparticularlyfriendlytoverysevere，veryintenseapplication，mayperhapsbebroughttoacknowledgethatitisverywellworth-whiletobetormentedfortwoorthreeyearsofone\'slife，forthesakeofbeingabletoreadalltherestofit。
Consider——ifreadinghadnotbeentaught，Mrs。Radcliffewouldhavewritteninvain——orperhapsmightnothavewrittenatall。”
Catherineassented——andaverywarmpanegyricfromheronthatlady\'smeritsclosedthesubject。
TheTilneysweresoonengagedinanotheronwhichshehadnothingtosay。Theywereviewingthecountrywiththeeyesofpersonsaccustomedtodrawing，anddecidedonitscapabilityofbeingformedintopictures，withalltheeagernessofrealtaste。HereCatherinewasquitelost。
Sheknewnothingofdrawing——nothingoftaste:andshelistenedtothemwithanattentionwhichbroughtherlittleprofit，fortheytalkedinphraseswhichconveyedscarcelyanyideatoher。Thelittlewhichshecouldunderstand，however，appearedtocontradicttheveryfewnotionsshehadentertainedonthematterbefore。
Itseemedasifagoodviewwerenolongertobetakenfromthetopofanhighhill，andthataclearblueskywasnolongeraproofofafineday。Shewasheartilyashamedofherignorance。Amisplacedshame。
Wherepeoplewishtoattach，theyshouldalwaysbeignorant。
Tocomewithawell-informedmindistocomewithaninabilityofadministeringtothevanityofothers，whichasensiblepersonwouldalwayswishtoavoid。
Awomanespecially，ifshehavethemisfortuneofknowinganything，shouldconcealitaswellasshecan。
Theadvantagesofnaturalfollyinabeautifulgirlhavebeenalreadysetforthbythecapitalpenofasisterauthor；andtohertreatmentofthesubjectIwillonlyadd，injusticetomen，thatthoughtothelargerandmoretriflingpartofthesex，imbecilityinfemalesisagreatenhancementoftheirpersonalcharms，thereisaportionofthemtooreasonableandtoowellinformedthemselvestodesireanythingmoreinwomanthanignorance。ButCatherinedidnotknowherownadvantages——didnotknowthatagood-lookinggirl，withanaffectionateheartandaveryignorantmind，cannotfailofattractingacleveryoungman，unlesscircumstancesareparticularlyuntoward。Inthepresentinstance，sheconfessedandlamentedherwantofknowledge，declaredthatshewouldgiveanythingintheworldtobeabletodraw；
andalectureonthepicturesqueimmediatelyfollowed，inwhichhisinstructionsweresoclearthatshesoonbegantoseebeautyineverythingadmiredbyhim，andherattentionwassoearnestthathebecameperfectlysatisfiedofherhavingagreatdealofnaturaltaste。
Hetalkedofforegrounds，distances，andseconddistances——side-screensandperspectives——lightsandshades；
andCatherinewassohopefulascholarthatwhentheygainedthetopofBeechenCliff，shevoluntarilyrejectedthewholecityofBathasunworthytomakepartofalandscape。
Delightedwithherprogress，andfearfulofwearyingherwithtoomuchwisdomatonce，Henrysufferedthesubjecttodecline，andbyaneasytransitionfromapieceofrockyfragmentandthewitheredoakwhichhehadplacednearitssummit，tooaksingeneral，toforests，theenclosureofthem，wastelands，crownlandsandgovernment，heshortlyfoundhimselfarrivedatpolitics；andfrompolitics，itwasaneasysteptosilence。ThegeneralpausewhichsucceededhisshortdisquisitiononthestateofthenationwasputanendtobyCatherine，who，inratherasolemntoneofvoice，utteredthesewords，“IhaveheardthatsomethingveryshockingindeedwillsooncomeoutinLondon。”
MissTilney，towhomthiswaschieflyaddressed，wasstartled，andhastilyreplied，“Indeed！Andofwhatnature?““ThatIdonotknow，norwhoistheauthor。
Ihaveonlyheardthatitistobemorehorriblethananythingwehavemetwithyet。”
“Goodheaven！Wherecouldyouhearofsuchathing?“
“AparticularfriendofminehadanaccountofitinaletterfromLondonyesterday。Itistobeuncommonlydreadful。
Ishallexpectmurderandeverythingofthekind。”
“Youspeakwithastonishingcomposure！ButIhopeyourfriend\'saccountshavebeenexaggerated；andifsuchadesignisknownbeforehand，propermeasureswillundoubtedlybetakenbygovernmenttopreventitscomingtoeffect。”
“Government，“saidHenry，endeavouringnottosmile，“neitherdesiresnordarestointerfereinsuchmatters。
Theremustbemurder；andgovernmentcaresnothowmuch。”
Theladiesstared。Helaughed，andadded，“Come，shallImakeyouunderstandeachother，orleaveyoutopuzzleoutanexplanationasyoucan?No——Iwillbenoble。Iwillprovemyselfaman，nolessbythegenerosityofmysoulthantheclearnessofmyhead。
Ihavenopatiencewithsuchofmysexasdisdaintoletthemselvessometimesdowntothecomprehensionofyours。
Perhapstheabilitiesofwomenareneithersoundnoracute——neithervigorousnorkeen。Perhapstheymaywantobservation，discernment，judgment，fire，genius，andwit。”
“MissMorland，donotmindwhathesays；buthavethegoodnesstosatisfymeastothisdreadfulriot。”
“Riot！Whatriot?“
“MydearEleanor，theriotisonlyinyourownbrain。
Theconfusionthereisscandalous。MissMorlandhasbeentalkingofnothingmoredreadfulthananewpublicationwhichisshortlytocomeout，inthreeduodecimovolumes，twohundredandseventy-sixpagesineach，withafrontispiecetothefirst，oftwotombstonesandalantern——doyouunderstand?Andyou，MissMorland——mystupidsisterhasmistakenallyourclearestexpressions。YoutalkedofexpectedhorrorsinLondon——andinsteadofinstantlyconceiving，asanyrationalcreaturewouldhavedone，thatsuchwordscouldrelateonlytoacirculatinglibrary，sheimmediatelypicturedtoherselfamobofthreethousandmenassemblinginSt。George\'sFields，theBankattacked，theTowerthreatened，thestreetsofLondonflowingwithblood，adetachmentoftheTwelfthLightDragoonsthehopesofthenationcalledupfromNorthamptontoquelltheinsurgents，andthegallantCaptainFrederickTilney，inthemomentofchargingattheheadofhistroop，knockedoffhishorsebyabrickbatfromanupperwindow。
Forgiveherstupidity。Thefearsofthesisterhaveaddedtotheweaknessofthewoman；butsheisbynomeansasimpletoningeneral。”
Catherinelookedgrave。“Andnow，Henry，“saidMissTilney，“thatyouhavemadeusunderstandeachother，youmayaswellmakeMissMorlandunderstandyourself——unlessyoumeantohaveherthinkyouintolerablyrudetoyoursister，andagreatbruteinyouropinionofwomeningeneral。
MissMorlandisnotusedtoyouroddways。”
“Ishallbemosthappytomakeherbetteracquaintedwiththem。”
“Nodoubt；butthatisnoexplanationofthepresent。”
“WhatamItodo?“
“Youknowwhatyououghttodo。Clearyourcharacterhandsomelybeforeher。Tellherthatyouthinkveryhighlyoftheunderstandingofwomen。”
“MissMorland，Ithinkveryhighlyoftheunderstandingofallthewomenintheworld——especiallyofthose——whoevertheymaybe——withwhomIhappentobeincompany。”
“Thatisnotenough。Bemoreserious。”
“MissMorland，noonecanthinkmorehighlyoftheunderstandingofwomenthanIdo。Inmyopinion，naturehasgiventhemsomuchthattheyneverfinditnecessarytousemorethanhalf。”
“Weshallgetnothingmoreseriousfromhimnow，MissMorland。Heisnotinasobermood。ButIdoassureyouthathemustbeentirelymisunderstood，ifhecaneverappeartosayanunjustthingofanywomanatall，oranunkindoneofme。”
ItwasnoefforttoCatherinetobelievethatHenryTilneycouldneverbewrong。Hismannermightsometimessurprise，buthismeaningmustalwaysbejust:andwhatshedidnotunderstand，shewasalmostasreadytoadmire，aswhatshedid。Thewholewalkwasdelightful，andthoughitendedtoosoon，itsconclusionwasdelightfultoo；
herfriendsattendedherintothehouse，andMissTilney，beforetheyparted，addressingherselfwithrespectfulform，asmuchtoMrs。AllenastoCatherine，petitionedforthepleasureofhercompanytodinneronthedayafterthenext。NodifficultywasmadeonMrs。Allen\'sside，andtheonlydifficultyonCatherine\'swasinconcealingtheexcessofherpleasure。
Themorninghadpassedawaysocharminglyastobanishallherfriendshipandnaturalaffection，fornothoughtofIsabellaorJameshadcrossedherduringtheirwalk。
WhentheTilneysweregone，shebecameamiableagain，butshewasamiableforsometimetolittleeffect；
Mrs。Allenhadnointelligencetogivethatcouldrelieveheranxiety；shehadheardnothingofanyofthem。
Towardstheendofthemorning，however，Catherine，havingoccasionforsomeindispensableyardofribbonwhichmustbeboughtwithoutamoment\'sdelay，walkedoutintothetown，andinBondStreetovertookthesecondMissThorpeasshewasloiteringtowardsEdgar\'sBuildingsbetweentwoofthesweetestgirlsintheworld，whohadbeenherdearfriendsallthemorning。Fromher，shesoonlearnedthatthepartytoCliftonhadtakenplace。
“Theysetoffateightthismorning，“saidMissAnne，“andIamsureIdonotenvythemtheirdrive。IthinkyouandIareverywellofftobeoutofthescrape。
itmustbethedullestthingintheworld，forthereisnotasoulatCliftonatthistimeofyear。Bellewentwithyourbrother，andJohndroveMaria。”
Catherinespokethepleasureshereallyfeltonhearingthispartofthearrangement。
“Oh！yes，“rejoinedtheother，“Mariaisgone。
Shewasquitewildtogo。Shethoughtitwouldbesomethingveryfine。IcannotsayIadmirehertaste；
andformypart，Iwasdeterminedfromthefirstnottogo，iftheypressedmeeversomuch。”
Catherine，alittledoubtfulofthis，couldnothelpanswering，“Iwishyoucouldhavegonetoo。
Itisapityyoucouldnotallgo。”
“Thankyou；butitisquiteamatterofindifferencetome。Indeed，Iwouldnothavegoneonanyaccount。
IwassayingsotoEmilyandSophiawhenyouovertookus。
Catherinewasstillunconvinced；butgladthatAnneshouldhavethefriendshipofanEmilyandaSophiatoconsoleher，shebadeheradieuwithoutmuchuneasiness，andreturnedhome，pleasedthatthepartyhadnotbeenpreventedbyherrefusingtojoinit，andveryheartilywishingthatitmightbetoopleasanttoalloweitherJamesorIsabellatoresentherresistanceanylonger。
CHAPTER15
Earlythenextday，anotefromIsabella，speakingpeaceandtendernessineveryline，andentreatingtheimmediatepresenceofherfriendonamatteroftheutmostimportance，hastenedCatherine，inthehappieststateofconfidenceandcuriosity，toEdgar\'sBuildings。
ThetwoyoungestMissThorpeswerebythemselvesintheparlour；and，onAnne\'squittingittocallhersister，Catherinetooktheopportunityofaskingtheotherforsomeparticularsoftheiryesterday\'sparty。
Mariadesirednogreaterpleasurethantospeakofit；
andCatherineimmediatelylearntthatithadbeenaltogetherthemostdelightfulschemeintheworld，thatnobodycouldimaginehowcharmingithadbeen，andthatithadbeenmoredelightfulthananybodycouldconceive。
Suchwastheinformationofthefirstfiveminutes；
thesecondunfoldedthusmuchindetail——thattheyhaddrivendirectlytotheYorkHotel，atesomesoup，andbespokeanearlydinner，walkeddowntothepump-room，tastedthewater，andlaidoutsomeshillingsinpursesandspars；
thenceadjoinedtoeaticeatapastry-cook\'s，andhurryingbacktothehotel，swallowedtheirdinnerinhaste，topreventbeinginthedark；andthenhadadelightfuldriveback，onlythemoonwasnotup，anditrainedalittle，andMr。Morland\'shorsewassotiredhecouldhardlygetitalong。
Catherinelistenedwithheartfeltsatisfaction。
ItappearedthatBlaizeCastlehadneverbeenthoughtof；
and，asforalltherest，therewasnothingtoregretforhalfaninstant。Maria\'sintelligenceconcludedwithatendereffusionofpityforhersisterAnne，whomsherepresentedasinsupportablycross，frombeingexcludedtheparty。
“Shewillneverforgiveme，Iamsure；but，youknow，howcouldIhelpit?Johnwouldhavemego，forhevowedhewouldnotdriveher，becauseshehadsuchthickankles。
Idaresayshewillnotbeingoodhumouragainthismonth；
butIamdeterminedIwillnotbecross；itisnotalittlematterthatputsmeoutoftemper。”
Isabellanowenteredtheroomwithsoeagerastep，andalookofsuchhappyimportance，asengagedallherfriend\'snotice。Mariawaswithoutceremonysentaway，andIsabella，embracingCatherine，thusbegan:“Yes，mydearCatherine，itissoindeed；yourpenetrationhasnotdeceivedyou。Oh！Thatarcheyeofyours！Itseesthrougheverything。”
Catherinerepliedonlybyalookofwonderingignorance。
“Nay，mybeloved，sweetestfriend，“continuedtheother，“composeyourself。Iamamazinglyagitated，asyouperceive。
Letussitdownandtalkincomfort。Well，andsoyouguesseditthemomentyouhadmynote?Slycreature！
Oh！MydearCatherine，youalone，whoknowmyheart，canjudgeofmypresenthappiness。Yourbrotheristhemostcharmingofmen。IonlywishIweremoreworthyofhim。
Butwhatwillyourexcellentfatherandmothersay?Oh！
Heavens！WhenIthinkofthemIamsoagitated！“
Catherine\'sunderstandingbegantoawake:anideaofthetruthsuddenlydartedintohermind；and，withthenaturalblushofsonewanemotion，shecriedout，“Goodheaven！MydearIsabella，whatdoyoumean?Canyou——canyoureallybeinlovewithJames?“
Thisboldsurmise，however，shesoonlearntcomprehendedbuthalfthefact。Theanxiousaffection，whichshewasaccusedofhavingcontinuallywatchedinIsabella\'severylookandaction，had，inthecourseoftheiryesterday\'sparty，receivedthedelightfulconfessionofanequallove。HerheartandfaithwerealikeengagedtoJames。NeverhadCatherinelistenedtoanythingsofullofinterest，wonder，andjoy。
Herbrotherandherfriendengaged！Newtosuchcircumstances，theimportanceofitappearedunspeakablygreat，andshecontemplateditasoneofthosegrandevents，ofwhichtheordinarycourseoflifecanhardlyaffordareturn。
Thestrengthofherfeelingsshecouldnotexpress；
thenatureofthem，however，contentedherfriend。
Thehappinessofhavingsuchasisterwastheirfirsteffusion，andthefairladiesmingledinembracesandtearsofjoy。
Delighting，however，asCatherinesincerelydidintheprospectoftheconnection，itmustbeacknowledgedthatIsabellafarsurpassedherintenderanticipations。
“Youwillbesoinfinitelydearertome，myCatherine，thaneitherAnneorMaria:IfeelthatIshallbesomuchmoreattachedtomydearMorland\'sfamilythantomyown。”
ThiswasapitchoffriendshipbeyondCatherine。
“Youaresolikeyourdearbrother，“continuedIsabella，“thatIquitedotedonyouthefirstmomentIsawyou。
Butsoitalwaysiswithme；thefirstmomentsettleseverything。TheveryfirstdaythatMorlandcametouslastChristmas——theveryfirstmomentIbeheldhim——myheartwasirrecoverablygone。IrememberIworemyyellowgown，withmyhairdoneupinbraids；andwhenI
cameintothedrawing-room，andJohnintroducedhim，IthoughtIneversawanybodysohandsomebefore。”
HereCatherinesecretlyacknowledgedthepoweroflove；for，thoughexceedinglyfondofherbrother，andpartialtoallhisendowments，shehadneverinherlifethoughthimhandsome。
“Iremembertoo，MissAndrewsdrankteawithusthatevening，andworeherpuce-colouredsarsenet；
andshelookedsoheavenlythatIthoughtyourbrothermustcertainlyfallinlovewithher；Icouldnotsleepawinkallrightforthinkingofit。Oh！Catherine，themanysleeplessnightsIhavehadonyourbrother\'saccount！IwouldnothaveyousufferhalfwhatIhavedone！
Iamgrownwretchedlythin，Iknow；butIwillnotpainyoubydescribingmyanxiety；youhaveseenenoughofit。
IfeelthatIhavebetrayedmyselfperpetually——sounguardedinspeakingofmypartialityforthechurch！ButmysecretIwasalwayssurewouldbesafewithyou。”
Catherinefeltthatnothingcouldhavebeensafer；
butashamedofanignorancelittleexpected，shedarednolongercontestthepoint，norrefusetohavebeenasfullofarchpenetrationandaffectionatesympathyasIsabellachosetoconsiderher。Herbrother，shefound，waspreparingtosetoffwithallspeedtoFullerton，tomakeknownhissituationandaskconsent；andherewasasourceofsomerealagitationtothemindofIsabella。
Catherineendeavouredtopersuadeher，asshewasherselfpersuaded，thatherfatherandmotherwouldneveropposetheirson\'swishes。“Itisimpossible，“
saidshe，“forparentstobemorekind，ormoredesirousoftheirchildren\'shappiness；Ihavenodoubtoftheirconsentingimmediately。”
“Morlandsaysexactlythesame，“repliedIsabella；
“andyetIdarenotexpectit；myfortunewillbesosmall；
theynevercanconsenttoit。Yourbrother，whomightmarryanybody！“
HereCatherineagaindiscernedtheforceoflove。
“Indeed，Isabella，youaretoohumble。Thedifferenceoffortunecanbenothingtosignify。”
“Oh！MysweetCatherine，inyourgenerousheartI
knowitwouldsignifynothing；butwemustnotexpectsuchdisinterestednessinmany。Asformyself，IamsureIonlywishoursituationswerereversed。HadIthecommandofmillions，wereImistressofthewholeworld，yourbrotherwouldbemyonlychoice。”
Thischarmingsentiment，recommendedasmuchbysenseasnovelty，gaveCatherineamostpleasingremembranceofalltheheroinesofheracquaintance；andshethoughtherfriendneverlookedmorelovelythaninutteringthegrandidea。
“Iamsuretheywillconsent，“washerfrequentdeclaration；
“Iamsuretheywillbedelightedwithyou。”
“Formyownpart，“saidIsabella，“mywishesaresomoderatethatthesmallestincomeinnaturewouldbeenoughforme。
Wherepeoplearereallyattached，povertyitselfiswealth；
grandeurIdetest:IwouldnotsettleinLondonfortheuniverse。
Acottageinsomeretiredvillagewouldbeecstasy。
TherearesomecharminglittlevillasaboutRichmond。”
“Richmond！“criedCatherine。“YoumustsettlenearFullerton。Youmustbenearus。”
“IamsureIshallbemiserableifwedonot。
IfIcanbutbenearyou，Ishallbesatisfied。
Butthisisidletalking！Iwillnotallowmyselftothinkofsuchthings，tillwehaveyourfather\'sanswer。
MorlandsaysthatbysendingittonighttoSalisbury，wemayhaveittomorrow。Tomorrow?IknowIshallneverhavecouragetoopentheletter。Iknowitwillbethedeathofme。”
Areveriesucceededthisconviction——andwhenIsabellaspokeagain，itwastoresolveonthequalityofherwedding-gown。
Theirconferencewasputanendtobytheanxiousyoungloverhimself，whocametobreathehispartingsighbeforehesetoffforWiltshire。Catherinewishedtocongratulatehim，butknewnotwhattosay，andhereloquencewasonlyinhereyes。Fromthem，however，theeightpartsofspeechshoneoutmostexpressively，andJamescouldcombinethemwithease。Impatientfortherealizationofallthathehopedathome，hisadieuswerenotlong；
andtheywouldhavebeenyetshorter，hadhenotbeenfrequentlydetainedbytheurgententreatiesofhisfaironethathewouldgo。Twicewashecalledalmostfromthedoorbyhereagernesstohavehimgone。“Indeed，Morland，Imustdriveyouaway。Considerhowfaryouhavetoride。
Icannotbeartoseeyoulingerso。Forheaven\'ssake，wastenomoretime。There，go，go——Iinsistonit。”
Thetwofriends，withheartsnowmoreunitedthanever，wereinseparablefortheday；andinschemesofsisterlyhappinessthehoursflewalong。Mrs。Thorpeandherson，whowereacquaintedwitheverything，andwhoseemedonlytowantMr。Morland\'sconsent，toconsiderIsabella\'sengagementasthemostfortunatecircumstanceimaginablefortheirfamily，wereallowedtojointheircounsels，andaddtheirquotaofsignificantlooksandmysteriousexpressionstofillupthemeasureofcuriositytoberaisedintheunprivilegedyoungersisters。
ToCatherine\'ssimplefeelings，thisoddsortofreserveseemedneitherkindlymeant，norconsistentlysupported；
anditsunkindnessshewouldhardlyhaveforbornepointingout，haditsinconsistencybeenlesstheirfriend；
butAnneandMariasoonsetherheartateasebythesagacityoftheir“Iknowwhat“；andtheeveningwasspentinasortofwarofwit，adisplayoffamilyingenuity，ononesideinthemysteryofanaffectedsecret，ontheotherofundefineddiscovery，allequallyacute。
Catherinewaswithherfriendagainthenextday，endeavouringtosupportherspiritsandwhileawaythemanytedioushoursbeforethedeliveryoftheletters；
aneedfulexertion，forasthetimeofreasonableexpectationdrewnear，Isabellabecamemoreandmoredesponding，andbeforetheletterarrived，hadworkedherselfintoastateofrealdistress。Butwhenitdidcome，wherecoulddistressbefound?“Ihavehadnodifficultyingainingtheconsentofmykindparents，andampromisedthateverythingintheirpowershallbedonetoforwardmyhappiness，“werethefirstthreelines，andinonemomentallwasjoyfulsecurity。ThebrightestglowwasinstantlyspreadoverIsabella\'sfeatures，allcareandanxietyseemedremoved，herspiritsbecamealmosttoohighforcontrol，andshecalledherselfwithoutscruplethehappiestofmortals。
Mrs。Thorpe，withtearsofjoy，embracedherdaughter，herson，hervisitor，andcouldhaveembracedhalftheinhabitantsofBathwithsatisfaction。Herheartwasoverflowingwithtenderness。Itwas“dearJohn“
and“dearCatherine“ateveryword；“dearAnneanddearMaria“
mustimmediatelybemadesharersintheirfelicity；
andtwo“dears“atoncebeforethenameofIsabellawerenotmorethanthatbelovedchildhadnowwellearned。
Johnhimselfwasnoskulkerinjoy。HenotonlybestowedonMr。Morlandthehighcommendationofbeingoneofthefinestfellowsintheworld，butsworeoffmanysentencesinhispraise。
Theletter，whencesprangallthisfelicity，wasshort，containinglittlemorethanthisassuranceofsuccess；
andeveryparticularwasdeferredtillJamescouldwriteagain。
ButforparticularsIsabellacouldwellaffordtowait。
TheneedfulwascomprisedinMr。Morland\'spromise；
hishonourwaspledgedtomakeeverythingeasy；andbywhatmeanstheirincomewastobeformed，whetherlandedpropertyweretoberesigned，orfundedmoneymadeover，wasamatterinwhichherdisinterestedspirittooknoconcern。Sheknewenoughtofeelsecureofanhonourableandspeedyestablishment，andherimaginationtookarapidflightoveritsattendantfelicities。Shesawherselfattheendofafewweeks，thegazeandadmirationofeverynewacquaintanceatFullerton，theenvyofeveryvaluedoldfriendinPutney，withacarriageathercommand，anewnameonhertickets，andabrilliantexhibitionofhoopringsonherfinger。
Whenthecontentsoftheletterwereascertained，JohnThorpe，whohadonlywaiteditsarrivaltobeginhisjourneytoLondon，preparedtosetoff。“Well，MissMorland，“
saidhe，onfindingheraloneintheparlour，“Iamcometobidyougood-bye。”Catherinewishedhimagoodjourney。
Withoutappearingtohearher，hewalkedtothewindow，fidgetedabout，hummedatune，andseemedwhollyself-occupied。
“ShallnotyoubelateatDevizes?“saidCatherine。
Hemadenoanswer；butafteraminute\'ssilenceburstoutwith，“Afamousgoodthingthismarryingscheme，uponmysoul！AcleverfancyofMorland\'sandBelle\'s。
Whatdoyouthinkofit，MissMorland?Isayitisnobadnotion。”
“IamsureIthinkitaverygoodone。”
“Doyou?That\'shonest，byheavens！Iamgladyouarenoenemytomatrimony，however。Didyoueverheartheoldsong\'GoingtoOneWeddingBringsonAnother?\'
Isay，youwillcometoBelle\'swedding，Ihope。”
“Yes；Ihavepromisedyoursistertobewithher，ifpossible。”
“Andthenyouknow“——twistinghimselfaboutandforcingafoolishlaugh——“Isay，thenyouknow，wemaytrythetruthofthissameoldsong。”
“Maywe?ButIneversing。Well，Iwishyouagoodjourney。
IdinewithMissTilneytoday，andmustnowbegoinghome。”
“Nay，butthereisnosuchconfoundedhurry。
Whoknowswhenwemaybetogetheragain?NotbutthatI
shallbedownagainbytheendofafortnight，andadevilishlongfortnightitwillappeartome。”
“Thenwhydoyoustayawaysolong?“
repliedCatherine——findingthathewaitedforananswer。
“Thatiskindofyou，however——kindandgood-natured。
Ishallnotforgetitinahurry。Butyouhavemoregoodnatureandallthat，thananybodyliving，Ibelieve。
Amonstrousdealofgoodnature，anditisnotonlygoodnature，butyouhavesomuch，somuchofeverything；
andthenyouhavesuch——uponmysoul，Idonotknowanybodylikeyou。”
“Oh！dear，thereareagreatmanypeoplelikeme，Idaresay，onlyagreatdealbetter。Goodmorningtoyou。”
“ButIsay，MissMorland，IshallcomeandpaymyrespectsatFullertonbeforeitislong，ifnotdisagreeable。”
“Praydo。Myfatherandmotherwillbeverygladtoseeyou。”
“AndIhope——Ihope，MissMorland，youwillnotbesorrytoseeme。”
“Oh！dear，notatall。ThereareveryfewpeopleIamsorrytosee。Companyisalwayscheerful。”
“Thatisjustmywayofthinking。Givemebutalittlecheerfulcompany，letmeonlyhavethecompanyofthepeopleIlove，letmeonlybewhereIlikeandwithwhomIlike，andthedeviltaketherest，sayI。AndIamheartilygladtohearyousaythesame。ButIhaveanotion，MissMorland，youandIthinkprettymuchalikeuponmostmatters。”
“Perhapswemay；butitismorethanIeverthoughtof。
Andastomostmatters，tosaythetruth，therearenotmanythatIknowmyownmindabout。”
“ByJove，nomoredoI。Itisnotmywaytobothermybrainswithwhatdoesnotconcernme。Mynotionofthingsissimpleenough。LetmeonlyhavethegirlIlike，sayI，withacomfortablehouseovermyhead，andwhatcareIforalltherest?Fortuneisnothing。
Iamsureofagoodincomeofmyown；andifshehadnotapenny，why，somuchthebetter。”
“Verytrue。Ithinklikeyouthere。Ifthereisagoodfortuneononeside，therecanbenooccasionforanyontheother。Nomatterwhichhasit，sothatthereisenough。
Ihatetheideaofonegreatfortunelookingoutforanother。
AndtomarryformoneyIthinkthewickedestthinginexistence。Goodday。WeshallbeverygladtoseeyouatFullerton，wheneveritisconvenient。”Andawayshewent。Itwasnotinthepowerofallhisgallantrytodetainherlonger。Withsuchnewstocommunicate，andsuchavisittopreparefor，herdeparturewasnottobedelayedbyanythinginhisnaturetourge；andshehurriedaway，leavinghimtotheundividedconsciousnessofhisownhappyaddress，andherexplicitencouragement。
Theagitationwhichshehadherselfexperiencedonfirstlearningherbrother\'sengagementmadeherexpecttoraisenoinconsiderableemotioninMr。andMrs。Allen，bythecommunicationofthewonderfulevent。
Howgreatwasherdisappointment！Theimportantaffair，whichmanywordsofpreparationusheredin，hadbeenforeseenbythembotheversinceherbrother\'sarrival；
andallthattheyfeltontheoccasionwascomprehendedinawishfortheyoungpeople\'shappiness，witharemark，onthegentleman\'sside，infavourofIsabella\'sbeauty，andonthelady\'s，ofhergreatgoodluck。ItwastoCatherinethemostsurprisinginsensibility。Thedisclosure，however，ofthegreatsecretofJames\'sgoingtoFullertonthedaybefore，didraisesomeemotioninMrs。Allen。
Shecouldnotlistentothatwithperfectcalmness，butrepeatedlyregrettedthenecessityofitsconcealment，wishedshecouldhaveknownhisintention，wishedshecouldhaveseenhimbeforehewent，assheshouldcertainlyhavetroubledhimwithherbestregardstohisfatherandmother，andherkindcomplimentstoalltheSkinners。
CHAPTER16
Catherine\'sexpectationsofpleasurefromhervisitinMilsomStreetweresoveryhighthatdisappointmentwasinevitable；andaccordingly，thoughshewasmostpolitelyreceivedbyGeneralTilney，andkindlywelcomedbyhisdaughter，thoughHenrywasathome，andnooneelseoftheparty，shefound，onherreturn，withoutspendingmanyhoursintheexaminationofherfeelings，thatshehadgonetoherappointmentpreparingforhappinesswhichithadnotafforded。InsteadoffindingherselfimprovedinacquaintancewithMissTilney，fromtheintercourseoftheday，sheseemedhardlysointimatewithherasbefore；
insteadofseeingHenryTilneytogreateradvantagethanever，intheeaseofafamilyparty，hehadneversaidsolittle，norbeensolittleagreeable；and，inspiteoftheirfather\'sgreatcivilitiestoher——inspiteofhisthanks，invitations，andcompliments——ithadbeenareleasetogetawayfromhim。Itpuzzledhertoaccountforallthis。ItcouldnotbeGeneralTilney\'sfault。
Thathewasperfectlyagreeableandgood-natured，andaltogetheraverycharmingman，didnotadmitofadoubt，forhewastallandhandsome，andHenry\'sfather。
Hecouldnotbeaccountableforhischildren\'swantofspirits，orforherwantofenjoymentinhiscompany。
Theformershehopedatlastmighthavebeenaccidental，andthelattershecouldonlyattributetoherownstupidity。
Isabella，onhearingtheparticularsofthevisit，gaveadifferentexplanation:“Itwasallpride，pride，insufferablehaughtinessandpride！Shehadlongsuspectedthefamilytobeveryhigh，andthismadeitcertain。
SuchinsolenceofbehaviourasMissTilney\'sshehadneverheardofinherlife！Nottodothehonoursofherhousewithcommongoodbreeding！Tobehavetoherguestwithsuchsuperciliousness！Hardlyeventospeaktoher！“
“Butitwasnotsobadasthat，Isabella；therewasnosuperciliousness；shewasverycivil。”
“Oh！Don\'tdefendher！Andthenthebrother，he，whohadappearedsoattachedtoyou！Goodheavens！Well，somepeople\'sfeelingsareincomprehensible。Andsohehardlylookedonceatyouthewholeday?“
“Idonotsayso；buthedidnotseemingoodspirits。”
“Howcontemptible！Ofallthingsintheworldinconstancyismyaversion。Letmeentreatyounevertothinkofhimagain，mydearCatherine；indeedheisunworthyofyou。”
“Unworthy！Idonotsupposeheeverthinksofme。”
“ThatisexactlywhatIsay；heneverthinksofyou。Suchfickleness！Oh！Howdifferenttoyourbrotherandtomine！IreallybelieveJohnhasthemostconstantheart。”
“ButasforGeneralTilney，Iassureyouitwouldbeimpossibleforanybodytobehavetomewithgreatercivilityandattention；itseemedtobehisonlycaretoentertainandmakemehappy。”
“Oh！Iknownoharmofhim；Idonotsuspecthimofpride。Ibelieveheisaverygentleman-likeman。
Johnthinksverywellofhim，andJohn\'sjudgment——“
“Well，Ishallseehowtheybehavetomethisevening；
weshallmeetthemattherooms。”
“AndmustIgo?“
“Donotyouintendit?Ithoughtitwasallsettled。”
“Nay，sinceyoumakesuchapointofit，Icanrefuseyounothing。Butdonotinsistuponmybeingveryagreeable，formyheart，youknow，willbesomefortymilesoff。
Andasfordancing，donotmentionit，Ibeg；thatisquiteoutofthequestion。CharlesHodgeswillplaguemetodeath，Idaresay；butIshallcuthimveryshort。
Tentoonebutheguessesthereason，andthatisexactlywhatIwanttoavoid，soIshallinsistonhiskeepinghisconjecturetohimself。”
Isabella\'sopinionoftheTilneysdidnotinfluenceherfriend；shewassuretherehadbeennoinsolenceinthemannerseitherofbrotherorsister；andshedidnotcredittherebeinganyprideintheirhearts。
Theeveningrewardedherconfidence；shewasmetbyonewiththesamekindness，andbytheotherwiththesameattention，asheretofore:MissTilneytookpainstobenearher，andHenryaskedhertodance。
HavingheardthedaybeforeinMilsomStreetthattheirelderbrother，CaptainTilney，wasexpectedalmosteveryhour，shewasatnolossforthenameofaveryfashionable-looking，handsomeyoungman，whomshehadneverseenbefore，andwhonowevidentlybelongedtotheirparty。Shelookedathimwithgreatadmiration，andevensupposeditpossiblethatsomepeoplemightthinkhimhandsomerthanhisbrother，though，inhereyes，hisairwasmoreassuming，andhiscountenancelessprepossessing。Histasteandmannerswerebeyondadoubtdecidedlyinferior；for，withinherhearing，henotonlyprotestedagainsteverythoughtofdancinghimself，butevenlaughedopenlyatHenryforfindingitpossible。
Fromthelattercircumstanceitmaybepresumedthat，whatevermightbeourheroine\'sopinionofhim，hisadmirationofherwasnotofaverydangerouskind；
notlikelytoproduceanimositiesbetweenthebrothers，norpersecutionstothelady。Hecannotbetheinstigatorofthethreevillainsinhorsemen\'sgreatcoats，bywhomshewillhereafterbeforcedintoatraveling-chaiseandfour，whichwilldriveoffwithincrediblespeed。
Catherine，meanwhile，undisturbedbypresentimentsofsuchanevil，orofanyevilatall，exceptthatofhavingbutashortsettodancedown，enjoyedherusualhappinesswithHenryTilney，listeningwithsparklingeyestoeverythinghesaid；and，infindinghimirresistible，becomingsoherself。
Attheendofthefirstdance，CaptainTilneycametowardsthemagain，and，muchtoCatherine\'sdissatisfaction，pulledhisbrotheraway。Theyretiredwhisperingtogether；
and，thoughherdelicatesensibilitydidnottakeimmediatealarm，andlayitdownasfact，thatCaptainTilneymusthaveheardsomemalevolentmisrepresentationofher，whichhenowhastenedtocommunicatetohisbrother，inthehopeofseparatingthemforever，shecouldnothaveherpartnerconveyedfromhersightwithoutveryuneasysensations。
Hersuspensewasoffullfiveminutes\'duration；andshewasbeginningtothinkitaverylongquarterofanhour，whentheybothreturned，andanexplanationwasgiven，byHenry\'srequestingtoknowifshethoughtherfriend，MissThorpe，wouldhaveanyobjectiontodancing，ashisbrotherwouldbemosthappytobeintroducedtoher。Catherine，withouthesitation，repliedthatshewasverysureMissThorpedidnotmeantodanceatall。
Thecruelreplywaspassedontotheother，andheimmediatelywalkedaway。
“Yourbrotherwillnotmindit，Iknow，“saidshe，“becauseIheardhimsaybeforethathehateddancing；
butitwasverygood-naturedinhimtothinkofit。
IsupposehesawIsabellasittingdown，andfanciedshemightwishforapartner；butheisquitemistaken，forshewouldnotdanceuponanyaccountintheworld。”
Henrysmiled，andsaid，“Howverylittletroubleitcangiveyoutounderstandthemotiveofotherpeople\'sactions。”
“Why?Whatdoyoumean?“
“Withyou，itisnot，Howissuchaonelikelytobeinfluenced，Whatistheinducementmostlikelytoactuponsuchaperson\'sfeelings，age，situation，andprobablehabitsoflifeconsidered——but，HowshouldIbeinfluenced，Whatwouldbemyinducementinactingsoandso?“
“Idonotunderstandyou。”
“Thenweareonveryunequalterms，forIunderstandyouperfectlywell。”
“Me?Yes；Icannotspeakwellenoughtobeunintelligible。”
“Bravo！Anexcellentsatireonmodernlanguage。”
“Butpraytellmewhatyoumean。”
“ShallIindeed?Doyoureallydesireit?Butyouarenotawareoftheconsequences；itwillinvolveyouinaverycruelembarrassment，andcertainlybringonadisagreementbetweenus。
“No，no；itshallnotdoeither；Iamnotafraid。”
“Well，then，Ionlymeantthatyourattributingmybrother\'swishofdancingwithMissThorpetogoodnaturealoneconvincedmeofyourbeingsuperioringoodnatureyourselftoalltherestoftheworld。”
Catherineblushedanddisclaimed，andthegentleman\'spredictionswereverified。Therewasasomething，however，inhiswordswhichrepaidherforthepainofconfusion；
andthatsomethingoccupiedhermindsomuchthatshedrewbackforsometime，forgettingtospeakortolisten，andalmostforgettingwhereshewas；till，rousedbythevoiceofIsabella，shelookedupandsawherwithCaptainTilneypreparingtogivethemhandsacross。
Isabellashruggedhershouldersandsmiled，theonlyexplanationofthisextraordinarychangewhichcouldatthattimebegiven；butasitwasnotquiteenoughforCatherine\'scomprehension，shespokeherastonishmentinveryplaintermstoherpartner。
“Icannotthinkhowitcouldhappen！Isabellawassodeterminednottodance。”
“AnddidIsabellaneverchangehermindbefore?“
“Oh！But，because——Andyourbrother！Afterwhatyoutoldhimfromme，howcouldhethinkofgoingtoaskher?“
“Icannottakesurprisetomyselfonthathead。
Youbidmebesurprisedonyourfriend\'saccount，andthereforeIam；butasformybrother，hisconductinthebusiness，Imustown，hasbeennomorethanI
believedhimperfectlyequalto。Thefairnessofyourfriendwasanopenattraction；herfirmness，youknow，couldonlybeunderstoodbyyourself。”
“Youarelaughing；but，Iassureyou，Isabellaisveryfirmingeneral。”
“Itisasmuchasshouldbesaidofanyone。Tobealwaysfirmmustbetobeoftenobstinate。Whenproperlytorelaxisthetrialofjudgment；and，withoutreferencetomybrother，IreallythinkMissThorpehasbynomeanschosenillinfixingonthepresenthour。”
Thefriendswerenotabletogettogetherforanyconfidentialdiscoursetillallthedancingwasover；
butthen，astheywalkedabouttheroomarminarm，Isabellathusexplainedherself:“Idonotwonderatyoursurprise；andIamreallyfatiguedtodeath。Heissucharattle！Amusingenough，ifmymindhadbeendisengaged；
butIwouldhavegiventheworldtositstill。”
“Thenwhydidnotyou?“
“Oh！Mydear！Itwouldhavelookedsoparticular；
andyouknowhowIabhordoingthat。IrefusedhimaslongasIpossiblycould，buthewouldtakenodenial。
Youhavenoideahowhepressedme。Ibeggedhimtoexcuseme，andgetsomeotherpartner——butno，nothe；
afteraspiringtomyhand，therewasnobodyelseintheroomhecouldbeartothinkof；anditwasnotthathewantedmerelytodance，hewantedtobewithme。
Oh！Suchnonsense！Itoldhimhehadtakenaveryunlikelywaytoprevailuponme；for，ofallthingsintheworld，Ihatedfinespeechesandcompliments；andso——andsothenIfoundtherewouldbenopeaceifIdidnotstandup。
Besides，IthoughtMrs。Hughes，whointroducedhim，mighttakeitillifIdidnot:andyourdearbrother，IamsurehewouldhavebeenmiserableifIhadsatdownthewholeevening。Iamsogladitisover！Myspiritsarequitejadedwithlisteningtohisnonsense:andthen，beingsuchasmartyoungfellow，Isaweveryeyewasuponus。”
“Heisveryhandsomeindeed。”
“Handsome！Yes，Isupposehemay。Idaresaypeoplewouldadmirehimingeneral；butheisnotatallinmystyleofbeauty。Ihateafloridcomplexionanddarkeyesinaman。However，heisverywell。Amazinglyconceited，Iamsure。Itookhimdownseveraltimes，youknow，inmyway。”
Whentheyoungladiesnextmet，theyhadafarmoreinterestingsubjecttodiscuss。JamesMorland\'ssecondletterwasthenreceived，andthekindintentionsofhisfatherfullyexplained。Aliving，ofwhichMr。Morlandwashimselfpatronandincumbent，ofaboutfourhundredpoundsyearlyvalue，wastoberesignedtohissonassoonasheshouldbeoldenoughtotakeit；
notriflingdeductionfromthefamilyincome，noniggardlyassignmenttooneoftenchildren。Anestateofatleastequalvalue，moreover，wasassuredashisfutureinheritance。
Jamesexpressedhimselfontheoccasionwithbecominggratitude；andthenecessityofwaitingbetweentwoandthreeyearsbeforetheycouldmarry，being，howeverunwelcome，nomorethanhehadexpected，wasbornebyhimwithoutdiscontent。Catherine，whoseexpectationshadbeenasunfixedasherideasofherfather\'sincome，andwhosejudgmentwasnowentirelyledbyherbrother，feltequallywellsatisfied，andheartilycongratulatedIsabellaonhavingeverythingsopleasantlysettled。
“Itisverycharmingindeed，“saidIsabella，withagraveface。“Mr。Morlandhasbehavedvastlyhandsomeindeed，“saidthegentleMrs。Thorpe，lookinganxiouslyatherdaughter。“IonlywishIcoulddoasmuch。Onecouldnotexpectmorefromhim，youknow。
Ifhefindshecandomorebyandby，Idaresayhewill，forIamsurehemustbeanexcellentgood-heartedman。
Fourhundredisbutasmallincometobeginonindeed，butyourwishes，mydearIsabella，aresomoderate，youdonotconsiderhowlittleyoueverwant，mydear。”
“ItisnotonmyownaccountIwishformore；butI
cannotbeartobethemeansofinjuringmydearMorland，makinghimsitdownuponanincomehardlyenoughtofindoneinthecommonnecessariesoflife。Formyself，itisnothing；Ineverthinkofmyself。”
“Iknowyouneverdo，mydear；andyouwillalwaysfindyourrewardintheaffectionitmakeseverybodyfeelforyou。Thereneverwasayoungwomansobelovedasyouarebyeverybodythatknowsyou；andIdaresaywhenMr。Morlandseesyou，mydearchild——butdonotletusdistressourdearCatherinebytalkingofsuchthings。
Mr。Morlandhasbehavedsoveryhandsome，youknow。
Ialwaysheardhewasamostexcellentman；andyouknow，mydear，wearenottosupposebutwhat，ifyouhadhadasuitablefortune，hewouldhavecomedownwithsomethingmore，forIamsurehemustbeamostliberal-mindedman。”
“NobodycanthinkbetterofMr。MorlandthanIdo，Iamsure。Buteverybodyhastheirfailing，youknow，andeverybodyhasarighttodowhattheylikewiththeirownmoney。”Catherinewashurtbytheseinsinuations。
“Iamverysure，“saidshe，“thatmyfatherhaspromisedtodoasmuchashecanafford。”
Isabellarecollectedherself。“Astothat，mysweetCatherine，therecannotbeadoubt，andyouknowmewellenoughtobesurethatamuchsmallerincomewouldsatisfyme。Itisnotthewantofmoremoneythatmakesmejustatpresentalittleoutofspirits；Ihatemoney；
andifourunioncouldtakeplacenowupononlyfiftypoundsayear，Ishouldnothaveawishunsatisfied。
Ah！myCatherine，youhavefoundmeout。There\'sthesting。
Thelong，long，endlesstwoyearsandhalfthataretopassbeforeyourbrothercanholdtheliving。”
“Yes，yes，mydarlingIsabella，“saidMrs。Thorpe，“weperfectlyseeintoyourheart。Youhavenodisguise。
Weperfectlyunderstandthepresentvexation；andeverybodymustloveyouthebetterforsuchanoblehonestaffection。”
Catherine\'suncomfortablefeelingsbegantolessen。
SheendeavouredtobelievethatthedelayofthemarriagewastheonlysourceofIsabella\'sregret；andwhenshesawherattheirnextinterviewascheerfulandamiableasever，endeavouredtoforgetthatshehadforaminutethoughtotherwise。Jamessoonfollowedhisletter，andwasreceivedwiththemostgratifyingkindness。
CHAPTER17
TheAllenshadnowenteredonthesixthweekoftheirstayinBath；andwhetheritshouldbethelastwasforsometimeaquestion，towhichCatherinelistenedwithabeatingheart。TohaveheracquaintancewiththeTilneysendsosoonwasanevilwhichnothingcouldcounterbalance。
Herwholehappinessseemedatstake，whiletheaffairwasinsuspense，andeverythingsecuredwhenitwasdeterminedthatthelodgingsshouldbetakenforanotherfortnight。
WhatthisadditionalfortnightwastoproducetoherbeyondthepleasureofsometimesseeingHenryTilneymadebutasmallpartofCatherine\'sspeculation。
Onceortwiceindeed，sinceJames\'sengagementhadtaughtherwhatcouldbedone，shehadgotsofarastoindulgeinasecret“perhaps，“butingeneralthefelicityofbeingwithhimforthepresentboundedherviews:thepresentwasnowcomprisedinanotherthreeweeks，andherhappinessbeingcertainforthatperiod，therestofherlifewasatsuchadistanceastoexcitebutlittleinterest。
Inthecourseofthemorningwhichsawthisbusinessarranged，shevisitedMissTilney，andpouredforthherjoyfulfeelings。
Itwasdoomedtobeadayoftrial。NosoonerhadsheexpressedherdelightinMr。Allen\'slengthenedstaythanMissTilneytoldherofherfather\'shavingjustdetermineduponquittingBathbytheendofanotherweek。
Herewasablow！Thepastsuspenseofthemorninghadbeeneaseandquiettothepresentdisappointment。
Catherine\'scountenancefell，andinavoiceofmostsincereconcernsheechoedMissTilney\'sconcludingwords，“Bytheendofanotherweek！“
“Yes，myfathercanseldombeprevailedontogivethewaterswhatIthinkafairtrial。Hehasbeendisappointedofsomefriends\'arrivalwhomheexpectedtomeethere，andasheisnowprettywell，isinahurrytogethome。”
“Iamverysorryforit，“saidCatherinedejectedly；
“ifIhadknownthisbefore——“
“Perhaps，“saidMissTilneyinanembarrassedmanner，“youwouldbesogood——itwouldmakemeveryhappyif——“
Theentranceofherfatherputastoptothecivility，whichCatherinewasbeginningtohopemightintroduceadesireoftheircorresponding。Afteraddressingherwithhisusualpoliteness，heturnedtohisdaughterandsaid，“Well，Eleanor，mayIcongratulateyouonbeingsuccessfulinyourapplicationtoyourfairfriend?“
“Iwasjustbeginningtomaketherequest，sir，asyoucamein。”
“Well，proceedbyallmeans。Iknowhowmuchyourheartisinit。Mydaughter，MissMorland，“
hecontinued，withoutleavinghisdaughtertimetospeak，“hasbeenformingaveryboldwish。WeleaveBath，asshehasperhapstoldyou，onSaturdayse\'nnight。A
letterfrommystewardtellsmethatmypresenceiswantedathome；andbeingdisappointedinmyhopeofseeingtheMarquisofLongtownandGeneralCourteneyhere，someofmyveryoldfriends，thereisnothingtodetainmelongerinBath。Andcouldwecarryourselfishpointwithyou，weshouldleaveitwithoutasingleregret。
Canyou，inshort，beprevailedontoquitthissceneofpublictriumphandobligeyourfriendEleanorwithyourcompanyinGloucestershire?Iamalmostashamedtomaketherequest，thoughitspresumptionwouldcertainlyappeargreatertoeverycreatureinBaththanyourself。
Modestysuchasyours——butnotfortheworldwouldIpainitbyopenpraise。Ifyoucanbeinducedtohonouruswithavisit，youwillmakeushappybeyondexpression。
\'Tistrue，wecanofferyounothinglikethegaietiesofthislivelyplace；wecantemptyouneitherbyamusementnorsplendour，forourmodeofliving，asyousee，isplainandunpretending；yetnoendeavoursshallbewantingonoursidetomakeNorthangerAbbeynotwhollydisagreeable。”
NorthangerAbbey！Thesewerethrillingwords，andwoundupCatherine\'sfeelingstothehighestpointofecstasy。
Hergratefulandgratifiedheartcouldhardlyrestrainitsexpressionswithinthelanguageoftolerablecalmness。
Toreceivesoflatteringaninvitation！Tohavehercompanysowarmlysolicited！Everythinghonourableandsoothing，everypresentenjoyment，andeveryfuturehopewascontainedinit；andheracceptance，withonlythesavingclauseofPapaandMamma\'sapprobation，waseagerlygiven。
“Iwillwritehomedirectly，“saidshe，andiftheydonotobject，asIdaresaytheywillnot——“
GeneralTilneywasnotlesssanguine，havingalreadywaitedonherexcellentfriendsinPulteneyStreet，andobtainedtheirsanctionofhiswishes。“Sincetheycanconsenttopartwithyou，“saidhe，“wemayexpectphilosophyfromalltheworld。”
MissTilneywasearnest，thoughgentle，inhersecondarycivilities，andtheaffairbecameinafewminutesasnearlysettledasthisnecessaryreferencetoFullertonwouldallow。
ThecircumstancesofthemorninghadledCatherine\'sfeelingsthroughthevarietiesofsuspense，security，anddisappointment；buttheywerenowsafelylodgedinperfectbliss；andwithspiritselatedtorapture，withHenryatherheart，andNorthangerAbbeyonherlips，shehurriedhometowriteherletter。Mr。andMrs。Morland，relyingonthediscretionofthefriendstowhomtheyhadalreadyentrustedtheirdaughter，feltnodoubtoftheproprietyofanacquaintancewhichhadbeenformedundertheireye，andsentthereforebyreturnofposttheirreadyconsenttohervisitinGloucestershire。
Thisindulgence，thoughnotmorethanCatherinehadhopedfor，completedherconvictionofbeingfavouredbeyondeveryotherhumancreature，infriendsandfortune，circumstanceandchance。Everythingseemedtocooperateforheradvantage。Bythekindnessofherfirstfriends，theAllens，shehadbeenintroducedintosceneswherepleasuresofeverykindhadmether。Herfeelings，herpreferences，hadeachknownthehappinessofareturn。
Wherevershefeltattachment，shehadbeenabletocreateit。TheaffectionofIsabellawastobesecuredtoherinasister。TheTilneys，they，bywhom，aboveall，shedesiredtobefavourablythoughtof，outstrippedevenherwishesintheflatteringmeasuresbywhichtheirintimacywastobecontinued。Shewastobetheirchosenvisitor，shewastobeforweeksunderthesameroofwiththepersonwhosesocietyshemostlyprized——and，inadditiontoalltherest，thisroofwastobetheroofofanabbey！HerpassionforancientedificeswasnextindegreetoherpassionforHenryTilney——andcastlesandabbeysmadeusuallythecharmofthosereverieswhichhisimagedidnotfill。
Toseeandexploreeithertherampartsandkeepoftheone，orthecloistersoftheother，hadbeenformanyweeksadarlingwish，thoughtobemorethanthevisitorofanhourhadseemedtoonearlyimpossiblefordesire。