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