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