Andyet，thiswastohappen。Withallthechancesagainstherofhouse，hall，place，park，court，andcottage，Northangerturnedupanabbey，andshewastobeitsinhabitant。
　　Itslong，damppassages，itsnarrowcellsandruinedchapel，weretobewithinherdailyreach，andshecouldnotentirelysubduethehopeofsometraditionallegends，someawfulmemorialsofaninjuredandill-fatednun。
　　Itwaswonderfulthatherfriendsshouldseemsolittleelatedbythepossessionofsuchahome，thattheconsciousnessofitshouldbesomeeklyborne。
　　Thepowerofearlyhabitonlycouldaccountforit。
　　Adistinctiontowhichtheyhadbeenborngavenopride。
　　Theirsuperiorityofabodewasnomoretothemthantheirsuperiorityofperson。
　　ManyweretheinquiriesshewaseagertomakeofMissTilney；butsoactivewereherthoughts，thatwhentheseinquirieswereanswered，shewashardlymoreassuredthanbefore，ofNorthangerAbbeyhavingbeenarichlyendowedconventatthetimeoftheReformation，ofitshavingfallenintothehandsofanancestoroftheTilneysonitsdissolution，ofalargeportionoftheancientbuildingstillmakingapartofthepresentdwellingalthoughtherestwasdecayed，orofitsstandinglowinavalley，shelteredfromthenorthandeastbyrisingwoodsofoak。
　　CHAPTER18
　　Withamindthusfullofhappiness，Catherinewashardlyawarethattwoorthreedayshadpassedaway，withoutherseeingIsabellaformorethanafewminutestogether。
　　Shebeganfirsttobesensibleofthis，andtosighforherconversation，asshewalkedalongthepump-roomonemorning，byMrs。Allen'sside，withoutanythingtosayortohear；andscarcelyhadshefeltafiveminutes'
　　longingoffriendship，beforetheobjectofitappeared，andinvitinghertoasecretconference，ledthewaytoaseat。“Thisismyfavouriteplace，“saidsheastheysatdownonabenchbetweenthedoors，whichcommandedatolerableviewofeverybodyenteringateither；
　　“itissooutoftheway。”
　　Catherine，observingthatIsabella'seyeswerecontinuallybenttowardsonedoorortheother，asineagerexpectation，andrememberinghowoftenshehadbeenfalselyaccusedofbeingarch，thoughtthepresentafineopportunityforbeingreallyso；andthereforegailysaid，“Donotbeuneasy，Isabella，Jameswillsoonbehere。”
　　“Psha！Mydearcreature，“shereplied，“donotthinkmesuchasimpletonastobealwayswantingtoconfinehimtomyelbow。Itwouldbehideoustobealwaystogether；
　　weshouldbethejestoftheplace。AndsoyouaregoingtoNorthanger！Iamamazinglygladofit。ItisoneofthefinestoldplacesinEngland，Iunderstand。
　　Ishalldependuponamostparticulardescriptionofit。”
　　“Youshallcertainlyhavethebestinmypowertogive。
　　Butwhoareyoulookingfor?Areyoursisterscoming?“
　　“Iamnotlookingforanybody。One'seyesmustbesomewhere，andyouknowwhatafoolishtrickIhaveoffixingmine，whenmythoughtsareanhundredmilesoff。
　　Iamamazinglyabsent；IbelieveIamthemostabsentcreatureintheworld。Tilneysaysitisalwaysthecasewithmindsofacertainstamp。”
　　“ButIthought，Isabella，youhadsomethinginparticulartotellme?“
　　“Oh！Yes，andsoIhave。ButhereisaproofofwhatIwassaying。Mypoorhead，Ihadquiteforgotit。
　　Well，thethingisthis:IhavejusthadaletterfromJohn；
　　youcanguessthecontents。”
　　“No，indeed，Icannot。”
　　“Mysweetlove，donotbesoabominablyaffected。
　　Whatcanhewriteabout，butyourself?Youknowheisoverheadandearsinlovewithyou。”
　　“Withme，dearIsabella！“
　　“Nay，mysweetestCatherine，thisisbeingquiteabsurd！Modesty，andallthat，isverywellinitsway，butreallyalittlecommonhonestyissometimesquiteasbecoming。Ihavenoideaofbeingsooverstrained！
　　Itisfishingforcompliments。Hisattentionsweresuchasachildmusthavenoticed。AnditwasbuthalfanhourbeforeheleftBaththatyougavehimthemostpositiveencouragement。Hesayssointhisletter，saysthatheasgoodasmadeyouanoffer，andthatyoureceivedhisadvancesinthekindestway；andnowhewantsmetourgehissuit，andsayallmannerofprettythingstoyou。Soitisinvaintoaffectignorance。”
　　Catherine，withalltheearnestnessoftruth，expressedherastonishmentatsuchacharge，protestingherinnocenceofeverythoughtofMr。Thorpe'sbeinginlovewithher，andtheconsequentimpossibilityofherhavingeverintendedtoencouragehim。“Astoanyattentionsonhisside，Idodeclare，uponmyhonour，Ineverwassensibleofthemforamoment——exceptjusthisaskingmetodancethefirstdayofhiscoming。
　　Andastomakingmeanoffer，oranythinglikeit，theremustbesomeunaccountable，mistake。Icouldnothavemisunderstoodathingofthatkind，youknow！And，asIeverwishtobebelieved，Isolemnlyprotestthatnosyllableofsuchanatureeverpassedbetweenus。
　　Thelasthalfhourbeforehewentaway！Itmustbeallandcompletelyamistake——forIdidnotseehimoncethatwholemorning。”
　　“Butthatyoucertainlydid，foryouspentthewholemorninginEdgar'sBuildings——itwasthedayyourfather'sconsentcame——andIamprettysurethatyouandJohnwerealoneintheparloursometimebeforeyouleftthehouse。”
　　“Areyou?Well，ifyousayit，itwasso，Idaresay——butforthelifeofme，Icannotrecollectit。
　　Idoremembernowbeingwithyou，andseeinghimaswellastherest——butthatwewereeveraloneforfiveminutes——However，itisnotwortharguingabout，forwhatevermightpassonhisside，youmustbeconvinced，bymyhavingnorecollectionofit，thatIneverthought，norexpected，norwishedforanythingofthekindfromhim。
　　Iamexcessivelyconcernedthatheshouldhaveanyregardforme——butindeedithasbeenquiteunintentionalonmyside；Ineverhadthesmallestideaofit。
　　Prayundeceivehimassoonasyoucan，andtellhimIbeghispardon——thatis——IdonotknowwhatIoughttosay——butmakehimunderstandwhatImean，intheproperestway。
　　Iwouldnotspeakdisrespectfullyofabrotherofyours，Isabella，Iamsure；butyouknowverywellthatifIcouldthinkofonemanmorethananother——heisnottheperson。”
　　Isabellawassilent。“Mydearfriend，youmustnotbeangrywithme。Icannotsupposeyourbrothercaressoverymuchaboutme。And，youknow，weshallstillbesisters。”
　　“Yes，yes“withablush，“therearemorewaysthanoneofourbeingsisters。ButwhereamIwanderingto?Well，mydearCatherine，thecaseseemstobethatyouaredeterminedagainstpoorJohn——isnotitso?“
　　“Icertainlycannotreturnhisaffection，andascertainlynevermeanttoencourageit。”
　　“Sincethatisthecase，IamsureIshallnotteaseyouanyfurther。Johndesiredmetospeaktoyouonthesubject，andthereforeIhave。ButIconfess，assoonasIreadhisletter，Ithoughtitaveryfoolish，imprudentbusiness，andnotlikelytopromotethegoodofeither；forwhatwereyoutoliveupon，supposingyoucametogether?Youhavebothofyousomething，tobesure，butitisnotatriflethatwillsupportafamilynowadays；
　　andafterallthatromancersmaysay，thereisnodoingwithoutmoney。IonlywonderJohncouldthinkofit；
　　hecouldnothavereceivedmylast。”
　　“Youdoacquitme，then，ofanythingwrong?——YouareconvincedthatInevermeanttodeceiveyourbrother，neversuspectedhimoflikingmetillthismoment?“
　　“Oh！Astothat，“answeredIsabellalaughingly，“Idonotpretendtodeterminewhatyourthoughtsanddesignsintimepastmayhavebeen。Allthatisbestknowntoyourself。Alittleharmlessflirtationorsowilloccur，andoneisoftendrawnontogivemoreencouragementthanonewishestostandby。ButyoumaybeassuredthatI
　　amthelastpersonintheworldtojudgeyouseverely。
　　Allthosethingsshouldbeallowedforinyouthandhighspirits。Whatonemeansoneday，youknow，onemaynotmeanthenext。Circumstanceschange，opinionsalter。”
　　“Butmyopinionofyourbrotherneverdidalter；
　　itwasalwaysthesame。Youaredescribingwhatneverhappened。”
　　“MydearestCatherine，“continuedtheotherwithoutatalllisteningtoher，“Iwouldnotforalltheworldbethemeansofhurryingyouintoanengagementbeforeyouknewwhatyouwereabout。Idonotthinkanythingwouldjustifymeinwishingyoutosacrificeallyourhappinessmerelytoobligemybrother，becauseheismybrother，andwhoperhapsafterall，youknow，mightbejustashappywithoutyou，forpeopleseldomknowwhattheywouldbeat，youngmenespecially，theyaresoamazinglychangeableandinconstant。WhatIsayis，whyshouldabrother'shappinessbedearertomethanafriend's?YouknowI
　　carrymynotionsoffriendshipprettyhigh。But，aboveallthings，mydearCatherine，donotbeinahurry。
　　Takemywordforit，thatifyouareintoogreatahurry，youwillcertainlylivetorepentit。Tilneysaysthereisnothingpeoplearesooftendeceivedinasthestateoftheirownaffections，andIbelieveheisveryright。
　　Ah！Herehecomes；nevermind，hewillnotseeus，Iamsure。”
　　Catherine，lookingup，perceivedCaptainTilney；
　　andIsabella，earnestlyfixinghereyeonhimasshespoke，sooncaughthisnotice。Heapproachedimmediately，andtooktheseattowhichhermovementsinvitedhim。
　　HisfirstaddressmadeCatherinestart。Thoughspokenlow，shecoulddistinguish，“What！Alwaystobewatched，inpersonorbyproxy！“
　　“Psha，nonsense！“wasIsabella'sanswerinthesamehalfwhisper。“Whydoyouputsuchthingsintomyhead?IfIcouldbelieveit——myspirit，youknow，isprettyindependent。”
　　“Iwishyourheartwereindependent。Thatwouldbeenoughforme。”
　　“Myheart，indeed！Whatcanyouhavetodowithhearts?Youmenhavenoneofyouanyhearts。”
　　“Ifwehavenothearts，wehaveeyes；andtheygiveustormentenough。”
　　“Dothey?Iamsorryforit；Iamsorrytheyfindanythingsodisagreeableinme。Iwilllookanotherway。
　　Ihopethispleasesyou“turningherbackonhim；
　　“Ihopeyoureyesarenottormentednow。”
　　“Nevermoreso；fortheedgeofabloomingcheekisstillinview——atoncetoomuchandtoolittle。”
　　Catherineheardallthis，andquiteoutofcountenance，couldlistennolonger。AmazedthatIsabellacouldendureit，andjealousforherbrother，sheroseup，andsayingsheshouldjoinMrs。Allen，proposedtheirwalking。ButforthisIsabellashowednoinclination。Shewassoamazinglytired，anditwassoodioustoparadeaboutthepump-room；
　　andifshemovedfromherseatsheshouldmisshersisters；
　　shewasexpectinghersisterseverymoment；sothatherdearestCatherinemustexcuseher，andmustsitquietlydownagain。
　　ButCatherinecouldbestubborntoo；andMrs。Allenjustthencominguptoproposetheirreturninghome，shejoinedherandwalkedoutofthepump-room，leavingIsabellastillsittingwithCaptainTilney。Withmuchuneasinessdidshethusleavethem。ItseemedtoherthatCaptainTilneywasfallinginlovewithIsabella，andIsabellaunconsciouslyencouraginghim；unconsciouslyitmustbe，forIsabella'sattachmenttoJameswasascertainandwellacknowledgedasherengagement。Todoubthertruthorgoodintentionswasimpossible；andyet，duringthewholeoftheirconversationhermannerhadbeenodd。
　　ShewishedIsabellahadtalkedmorelikeherusualself，andnotsomuchaboutmoney，andhadnotlookedsowellpleasedatthesightofCaptainTilney。Howstrangethatsheshouldnotperceivehisadmiration！Catherinelongedtogiveherahintofit，toputheronherguard，andpreventallthepainwhichhertoolivelybehaviourmightotherwisecreatebothforhimandherbrother。
　　ThecomplimentofJohnThorpe'saffectiondidnotmakeamendsforthisthoughtlessnessinhissister。Shewasalmostasfarfrombelievingasfromwishingittobesincere；
　　forshehadnotforgottenthathecouldmistake，andhisassertionoftheofferandofherencouragementconvincedherthathismistakescouldsometimesbeveryegregious。
　　Invanity，therefore，shegainedbutlittle；herchiefprofitwasinwonder。Thatheshouldthinkitworthhiswhiletofancyhimselfinlovewithherwasamatteroflivelyastonishment。Isabellatalkedofhisattentions；
　　shehadneverbeensensibleofany；butIsabellahadsaidmanythingswhichshehopedhadbeenspokeninhaste，andwouldneverbesaidagain；anduponthisshewasgladtorestaltogetherforpresenteaseandcomfort。
　　CHAPTER19
　　Afewdayspassedaway，andCatherine，thoughnotallowingherselftosuspectherfriend，couldnothelpwatchingherclosely。Theresultofherobservationswasnotagreeable。Isabellaseemedanalteredcreature。
　　Whenshesawher，indeed，surroundedonlybytheirimmediatefriendsinEdgar'sBuildingsorPulteneyStreet，herchangeofmannerswassotriflingthat，haditgonenofarther，itmighthavepassedunnoticed。
　　Asomethingoflanguidindifference，orofthatboastedabsenceofmindwhichCatherinehadneverheardofbefore，wouldoccasionallycomeacrossher；buthadnothingworseappeared，thatmightonlyhavespreadanewgraceandinspiredawarmerinterest。ButwhenCatherinesawherinpublic，admittingCaptainTilney'sattentionsasreadilyastheywereoffered，andallowinghimalmostanequalsharewithJamesinhernoticeandsmiles，thealterationbecametoopositivetobepassedover。
　　Whatcouldbemeantbysuchunsteadyconduct，whatherfriendcouldbeat，wasbeyondhercomprehension。
　　Isabellacouldnotbeawareofthepainshewasinflicting；
　　butitwasadegreeofwilfulthoughtlessnesswhichCatherinecouldnotbutresent。Jameswasthesufferer。
　　Shesawhimgraveanduneasy；andhowevercarelessofhispresentcomfortthewomanmightbewhohadgivenhimherheart，toheritwasalwaysanobject。
　　ForpoorCaptainTilneytooshewasgreatlyconcerned。
　　Thoughhislooksdidnotpleaseher，hisnamewasapassporttohergoodwill，andshethoughtwithsincerecompassionofhisapproachingdisappointment；for，inspiteofwhatshehadbelievedherselftooverbearinthepump-room，hisbehaviourwassoincompatiblewithaknowledgeofIsabella'sengagementthatshecouldnot，uponreflection，imaginehimawareofit。Hemightbejealousofherbrotherasarival，butifmorebadseemedimplied，thefaultmusthavebeeninhermisapprehension。
　　Shewished，byagentleremonstrance，toremindIsabellaofhersituation，andmakeherawareofthisdoubleunkindness；
　　butforremonstrance，eitheropportunityorcomprehensionwasalwaysagainsther。Ifabletosuggestahint，Isabellacouldneverunderstandit。Inthisdistress，theintendeddepartureoftheTilneyfamilybecameherchiefconsolation；theirjourneyintoGloucestershirewastotakeplacewithinafewdays，andCaptainTilney'sremovalwouldatleastrestorepeacetoeveryheartbuthisown。ButCaptainTilneyhadatpresentnointentionofremoving；hewasnottobeofthepartytoNorthanger；
　　hewastocontinueatBath。WhenCatherineknewthis，herresolutionwasdirectlymade。ShespoketoHenryTilneyonthesubject，regrettinghisbrother'sevidentpartialityforMissThorpe，andentreatinghimtomakeknownherpriorengagement。
　　“Mybrotherdoesknowit，“wasHenry'sanswer。
　　“Doeshe?Thenwhydoeshestayhere?“
　　Hemadenoreply，andwasbeginningtotalkofsomethingelse；butsheeagerlycontinued，“Whydonotyoupersuadehimtogoaway?Thelongerhestays，theworseitwillbeforhimatlast。Prayadvisehimforhisownsake，andforeverybody'ssake，toleaveBathdirectly。Absencewillintimemakehimcomfortableagain；buthecanhavenohopehere，anditisonlystayingtobemiserable。”Henrysmiledandsaid，“Iamsuremybrotherwouldnotwishtodothat。”
　　“Thenyouwillpersuadehimtogoaway?“
　　“Persuasionisnotatcommand；butpardonme，ifI
　　cannotevenendeavourtopersuadehim。IhavemyselftoldhimthatMissThorpeisengaged。Heknowswhatheisabout，andmustbehisownmaster。”
　　“No，hedoesnotknowwhatheisabout，“criedCatherine；
　　“hedoesnotknowthepainheisgivingmybrother。
　　NotthatJameshasevertoldmeso，butIamsureheisveryuncomfortable。”
　　“Andareyousureitismybrother'sdoing?“
　　“Yes，verysure。”
　　“Isitmybrother'sattentionstoMissThorpe，orMissThorpe'sadmissionofthem，thatgivesthepain?“
　　“Isnotitthesamething?“
　　“IthinkMr。Morlandwouldacknowledgeadifference。
　　Nomanisoffendedbyanotherman'sadmirationofthewomanheloves；itisthewomanonlywhocanmakeitatorment。”
　　Catherineblushedforherfriend，andsaid，“Isabellaiswrong。ButIamsureshecannotmeantotorment，forsheisverymuchattachedtomybrother。
　　Shehasbeeninlovewithhimeversincetheyfirstmet，andwhilemyfather'sconsentwasuncertain，shefrettedherselfalmostintoafever。Youknowshemustbeattachedtohim。”
　　“Iunderstand:sheisinlovewithJames，andflirtswithFrederick。”
　　“Oh！no，notflirts。Awomaninlovewithonemancannotflirtwithanother。”
　　“Itisprobablethatshewillneitherlovesowell，norflirtsowell，asshemightdoeithersingly。
　　Thegentlemenmusteachgiveupalittle。”
　　Afterashortpause，Catherineresumedwith，“ThenyoudonotbelieveIsabellasoverymuchattachedtomybrother?“
　　“Icanhavenoopiniononthatsubject。”
　　“Butwhatcanyourbrothermean?Ifheknowsherengagement，whatcanhemeanbyhisbehaviour?“
　　“Youareaveryclosequestioner。”
　　“AmI?IonlyaskwhatIwanttobetold。”
　　“ButdoyouonlyaskwhatIcanbeexpectedtotell?“
　　“Yes，Ithinkso；foryoumustknowyourbrother'sheart。”
　　“Mybrother'sheart，asyoutermit，onthepresentoccasion，IassureyouIcanonlyguessat。”
　　“Well?“
　　“Well！Nay，ifitistobeguesswork，letusallguessforourselves。Tobeguidedbysecond-handconjectureispitiful。Thepremisesarebeforeyou。Mybrotherisalivelyandperhapssometimesathoughtlessyoungman；
　　hehashadaboutaweek'sacquaintancewithyourfriend，andhehasknownherengagementalmostaslongashehasknownher。”
　　“Well，“saidCatherine，aftersomemoments'consideration，“youmaybeabletoguessatyourbrother'sintentionsfromallthis；butIamsureIcannot。Butisnotyourfatheruncomfortableaboutit?DoesnothewantCaptainTilneytogoaway?Sure，ifyourfatherweretospeaktohim，hewouldgo。”
　　“MydearMissMorland，“saidHenry，“inthisamiablesolicitudeforyourbrother'scomfort，mayyounotbealittlemistaken?Areyounotcarriedalittletoofar?
　　Wouldhethankyou，eitheronhisownaccountorMissThorpe's，forsupposingthatheraffection，oratleasthergoodbehaviour，isonlytobesecuredbyherseeingnothingofCaptainTilney?Ishesafeonlyinsolitude?
　　Orisherheartconstanttohimonlywhenunsolicitedbyanyoneelse?Hecannotthinkthis——andyoumaybesurethathewouldnothaveyouthinkit。Iwillnotsay，'Donotbeuneasy，'becauseIknowthatyouareso，atthismoment；butbeaslittleuneasyasyoucan。
　　Youhavenodoubtofthemutualattachmentofyourbrotherandyourfriend；dependuponit，therefore，thatrealjealousynevercanexistbetweenthem；dependuponitthatnodisagreementbetweenthemcanbeofanyduration。
　　Theirheartsareopentoeachother，asneitherheartcanbetoyou；theyknowexactlywhatisrequiredandwhatcanbeborne；andyoumaybecertainthatonewillneverteasetheotherbeyondwhatisknowntobepleasant。”
　　Perceivingherstilltolookdoubtfulandgrave，headded，“ThoughFrederickdoesnotleaveBathwithus，hewillprobablyremainbutaveryshorttime，perhapsonlyafewdaysbehindus。Hisleaveofabsencewillsoonexpire，andhemustreturntohisregiment。
　　Andwhatwillthenbetheiracquaintance?Themess-roomwilldrinkIsabellaThorpeforafortnight，andshewilllaughwithyourbrotheroverpoorTilney'spassionforamonth。”
　　Catherinewouldcontendnolongeragainstcomfort。
　　Shehadresisteditsapproachesduringthewholelengthofaspeech，butitnowcarriedhercaptive。HenryTilneymustknowbest。Sheblamedherselffortheextentofherfears，andresolvednevertothinksoseriouslyonthesubjectagain。
　　HerresolutionwassupportedbyIsabella'sbehaviourintheirpartinginterview。TheThorpesspentthelasteveningofCatherine'sstayinPulteneyStreet，andnothingpassedbetweentheloverstoexciteheruneasiness，ormakeherquittheminapprehension。Jameswasinexcellentspirits，andIsabellamostengaginglyplacid。
　　Hertendernessforherfriendseemedratherthefirstfeelingofherheart；butthatatsuchamomentwasallowable；
　　andonceshegaveherloveraflatcontradiction，andonceshedrewbackherhand；butCatherinerememberedHenry'sinstructions，andplaceditalltojudiciousaffection。
　　Theembraces，tears，andpromisesofthepartingfaironesmaybefancied。
　　CHAPTER20
　　Mr。andMrs。Allenweresorrytolosetheiryoungfriend，whosegoodhumourandcheerfulnesshadmadeheravaluablecompanion，andinthepromotionofwhoseenjoymenttheirownhadbeengentlyincreased。HerhappinessingoingwithMissTilney，however，preventedtheirwishingitotherwise；and，astheyweretoremainonlyonemoreweekinBaththemselves，herquittingthemnowwouldnotlongbefelt。Mr。AllenattendedhertoMilsomStreet，whereshewastobreakfast，andsawherseatedwiththekindestwelcomeamonghernewfriends；butsogreatwasheragitationinfindingherselfasoneofthefamily，andsofearfulwassheofnotdoingexactlywhatwasright，andofnotbeingabletopreservetheirgoodopinion，that，intheembarrassmentofthefirstfiveminutes，shecouldalmosthavewishedtoreturnwithhimtoPulteneyStreet。
　　MissTilney'smannersandHenry'ssmilesoondidawaysomeofherunpleasantfeelings；butstillshewasfarfrombeingatease；norcouldtheincessantattentionsofthegeneralhimselfentirelyreassureher。
　　Nay，perverseasitseemed，shedoubtedwhethershemightnothavefeltless，hadshebeenlessattendedto。
　　Hisanxietyforhercomfort——hiscontinualsolicitationsthatshewouldeat，andhisoften-expressedfearsofherseeingnothingtohertaste——thoughneverinherlifebeforehadshebeheldhalfsuchvarietyonabreakfast-table——madeitimpossibleforhertoforgetforamomentthatshewasavisitor。Shefeltutterlyunworthyofsuchrespect，andknewnothowtoreplytoit。Hertranquillitywasnotimprovedbythegeneral'simpatiencefortheappearanceofhiseldestson，norbythedispleasureheexpressedathislazinesswhenCaptainTilneyatlastcamedown。
　　Shewasquitepainedbytheseverityofhisfather'sreproof，whichseemeddisproportionatetotheoffence；andmuchwasherconcernincreasedwhenshefoundherselftheprincipalcauseofthelecture，andthathistardinesswaschieflyresentedfrombeingdisrespectfultoher。
　　Thiswasplacingherinaveryuncomfortablesituation，andshefeltgreatcompassionforCaptainTilney，withoutbeingabletohopeforhisgoodwill。
　　Helistenedtohisfatherinsilence，andattemptednotanydefence，whichconfirmedherinfearingthattheinquietudeofhismind，onIsabella'saccount，might，bykeepinghimlongsleepless，havebeentherealcauseofhisrisinglate。Itwasthefirsttimeofherbeingdecidedlyinhiscompany，andshehadhopedtobenowabletoformheropinionofhim；butshescarcelyheardhisvoicewhilehisfatherremainedintheroom；
　　andevenafterwards，somuchwerehisspiritsaffected，shecoulddistinguishnothingbutthesewords，inawhispertoEleanor，“HowgladIshallbewhenyouarealloff。”
　　Thebustleofgoingwasnotpleasant。Theclockstrucktenwhilethetrunkswerecarryingdown，andthegeneralhadfixedtobeoutofMilsomStreetbythathour。
　　Hisgreatcoat，insteadofbeingbroughtforhimtoputondirectly，wasspreadoutinthecurricleinwhichhewastoaccompanyhisson。Themiddleseatofthechaisewasnotdrawnout，thoughtherewerethreepeopletogoinit，andhisdaughter'smaidhadsocrowdeditwithparcelsthatMissMorlandwouldnothaveroomtosit；and，somuchwasheinfluencedbythisapprehensionwhenhehandedherin，thatshehadsomedifficultyinsavingherownnewwriting-deskfrombeingthrownoutintothestreet。
　　Atlast，however，thedoorwascloseduponthethreefemales，andtheysetoffatthesoberpaceinwhichthehandsome，highlyfedfourhorsesofagentlemanusuallyperformajourneyofthirtymiles:suchwasthedistanceofNorthangerfromBath，tobenowdividedintotwoequalstages。
　　Catherine'sspiritsrevivedastheydrovefromthedoor；
　　forwithMissTilneyshefeltnorestraint；and，withtheinterestofaroadentirelynewtoher，ofanabbeybefore，andacurriclebehind，shecaughtthelastviewofBathwithoutanyregret，andmetwitheverymilestonebeforesheexpectedit。Thetediousnessofatwohours'
　　waitatPettyFrance，inwhichtherewasnothingtobedonebuttoeatwithoutbeinghungry，andloiteraboutwithoutanythingtosee，nextfollowed——andheradmirationofthestyleinwhichtheytravelled，ofthefashionablechaiseandfour——postilionshandsomelyliveried，risingsoregularlyintheirstirrups，andnumerousoutridersproperlymounted，sunkalittleunderthisconsequentinconvenience。
　　Hadtheirpartybeenperfectlyagreeable，thedelaywouldhavebeennothing；butGeneralTilney，thoughsocharmingaman，seemedalwaysacheckuponhischildren'sspirits，andscarcelyanythingwassaidbutbyhimself；
　　theobservationofwhich，withhisdiscontentatwhatevertheinnafforded，andhisangryimpatienceatthewaiters，madeCatherinegroweverymomentmoreinaweofhim，andappearedtolengthenthetwohoursintofour。
　　Atlast，however，theorderofreleasewasgiven；
　　andmuchwasCatherinethensurprisedbythegeneral'sproposalofhertakinghisplaceinhisson'scurriclefortherestofthejourney:“thedaywasfine，andhewasanxiousforherseeingasmuchofthecountryaspossible。”
　　TheremembranceofMr。Allen'sopinion，respectingyoungmen'sopencarriages，madeherblushatthementionofsuchaplan，andherfirstthoughtwastodeclineit；
　　buthersecondwasofgreaterdeferenceforGeneralTilney'sjudgment；hecouldnotproposeanythingimproperforher；and，inthecourseofafewminutes，shefoundherselfwithHenryinthecurricle，ashappyabeingaseverexisted。Averyshorttrialconvincedherthatacurriclewastheprettiestequipageintheworld；
　　thechaiseandfourwheeledoffwithsomegrandeur，tobesure，butitwasaheavyandtroublesomebusiness，andshecouldnoteasilyforgetitshavingstoppedtwohoursatPettyFrance。Halfthetimewouldhavebeenenoughforthecurricle，andsonimblywerethelighthorsesdisposedtomove，that，hadnotthegeneralchosentohavehisowncarriageleadtheway，theycouldhavepasseditwitheaseinhalfaminute。Butthemeritofthecurricledidnotallbelongtothehorses；Henrydrovesowell——soquietly——withoutmakinganydisturbance，withoutparadingtoher，orswearingatthem:sodifferentfromtheonlygentleman-coachmanwhomitwasinherpowertocomparehimwith！Andthenhishatsatsowell，andtheinnumerablecapesofhisgreatcoatlookedsobecominglyimportant！
　　Tobedrivenbyhim，nexttobeingdancingwithhim，wascertainlythegreatesthappinessintheworld。
　　Inadditiontoeveryotherdelight，shehadnowthatoflisteningtoherownpraise；ofbeingthankedatleast，onhissister'saccount，forherkindnessinthusbecominghervisitor；ofhearingitrankedasrealfriendship，anddescribedascreatingrealgratitude。Hissister，hesaid，wasuncomfortablycircumstanced——shehadnofemalecompanion——and，inthefrequentabsenceofherfather，wassometimeswithoutanycompanionatall。
　　“Buthowcanthatbe?“saidCatherine。“Arenotyouwithher?“
　　“Northangerisnotmorethanhalfmyhome；
　　IhaveanestablishmentatmyownhouseinWoodston，whichisnearlytwentymilesfrommyfather's，andsomeofmytimeisnecessarilyspentthere。”
　　“Howsorryyoumustbeforthat！“
　　“IamalwayssorrytoleaveEleanor。”
　　“Yes；butbesidesyouraffectionforher，youmustbesofondoftheabbey！Afterbeingusedtosuchahomeastheabbey，anordinaryparsonage-housemustbeverydisagreeable。”
　　Hesmiled，andsaid，“Youhaveformedaveryfavourableideaoftheabbey。”
　　“Tobesure，Ihave。Isnotitafineoldplace，justlikewhatonereadsabout?“
　　“Andareyoupreparedtoencounterallthehorrorsthatabuildingsuchas'whatonereadsabout'mayproduce?
　　Haveyouastoutheart?Nervesfitforslidingpanelsandtapestry?“
　　“Oh！yes——IdonotthinkIshouldbeeasilyfrightened，becausetherewouldbesomanypeopleinthehouse——andbesides，ithasneverbeenuninhabitedandleftdesertedforyears，andthenthefamilycomebacktoitunawares，withoutgivinganynotice，asgenerallyhappens。”
　　“No，certainly。Weshallnothavetoexploreourwayintoahalldimlylightedbytheexpiringembersofawoodfire——norbeobligedtospreadourbedsonthefloorofaroomwithoutwindows，doors，orfurniture。
　　Butyoumustbeawarethatwhenayoungladyisbywhatevermeansintroducedintoadwellingofthiskind，sheisalwayslodgedapartfromtherestofthefamily。
　　Whiletheysnuglyrepairtotheirownendofthehouse，sheisformallyconductedbyDorothy，theancienthousekeeper，upadifferentstaircase，andalongmanygloomypassages，intoanapartmentneverusedsincesomecousinorkindiedinitabouttwentyyearsbefore。Canyoustandsuchaceremonyasthis?Willnotyourmindmisgiveyouwhenyoufindyourselfinthisgloomychamber——tooloftyandextensiveforyou，withonlythefeebleraysofasinglelamptotakeinitssize——itswallshungwithtapestryexhibitingfiguresaslargeaslife，andthebed，ofdarkgreenstufforpurplevelvet，presentingevenafunerealappearance?Willnotyourheartsinkwithinyou?“
　　“Oh！Butthiswillnothappentome，Iamsure。”
　　“Howfearfullywillyouexaminethefurnitureofyourapartment！Andwhatwillyoudiscern?Nottables，toilettes，wardrobes，ordrawers，butononesideperhapstheremainsofabrokenlute，ontheotheraponderouschestwhichnoeffortscanopen，andoverthefireplacetheportraitofsomehandsomewarrior，whosefeatureswillsoincomprehensiblystrikeyou，thatyouwillnotbeabletowithdrawyoureyesfromit。Dorothy，meanwhile，nolessstruckbyyourappearance，gazesonyouingreatagitation，anddropsafewunintelligiblehints。
　　Toraiseyourspirits，moreover，shegivesyoureasontosupposethatthepartoftheabbeyyouinhabitisundoubtedlyhaunted，andinformsyouthatyouwillnothaveasingledomesticwithincall。Withthispartingcordialshecurtsiesoff——youlistentothesoundofherrecedingfootstepsaslongasthelastechocanreachyou——andwhen，withfaintingspirits，youattempttofastenyourdoor，youdiscover，withincreasedalarm，thatithasnolock。”
　　“Oh！Mr。Tilney，howfrightful！Thisisjustlikeabook！Butitcannotreallyhappentome。IamsureyourhousekeeperisnotreallyDorothy。Well，whatthen?“
　　“Nothingfurthertoalarmperhapsmayoccurthefirstnight。Aftersurmountingyourunconquerablehorrorofthebed，youwillretiretorest，andgetafewhours'
　　unquietslumber。Butonthesecond，oratfarthestthethirdnightafteryourarrival，youwillprobablyhaveaviolentstorm。Pealsofthundersoloudastoseemtoshaketheedificetoitsfoundationwillrollroundtheneighbouringmountains——andduringthefrightfulgustsofwindwhichaccompanyit，youwillprobablythinkyoudiscernforyourlampisnotextinguishedonepartofthehangingmoreviolentlyagitatedthantherest。
　　Unableofcoursetorepressyourcuriosityinsofavourableamomentforindulgingit，youwillinstantlyarise，andthrowingyourdressing-gownaroundyou，proceedtoexaminethismystery。Afteraveryshortsearch，youwilldiscoveradivisioninthetapestrysoartfullyconstructedastodefytheminutestinspection，andonopeningit，adoorwillimmediatelyappear——whichdoor，beingonlysecuredbymassybarsandapadlock，youwill，afterafewefforts，succeedinopening——and，withyourlampinyourhand，willpassthroughitintoasmallvaultedroom。”
　　“No，indeed；Ishouldbetoomuchfrightenedtodoanysuchthing。”
　　“What！NotwhenDorothyhasgivenyoutounderstandthatthereisasecretsubterraneouscommunicationbetweenyourapartmentandthechapelofSt。Anthony，scarcelytwomilesoff?Couldyoushrinkfromsosimpleanadventure?
　　No，no，youwillproceedintothissmallvaultedroom，andthroughthisintoseveralothers，withoutperceivinganythingveryremarkableineither。Inoneperhapstheremaybeadagger，inanotherafewdropsofblood，andinathirdtheremainsofsomeinstrumentoftorture；
　　buttherebeingnothinginallthisoutofthecommonway，andyourlampbeingnearlyexhausted，youwillreturntowardsyourownapartment。Inrepassingthroughthesmallvaultedroom，however，youreyeswillbeattractedtowardsalarge，old-fashionedcabinetofebonyandgold，which，thoughnarrowlyexaminingthefurniturebefore，youhadpassedunnoticed。Impelledbyanirresistiblepresentiment，youwilleagerlyadvancetoit，unlockitsfoldingdoors，andsearchintoeverydrawer——butforsometimewithoutdiscoveringanythingofimportance——perhapsnothingbutaconsiderablehoardofdiamonds。Atlast，however，bytouchingasecretspring，aninnercompartmentwillopen——arollofpaperappears——youseizeit——itcontainsmanysheetsofmanuscript——youhastenwiththeprecioustreasureintoyourownchamber，butscarcelyhaveyoubeenabletodecipher'Oh！Thou——whomsoeverthoumaystbe，intowhosehandsthesememoirsofthewretchedMatildamayfall'——whenyourlampsuddenlyexpiresinthesocket，andleavesyouintotaldarkness。”
　　“Oh！No，no——donotsayso。Well，goon。”
　　ButHenrywastoomuchamusedbytheinteresthehadraisedtobeabletocarryitfarther；hecouldnolongercommandsolemnityeitherofsubjectorvoice，andwasobligedtoentreathertouseherownfancyintheperusalofMatilda'swoes。Catherine，recollectingherself，grewashamedofhereagerness，andbeganearnestlytoassurehimthatherattentionhadbeenfixedwithoutthesmallestapprehensionofreallymeetingwithwhatherelated。
　　“MissTilney，shewassure，wouldneverputherintosuchachamberashehaddescribed！Shewasnotatallafraid。”
　　Astheydrewneartheendoftheirjourney，herimpatienceforasightoftheabbey——forsometimesuspendedbyhisconversationonsubjectsverydifferent——returnedinfullforce，andeverybendintheroadwasexpectedwithsolemnawetoaffordaglimpseofitsmassywallsofgreystone，risingamidstagroveofancientoaks，withthelastbeamsofthesunplayinginbeautifulsplendouronitshighGothicwindows。Butsolowdidthebuildingstand，thatshefoundherselfpassingthroughthegreatgatesofthelodgeintotheverygroundsofNorthanger，withouthavingdiscernedevenanantiquechimney。
　　Sheknewnotthatshehadanyrighttobesurprised，buttherewasasomethinginthismodeofapproachwhichshecertainlyhadnotexpected。Topassbetweenlodgesofamodernappearance，tofindherselfwithsucheaseintheveryprecinctsoftheabbey，anddrivensorapidlyalongasmooth，levelroadoffinegravel，withoutobstacle，alarm，orsolemnityofanykind，struckherasoddandinconsistent。Shewasnotlongatleisure，however，forsuchconsiderations。
　　Asuddenscudofrain，drivingfullinherface，madeitimpossibleforhertoobserveanythingfurther，andfixedallherthoughtsonthewelfareofhernewstrawbonnet；
　　andshewasactuallyundertheabbeywalls，wasspringing，withHenry'sassistance，fromthecarriage，wasbeneaththeshelteroftheoldporch，andhadevenpassedontothehall，whereherfriendandthegeneralwerewaitingtowelcomeher，withoutfeelingoneawfulforebodingoffuturemiserytoherself，oronemoment'ssuspicionofanypastscenesofhorrorbeingactedwithinthesolemnedifice。Thebreezehadnotseemedtowaftthesighsofthemurderedtoher；
　　ithadwaftednothingworsethanathickmizzlingrain；
　　andhavinggivenagoodshaketoherhabit，shewasreadytobeshownintothecommondrawing-room，andcapableofconsideringwhereshewas。
　　Anabbey！Yes，itwasdelightfultobereallyinanabbey！Butshedoubted，asshelookedroundtheroom，whetheranythingwithinherobservationwouldhavegivenhertheconsciousness。Thefurniturewasinalltheprofusionandeleganceofmoderntaste。
　　Thefireplace，whereshehadexpectedtheamplewidthandponderouscarvingofformertimes，wascontractedtoaRumford，withslabsofplainthoughhandsomemarble，andornamentsoveritoftheprettiestEnglishchina。
　　Thewindows，towhichshelookedwithpeculiardependence，fromhavingheardthegeneraltalkofhispreservingthemintheirGothicformwithreverentialcare，wereyetlesswhatherfancyhadportrayed。Tobesure，thepointedarchwaspreserved——theformofthemwasGothic——theymightbeevencasements——buteverypanewassolarge，soclear，solight！Toanimaginationwhichhadhopedforthesmallestdivisions，andtheheavieststone-work，forpaintedglass，dirt，andcobwebs，thedifferencewasverydistressing。
　　Thegeneral，perceivinghowhereyewasemployed，begantotalkofthesmallnessoftheroomandsimplicityofthefurniture，whereeverything，beingfordailyuse，pretendedonlytocomfort，etc。；flatteringhimself，however，thatthereweresomeapartmentsintheAbbeynotunworthyhernotice——andwasproceedingtomentionthecostlygildingofoneinparticular，when，takingouthiswatch，hestoppedshorttopronounceitwithsurprisewithintwentyminutesoffive！Thisseemedthewordofseparation，andCatherinefoundherselfhurriedawaybyMissTilneyinsuchamannerasconvincedherthatthestrictestpunctualitytothefamilyhourswouldbeexpectedatNorthanger。
　　Returningthroughthelargeandloftyhall，theyascendedabroadstaircaseofshiningoak，which，aftermanyflightsandmanylanding-places，broughtthemuponalong，widegallery。Ononesideithadarangeofdoors，anditwaslightedontheotherbywindowswhichCatherinehadonlytimetodiscoverlookedintoaquadrangle，beforeMissTilneyledthewayintoachamber，andscarcelystayingtohopeshewouldfinditcomfortable，leftherwithananxiousentreatythatshewouldmakeaslittlealterationaspossibleinherdress。
　　CHAPTER21
　　Amoment'sglancewasenoughtosatisfyCatherinethatherapartmentwasveryunliketheonewhichHenryhadendeavouredtoalarmherbythedescriptionof。
　　Itwasbynomeansunreasonablylarge，andcontainedneithertapestrynorvelvet。Thewallswerepapered，thefloorwascarpeted；thewindowswereneitherlessperfectnormoredimthanthoseofthedrawing-roombelow；thefurniture，thoughnotofthelatestfashion，washandsomeandcomfortable，andtheairoftheroomaltogetherfarfromuncheerful。
　　Herheartinstantaneouslyateaseonthispoint，sheresolvedtolosenotimeinparticularexaminationofanything，asshegreatlydreadeddisobligingthegeneralbyanydelay。
　　Herhabitthereforewasthrownoffwithallpossiblehaste，andshewaspreparingtounpinthelinenpackage，whichthechaise-seathadconveyedforherimmediateaccommodation，whenhereyesuddenlyfellonalargehighchest，standingbackinadeeprecessononesideofthefireplace。
　　Thesightofitmadeherstart；and，forgettingeverythingelse，shestoodgazingonitinmotionlesswonder，whilethesethoughtscrossedher:
　　“Thisisstrangeindeed！Ididnotexpectsuchasightasthis！Animmenseheavychest！Whatcanithold?Whyshoulditbeplacedhere?Pushedbacktoo，asifmeanttobeoutofsight！Iwilllookintoit——costmewhatitmay，Iwilllookintoit——anddirectlytoo——bydaylight。
　　IfIstaytilleveningmycandlemaygoout。”
　　Sheadvancedandexamineditclosely:itwasofcedar，curiouslyinlaidwithsomedarkerwood，andraised，aboutafootfromtheground，onacarvedstandofthesame。
　　Thelockwassilver，thoughtarnishedfromage；ateachendweretheimperfectremainsofhandlesalsoofsilver，brokenperhapsprematurelybysomestrangeviolence；
　　and，onthecentreofthelid，wasamysteriouscipher，inthesamemetal。Catherinebentoveritintently，butwithoutbeingabletodistinguishanythingwithcertainty。
　　Shecouldnot，inwhateverdirectionshetookit，believethelastlettertobeaT；andyetthatitshouldbeanythingelseinthathousewasacircumstancetoraisenocommondegreeofastonishment。Ifnotoriginallytheirs，bywhatstrangeeventscouldithavefallenintotheTilneyfamily?
　　Herfearfulcuriositywaseverymomentgrowinggreater；
　　andseizing，withtremblinghands，thehaspofthelock，sheresolvedatallhazardstosatisfyherselfatleastastoitscontents。Withdifficulty，forsomethingseemedtoresistherefforts，sheraisedthelidafewinches；
　　butatthatmomentasuddenknockingatthedooroftheroommadeher，starting，quitherhold，andthelidclosedwithalarmingviolence。Thisill-timedintruderwasMissTilney'smaid，sentbyhermistresstobeofusetoMissMorland；andthoughCatherineimmediatelydismissedher，itrecalledhertothesenseofwhatsheoughttobedoing，andforcedher，inspiteofheranxiousdesiretopenetratethismystery，toproceedinherdressingwithoutfurtherdelay。Herprogresswasnotquick，forherthoughtsandhereyeswerestillbentontheobjectsowellcalculatedtointerestandalarm；andthoughshedarednotwasteamomentuponasecondattempt，shecouldnotremainmanypacesfromthechest。
　　Atlength，however，havingslippedonearmintohergown，hertoiletteseemedsonearlyfinishedthattheimpatienceofhercuriositymightsafelybeindulged。Onemomentsurelymightbespared；and，sodesperateshouldbetheexertionofherstrength，that，unlesssecuredbysupernaturalmeans，thelidinonemomentshouldbethrownback。Withthisspiritshesprangforward，andherconfidencedidnotdeceiveher。Herresoluteeffortthrewbackthelid，andgavetoherastonishedeyestheviewofawhitecottoncounterpane，properlyfolded，reposingatoneendofthechestinundisputedpossession！
　　ShewasgazingonitwiththefirstblushofsurprisewhenMissTilney，anxiousforherfriend'sbeingready，enteredtheroom，andtotherisingshameofhavingharbouredforsomeminutesanabsurdexpectation，wasthenaddedtheshameofbeingcaughtinsoidleasearch。
　　“Thatisacuriousoldchest，isnotit?“saidMissTilney，asCatherinehastilycloseditandturnedawaytotheglass。
　　“Itisimpossibletosayhowmanygenerationsithasbeenhere。HowitcametobefirstputinthisroomI
　　knownot，butIhavenothaditmoved，becauseIthoughtitmightsometimesbeofuseinholdinghatsandbonnets。
　　Theworstofitisthatitsweightmakesitdifficulttoopen。Inthatcorner，however，itisatleastoutoftheway。”
　　Catherinehadnoleisureforspeech，beingatonceblushing，tyinghergown，andformingwiseresolutionswiththemostviolentdispatch。MissTilneygentlyhintedherfearofbeinglate；andinhalfaminutetheyrandownstairstogether，inanalarmnotwhollyunfounded，forGeneralTilneywaspacingthedrawing-room，hiswatchinhishand，andhaving，ontheveryinstantoftheirentering，pulledthebellwithviolence，ordered“Dinnertobeontabledirectly！“
　　Catherinetrembledattheemphasiswithwhichhespoke，andsatpaleandbreathless，inamosthumblemood，concernedforhischildren，anddetestingoldchests；
　　andthegeneral，recoveringhispolitenessashelookedather，spenttherestofhistimeinscoldinghisdaughterforsofoolishlyhurryingherfairfriend，whowasabsolutelyoutofbreathfromhaste，whentherewasnottheleastoccasionforhurryintheworld:butCatherinecouldnotatallgetoverthedoubledistressofhavinginvolvedherfriendinalectureandbeenagreatsimpletonherself，tilltheywerehappilyseatedatthedinner-table，whenthegeneral'scomplacentsmiles，andagoodappetiteofherown，restoredhertopeace。Thedining-parlourwasanobleroom，suitableinitsdimensionstoamuchlargerdrawing-roomthantheoneincommonuse，andfittedupinastyleofluxuryandexpensewhichwasalmostlostontheunpractisedeyeofCatherine，whosawlittlemorethanitsspaciousnessandthenumberoftheirattendants。
　　Oftheformer，shespokealoudheradmiration；
　　andthegeneral，withaverygraciouscountenance，acknowledgedthatitwasbynomeansanill-sizedroom，andfurtherconfessedthat，thoughascarelessonsuchsubjectsasmostpeople，hedidlookuponatolerablylargeeating-roomasoneofthenecessariesoflife；
　　hesupposed，however，“thatshemusthavebeenusedtomuchbetter-sizedapartmentsatMr。Allen's?“
　　“No，indeed，“wasCatherine'shonestassurance；
　　“Mr。Allen'sdining-parlourwasnotmorethanhalfaslarge，“
　　andshehadneverseensolargearoomasthisinherlife。
　　Thegeneral'sgoodhumourincreased。Why，ashehadsuchrooms，hethoughtitwouldbesimplenottomakeuseofthem；but，uponhishonour，hebelievedtheremightbemorecomfortinroomsofonlyhalftheirsize。
　　Mr。Allen'shouse，hewassure，mustbeexactlyofthetruesizeforrationalhappiness。
　　Theeveningpassedwithoutanyfurtherdisturbance，and，intheoccasionalabsenceofGeneralTilney，withmuchpositivecheerfulness。ItwasonlyinhispresencethatCatherinefeltthesmallestfatiguefromherjourney；
　　andeventhen，eveninmomentsoflanguororrestraint，asenseofgeneralhappinesspreponderated，andshecouldthinkofherfriendsinBathwithoutonewishofbeingwiththem。
　　Thenightwasstormy；thewindhadbeenrisingatintervalsthewholeafternoon；andbythetimethepartybrokeup，itblewandrainedviolently。Catherine，asshecrossedthehall，listenedtothetempestwithsensationsofawe；and，whenshehearditrageroundacorneroftheancientbuildingandclosewithsuddenfuryadistantdoor，feltforthefirsttimethatshewasreallyinanabbey。
　　Yes，thesewerecharacteristicsounds；theybroughttoherrecollectionacountlessvarietyofdreadfulsituationsandhorridscenes，whichsuchbuildingshadwitnessed，andsuchstormsusheredin；andmostheartilydidsherejoiceinthehappiercircumstancesattendingherentrancewithinwallssosolemn！Shehadnothingtodreadfrommidnightassassinsordrunkengallants。
　　Henryhadcertainlybeenonlyinjestinwhathehadtoldherthatmorning。Inahousesofurnished，andsoguarded，shecouldhavenothingtoexploreortosuffer，andmightgotoherbedroomassecurelyasifithadbeenherownchamberatFullerton。Thuswiselyfortifyinghermind，assheproceededupstairs，shewasenabled，especiallyonperceivingthatMissTilneysleptonlytwodoorsfromher，toenterherroomwithatolerablystoutheart；andherspiritswereimmediatelyassistedbythecheerfulblazeofawoodfire。“Howmuchbetteristhis，“saidshe，asshewalkedtothefender——“howmuchbettertofindafirereadylit，thantohavetowaitshiveringinthecoldtillallthefamilyareinbed，assomanypoorgirlshavebeenobligedtodo，andthentohaveafaithfuloldservantfrighteningonebycominginwithafaggot！HowgladIamthatNorthangeriswhatitis！Ifithadbeenlikesomeotherplaces，Idonotknowthat，insuchanightasthis，Icouldhaveansweredformycourage:butnow，tobesure，thereisnothingtoalarmone。”
　　Shelookedroundtheroom。Thewindowcurtainsseemedinmotion。Itcouldbenothingbuttheviolenceofthewindpenetratingthroughthedivisionsoftheshutters；
　　andshesteppedboldlyforward，carelesslyhummingatune，toassureherselfofitsbeingso，peepedcourageouslybehindeachcurtain，sawnothingoneitherlowwindowseattoscareher，andonplacingahandagainsttheshutter，feltthestrongestconvictionofthewind'sforce。
　　Aglanceattheoldchest，assheturnedawayfromthisexamination，wasnotwithoutitsuse；shescornedthecauselessfearsofanidlefancy，andbeganwithamosthappyindifferencetoprepareherselfforbed。
　　“Sheshouldtakehertime；sheshouldnothurryherself；
　　shedidnotcareifshewerethelastpersonupinthehouse。
　　Butshewouldnotmakeupherfire；thatwouldseemcowardly，asifshewishedfortheprotectionoflightaftershewereinbed。”Thefirethereforediedaway，andCatherine，havingspentthebestpartofanhourinherarrangements，wasbeginningtothinkofsteppingintobed，when，ongivingapartingglanceroundtheroom，shewasstruckbytheappearanceofahigh，old-fashionedblackcabinet，which，thoughinasituationconspicuousenough，hadnevercaughthernoticebefore。Henry'swords，hisdescriptionoftheebonycabinetwhichwastoescapeherobservationatfirst，immediatelyrushedacrossher；andthoughtherecouldbenothingreallyinit，therewassomethingwhimsical，itwascertainlyaveryremarkablecoincidence！Shetookhercandleandlookedcloselyatthecabinet。
　　Itwasnotabsolutelyebonyandgold；butitwasjapan，blackandyellowjapanofthehandsomestkind；andassheheldhercandle，theyellowhadverymuchtheeffectofgold。Thekeywasinthedoor，andshehadastrangefancytolookintoit；not，however，withthesmallestexpectationoffindinganything，butitwassoveryodd，afterwhatHenryhadsaid。Inshort，shecouldnotsleeptillshehadexaminedit。So，placingthecandlewithgreatcautiononachair，sheseizedthekeywithaverytremuloushandandtriedtoturnit；butitresistedherutmoststrength。Alarmed，butnotdiscouraged，shetrieditanotherway；aboltflew，andshebelievedherselfsuccessful；buthowstrangelymysterious！
　　Thedoorwasstillimmovable。Shepausedamomentinbreathlesswonder。Thewindroareddownthechimney，therainbeatintorrentsagainstthewindows，andeverythingseemedtospeaktheawfulnessofhersituation。
　　Toretiretobed，however，unsatisfiedonsuchapoint，wouldbevain，sincesleepmustbeimpossiblewiththeconsciousnessofacabinetsomysteriouslyclosedinherimmediatevicinity。Again，therefore，sheappliedherselftothekey，andaftermovingitineverypossiblewayforsomeinstantswiththedeterminedcelerityofhope'slasteffort，thedoorsuddenlyyieldedtoherhand:herheartleapedwithexultationatsuchavictory，andhavingthrownopeneachfoldingdoor，thesecondbeingsecuredonlybyboltsoflesswonderfulconstructionthanthelock，thoughinthathereyecouldnotdiscernanythingunusual，adoublerangeofsmalldrawersappearedinview，withsomelargerdrawersaboveandbelowthem；andinthecentre，asmalldoor，closedalsowithalockandkey，securedinallprobabilityacavityofimportance。
　　Catherine'sheartbeatquick，buthercouragedidnotfailher。Withacheekflushedbyhope，andaneyestrainingwithcuriosity，herfingersgraspedthehandleofadraweranddrewitforth。Itwasentirelyempty。
　　Withlessalarmandgreatereagernesssheseizedasecond，athird，afourth；eachwasequallyempty。Notonewasleftunsearched，andinnotonewasanythingfound。
　　Wellreadintheartofconcealingatreasure，thepossibilityoffalseliningstothedrawersdidnotescapeher，andshefeltroundeachwithanxiousacutenessinvain。
　　Theplaceinthemiddlealoneremainednowunexplored；
　　andthoughshehad“neverfromthefirsthadthesmallestideaoffindinganythinginanypartofthecabinet，andwasnotintheleastdisappointedatherillsuccessthusfar，itwouldbefoolishnottoexamineitthoroughlywhileshewasaboutit。”Itwassometimehoweverbeforeshecouldunfastenthedoor，thesamedifficultyoccurringinthemanagementofthisinnerlockasoftheouter；
　　butatlengthitdidopen；andnotvain，ashitherto，washersearch；herquickeyesdirectlyfellonarollofpaperpushedbackintothefurtherpartofthecavity，apparentlyforconcealment，andherfeelingsatthatmomentwereindescribable。Herheartfluttered，herkneestrembled，andhercheeksgrewpale。Sheseized，withanunsteadyhand，thepreciousmanuscript，forhalfaglancesufficedtoascertainwrittencharacters；
　　andwhilesheacknowledgedwithawfulsensationsthisstrikingexemplificationofwhatHenryhadforetold，resolvedinstantlytoperuseeverylinebeforesheattemptedtorest。
　　Thedimnessofthelighthercandleemittedmadeherturntoitwithalarm；buttherewasnodangerofitssuddenextinction；ithadyetsomehourstoburn；
　　andthatshemightnothaveanygreaterdifficultyindistinguishingthewritingthanwhatitsancientdatemightoccasion，shehastilysnuffedit。Alas！Itwassnuffedandextinguishedinone。Alampcouldnothaveexpiredwithmoreawfuleffect。Catherine，forafewmoments，wasmotionlesswithhorror。Itwasdonecompletely；
　　notaremnantoflightinthewickcouldgivehopetotherekindlingbreath。Darknessimpenetrableandimmovablefilledtheroom。Aviolentgustofwind，risingwithsuddenfury，addedfreshhorrortothemoment。
　　Catherinetrembledfromheadtofoot。Inthepausewhichsucceeded，asoundlikerecedingfootstepsandtheclosingofadistantdoorstruckonheraffrightedear。
　　Humannaturecouldsupportnomore。Acoldsweatstoodonherforehead，themanuscriptfellfromherhand，andgropingherwaytothebed，shejumpedhastilyin，andsoughtsomesuspensionofagonybycreepingfarunderneaththeclothes。Toclosehereyesinsleepthatnight，shefeltmustbeentirelyoutofthequestion。
　　Withacuriositysojustlyawakened，andfeelingsineverywaysoagitated，reposemustbeabsolutelyimpossible。
　　Thestormtooabroadsodreadful！Shehadnotbeenusedtofeelalarmfromwind，butnoweveryblastseemedfraughtwithawfulintelligence。Themanuscriptsowonderfullyfound，sowonderfullyaccomplishingthemorning'sprediction，howwasittobeaccountedfor?Whatcoulditcontain?Towhomcoulditrelate?Bywhatmeanscouldithavebeensolongconcealed?Andhowsingularlystrangethatitshouldfalltoherlottodiscoverit！Tillshehadmadeherselfmistressofitscontents，however，shecouldhaveneitherreposenorcomfort；andwiththesun'sfirstraysshewasdeterminedtoperuseit。Butmanywerethetedioushourswhichmustyetintervene。Sheshuddered，tossedaboutinherbed，andenviedeveryquietsleeper。
　　Thestormstillraged，andvariouswerethenoises，moreterrificeventhanthewind，whichstruckatintervalsonherstartledear。Theverycurtainsofherbedseemedatonemomentinmotion，andatanotherthelockofherdoorwasagitated，asifbytheattemptofsomebodytoenter。
　　Hollowmurmursseemedtocreepalongthegallery，andmorethanonceherbloodwaschilledbythesoundofdistantmoans。
　　Hourafterhourpassedaway，andtheweariedCatherinehadheardthreeproclaimedbyalltheclocksinthehousebeforethetempestsubsidedorsheunknowinglyfellfastasleep。
　　CHAPTER22
　　Thehousemaid'sfoldingbackherwindow-shuttersateighto'clockthenextdaywasthesoundwhichfirstrousedCatherine；andsheopenedhereyes，wonderingthattheycouldeverhavebeenclosed，onobjectsofcheerfulness；herfirewasalreadyburning，andabrightmorninghadsucceededthetempestofthenight。
　　Instantaneously，withtheconsciousnessofexistence，returnedherrecollectionofthemanuscript；andspringingfromthebedintheverymomentofthemaid'sgoingaway，sheeagerlycollectedeveryscatteredsheetwhichhadburstfromtherollonitsfallingtotheground，andflewbacktoenjoytheluxuryoftheirperusalonherpillow。
　　Shenowplainlysawthatshemustnotexpectamanuscriptofequallengthwiththegeneralityofwhatshehadshudderedoverinbooks，fortheroll，seemingtoconsistentirelyofsmalldisjointedsheets，wasaltogetherbutoftriflingsize，andmuchlessthanshehadsupposedittobeatfirst。
　　Hergreedyeyeglancedrapidlyoverapage。
　　Shestartedatitsimport。Coulditbepossible，ordidnothersensesplayherfalse?Aninventoryoflinen，incoarseandmoderncharacters，seemedallthatwasbeforeher！Iftheevidenceofsightmightbetrusted，sheheldawashing-billinherhand。Sheseizedanothersheet，andsawthesamearticleswithlittlevariation；
　　athird，afourth，andafifthpresentednothingnew。
　　Shirts，stockings，cravats，andwaistcoatsfacedherineach。Twoothers，pennedbythesamehand，markedanexpenditurescarcelymoreinteresting，inletters，hair-powder，shoe-string，andbreeches-ball。
　　Andthelargersheet，whichhadenclosedtherest，seemedbyitsfirstcrampline，“Topoulticechestnutmare“——afarrier'sbill！Suchwasthecollectionofpapersleftperhaps，asshecouldthensuppose，bythenegligenceofaservantintheplacewhenceshehadtakenthem
　　whichhadfilledherwithexpectationandalarm，androbbedherofhalfhernight'srest！Shefelthumbledtothedust。
　　Couldnottheadventureofthechesthavetaughtherwisdom?Acornerofit，catchinghereyeasshelay，seemedtoriseupinjudgmentagainsther。Nothingcouldnowbeclearerthantheabsurdityofherrecentfancies。
　　Tosupposethatamanuscriptofmanygenerationsbackcouldhaveremainedundiscoveredinaroomsuchasthat，somodern，sohabitable！——Orthatsheshouldbethefirsttopossesstheskillofunlockingacabinet，thekeyofwhichwasopentoall！
　　Howcouldshehavesoimposedonherself?HeavenforbidthatHenryTilneyshouldeverknowherfolly！Anditwasinagreatmeasurehisowndoing，forhadnotthecabinetappearedsoexactlytoagreewithhisdescriptionofheradventures，sheshouldneverhavefeltthesmallestcuriosityaboutit。Thiswastheonlycomfortthatoccurred。
　　Impatienttogetridofthosehatefulevidencesofherfolly，thosedetestablepapersthenscatteredoverthebed，sherosedirectly，andfoldingthemupasnearlyaspossibleinthesameshapeasbefore，returnedthemtothesamespotwithinthecabinet，withaveryheartywishthatnountowardaccidentmighteverbringthemforwardagain，todisgraceherevenwithherself。
　　Whythelocksshouldhavebeensodifficulttoopen，however，wasstillsomethingremarkable，forshecouldnowmanagethemwithperfectease。Inthistherewassurelysomethingmysterious，andsheindulgedintheflatteringsuggestionforhalfaminute，tillthepossibilityofthedoor'shavingbeenatfirstunlocked，andofbeingherselfitsfastener，dartedintoherhead，andcostheranotherblush。
　　Shegotawayassoonasshecouldfromaroominwhichherconductproducedsuchunpleasantreflections，andfoundherwaywithallspeedtothebreakfast-parlour，asithadbeenpointedouttoherbyMissTilneytheeveningbefore。Henrywasaloneinit；andhisimmediatehopeofherhavingbeenundisturbedbythetempest，withanarchreferencetothecharacterofthebuildingtheyinhabited，wasratherdistressing。Fortheworldwouldshenothaveherweaknesssuspected，andyet，unequaltoanabsolutefalsehood，wasconstrainedtoacknowledgethatthewindhadkeptherawakealittle。
　　“Butwehaveacharmingmorningafterit，“sheadded，desiringtogetridofthesubject；“andstormsandsleeplessnessarenothingwhentheyareover。
　　Whatbeautifulhyacinths！Ihavejustlearnttoloveahyacinth。”
　　“Andhowmightyoulearn?Byaccidentorargument?“
　　“Yoursistertaughtme；Icannottellhow。Mrs。Allenusedtotakepains，yearafteryear，tomakemelikethem；
　　butInevercould，tillIsawthemtheotherdayinMilsomStreet；Iamnaturallyindifferentaboutflowers。”
　　“Butnowyouloveahyacinth。Somuchthebetter。
　　Youhavegainedanewsourceofenjoyment，anditiswelltohaveasmanyholdsuponhappinessaspossible。
　　Besides，atasteforflowersisalwaysdesirableinyoursex，asameansofgettingyououtofdoors，andtemptingyoutomorefrequentexercisethanyouwouldotherwisetake。
　　Andthoughtheloveofahyacinthmayberatherdomestic，whocantell，thesentimentonceraised，butyoumayintimecometolovearose?“
　　“ButIdonotwantanysuchpursuittogetmeoutofdoors。Thepleasureofwalkingandbreathingfreshairisenoughforme，andinfineweatherIamoutmorethanhalfmytime。MammasaysIamneverwithin。”
　　“Atanyrate，however，Iampleasedthatyouhavelearnttoloveahyacinth。Themerehabitoflearningtoloveisthething；andateachablenessofdispositioninayoungladyisagreatblessing。Hasmysisterapleasantmodeofinstruction?“
　　Catherinewassavedtheembarrassmentofattemptingananswerbytheentranceofthegeneral，whosesmilingcomplimentsannouncedahappystateofmind，butwhosegentlehintofsympatheticearlyrisingdidnotadvancehercomposure。
　　TheeleganceofthebreakfastsetforceditselfonCatherine'snoticewhentheywereseatedattable；
　　and，lucidly，ithadbeenthegeneral'schoice。Hewasenchantedbyherapprobationofhistaste，confessedittobeneatandsimple，thoughtitrighttoencouragethemanufactureofhiscountry；andforhispart，tohisuncriticalpalate，theteawasaswellflavouredfromtheclayofStaffordshire，asfromthatofDresdenorSave。
　　Butthiswasquiteanoldset，purchasedtwoyearsago。
　　Themanufacturewasmuchimprovedsincethattime；
　　hehadseensomebeautifulspecimenswhenlastintown，andhadhenotbeenperfectlywithoutvanityofthatkind，mighthavebeentemptedtoorderanewset。
　　Hetrusted，however，thatanopportunitymighterelongoccurofselectingone——thoughnotforhimself。
　　Catherinewasprobablytheonlyoneofthepartywhodidnotunderstandhim。
　　ShortlyafterbreakfastHenryleftthemforWoodston，wherebusinessrequiredandwouldkeephimtwoorthreedays。
　　Theyallattendedinthehalltoseehimmounthishorse，andimmediatelyonre-enteringthebreakfast-room，Catherinewalkedtoawindowinthehopeofcatchinganotherglimpseofhisfigure。“Thisisasomewhatheavycalluponyourbrother'sfortitude，“observedthegeneraltoEleanor。
　　“Woodstonwillmakebutasombreappearancetoday。”
　　“Isitaprettyplace?“askedCatherine。
　　“Whatsayyou，Eleanor?Speakyouropinion，forladiescanbesttellthetasteofladiesinregardtoplacesaswellasmen。Ithinkitwouldbeacknowledgedbythemostimpartialeyetohavemanyrecommendations。