Thehousestandsamongfinemeadowsfacingthesouth-east，withanexcellentkitchen-gardeninthesameaspect；
　　thewallssurroundingwhichIbuiltandstockedmyselfabouttenyearsago，forthebenefitofmyson。Itisafamilyliving，MissMorland；andthepropertyintheplacebeingchieflymyown，youmaybelieveItakecarethatitshallnotbeabadone。DidHenry'sincomedependsolelyonthisliving，hewouldnotbeill-providedfor。
　　Perhapsitmayseemodd，thatwithonlytwoyoungerchildren，Ishouldthinkanyprofessionnecessaryforhim；
　　andcertainlytherearemomentswhenwecouldallwishhimdisengagedfromeverytieofbusiness。ButthoughImaynotexactlymakeconvertsofyouyoungladies，Iamsureyourfather，MissMorland，wouldagreewithmeinthinkingitexpedienttogiveeveryyoungmansomeemployment。
　　Themoneyisnothing，itisnotanobject，butemploymentisthething。EvenFrederick，myeldestson，yousee，whowillperhapsinheritasconsiderablealandedpropertyasanyprivatemaninthecounty，hashisprofession。”
　　Theimposingeffectofthislastargumentwasequaltohiswishes。Thesilenceoftheladyprovedittobeunanswerable。
　　Somethinghadbeensaidtheeveningbeforeofherbeingshownoverthehouse，andhenowofferedhimselfasherconductor；andthoughCatherinehadhopedtoexploreitaccompaniedonlybyhisdaughter，itwasaproposaloftoomuchhappinessinitself，underanycircumstances，nottobegladlyaccepted；forshehadbeenalreadyeighteenhoursintheabbey，andhadseenonlyafewofitsrooms。Thenetting-box，justleisurelydrawnforth，wasclosedwithjoyfulhaste，andshewasreadytoattendhiminamoment。“Andwhentheyhadgoneoverthehouse，hepromisedhimselfmoreoverthepleasureofaccompanyingherintotheshrubberiesandgarden。”
　　Shecurtsiedheracquiescence。“Butperhapsitmightbemoreagreeabletohertomakethoseherfirstobject。
　　Theweatherwasatpresentfavourable，andatthistimeofyeartheuncertaintywasverygreatofitscontinuingso。
　　Whichwouldsheprefer?Hewasequallyatherservice。
　　Whichdidhisdaughterthinkwouldmostaccordwithherfairfriend'swishes?Buthethoughthecoulddiscern。
　　Yes，hecertainlyreadinMissMorland'seyesajudiciousdesireofmakinguseofthepresentsmilingweather。
　　Butwhendidshejudgeamiss?Theabbeywouldbealwayssafeanddry。Heyieldedimplicitly，andwouldfetchhishatandattendtheminamoment。”Helefttheroom，andCatherine，withadisappointed，anxiousface，begantospeakofherunwillingnessthatheshouldbetakingthemoutofdoorsagainsthisowninclination，underamistakenideaofpleasingher；butshewasstoppedbyMissTilney'ssaying，withalittleconfusion，“Ibelieveitwillbewisesttotakethemorningwhileitissofine；
　　anddonotbeuneasyonmyfather'saccount；healwayswalksoutatthistimeofday。”
　　Catherinedidnotexactlyknowhowthiswastobeunderstood。WhywasMissTilneyembarrassed?
　　Couldtherebeanyunwillingnessonthegeneral'ssidetoshowherovertheabbey?Theproposalwashisown。
　　Andwasnotitoddthatheshouldalwaystakehiswalksoearly?NeitherherfathernorMr。Allendidso。
　　Itwascertainlyveryprovoking。Shewasallimpatiencetoseethehouse，andhadscarcelyanycuriosityaboutthegrounds。IfHenryhadbeenwiththemindeed！Butnowsheshouldnotknowwhatwaspicturesquewhenshesawit。
　　Suchwereherthoughts，butshekeptthemtoherself，andputonherbonnetinpatientdiscontent。
　　Shewasstruck，however，beyondherexpectation，bythegrandeuroftheabbey，asshesawitforthefirsttimefromthelawn。Thewholebuildingenclosedalargecourt；
　　andtwosidesofthequadrangle，richinGothicornaments，stoodforwardforadmiration。Theremainderwasshutoffbyknollsofoldtrees，orluxuriantplantations，andthesteepwoodyhillsrisingbehind，togiveitshelter，werebeautifulevenintheleaflessmonthofMarch。
　　Catherinehadseennothingtocomparewithit；andherfeelingsofdelightweresostrong，thatwithoutwaitingforanybetterauthority，sheboldlyburstforthinwonderandpraise。Thegenerallistenedwithassentinggratitude；
　　anditseemedasifhisownestimationofNorthangerhadwaitedunfixedtillthathour。
　　Thekitchen-gardenwastobenextadmired，andheledthewaytoitacrossasmallportionofthepark。
　　ThenumberofacrescontainedinthisgardenwassuchasCatherinecouldnotlistentowithoutdismay，beingmorethandoubletheextentofallMr。Allen's，aswellherfather's，includingchurch-yardandorchard。
　　Thewallsseemedcountlessinnumber，endlessinlength；
　　avillageofhot-housesseemedtoariseamongthem，andawholeparishtobeatworkwithintheenclosure。
　　Thegeneralwasflatteredbyherlooksofsurprise，whichtoldhimalmostasplainly，ashesoonforcedhertotellhiminwords，thatshehadneverseenanygardensatallequaltothembefore；andhethenmodestlyownedthat，“withoutanyambitionofthatsorthimself——withoutanysolicitudeaboutit——hedidbelievethemtobeunrivalledinthekingdom。Ifhehadahobby-horse，itwasthat。
　　Helovedagarden。Thoughcarelessenoughinmostmattersofeating，helovedgoodfruit——orifhedidnot，hisfriendsandchildrendid。Thereweregreatvexations，however，attendingsuchagardenashis。Theutmostcarecouldnotalwayssecurethemostvaluablefruits。
　　Thepineryhadyieldedonlyonehundredinthelastyear。
　　Mr。Allen，hesupposed，mustfeeltheseinconveniencesaswellashimself。”
　　“No，notatall。Mr。Allendidnotcareaboutthegarden，andneverwentintoit。”
　　Withatriumphantsmileofself-satisfaction，thegeneralwishedhecoulddothesame，forheneverenteredhis，withoutbeingvexedinsomewayorother，byitsfallingshortofhisplan。
　　“HowwereMr。Allen'ssuccession-housesworked?“
　　describingthenatureofhisownastheyenteredthem。
　　“Mr。Allenhadonlyonesmallhot-house，whichMrs。Allenhadtheuseofforherplantsinwinter，andtherewasafireinitnowandthen。”
　　“Heisahappyman！“saidthegeneral，withalookofveryhappycontempt。
　　Havingtakenherintoeverydivision，andledherundereverywall，tillshewasheartilywearyofseeingandwondering，hesufferedthegirlsatlasttoseizetheadvantageofanouterdoor，andthenexpressinghiswishtoexaminetheeffectofsomerecentalterationsaboutthetea-house，proposeditasnounpleasantextensionoftheirwalk，ifMissMorlandwerenottired。
　　“Butwhereareyougoing，Eleanor?Whydoyouchoosethatcold，damppathtoit?MissMorlandwillgetwet。
　　Ourbestwayisacrossthepark。”
　　“Thisissofavouriteawalkofmine，“saidMissTilney，“thatIalwaysthinkitthebestandnearestway。
　　Butperhapsitmaybedamp。”
　　ItwasanarrowwindingpaththroughathickgroveofoldScotchfirs；andCatherine，struckbyitsgloomyaspect，andeagertoenterit，couldnot，evenbythegeneral'sdisapprobation，bekeptfromsteppingforward。Heperceivedherinclination，andhavingagainurgedthepleaofhealthinvain，wastoopolitetomakefurtheropposition。
　　Heexcusedhimself，however，fromattendingthem:“Theraysofthesunwerenottoocheerfulforhim，andhewouldmeetthembyanothercourse。”Heturnedaway；
　　andCatherinewasshockedtofindhowmuchherspiritswererelievedbytheseparation。Theshock，however，beinglessrealthantherelief，offereditnoinjury；
　　andshebegantotalkwitheasygaietyofthedelightfulmelancholywhichsuchagroveinspired。
　　“Iamparticularlyfondofthisspot，“saidhercompanion，withasigh。“Itwasmymother'sfavouritewalk。”
　　CatherinehadneverheardMrs。Tilneymentionedinthefamilybefore，andtheinterestexcitedbythistenderremembranceshoweditselfdirectlyinheralteredcountenance，andintheattentivepausewithwhichshewaitedforsomethingmore。
　　“Iusedtowalkheresooftenwithher！“addedEleanor；
　　“thoughIneverloveditthen，asIhaveloveditsince。
　　AtthattimeindeedIusedtowonderatherchoice。
　　Buthermemoryendearsitnow。”
　　“Andoughtitnot，“reflectedCatherine，“toendearittoherhusband?Yetthegeneralwouldnotenterit。”
　　MissTilneycontinuingsilent，sheventuredtosay，“Herdeathmusthavebeenagreataffliction！“
　　“Agreatandincreasingone，“repliedtheother，inalowvoice。“Iwasonlythirteenwhenithappened；
　　andthoughIfeltmylossperhapsasstronglyasonesoyoungcouldfeelit，Ididnot，Icouldnot，thenknowwhatalossitwas。”Shestoppedforamoment，andthenadded，withgreatfirmness，“Ihavenosister，youknow——andthoughHenry——thoughmybrothersareveryaffectionate，andHenryisagreatdealhere，whichIammostthankfulfor，itisimpossibleformenottobeoftensolitary。”
　　“Tobesureyoumustmisshimverymuch。”
　　“Amotherwouldhavebeenalwayspresent。Amotherwouldhavebeenaconstantfriend；herinfluencewouldhavebeenbeyondallother。”
　　“Wassheaverycharmingwoman?Wasshehandsome?
　　Wasthereanypictureofherintheabbey?Andwhyhadshebeensopartialtothatgrove?Wasitfromdejectionofspirits?“——werequestionsnoweagerlypouredforth；
　　thefirstthreereceivedareadyaffirmative，thetwootherswerepassedby；andCatherine'sinterestinthedeceasedMrs。Tilneyaugmentedwitheveryquestion，whetheransweredornot。Ofherunhappinessinmarriage，shefeltpersuaded。Thegeneralcertainlyhadbeenanunkindhusband。Hedidnotloveherwalk:couldhethereforehavelovedher?Andbesides，handsomeashewas，therewasasomethingintheturnofhisfeatureswhichspokehisnothavingbehavedwelltoher。
　　“Herpicture，Isuppose，“blushingattheconsummateartofherownquestion，“hangsinyourfather'sroom?“
　　“No；itwasintendedforthedrawing-room；butmyfatherwasdissatisfiedwiththepainting，andforsometimeithadnoplace。SoonafterherdeathIobtaineditformyown，andhungitinmybed-chamber——whereIshallbehappytoshowityou；itisverylike。”Herewasanotherproof。
　　Aportrait——verylike——ofadepartedwife，notvaluedbythehusband！Hemusthavebeendreadfullycrueltoher！
　　Catherineattemptednolongertohidefromherselfthenatureofthefeelingswhich，inspiteofallhisattentions，hehadpreviouslyexcited；andwhathadbeenterroranddislikebefore，wasnowabsoluteaversion。Yes，aversion！Hiscrueltytosuchacharmingwomanmadehimodioustoher。
　　Shehadoftenreadofsuchcharacters，characterswhichMr。Allenhadbeenusedtocallunnaturalandoverdrawn；
　　butherewasproofpositiveofthecontrary。
　　Shehadjustsettledthispointwhentheendofthepathbroughtthemdirectlyuponthegeneral；
　　andinspiteofallhervirtuousindignation，shefoundherselfagainobligedtowalkwithhim，listentohim，andeventosmilewhenhesmiled。Beingnolongerable，however，toreceivepleasurefromthesurroundingobjects，shesoonbegantowalkwithlassitude；thegeneralperceivedit，andwithaconcernforherhealth，whichseemedtoreproachherforheropinionofhim，wasmosturgentforreturningwithhisdaughtertothehouse。Hewouldfollowtheminaquarterofanhour。Againtheyparted——butEleanorwascalledbackinhalfaminutetoreceiveastrictchargeagainsttakingherfriendroundtheabbeytillhisreturn。
　　ThissecondinstanceofhisanxietytodelaywhatshesomuchwishedforstruckCatherineasveryremarkable。
　　CHAPTER23
　　Anhourpassedawaybeforethegeneralcamein，spent，onthepartofhisyoungguest，innoveryfavourableconsiderationofhischaracter。
　　“Thislengthenedabsence，thesesolitaryrambles，didnotspeakamindatease，oraconsciencevoidofreproach。”
　　Atlengthheappeared；and，whatevermighthavebeenthegloomofhismeditations，hecouldstillsmilewiththem。
　　MissTilney，understandinginpartherfriend'scuriositytoseethehouse，soonrevivedthesubject；
　　andherfatherbeing，contrarytoCatherine'sexpectations，unprovidedwithanypretenceforfurtherdelay，beyondthatofstoppingfiveminutestoorderrefreshmentstobeintheroombytheirreturn，wasatlastreadytoescortthem。
　　Theysetforward；and，withagrandeurofair，adignifiedstep，whichcaughttheeye，butcouldnotshakethedoubtsofthewell-readCatherine，heledthewayacrossthehall，throughthecommondrawing-roomandoneuselessantechamber，intoaroommagnificentbothinsizeandfurniture——therealdrawing-room，usedonlywithcompanyofconsequence。Itwasverynoble——verygrand——verycharming！——wasallthatCatherinehadtosay，forherindiscriminatingeyescarcelydiscernedthecolourofthesatin；andallminutenessofpraise，allpraisethathadmuchmeaning，wassuppliedbythegeneral:
　　thecostlinessoreleganceofanyroom'sfitting-upcouldbenothingtoher；shecaredfornofurnitureofamoremoderndatethanthefifteenthcentury。
　　Whenthegeneralhadsatisfiedhisowncuriosity，inacloseexaminationofeverywell-knownornament，theyproceededintothelibrary，anapartment，initsway，ofequalmagnificence，exhibitingacollectionofbooks，onwhichanhumblemanmighthavelookedwithpride。
　　Catherineheard，admired，andwonderedwithmoregenuinefeelingthanbefore——gatheredallthatshecouldfromthisstorehouseofknowledge，byrunningoverthetitlesofhalfashelf，andwasreadytoproceed。Butsuitesofapartmentsdidnotspringupwithherwishes。
　　Largeaswasthebuilding，shehadalreadyvisitedthegreatestpart；though，onbeingtoldthat，withtheadditionofthekitchen，thesixorsevenroomsshehadnowseensurroundedthreesidesofthecourt，shecouldscarcelybelieveit，orovercomethesuspicionoftherebeingmanychamberssecreted。Itwassomerelief，however，thattheyweretoreturntotheroomsincommonuse，bypassingthroughafewoflessimportance，lookingintothecourt，which，withoccasionalpassages，notwhollyunintricate，connectedthedifferentsides；
　　andshewasfurthersoothedinherprogressbybeingtoldthatshewastreadingwhathadoncebeenacloister，havingtracesofcellspointedout，andobservingseveraldoorsthatwereneitheropenednorexplainedtoher——byfindingherselfsuccessivelyinabilliard-room，andinthegeneral'sprivateapartment，withoutcomprehendingtheirconnection，orbeingabletoturnarightwhensheleftthem；andlastly，bypassingthroughadarklittleroom，owningHenry'sauthority，andstrewedwithhislitterofbooks，guns，andgreatcoats。
　　Fromthedining-room，ofwhich，thoughalreadyseen，andalwaystobeseenatfiveo'clock，thegeneralcouldnotforgothepleasureofpacingoutthelength，forthemorecertaininformationofMissMorland，astowhatsheneitherdoubtednorcaredfor，theyproceededbyquickcommunicationtothekitchen——
　　theancientkitchenoftheconvent，richinthemassywallsandsmokeofformerdays，andinthestovesandhotclosetsofthepresent。Thegeneral'simprovinghandhadnotloiteredhere:everymoderninventiontofacilitatethelabourofthecookshadbeenadoptedwithinthis，theirspacioustheatre；and，whenthegeniusofothershadfailed，hisownhadoftenproducedtheperfectionwanted。
　　Hisendowmentsofthisspotalonemightatanytimehaveplacedhimhighamongthebenefactorsoftheconvent。
　　Withthewallsofthekitchenendedalltheantiquityoftheabbey；thefourthsideofthequadranglehaving，onaccountofitsdecayingstate，beenremovedbythegeneral'sfather，andthepresenterectedinitsplace。
　　Allthatwasvenerableceasedhere。Thenewbuildingwasnotonlynew，butdeclareditselftobeso；intendedonlyforoffices，andenclosedbehindbystable-yards，nouniformityofarchitecturehadbeenthoughtnecessary。
　　Catherinecouldhaveravedatthehandwhichhadsweptawaywhatmusthavebeenbeyondthevalueofalltherest，forthepurposesofmeredomesticeconomy；andwouldwillinglyhavebeensparedthemortificationofawalkthroughscenessofallen，hadthegeneralallowedit；
　　butifhehadavanity，itwasinthearrangementofhisoffices；andashewasconvincedthat，toamindlikeMissMorland's，aviewoftheaccommodationsandcomforts，bywhichthelaboursofherinferiorsweresoftened，mustalwaysbegratifying，heshouldmakenoapologyforleadingheron。Theytookaslightsurveyofall；
　　andCatherinewasimpressed，beyondherexpectation，bytheirmultiplicityandtheirconvenience。ThepurposesforwhichafewshapelesspantriesandacomfortlesssculleryweredeemedsufficientatFullerton，wereherecarriedoninappropriatedivisions，commodiousandroomy。
　　Thenumberofservantscontinuallyappearingdidnotstrikeherlessthanthenumberoftheiroffices。
　　Wherevertheywent，somepattenedgirlstoppedtocurtsy，orsomefootmanindishabillesneakedoff。Yetthiswasanabbey！Howinexpressiblydifferentinthesedomesticarrangementsfromsuchasshehadreadabout——fromabbeysandcastles，inwhich，thoughcertainlylargerthanNorthanger，allthedirtyworkofthehousewastobedonebytwopairoffemalehandsattheutmost。
　　HowtheycouldgetthroughitallhadoftenamazedMrs。Allen；
　　and，whenCatherinesawwhatwasnecessaryhere，shebegantobeamazedherself。
　　Theyreturnedtothehall，thatthechiefstaircasemightbeascended，andthebeautyofitswood，andornamentsofrichcarvingmightbepointedout:havinggainedthetop，theyturnedinanoppositedirectionfromthegalleryinwhichherroomlay，andshortlyenteredoneonthesameplan，butsuperiorinlengthandbreadth。
　　Shewashereshownsuccessivelyintothreelargebed-chambers，withtheirdressing-rooms，mostcompletelyandhandsomelyfittedup；everythingthatmoneyandtastecoulddo，togivecomfortandelegancetoapartments，hadbeenbestowedonthese；and，beingfurnishedwithinthelastfiveyears，theywereperfectinallthatwouldbegenerallypleasing，andwantinginallthatcouldgivepleasuretoCatherine。Astheyweresurveyingthelast，thegeneral，afterslightlynamingafewofthedistinguishedcharactersbywhomtheyhadattimesbeenhonoured，turnedwithasmilingcountenancetoCatherine，andventuredtohopethathenceforwardsomeoftheirearliesttenantsmightbe“ourfriendsfromFullerton。”
　　Shefelttheunexpectedcompliment，anddeeplyregrettedtheimpossibilityofthinkingwellofamansokindlydisposedtowardsherself，andsofullofcivilitytoallherfamily。
　　Thegallerywasterminatedbyfoldingdoors，whichMissTilney，advancing，hadthrownopen，andpassedthrough，andseemedonthepointofdoingthesamebythefirstdoortotheleft，inanotherlongreachofgallery，whenthegeneral，comingforwards，calledherhastily，and，asCatherinethought，ratherangrilyback，demandingwhethersheweregoing?——Andwhatwastheremoretobeseen?——HadnotMissMorlandalreadyseenallthatcouldbeworthhernotice?——Anddidshenotsupposeherfriendmightbegladofsomerefreshmentaftersomuchexercise?MissTilneydrewbackdirectly，andtheheavydoorswerecloseduponthemortifiedCatherine，who，havingseen，inamomentaryglancebeyondthem，anarrowerpassage，morenumerousopenings，andsymptomsofawindingstaircase，believedherselfatlastwithinthereachofsomethingworthhernotice；andfelt，assheunwillinglypacedbackthegallery，thatshewouldratherbeallowedtoexaminethatendofthehousethanseeallthefineryofalltherest。Thegeneral'sevidentdesireofpreventingsuchanexaminationwasanadditionalstimulant。
　　Somethingwascertainlytobeconcealed；herfancy，thoughithadtrespassedlatelyonceortwice，couldnotmisleadherhere；andwhatthatsomethingwas，ashortsentenceofMissTilney's，astheyfollowedthegeneralatsomedistancedownstairs，seemedtopointout:“Iwasgoingtotakeyouintowhatwasmymother'sroom——theroominwhichshedied——“wereallherwords；
　　butfewastheywere，theyconveyedpagesofintelligencetoCatherine。Itwasnowonderthatthegeneralshouldshrinkfromthesightofsuchobjectsasthatroommustcontain；aroominallprobabilityneverenteredbyhimsincethedreadfulscenehadpassed，whichreleasedhissufferingwife，andlefthimtothestingsofconscience。
　　Sheventured，whennextalonewithEleanor，toexpressherwishofbeingpermittedtoseeit，aswellasalltherestofthatsideofthehouse；
　　andEleanorpromisedtoattendherthere，whenevertheyshouldhaveaconvenienthour。Catherineunderstoodher:
　　thegeneralmustbewatchedfromhome，beforethatroomcouldbeentered。“Itremainsasitwas，Isuppose?“
　　saidshe，inatoneoffeeling。
　　“Yes，entirely。”
　　“Andhowlongagomayitbethatyourmotherdied?“
　　“Shehasbeendeadthesenineyears。”Andnineyears，Catherineknew，wasatrifleoftime，comparedwithwhatgenerallyelapsedafterthedeathofaninjuredwife，beforeherroomwasputtorights。
　　“Youwerewithher，Isuppose，tothelast?“
　　“No，“saidMissTilney，sighing；“Iwasunfortunatelyfromhome。Herillnesswassuddenandshort；and，beforeI
　　arriveditwasallover。”
　　Catherine'sbloodrancoldwiththehorridsuggestionswhichnaturallysprangfromthesewords。
　　Coulditbepossible?CouldHenry'sfather——?Andyethowmanyweretheexamplestojustifyeventheblackestsuspicions！And，whenshesawhimintheevening，whilesheworkedwithherfriend，slowlypacingthedrawing-roomforanhourtogetherinsilentthoughtfulness，withdowncasteyesandcontractedbrow，shefeltsecurefromallpossibilityofwronginghim。ItwastheairandattitudeofaMontoni！Whatcouldmoreplainlyspeakthegloomyworkingsofamindnotwhollydeadtoeverysenseofhumanity，initsfearfulreviewofpastscenesofguilt?Unhappyman！Andtheanxiousnessofherspiritsdirectedhereyestowardshisfiguresorepeatedly，astocatchMissTilney'snotice。“Myfather，“
　　shewhispered，“oftenwalksabouttheroominthisway；
　　itisnothingunusual。”
　　“Somuchtheworse！“thoughtCatherine；suchill-timedexercisewasofapiecewiththestrangeunseasonablenessofhismorningwalks，andbodednothinggood。
　　Afteranevening，thelittlevarietyandseeminglengthofwhichmadeherpeculiarlysensibleofHenry'simportanceamongthem，shewasheartilygladtobedismissed；
　　thoughitwasalookfromthegeneralnotdesignedforherobservationwhichsenthisdaughtertothebell。
　　Whenthebutlerwouldhavelithismaster'scandle，however，hewasforbidden。Thelatterwasnotgoingtoretire。
　　“Ihavemanypamphletstofinish，“saidhetoCatherine，“beforeIcanclosemyeyes，andperhapsmaybeporingovertheaffairsofthenationforhoursafteryouareasleep。
　　Caneitherofusbemoremeetlyemployed?Myeyeswillbeblindingforthegoodofothers，andyourspreparingbyrestforfuturemischief。”
　　Butneitherthebusinessalleged，northemagnificentcompliment，couldwinCatherinefromthinkingthatsomeverydifferentobjectmustoccasionsoseriousadelayofproperrepose。Tobekeptupforhours，afterthefamilywereinbed，bystupidpamphletswasnotverylikely。
　　Theremustbesomedeepercause:somethingwastobedonewhichcouldbedoneonlywhilethehouseholdslept；
　　andtheprobabilitythatMrs。Tilneyyetlived，shutupforcausesunknown，andreceivingfromthepitilesshandsofherhusbandanightlysupplyofcoarsefood，wastheconclusionwhichnecessarilyfollowed。
　　Shockingaswastheidea，itwasatleastbetterthanadeathunfairlyhastened，as，inthenaturalcourseofthings，shemusterelongbereleased。Thesuddennessofherreputedillness，theabsenceofherdaughter，andprobablyofherotherchildren，atthetime——allfavouredthesuppositionofherimprisonment。Itsorigin——jealousyperhaps，orwantoncruelty——wasyettobeunravelled。
　　Inrevolvingthesematters，whilesheundressed，itsuddenlystruckherasnotunlikelythatshemightthatmorninghavepassedneartheveryspotofthisunfortunatewoman'sconfinement——mighthavebeenwithinafewpacesofthecellinwhichshelanguishedoutherdays；
　　forwhatpartoftheabbeycouldbemorefittedforthepurposethanthatwhichyetborethetracesofmonasticdivision?Inthehigh-archedpassage，pavedwithstone，whichalreadyshehadtroddenwithpeculiarawe，shewellrememberedthedoorsofwhichthegeneralhadgivennoaccount。Towhatmightnotthosedoorslead?Insupportoftheplausibilityofthisconjecture，itfurtheroccurredtoherthattheforbiddengallery，inwhichlaytheapartmentsoftheunfortunateMrs。Tilney，mustbe，ascertainlyashermemorycouldguideher，exactlyoverthissuspectedrangeofcells，andthestaircasebythesideofthoseapartmentsofwhichshehadcaughtatransientglimpse，communicatingbysomesecretmeanswiththosecells，mightwellhavefavouredthebarbarousproceedingsofherhusband。Downthatstaircaseshehadperhapsbeenconveyedinastateofwell-preparedinsensibility！
　　Catherinesometimesstartedattheboldnessofherownsurmises，andsometimeshopedorfearedthatshehadgonetoofar；buttheyweresupportedbysuchappearancesasmadetheirdismissalimpossible。
　　Thesideofthequadrangle，inwhichshesupposedtheguiltyscenetobeacting，being，accordingtoherbelief，justoppositeherown，itstruckherthat，ifjudiciouslywatched，someraysoflightfromthegeneral'slampmightglimmerthroughthelowerwindows，ashepassedtotheprisonofhiswife；and，twicebeforeshesteppedintobed，shestolegentlyfromherroomtothecorrespondingwindowinthegallery，toseeifitappeared；
　　butallabroadwasdark，anditmustyetbetooearly。
　　Thevariousascendingnoisesconvincedherthattheservantsmuststillbeup。Tillmidnight，shesupposeditwouldbeinvaintowatch；butthen，whentheclockhadstrucktwelve，andallwasquiet，shewould，ifnotquiteappalledbydarkness，stealoutandlookoncemore。
　　Theclockstrucktwelve——andCatherinehadbeenhalfanhourasleep。
　　CHAPTER24
　　Thenextdayaffordednoopportunityfortheproposedexaminationofthemysteriousapartments。ItwasSunday，andthewholetimebetweenmorningandafternoonservicewasrequiredbythegeneralinexerciseabroadoreatingcoldmeatathome；andgreataswasCatherine'scuriosity，hercouragewasnotequaltoawishofexploringthemafterdinner，eitherbythefadinglightoftheskybetweensixandseveno'clock，orbytheyetmorepartialthoughstrongerilluminationofatreacherouslamp。ThedaywasunmarkedthereforebyanythingtointerestherimaginationbeyondthesightofaveryelegantmonumenttothememoryofMrs。Tilney，whichimmediatelyfrontedthefamilypew。
　　Bythathereyewasinstantlycaughtandlongretained；
　　andtheperusalofthehighlystrainedepitaph，inwhicheveryvirtuewasascribedtoherbytheinconsolablehusband，whomusthavebeeninsomewayorotherherdestroyer，affectedhereventotears。
　　Thatthegeneral，havingerectedsuchamonument，shouldbeabletofaceit，wasnotperhapsverystrange，andyetthathecouldsitsoboldlycollectedwithinitsview，maintainsoelevatedanair，looksofearlesslyaround，nay，thatheshouldevenenterthechurch，seemedwonderfultoCatherine。Not，however，thatmanyinstancesofbeingsequallyhardenedinguiltmightnotbeproduced。Shecouldrememberdozenswhohadperseveredineverypossiblevice，goingonfromcrimetocrime，murderingwhomsoevertheychose，withoutanyfeelingofhumanityorremorse；
　　tillaviolentdeathorareligiousretirementclosedtheirblackcareer。TheerectionofthemonumentitselfcouldnotinthesmallestdegreeaffectherdoubtsofMrs。Tilney'sactualdecease。Weresheeventodescendintothefamilyvaultwhereherashesweresupposedtoslumber，wereshetobeholdthecoffininwhichtheyweresaidtobeenclosed——whatcoulditavailinsuchacase?
　　Catherinehadreadtoomuchnottobeperfectlyawareoftheeasewithwhichawaxenfiguremightbeintroduced，andasupposititiousfuneralcarriedon。
　　Thesucceedingmorningpromisedsomethingbetter。
　　Thegeneral'searlywalk，ill-timedasitwasineveryotherview，wasfavourablehere；andwhensheknewhimtobeoutofthehouse，shedirectlyproposedtoMissTilneytheaccomplishmentofherpromise。
　　Eleanorwasreadytoobligeher；andCatherineremindingherastheywentofanotherpromise，theirfirstvisitinconsequencewastotheportraitinherbed-chamber。Itrepresentedaverylovelywoman，withamildandpensivecountenance，justifying，sofar，theexpectationsofitsnewobserver；buttheywerenotineveryrespectanswered，forCatherinehaddependeduponmeetingwithfeatures，hair，complexion，thatshouldbetheverycounterpart，theveryimage，ifnotofHenry's，ofEleanor's——theonlyportraitsofwhichshehadbeeninthehabitofthinking，bearingalwaysanequalresemblanceofmotherandchild。
　　Afaceoncetakenwastakenforgenerations。Buthereshewasobligedtolookandconsiderandstudyforalikeness。
　　Shecontemplatedit，however，inspiteofthisdrawback，withmuchemotion，and，butforayetstrongerinterest，wouldhaveleftitunwillingly。
　　Heragitationastheyenteredthegreatgallerywastoomuchforanyendeavouratdiscourse；shecouldonlylookathercompanion。Eleanor'scountenancewasdejected，yetsedate；anditscomposurespokeherinuredtoallthegloomyobjectstowhichtheywereadvancing。Againshepassedthroughthefoldingdoors，againherhandwasupontheimportantlock，andCatherine，hardlyabletobreathe，wasturningtoclosetheformerwithfearfulcaution，whenthefigure，thedreadedfigureofthegeneralhimselfatthefurtherendofthegallery，stoodbeforeher！Thenameof“Eleanor“atthesamemoment，inhisloudesttone，resoundedthroughthebuilding，givingtohisdaughterthefirstintimationofhispresence，andtoCatherineterroruponterror。Anattemptatconcealmenthadbeenherfirstinstinctivemovementonperceivinghim，yetshecouldscarcelyhopetohaveescapedhiseye；
　　andwhenherfriend，whowithanapologizinglookdartedhastilybyher，hadjoinedanddisappearedwithhim，sheranforsafetytoherownroom，and，lockingherselfin，believedthatsheshouldneverhavecouragetogodownagain。Sheremainedthereatleastanhour，inthegreatestagitation，deeplycommiseratingthestateofherpoorfriend，andexpectingasummonsherselffromtheangrygeneraltoattendhiminhisownapartment。
　　Nosummons，however，arrived；andatlast，onseeingacarriagedriveuptotheabbey，shewasemboldenedtodescendandmeethimundertheprotectionofvisitors。
　　Thebreakfast-roomwasgaywithcompany；andshewasnamedtothembythegeneralasthefriendofhisdaughter，inacomplimentarystyle，whichsowellconcealedhisresentfulire，astomakeherfeelsecureatleastoflifeforthepresent。
　　AndEleanor，withacommandofcountenancewhichdidhonourtoherconcernforhischaracter，takinganearlyoccasionofsayingtoher，“Myfatheronlywantedmetoansweranote，“shebegantohopethatshehadeitherbeenunseenbythegeneral，orthatfromsomeconsiderationofpolicysheshouldbeallowedtosupposeherselfso。
　　Uponthistrustshedaredstilltoremaininhispresence，afterthecompanyleftthem，andnothingoccurredtodisturbit。
　　Inthecourseofthismorning'sreflections，shecametoaresolutionofmakinghernextattemptontheforbiddendooralone。ItwouldbemuchbetterineveryrespectthatEleanorshouldknownothingofthematter。
　　Toinvolveherinthedangerofaseconddetection，tocourtherintoanapartmentwhichmustwringherheart，couldnotbetheofficeofafriend。Thegeneral'sutmostangercouldnotbetoherselfwhatitmightbetoadaughter；and，besides，shethoughttheexaminationitselfwouldbemoresatisfactoryifmadewithoutanycompanion。
　　ItwouldbeimpossibletoexplaintoEleanorthesuspicions，fromwhichtheotherhad，inalllikelihood，beenhithertohappilyexempt；norcouldshetherefore，inherpresence，searchforthoseproofsofthegeneral'scruelty，whichhowevertheymightyethaveescapeddiscovery，shefeltconfidentofsomewheredrawingforth，intheshapeofsomefragmentedjournal，continuedtothelastgasp。
　　Ofthewaytotheapartmentshewasnowperfectlymistress；
　　andasshewishedtogetitoverbeforeHenry'sreturn，whowasexpectedonthemorrow，therewasnotimetobelost，Thedaywasbright，hercouragehigh；atfouro'clock，thesunwasnowtwohoursabovethehorizon，anditwouldbeonlyherretiringtodresshalfanhourearlierthanusual。
　　Itwasdone；andCatherinefoundherselfaloneinthegallerybeforetheclockshadceasedtostrike。
　　Itwasnotimeforthought；shehurriedon，slippedwiththeleastpossiblenoisethroughthefoldingdoors，andwithoutstoppingtolookorbreathe，rushedforwardtotheoneinquestion。Thelockyieldedtoherhand，and，luckily，withnosullensoundthatcouldalarmahumanbeing。Ontiptoesheentered；theroomwasbeforeher；butitwassomeminutesbeforeshecouldadvanceanotherstep。Shebeheldwhatfixedhertothespotandagitatedeveryfeature。Shesawalarge，well-proportionedapartment，anhandsomedimitybed，arrangedasunoccupiedwithanhousemaid'scare，abrightBathstove，mahoganywardrobes，andneatlypaintedchairs，onwhichthewarmbeamsofawesternsungailypouredthroughtwosashwindows！Catherinehadexpectedtohaveherfeelingsworked，andworkedtheywere。
　　Astonishmentanddoubtfirstseizedthem；andashortlysucceedingrayofcommonsenseaddedsomebitteremotionsofshame。Shecouldnotbemistakenastotheroom；
　　buthowgrosslymistakenineverythingelse！——inMissTilney'smeaning，inherowncalculation！Thisapartment，towhichshehadgivenadatesoancient，apositionsoawful，provedtobeoneendofwhatthegeneral'sfatherhadbuilt。
　　Thereweretwootherdoorsinthechamber，leadingprobablyintodressing-closets；butshehadnoinclinationtoopeneither。WouldtheveilinwhichMrs。Tilneyhadlastwalked，orthevolumeinwhichshehadlastread，remaintotellwhatnothingelsewasallowedtowhisper?
　　No:whatevermighthavebeenthegeneral'scrimes，hehadcertainlytoomuchwittoletthemsuefordetection。
　　Shewassickofexploring，anddesiredbuttobesafeinherownroom，withherownheartonlyprivytoitsfolly；
　　andshewasonthepointofretreatingassoftlyasshehadentered，whenthesoundoffootsteps，shecouldhardlytellwhere，madeherpauseandtremble。Tobefoundthere，evenbyaservant，wouldbeunpleasant；butbythegeneralandheseemedalwaysathandwhenleastwanted，muchworse！Shelistened——thesoundhadceased；andresolvingnottoloseamoment，shepassedthroughandclosedthedoor。
　　Atthatinstantadoorunderneathwashastilyopened；
　　someoneseemedwithswiftstepstoascendthestairs，bytheheadofwhichshehadyettopassbeforeshecouldgainthegallery。Shebadnopowertomove。
　　Withafeelingofterrornotverydefinable，shefixedhereyesonthestaircase，andinafewmomentsitgaveHenrytoherview。“Mr。Tilney！“sheexclaimedinavoiceofmorethancommonastonishment。Helookedastonishedtoo。
　　“GoodGod！“shecontinued，notattendingtohisaddress。
　　“Howcameyouhere?Howcameyouupthatstaircase?“
　　“HowcameIupthatstaircase！“hereplied，greatlysurprised。“Becauseitismynearestwayfromthestable-yardtomyownchamber；andwhyshouldInotcomeupit?“
　　Catherinerecollectedherself，blusheddeeply，andcouldsaynomore。Heseemedtobelookinginhercountenanceforthatexplanationwhichherlipsdidnotafford。
　　Shemovedontowardsthegallery。“AndmayInot，inmyturn，“
　　saidhe，asbepushedbackthefoldingdoors，“askhowyoucamehere?Thispassageisatleastasextraordinaryaroadfromthebreakfast-parlourtoyourapartment，asthatstaircasecanbefromthestablestomine。”
　　“Ihavebeen，“saidCatherine，lookingdown，“toseeyourmother'sroom。”
　　“Mymother'sroom！Isthereanythingextraordinarytobeseenthere?“
　　“No，nothingatall。Ithoughtyoudidnotmeantocomebacktilltomorrow。”
　　“Ididnotexpecttobeabletoreturnsooner，whenIwentaway；butthreehoursagoIhadthepleasureoffindingnothingtodetainme。Youlookpale。IamafraidIalarmedyoubyrunningsofastupthosestairs。
　　Perhapsyoudidnotknow——youwerenotawareoftheirleadingfromtheofficesincommonuse?“
　　“No，Iwasnot。Youhavehadaveryfinedayforyourride。”
　　“Very；anddoesEleanorleaveyoutofindyourwayintoantheroomsinthehousebyyourself?“
　　“Oh！No；sheshowedmeoverthegreatestpartonSaturday——andwewerecomingheretotheserooms——butonly“——droppinghervoice——“yourfatherwaswithus。”
　　“Andthatpreventedyou，“saidHenry，earnestlyregardingher。“Haveyoulookedintoalltheroomsinthatpassage?“
　　“No，Ionlywantedtosee——Isnotitverylate?I
　　mustgoanddress。”
　　“Itisonlyaquarterpastfour“showinghiswatch——“andyouarenotnowinBath。Notheatre，noroomstopreparefor。HalfanhouratNorthangermustbeenough。”
　　Shecouldnotcontradictit，andthereforesufferedherselftobedetained，thoughherdreadoffurtherquestionsmadeher，forthefirsttimeintheiracquaintance，wishtoleavehim。Theywalkedslowlyupthegallery。
　　“HaveyouhadanyletterfromBathsinceIsawyou?“
　　“No，andIamverymuchsurprised。Isabellapromisedsofaithfullytowritedirectly。”
　　“Promisedsofaithfully！Afaithfulpromise！Thatpuzzlesme。Ihaveheardofafaithfulperformance。
　　Butafaithfulpromise——thefidelityofpromising！Itisapowerlittleworthknowing，however，sinceitcandeceiveandpainyou。Mymother'sroomisverycommodious，isitnot?Largeandcheerful-looking，andthedressing-closetssowelldisposed！Italwaysstrikesmeasthemostcomfortableapartmentinthehouse，andI
　　ratherwonderthatEleanorshouldnottakeitforherown。
　　Shesentyoutolookatit，Isuppose?“
　　“No。”
　　“Ithasbeenyourowndoingentirely?“Catherinesaidnothing。Afterashortsilence，duringwhichhehadcloselyobservedher，headded，“Asthereisnothingintheroominitselftoraisecuriosity，thismusthaveproceededfromasentimentofrespectformymother'scharacter，asdescribedbyEleanor，whichdoeshonourtohermemory。
　　Theworld，Ibelieve，neversawabetterwoman。
　　Butitisnotoftenthatvirtuecanboastaninterestsuchasthis。Thedomestic，unpretendingmeritsofapersonneverknowndonotoftencreatethatkindoffervent，veneratingtendernesswhichwouldpromptavisitlikeyours。Eleanor，Isuppose，hastalkedofheragreatdeal?“
　　“Yes，agreatdeal。Thatis——no，notmuch，butwhatshedidsaywasveryinteresting。Herdyingsosuddenly“slowly，andwithhesitationitwasspoken，“andyou——noneofyoubeingathome——andyourfather，Ithought——perhapshadnotbeenveryfondofher。”
　　“Andfromthesecircumstances，“herepliedhisquickeyefixedonhers，“youinferperhapstheprobabilityofsomenegligence——some“——involuntarilysheshookherhead——“oritmaybe——ofsomethingstilllesspardonable。”
　　Sheraisedhereyestowardshimmorefullythanshehadeverdonebefore。“Mymother'sillness，“hecontinued，“theseizurewhichendedinherdeath，wassudden。
　　Themaladyitself，onefromwhichshehadoftensuffered，abiliousfever——itscausethereforeconstitutional。
　　Onthethirdday，inshort，assoonasshecouldbeprevailedon，aphysicianattendedher，averyrespectableman，andoneinwhomshehadalwaysplacedgreatconfidence。
　　Uponhisopinionofherdanger，twootherswerecalledinthenextday，andremainedinalmostconstantattendanceforfourandtwentyhours。Onthefifthdayshedied。
　　Duringtheprogressofherdisorder，FrederickandIwewerebothathomesawherrepeatedly；andfromourownobservationcanbearwitnesstoherhavingreceivedeverypossibleattentionwhichcouldspringfromtheaffectionofthoseabouther，orwhichhersituationinlifecouldcommand。PoorEleanorwasabsent，andatsuchadistanceastoreturnonlytoseehermotherinhercoffin。”
　　“Butyourfather，“saidCatherine，“washeafflicted?“
　　“Foratime，greatlyso。Youhaveerredinsupposinghimnotattachedtoher。Helovedher，Iampersuaded，aswellasitwaspossibleforhimto——wehavenotall，youknow，thesametendernessofdisposition——andIwillnotpretendtosaythatwhileshelived，shemightnotoftenhavehadmuchtobear，butthoughhistemperinjuredher，hisjudgmentneverdid。
　　Hisvalueofherwassincere；and，ifnotpermanently，hewastrulyafflictedbyherdeath。”
　　“Iamverygladofit，“saidCatherine；“itwouldhavebeenveryshocking！“
　　“IfIunderstandyourightly，youhadformedasurmiseofsuchhorrorasIhavehardlywordsto——DearMissMorland，considerthedreadfulnatureofthesuspicionsyouhaveentertained。Whathaveyoubeenjudgingfrom?
　　Rememberthecountryandtheageinwhichwelive。
　　RememberthatweareEnglish，thatweareChristians。
　　Consultyourownunderstanding，yourownsenseoftheprobable，yourownobservationofwhatispassingaroundyou。
　　Doesoureducationprepareusforsuchatrocities?Doourlawsconniveatthem?Couldtheybeperpetratedwithoutbeingknown，inacountrylikethis，wheresocialandliteraryintercourseisonsuchafooting，whereeverymanissurroundedbyaneighbourhoodofvoluntaryspies，andwhereroadsandnewspaperslayeverythingopen?DearestMissMorland，whatideashaveyoubeenadmitting?“
　　Theyhadreachedtheendofthegallery，andwithtearsofshamesheranofftoherownroom。
　　CHAPTER25
　　Thevisionsofromancewereover。Catherinewascompletelyawakened。Henry'saddress，shortasithadbeen，hadmorethoroughlyopenedhereyestotheextravaganceofherlatefanciesthanalltheirseveraldisappointmentshaddone。
　　Mostgrievouslywasshehumbled。Mostbitterlydidshecry。
　　Itwasnotonlywithherselfthatshewassunk——butwithHenry。Herfolly，whichnowseemedevencriminal，wasallexposedtohim，andhemustdespiseherforever。
　　Thelibertywhichherimaginationhaddaredtotakewiththecharacterofhisfather——couldheeverforgiveit?Theabsurdityofhercuriosityandherfears——couldtheyeverbeforgotten?Shehatedherselfmorethanshecouldexpress。
　　Hehad——shethoughthehad，onceortwicebeforethisfatalmorning，shownsomethinglikeaffectionforher。
　　Butnow——inshort，shemadeherselfasmiserableaspossibleforabouthalfanhour，wentdownwhentheclockstruckfive，withabrokenheart，andcouldscarcelygiveanintelligibleanswertoEleanor'sinquiryifshewaswell。
　　TheformidableHenrysoonfollowedherintotheroom，andtheonlydifferenceinhisbehaviourtoherwasthathepaidherrathermoreattentionthanusual。
　　Catherinehadneverwantedcomfortmore，andhelookedasifhewasawareofit。
　　Theeveningworeawaywithnoabatementofthissoothingpoliteness；andherspiritsweregraduallyraisedtoamodesttranquillity。Shedidnotlearneithertoforgetordefendthepast；butshelearnedtohopethatitwouldnevertranspirefarther，andthatitmightnotcostherHenry'sentireregard。Herthoughtsbeingstillchieflyfixedonwhatshehadwithsuchcauselessterrorfeltanddone，nothingcouldshortlybeclearerthanthatithadbeenallavoluntary，self-createddelusion，eachtriflingcircumstancereceivingimportancefromanimaginationresolvedonalarm，andeverythingforcedtobendtoonepurposebyamindwhich，beforesheenteredtheabbey，hadbeencravingtobefrightened。
　　SherememberedwithwhatfeelingsshehadpreparedforaknowledgeofNorthanger。Shesawthattheinfatuationhadbeencreated，themischiefsettled，longbeforeherquittingBath，anditseemedasifthewholemightbetracedtotheinfluenceofthatsortofreadingwhichshehadthereindulged。
　　CharmingaswereallMrs。Radcliffe'sworks，andcharmingevenasweretheworksofallherimitators，itwasnotinthemperhapsthathumannature，atleastintheMidlandcountiesofEngland，wastobelookedfor。
　　OftheAlpsandPyrenees，withtheirpineforestsandtheirvices，theymightgiveafaithfuldelineation；
　　andItaly，Switzerland，andthesouthofFrancemightbeasfruitfulinhorrorsastheywerethererepresented。
　　Catherinedarednotdoubtbeyondherowncountry，andevenofthat，ifhardpressed，wouldhaveyieldedthenorthernandwesternextremities。ButinthecentralpartofEnglandtherewassurelysomesecurityfortheexistenceevenofawifenotbeloved，inthelawsoftheland，andthemannersoftheage。Murderwasnottolerated，servantswerenotslaves，andneitherpoisonnorsleepingpotionstobeprocured，likerhubarb，fromeverydruggist。
　　AmongtheAlpsandPyrenees，perhaps，therewerenomixedcharacters。There，suchaswerenotasspotlessasanangelmighthavethedispositionsofafiend。
　　ButinEnglanditwasnotso；amongtheEnglish，shebelieved，intheirheartsandhabits，therewasageneralthoughunequalmixtureofgoodandbad。Uponthisconviction，shewouldnotbesurprisedifeveninHenryandEleanorTilney，someslightimperfectionmighthereafterappear；
　　anduponthisconvictionsheneednotfeartoacknowledgesomeactualspecksinthecharacteroftheirfather，who，thoughclearedfromthegrosslyinjurioussuspicionswhichshemusteverblushtohaveentertained，shedidbelieve，uponseriousconsideration，tobenotperfectlyamiable。
　　Hermindmadeupontheseseveralpoints，andherresolutionformed，ofalwaysjudgingandactinginfuturewiththegreatestgoodsense，shehadnothingtodobuttoforgiveherselfandbehappierthanever；
　　andthelenienthandoftimedidmuchforherbyinsensiblegradationsinthecourseofanotherday。
　　Henry'sastonishinggenerosityandnoblenessofconduct，inneveralludingintheslightestwaytowhathadpassed，wasofthegreatestassistancetoher；andsoonerthanshecouldhavesupposeditpossibleinthebeginningofherdistress，herspiritsbecameabsolutelycomfortable，andcapable，asheretofore，ofcontinualimprovementbyanythinghesaid。Therewerestillsomesubjects，indeed，underwhichshebelievedtheymustalwaystremble——thementionofachestoracabinet，forinstance——andshedidnotlovethesightofjapaninanyshape:butevenshecouldallowthatanoccasionalmementoofpastfolly，howeverpainful，mightnotbewithoutuse。
　　Theanxietiesofcommonlifebegansoontosucceedtothealarmsofromance。HerdesireofhearingfromIsabellagreweverydaygreater。ShewasquiteimpatienttoknowhowtheBathworldwenton，andhowtheroomswereattended；
　　andespeciallywassheanxioustobeassuredofIsabella'shavingmatchedsomefinenetting-cotton，onwhichshehadleftherintent；andofhercontinuingonthebesttermswithJames。HeronlydependenceforinformationofanykindwasonIsabella。JameshadprotestedagainstwritingtohertillhisreturntoOxford；andMrs。AllenhadgivenhernohopesofalettertillshehadgotbacktoFullerton。ButIsabellahadpromisedandpromisedagain；
　　andwhenshepromisedathing，shewassoscrupulousinperformingit！Thismadeitsoparticularlystrange！
　　Forninesuccessivemornings，Catherinewonderedovertherepetitionofadisappointment，whicheachmorningbecamemoresevere:but，onthetenth，whensheenteredthebreakfast-room，herfirstobjectwasaletter，heldoutbyHenry'swillinghand。Shethankedhimasheartilyasifhehadwrittenithimself。“'TisonlyfromJames，however，“asshelookedatthedirection。
　　Sheopenedit；itwasfromOxford；andtothispurpose:
　　“DearCatherine，“Though，Godknows，withlittleinclinationforwriting，IthinkitmydutytotellyouthateverythingisatanendbetweenMissThorpeandme。
　　IleftherandBathyesterday，nevertoseeeitheragain。Ishallnotenterintoparticulars——theywouldonlypainyoumore。Youwillsoonhearenoughfromanotherquartertoknowwhereliestheblame；
　　andIhopewillacquityourbrotherofeverythingbutthefollyoftooeasilythinkinghisaffectionreturned。ThankGod！Iamundeceivedintime！Butitisaheavyblow！Aftermyfather'sconsenthadbeensokindlygiven——butnomoreofthis。Shehasmadememiserableforever！Letmesoonhearfromyou，dearCatherine；youaremyonlyfriend；yourloveIdobuildupon。IwishyourvisitatNorthangermaybeoverbeforeCaptainTilneymakeshisengagementknown，oryouwillbeuncomfortablycircumstanced。
　　PoorThorpeisintown:Idreadthesightofhim；
　　hishonestheartwouldfeelsomuch。Ihavewrittentohimandmyfather。Herduplicityhurtsmemorethanall；tilltheverylast，ifIreasonedwithher，shedeclaredherselfasmuchattachedtomeasever，andlaughedatmyfears。IamashamedtothinkhowlongIborewithit；butifevermanhadreasontobelievehimselfloved，Iwasthatman。
　　Icannotunderstandevennowwhatshewouldbeat，fortherecouldbenoneedofmybeingplayedofftomakehersecureofTilney。Wepartedatlastbymutualconsent——happyformehadwenevermet！I
　　canneverexpecttoknowsuchanotherwoman！DearestCatherine，bewarehowyougiveyourheart。
　　“Believeme，“&c。
　　Catherinehadnotreadthreelinesbeforehersuddenchangeofcountenance，andshortexclamationsofsorrowingwonder，declaredhertobereceivingunpleasantnews；
　　andHenry，earnestlywatchingherthroughthewholeletter，sawplainlythatitendednobetterthanitbegan。
　　Hewasprevented，however，fromevenlookinghissurprisebyhisfather'sentrance。Theywenttobreakfastdirectly；
　　butCatherinecouldhardlyeatanything。Tearsfilledhereyes，andevenrandownhercheeksasshesat。
　　Theletterwasonemomentinherhand，theninherlap，andtheninherpocket；andshelookedasifsheknewnotwhatshedid。Thegeneral，betweenhiscocoaandhisnewspaper，hadluckilynoleisurefornoticingher；
　　buttotheothertwoherdistresswasequallyvisible。
　　Assoonasshedaredleavethetableshehurriedawaytoherownroom；butthehousemaidswerebusyinit，andshewasobligedtocomedownagain。Sheturnedintothedrawing-roomforprivacy，butHenryandEleanorhadlikewiseretreatedthither，andwereatthatmomentdeepinconsultationabouther。Shedrewback，tryingtobegtheirpardon，butwas，withgentleviolence，forcedtoreturn；andtheotherswithdrew，afterEleanorhadaffectionatelyexpressedawishofbeingofuseorcomforttoher。
　　Afterhalfanhour'sfreeindulgenceofgriefandreflection，Catherinefeltequaltoencounteringherfriends；
　　butwhethersheshouldmakeherdistressknowntothemwasanotherconsideration。Perhaps，ifparticularlyquestioned，shemightjustgiveanidea——justdistantlyhintatit——butnotmore。Toexposeafriend，suchafriendasIsabellahadbeentoher——andthentheirownbrothersocloselyconcernedinit！Shebelievedshemustwaivethesubjectaltogether。HenryandEleanorwerebythemselvesinthebreakfast-room；andeach，assheenteredit，lookedatheranxiously。Catherinetookherplaceatthetable，and，afterashortsilence，Eleanorsaid，“NobadnewsfromFullerton，Ihope?Mr。andMrs。Morland——yourbrothersandsisters——Ihopetheyarenoneofthemill?“
　　“No，Ithankyou“sighingasshespoke；“theyareallverywell。MyletterwasfrommybrotheratOxford。”
　　Nothingfurtherwassaidforafewminutes；andthenspeakingthroughhertears，sheadded，“IdonotthinkIshalleverwishforaletteragain！“
　　“Iamsorry，“saidHenry，closingthebookhehadjustopened；“ifIhadsuspectedtheletterofcontaininganythingunwelcome，Ishouldhavegivenitwithverydifferentfeelings。”
　　“Itcontainedsomethingworsethananybodycouldsuppose！PoorJamesissounhappy！Youwillsoonknowwhy。”
　　“Tohavesokind-hearted，soaffectionateasister，“
　　repliedHenrywarmly，“mustbeacomforttohimunderanydistress。”
　　“Ihaveonefavourtobeg，“saidCatherine，shortlyafterwards，inanagitatedmanner，“that，ifyourbrothershouldbecominghere，youwillgivemenoticeofit，thatImaygoaway。”
　　“Ourbrother！Frederick！“
　　“Yes；IamsureIshouldbeverysorrytoleaveyousosoon，butsomethinghashappenedthatwouldmakeitverydreadfulformetobeinthesamehousewithCaptainTilney。”
　　Eleanor'sworkwassuspendedwhileshegazedwithincreasingastonishment；butHenrybegantosuspectthetruth，andsomething，inwhichMissThorpe'snamewasincluded，passedhislips。
　　“Howquickyouare！“criedCatherine:“youhaveguessedit，Ideclare！Andyet，whenwetalkedaboutitinBath，youlittlethoughtofitsendingso。
　　Isabella——nowondernowIhavenotheardfromher——Isabellahasdesertedmybrother，andistomarryyours！Couldyouhavebelievedtherehadbeensuchinconstancyandfickleness，andeverythingthatisbadintheworld?“
　　“Ihope，sofarasconcernsmybrother，youaremisinformed。
　　IhopehehasnothadanymaterialshareinbringingonMr。Morland'sdisappointment。HismarryingMissThorpeisnotprobable。Ithinkyoumustbedeceivedsofar。
　　IamverysorryforMr。Morland——sorrythatanyoneyouloveshouldbeunhappy；butmysurprisewouldbegreateratFrederick'smarryingherthanatanyotherpartofthestory。”
　　“Itisverytrue，however；youshallreadJames'sletteryourself。Stay——Thereisonepart——“
　　recollectingwithablushthelastline。
　　“Willyoutakethetroubleofreadingtousthepassageswhichconcernmybrother?“
　　“No，readityourself，“criedCatherine，whosesecondthoughtswereclearer。“IdonotknowwhatIwasthinkingof“blushingagainthatshehadblushedbefore；
　　“Jamesonlymeanstogivemegoodadvice。”
　　Hegladlyreceivedtheletter，and，havingreaditthrough，withcloseattention，returneditsaying，“Well，ifitistobeso，IcanonlysaythatIamsorryforit。Frederickwillnotbethefirstmanwhohaschosenawifewithlesssensethanhisfamilyexpected。
　　Idonotenvyhissituation，eitherasaloverorason。”
　　MissTilney，atCatherine'sinvitation，nowreadtheletterlikewise，and，havingexpressedalsoherconcernandsurprise，begantoinquireintoMissThorpe'sconnectionsandfortune。
　　“Hermotherisaverygoodsortofwoman，“
　　wasCatherine'sanswer。
　　“Whatwasherfather?“
　　“Alawyer，Ibelieve。TheyliveatPutney。”
　　“Aretheyawealthyfamily?“
　　“No，notvery。IdonotbelieveIsabellahasanyfortuneatall:butthatwillnotsignifyinyourfamily。
　　Yourfatherissoveryliberal！Hetoldmetheotherdaythatheonlyvaluedmoneyasitallowedhimtopromotethehappinessofhischildren。”Thebrotherandsisterlookedateachother。“But，“saidEleanor，afterashortpause，“woulditbetopromotehishappiness，toenablehimtomarrysuchagirl?Shemustbeanunprincipledone，orshecouldnothaveusedyourbrotherso。AndhowstrangeaninfatuationonFrederick'sside！Agirlwho，beforehiseyes，isviolatinganengagementvoluntarilyenteredintowithanotherman！Isnotitinconceivable，Henry?Fredericktoo，whoalwaysworehisheartsoproudly！
　　Whofoundnowomangoodenoughtobeloved！“
　　“Thatisthemostunpromisingcircumstance，thestrongestpresumptionagainsthim。WhenIthinkofhispastdeclarations，Igivehimup。Moreover，IhavetoogoodanopinionofMissThorpe'sprudencetosupposethatshewouldpartwithonegentlemanbeforetheotherwassecured。ItisalloverwithFrederickindeed！Heisadeceasedman——defunctinunderstanding。Prepareforyoursister-in-law，Eleanor，andsuchasister-in-lawasyoumustdelightin！Open，candid，artless，guileless，withaffectionsstrongbutsimple，formingnopretensions，andknowingnodisguise。”
　　“Suchasister-in-law，Henry，Ishoulddelightin，“
　　saidEleanorwithasmile。
　　“Butperhaps，“observedCatherine，“thoughshehasbehavedsoillbyourfamily，shemaybehavebetterbyyours。Nowshehasreallygotthemanshelikes，shemaybeconstant。”
　　“IndeedIamafraidshewill，“repliedHenry；
　　“Iamafraidshewillbeveryconstant，unlessabaronetshouldcomeinherway；thatisFrederick'sonlychance。
　　IwillgettheBathpaper，andlookoverthearrivals。”
　　“Youthinkitisallforambition，then?And，uponmyword，therearesomethingsthatseemverylikeit。
　　Icannotforgetthat，whenshefirstknewwhatmyfatherwoulddoforthem，sheseemedquitedisappointedthatitwasnotmore。Ineverwassodeceivedinanyone'scharacterinmylifebefore。”
　　“Amongallthegreatvarietythatyouhaveknownandstudied。”
　　“Myowndisappointmentandlossinherisverygreat；
　　but，asforpoorJames，Isupposehewillhardlyeverrecoverit。”
　　“Yourbrotheriscertainlyverymuchtobepitiedatpresent；butwemustnot，inourconcernforhissufferings，undervalueyours。Youfeel，Isuppose，thatinlosingIsabella，youlosehalfyourself:youfeelavoidinyourheartwhichnothingelsecanoccupy。
　　Societyisbecomingirksome；andasfortheamusementsinwhichyouwerewonttoshareatBath，theveryideaofthemwithoutherisabhorrent。Youwouldnot，forinstance，nowgotoaballfortheworld。Youfeelthatyouhavenolongeranyfriendtowhomyoucanspeakwithunreserve，onwhoseregardyoucanplacedependence，orwhosecounsel，inanydifficulty，youcouldrelyon。
　　Youfeelallthis?“
　　“No，“saidCatherine，afterafewmoments'reflection，“Idonot——oughtI?Tosaythetruth，thoughIamhurtandgrieved，thatIcannotstillloveher，thatIamnevertohearfromher，perhapsnevertoseeheragain，Idonotfeelsovery，verymuchafflictedasonewouldhavethought。”
　　“Youfeel，asyoualwaysdo，whatismosttothecreditofhumannature。Suchfeelingsoughttobeinvestigated，thattheymayknowthemselves。”
　　Catherine，bysomechanceorother，foundherspiritssoverymuchrelievedbythisconversationthatshecouldnotregretherbeingledon，thoughsounaccountably，tomentionthecircumstancewhichhadproducedit。
　　CHAPTER26
　　Fromthistime，thesubjectwasfrequentlycanvassedbythethreeyoungpeople；andCatherinefound，withsomesurprise，thathertwoyoungfriendswereperfectlyagreedinconsideringIsabella'swantofconsequenceandfortuneaslikelytothrowgreatdifficultiesinthewayofhermarryingtheirbrother。
　　Theirpersuasionthatthegeneralwould，uponthisgroundalone，independentoftheobjectionthatmightberaisedagainsthercharacter，opposetheconnection，turnedherfeelingsmoreoverwithsomealarmtowardsherself。
　　Shewasasinsignificant，andperhapsasportionless，asIsabella；andiftheheiroftheTilneypropertyhadnotgrandeurandwealthenoughinhimself，atwhatpointofinterestwerethedemandsofhisyoungerbrothertorest?Theverypainfulreflectionstowhichthisthoughtledcouldonlybedispersedbyadependenceontheeffectofthatparticularpartiality，which，asshewasgiventounderstandbyhiswordsaswellashisactions，shehadfromthefirstbeensofortunateastoexciteinthegeneral；andbyarecollectionofsomemostgenerousanddisinterestedsentimentsonthesubjectofmoney，whichshehadmorethanonceheardhimutter，andwhichtemptedhertothinkhisdispositioninsuchmattersmisunderstoodbyhischildren。
　　Theyweresofullyconvinced，however，thattheirbrotherwouldnothavethecouragetoapplyinpersonforhisfather'sconsent，andsorepeatedlyassuredherthathehadneverinhislifebeenlesslikelytocometoNorthangerthanatthepresenttime，thatshesufferedhermindtobeateaseastothenecessityofanysuddenremovalofherown。ButasitwasnottobesupposedthatCaptainTilney，wheneverhemadehisapplication，wouldgivehisfatheranyjustideaofIsabella'sconduct，itoccurredtoherashighlyexpedientthatHenryshouldlaythewholebusinessbeforehimasitreallywas，enablingthegeneralbythatmeanstoformacoolandimpartialopinion，andpreparehisobjectionsonafairergroundthaninequalityofsituations。
　　Sheproposedittohimaccordingly；buthedidnotcatchatthemeasuresoeagerlyasshehadexpected。