AndherehaveIbeentellingallmyacquaintancethatI
wasgoingtodancewiththeprettiestgirlintheroom；
andwhentheyseeyoustandingupwithsomebodyelse，theywillquizmefamously。”
“Oh，no；theywillneverthinkofme，aftersuchadescriptionasthat。”
“Byheavens，iftheydonot，Iwillkickthemoutoftheroomforblockheads。Whatchaphaveyouthere?“
Catherinesatisfiedhiscuriosity。“Tilney，“herepeated。
“Hum——Idonotknowhim。Agoodfigureofaman；wellputtogether。Doeshewantahorse?Hereisafriendofmine，SamFletcher，hasgotonetosellthatwouldsuitanybody。
Afamouscleveranimalfortheroad——onlyfortyguineas。
Ihadfiftymindstobuyitmyself，foritisoneofmymaximsalwaystobuyagoodhorsewhenImeetwithone；
butitwouldnotanswermypurpose，itwouldnotdoforthefield。Iwouldgiveanymoneyforarealgoodhunter。
Ihavethreenow，thebestthateverwerebacked。
Iwouldnottakeeighthundredguineasforthem。
FletcherandImeantogetahouseinLeicestershire，againstthenextseason。Itissod——uncomfortable，livingataninn。”
ThiswasthelastsentencebywhichhecouldwearyCatherine'sattention，forhewasjustthenborneoffbytheresistlesspressureofalongstringofpassingladies。
Herpartnernowdrewnear，andsaid，“Thatgentlemanwouldhaveputmeoutofpatience，hadhestayedwithyouhalfaminutelonger。Hehasnobusinesstowithdrawtheattentionofmypartnerfromme。Wehaveenteredintoacontractofmutualagreeablenessforthespaceofanevening，andallouragreeablenessbelongssolelytoeachotherforthattime。Nobodycanfastenthemselvesonthenoticeofone，withoutinjuringtherightsoftheother。
Iconsideracountry-danceasanemblemofmarriage。
Fidelityandcomplaisancearetheprincipaldutiesofboth；
andthosemenwhodonotchoosetodanceormarrythemselves，havenobusinesswiththepartnersorwivesoftheirneighbours。”
“Buttheyaresuchverydifferentthings！“
“——Thatyouthinktheycannotbecomparedtogether。”
“Tobesurenot。Peoplethatmarrycanneverpart，butmustgoandkeephousetogether。Peoplethatdanceonlystandoppositeeachotherinalongroomforhalfanhour。”
“Andsuchisyourdefinitionofmatrimonyanddancing。
Takeninthatlightcertainly，theirresemblanceisnotstriking；butIthinkIcouldplacetheminsuchaview。
Youwillallow，thatinboth，manhastheadvantageofchoice，womanonlythepowerofrefusal；thatinboth，itisanengagementbetweenmanandwoman，formedfortheadvantageofeach；andthatwhenonceenteredinto，theybelongexclusivelytoeachothertillthemomentofitsdissolution；thatitistheirduty，eachtoendeavourtogivetheothernocauseforwishingthatheorshehadbestowedthemselveselsewhere，andtheirbestinteresttokeeptheirownimaginationsfromwanderingtowardstheperfectionsoftheirneighbours，orfancyingthattheyshouldhavebeenbetteroffwithanyoneelse。
Youwillallowallthis?“
“Yes，tobesure，asyoustateit，allthissoundsverywell；butstilltheyaresoverydifferent。
Icannotlookuponthematallinthesamelight，northinkthesamedutiesbelongtothem。”
“Inonerespect，therecertainlyisadifference。
Inmarriage，themanissupposedtoprovideforthesupportofthewoman，thewomantomakethehomeagreeabletotheman；
heistopurvey，andsheistosmile。Butindancing，theirdutiesareexactlychanged；theagreeableness，thecomplianceareexpectedfromhim，whileshefurnishesthefanandthelavenderwater。That，Isuppose，wasthedifferenceofdutieswhichstruckyou，asrenderingtheconditionsincapableofcomparison。”
“No，indeed，Ineverthoughtofthat。”
“ThenIamquiteataloss。Onething，however，Imustobserve。Thisdispositiononyoursideisratheralarming。
Youtotallydisallowanysimilarityintheobligations；
andmayInotthenceinferthatyournotionsofthedutiesofthedancingstatearenotsostrictasyourpartnermightwish?HaveInotreasontofearthatifthegentlemanwhospoketoyoujustnowweretoreturn，orifanyothergentlemanweretoaddressyou，therewouldbenothingtorestrainyoufromconversingwithhimaslongasyouchose?“
“Mr。Thorpeissuchaveryparticularfriendofmybrother's，thatifhetalkstome，Imusttalktohimagain；
buttherearehardlythreeyoungmenintheroombesideshimthatIhaveanyacquaintancewith。”
“Andisthattobemyonlysecurity?Alas，alas！“
“Nay，Iamsureyoucannothaveabetter；forifI
donotknowanybody，itisimpossibleformetotalktothem；and，besides，Idonotwanttotalktoanybody。”
“Nowyouhavegivenmeasecurityworthhaving；andI
shallproceedwithcourage。DoyoufindBathasagreeableaswhenIhadthehonourofmakingtheinquirybefore?“
“Yes，quite——moreso，indeed。”
“Moreso！Takecare，oryouwillforgettobetiredofitatthepropertime。Yououghttobetiredattheendofsixweeks。”
“IdonotthinkIshouldbetired，ifIweretostayheresixmonths。”
“Bath，comparedwithLondon，haslittlevariety，andsoeverybodyfindsouteveryyear。'Forsixweeks，IallowBathispleasantenough；butbeyondthat，itisthemosttiresomeplaceintheworld。'Youwouldbetoldsobypeopleofalldescriptions，whocomeregularlyeverywinter，lengthentheirsixweeksintotenortwelve，andgoawayatlastbecausetheycanaffordtostaynolonger。”
“Well，otherpeoplemustjudgeforthemselves，andthosewhogotoLondonmaythinknothingofBath。
ButI，wholiveinasmallretiredvillageinthecountry，canneverfindgreatersamenessinsuchaplaceasthisthaninmyownhome；forhereareavarietyofamusements，avarietyofthingstobeseenanddonealldaylong，whichI
canknownothingofthere。”
“Youarenotfondofthecountry。”
“Yes，Iam。Ihavealwayslivedthere，andalwaysbeenveryhappy。ButcertainlythereismuchmoresamenessinacountrylifethaninaBathlife。
Onedayinthecountryisexactlylikeanother。”
“Butthenyouspendyourtimesomuchmorerationallyinthecountry。”
“DoI?“
“Doyounot?“
“Idonotbelievethereismuchdifference。”
“Hereyouareinpursuitonlyofamusementalldaylong。”
“AndsoIamathome——onlyIdonotfindsomuchofit。
Iwalkabouthere，andsoIdothere；buthereIseeavarietyofpeopleineverystreet，andthereIcanonlygoandcallonMrs。Allen。”
Mr。Tilneywasverymuchamused。
“OnlygoandcallonMrs。Allen！“herepeated。
“Whatapictureofintellectualpoverty！However，whenyousinkintothisabyssagain，youwillhavemoretosay。
YouwillbeabletotalkofBath，andofallthatyoudidhere。”
“Oh！Yes。IshallneverbeinwantofsomethingtotalkofagaintoMrs。Allen，oranybodyelse。
IreallybelieveIshallalwaysbetalkingofBath，whenIamathomeagain——Idolikeitsoverymuch。
IfIcouldbuthavePapaandMamma，andtherestofthemhere，IsupposeIshouldbetoohappy！James'scomingmyeldestbrotherisquitedelightful——andespeciallyasitturnsoutthattheveryfamilywearejustgotsointimatewitharehisintimatefriendsalready。
Oh！WhocaneverbetiredofBath?“
“Notthosewhobringsuchfreshfeelingsofeverysorttoitasyoudo。Butpapasandmammas，andbrothers，andintimatefriendsareagooddealgoneby，tomostofthefrequentersofBath——andthehonestrelishofballsandplays，andeverydaysights，ispastwiththem。”
Heretheirconversationclosed，thedemandsofthedancebecomingnowtooimportunateforadividedattention。
Soonaftertheirreachingthebottomoftheset，Catherineperceivedherselftobeearnestlyregardedbyagentlemanwhostoodamongthelookers-on，immediatelybehindherpartner。Hewasaveryhandsomeman，ofacommandingaspect，pastthebloom，butnotpastthevigouroflife；
andwithhiseyestilldirectedtowardsher，shesawhimpresentlyaddressMr。Tilneyinafamiliarwhisper。
Confusedbyhisnotice，andblushingfromthefearofitsbeingexcitedbysomethingwronginherappearance，sheturnedawayherhead。Butwhileshedidso，thegentlemanretreated，andherpartner，comingnearer，said，“IseethatyouguesswhatIhavejustbeenasked。
Thatgentlemanknowsyourname，andyouhavearighttoknowhis。ItisGeneralTilney，myfather。”
Catherine'sanswerwasonly“Oh！“——butitwasan“Oh！“
expressingeverythingneedful:attentiontohiswords，andperfectrelianceontheirtruth。Withrealinterestandstrongadmirationdidhereyenowfollowthegeneral，ashemovedthroughthecrowd，and“Howhandsomeafamilytheyare！“washersecretremark。
InchattingwithMissTilneybeforetheeveningconcluded，anewsourceoffelicityarosetoher。ShehadnevertakenacountrywalksinceherarrivalinBath。MissTilney，towhomallthecommonlyfrequentedenvironswerefamiliar，spokeofthemintermswhichmadeheralleagernesstoknowthemtoo；andonheropenlyfearingthatshemightfindnobodytogowithher，itwasproposedbythebrotherandsisterthattheyshouldjoininawalk，somemorningorother。“Ishalllikeit，“shecried，“beyondanythingintheworld；anddonotletusputitoff——letusgotomorrow。”Thiswasreadilyagreedto，withonlyaprovisoofMissTilney's，thatitdidnotrain，whichCatherinewassureitwouldnot。Attwelveo'clock，theyweretocallforherinPulteneyStreet；
and“Remember——twelveo'clock，“washerpartingspeechtohernewfriend。Ofherother，herolder，hermoreestablishedfriend，Isabella，ofwhosefidelityandworthshehadenjoyedafortnight'sexperience，shescarcelysawanythingduringtheevening。Yet，thoughlongingtomakeheracquaintedwithherhappiness，shecheerfullysubmittedtothewishofMr。Allen，whichtookthemratherearlyaway，andherspiritsdancedwithinher，asshedancedinherchairallthewayhome。
CHAPTER11
Themorrowbroughtaverysober-lookingmorning，thesunmakingonlyafeweffortstoappear，andCatherineauguredfromiteverythingmostfavourabletoherwishes。
Abrightmorningsoearlyintheyear，sheallowed，wouldgenerallyturntorain，butacloudyoneforetoldimprovementasthedayadvanced。SheappliedtoMr。Allenforconfirmationofherhopes，butMr。Allen，nothavinghisownskiesandbarometerabouthim，declinedgivinganyabsolutepromiseofsunshine。
SheappliedtoMrs。Allen，andMrs。Allen'sopinionwasmorepositive。“Shehadnodoubtintheworldofitsbeingaveryfineday，ifthecloudswouldonlygooff，andthesunkeepout。”
Atabouteleveno'clock，however，afewspecksofsmallrainuponthewindowscaughtCatherine'swatchfuleye，and“Oh！dear，Idobelieveitwillbewet，“brokefromherinamostdespondingtone。
“Ithoughthowitwouldbe，“saidMrs。Allen。
“Nowalkformetoday，“sighedCatherine；“butperhapsitmaycometonothing，oritmayholdupbeforetwelve。”
“Perhapsitmay，butthen，mydear，itwillbesodirty。”
“Oh！Thatwillnotsignify；Ineverminddirt。”
“No，“repliedherfriendveryplacidly，“Iknowyouneverminddirt。”
Afterashortpause，“Itcomesonfasterandfaster！“
saidCatherine，asshestoodwatchingatawindow。
“Soitdoesindeed。Ifitkeepsraining，thestreetswillbeverywet。”
“Therearefourumbrellasupalready。HowIhatethesightofanumbrella！“
“Theyaredisagreeablethingstocarry。Iwouldmuchrathertakeachairatanytime。”
“Itwassuchanice-lookingmorning！Ifeltsoconvinceditwouldbedry！“
“Anybodywouldhavethoughtsoindeed。Therewillbeveryfewpeopleinthepump-room，ifitrainsallthemorning。IhopeMr。Allenwillputonhisgreatcoatwhenhegoes，butIdaresayhewillnot，forhehadratherdoanythingintheworldthanwalkoutinagreatcoat；
Iwonderheshoulddislikeit，itmustbesocomfortable。”
Theraincontinued——fast，thoughnotheavy。
Catherinewenteveryfiveminutestotheclock，threateningoneachreturnthat，ifitstillkeptonraininganotherfiveminutes，shewouldgiveupthematterashopeless。Theclockstrucktwelve，anditstillrained。
“Youwillnotbeabletogo，mydear。”
“Idonotquitedespairyet。Ishallnotgiveituptillaquarteraftertwelve。Thisisjustthetimeofdayforittoclearup，andIdothinkitlooksalittlelighter。There，itistwentyminutesaftertwelve，andnowIshallgiveitupentirely。
Oh！ThatwehadsuchweatherhereastheyhadatUdolpho，oratleastinTuscanyandthesouthofFrance！——thenightthatpoorSt。Aubindied！——suchbeautifulweather！“
Athalfpasttwelve，whenCatherine'sanxiousattentiontotheweatherwasoverandshecouldnolongerclaimanymeritfromitsamendment，theskybeganvoluntarilytoclear。Agleamofsunshinetookherquitebysurprise；
shelookedround；thecloudswereparting，andsheinstantlyreturnedtothewindowtowatchoverandencouragethehappyappearance。Tenminutesmoremadeitcertainthatabrightafternoonwouldsucceed，andjustifiedtheopinionofMrs。Allen，whohad“alwaysthoughtitwouldclearup。”
ButwhetherCatherinemightstillexpectherfriends，whethertherehadnotbeentoomuchrainforMissTilneytoventure，mustyetbeaquestion。
ItwastoodirtyforMrs。Allentoaccompanyherhusbandtothepump-room；heaccordinglysetoffbyhimself，andCatherinehadbarelywatchedhimdownthestreetwhenhernoticewasclaimedbytheapproachofthesametwoopencarriages，containingthesamethreepeoplethathadsurprisedhersomuchafewmorningsback。
“Isabella，mybrother，andMr。Thorpe，Ideclare！
Theyarecomingformeperhaps——butIshallnotgo——I
cannotgoindeed，foryouknowMissTilneymaystillcall。”
Mrs。Allenagreedtoit。JohnThorpewassoonwiththem，andhisvoicewaswiththemyetsooner，foronthestairshewascallingouttoMissMorlandtobequick。
“Makehaste！Makehaste！“ashethrewopenthedoor。
“Putonyourhatthismoment——thereisnotimetobelost——wearegoingtoBristol。Howd'yedo，Mrs。Allen?“
“ToBristol！Isnotthatagreatwayoff?But，however，Icannotgowithyoutoday，becauseIamengaged；
Iexpectsomefriendseverymoment。”Thiswasofcoursevehementlytalkeddownasnoreasonatall；Mrs。Allenwascalledontosecondhim，andthetwootherswalkedin，togivetheirassistance。“MysweetestCatherine，isnotthisdelightful?Weshallhaveamostheavenlydrive。
Youaretothankyourbrotherandmeforthescheme；
itdartedintoourheadsatbreakfast-time，Iverilybelieveatthesameinstant；andweshouldhavebeenofftwohoursagoifithadnotbeenforthisdetestablerain。
Butitdoesnotsignify，thenightsaremoonlight，andweshalldodelightfully。Oh！Iaminsuchecstasiesatthethoughtsofalittlecountryairandquiet！SomuchbetterthangoingtotheLowerRooms。WeshalldrivedirectlytoCliftonanddinethere；and，assoonasdinnerisover，ifthereistimeforit，goontoKingsweston。”
“Idoubtourbeingabletodosomuch，“saidMorland。
“Youcroakingfellow！“criedThorpe。“Weshallbeabletodotentimesmore。Kingsweston！Aye，andBlaizeCastletoo，andanythingelsewecanhearof；
buthereisyoursistersaysshewillnotgo。”
“BlaizeCastle！“criedCatherine。“Whatisthat'?“
“ThefinestplaceinEngland——worthgoingfiftymilesatanytimetosee。”
“What，isitreallyacastle，anoldcastle?“
“Theoldestinthekingdom。”
“Butisitlikewhatonereadsof?“
“Exactly——theverysame。”
“Butnowreally——aretheretowersandlonggalleries?“
“Bydozens。”
“ThenIshouldliketoseeit；butIcannot——I
cannotgo。
“Notgo！Mybelovedcreature，whatdoyoumean'?“
“Icannotgo，because“——lookingdownasshespoke，fearfulofIsabella'ssmile——“IexpectMissTilneyandherbrothertocallonmetotakeacountrywalk。
Theypromisedtocomeattwelve，onlyitrained；butnow，asitissofine，Idaresaytheywillbeheresoon。”
“Nottheyindeed，“criedThorpe；“for，asweturnedintoBroadStreet，Isawthem——doeshenotdriveaphaetonwithbrightchestnuts?“
“Idonotknowindeed。”
“Yes，Iknowhedoes；Isawhim。Youaretalkingofthemanyoudancedwithlastnight，arenotyou?“
“Yes。
“Well，IsawhimatthatmomentturnuptheLansdownRoad，drivingasmart-lookinggirl。”
“Didyouindeed?“
“Diduponmysoul；knewhimagaindirectly，andheseemedtohavegotsomeveryprettycattletoo。”
“Itisveryodd！ButIsupposetheythoughtitwouldbetoodirtyforawalk。”
“Andwelltheymight，forIneversawsomuchdirtinmylife。Walk！Youcouldnomorewalkthanyoucouldfly！Ithasnotbeensodirtythewholewinter；
itisankle-deepeverywhere。”
Isabellacorroboratedit:“MydearestCatherine，youcannotformanideaofthedirt；come，youmustgo；
youcannotrefusegoingnow。”
“Ishouldliketoseethecastle；butmaywegoalloverit?Maywegoupeverystaircase，andintoeverysuiteofrooms?“
“Yes，yes，everyholeandcorner。”
“Butthen，iftheyshouldonlybegoneoutforanhourtillitisdryer，andcallbyandby?“
“Makeyourselfeasy，thereisnodangerofthat，forIheardTilneyhallooingtoamanwhowasjustpassingbyonhorseback，thattheyweregoingasfarasWickRocks。”
“ThenIwill。ShallIgo，Mrs。Allen?“
“Justasyouplease，mydear。”
“Mrs。Allen，youmustpersuadehertogo，“
wasthegeneralcry。Mrs。Allenwasnotinattentivetoit:“Well，mydear，“saidshe，“supposeyougo。”
Andintwominutestheywereoff。
Catherine'sfeelings，asshegotintothecarriage，wereinaveryunsettledstate；dividedbetweenregretforthelossofonegreatpleasure，andthehopeofsoonenjoyinganother，almostitsequalindegree，howeverunlikeinkind。ShecouldnotthinktheTilneyshadactedquitewellbyher，insoreadilygivinguptheirengagement，withoutsendingheranymessageofexcuse。Itwasnowbutanhourlaterthanthetimefixedonforthebeginningoftheirwalk；and，inspiteofwhatshehadheardoftheprodigiousaccumulationofdirtinthecourseofthathour，shecouldnotfromherownobservationhelpthinkingthattheymighthavegonewithverylittleinconvenience。
Tofeelherselfslightedbythemwasverypainful。
Ontheotherhand，thedelightofexploringanedificelikeUdolpho，asherfancyrepresentedBlaizeCastletobe，wassuchacounterpoiseofgoodasmightconsoleherforalmostanything。
TheypassedbrisklydownPulteneyStreet，andthroughLauraPlace，withouttheexchangeofmanywords。
Thorpetalkedtohishorse，andshemeditated，byturns，onbrokenpromisesandbrokenarches，phaetonsandfalsehangings，Tilneysandtrap-doors。AstheyenteredArgyleBuildings，however，shewasrousedbythisaddressfromhercompanion，“Whoisthatgirlwholookedatyousohardasshewentby?“
“Who?Where?“
“Ontheright-handpavement——shemustbealmostoutofsightnow。”CatherinelookedroundandsawMissTilneyleaningonherbrother'sarm，walkingslowlydownthestreet。Shesawthembothlookingbackather。
“Stop，stop，Mr。Thorpe，“sheimpatientlycried；
“itisMissTilney；itisindeed。Howcouldyoutellmetheyweregone?Stop，stop，Iwillgetoutthismomentandgotothem。”Buttowhatpurposedidshespeak?Thorpeonlylashedhishorseintoabriskertrot；theTilneys，whohadsoonceasedtolookafterher，wereinamomentoutofsightroundthecornerofLauraPlace，andinanothermomentshewasherselfwhiskedintothemarketplace。
Still，however，andduringthelengthofanotherstreet，sheentreatedhimtostop。“Pray，praystop，Mr。Thorpe。
Icannotgoon。Iwillnotgoon。ImustgobacktoMissTilney。”ButMr。Thorpeonlylaughed，smackedhiswhip，encouragedhishorse，madeoddnoises，anddroveon；
andCatherine，angryandvexedasshewas，havingnopowerofgettingaway，wasobligedtogiveupthepointandsubmit。Herreproaches，however，werenotspared。
“Howcouldyoudeceivemeso，Mr。Thorpe?HowcouldyousaythatyousawthemdrivinguptheLansdownRoad?I
wouldnothavehadithappensofortheworld。Theymustthinkitsostrange，sorudeofme！Togobythem，too，withoutsayingaword！YoudonotknowhowvexedIam；
IshallhavenopleasureatClifton，norinanythingelse。
Ihadrather，tenthousandtimesrather，getoutnow，andwalkbacktothem。Howcouldyousayyousawthemdrivingoutinaphaeton?“Thorpedefendedhimselfverystoutly，declaredhehadneverseentwomensomuchalikeinhislife，andwouldhardlygiveupthepointofitshavingbeenTilneyhimself。
Theirdrive，evenwhenthissubjectwasover，wasnotlikelytobeveryagreeable。Catherine'scomplaisancewasnolongerwhatithadbeenintheirformerairing。
Shelistenedreluctantly，andherreplieswereshort。
BlaizeCastleremainedheronlycomfort；towardsthat，shestilllookedatintervalswithpleasure；thoughratherthanbedisappointedofthepromisedwalk，andespeciallyratherthanbethoughtillofbytheTilneys，shewouldwillinglyhavegivenupallthehappinesswhichitswallscouldsupply——thehappinessofaprogressthroughalongsuiteofloftyrooms，exhibitingtheremainsofmagnificentfurniture，thoughnowformanyyearsdeserted——thehappinessofbeingstoppedintheirwayalongnarrow，windingvaults，byalow，grateddoor；orevenofhavingtheirlamp，theironlylamp，extinguishedbyasuddengustofwind，andofbeingleftintotaldarkness。Inthemeanwhile，theyproceededontheirjourneywithoutanymischance，andwerewithinviewofthetownofKeynsham，whenahalloofromMorland，whowasbehindthem，madehisfriendpullup，toknowwhatwasthematter。Theothersthencamecloseenoughforconversation，andMorlandsaid，“Wehadbettergoback，Thorpe；itistoolatetogoontoday；
yoursisterthinkssoaswellasI。WehavebeenexactlyanhourcomingfromPulteneyStreet，verylittlemorethansevenmiles；and，Isuppose，wehaveatleasteightmoretogo。Itwillneverdo。Wesetoutagreatdealtoolate。Wehadmuchbetterputitofftillanotherday，andturnround。”
“Itisallonetome，“repliedThorperatherangrily；
andinstantlyturninghishorse，theywereontheirwaybacktoBath。
“Ifyourbrotherhadnotgotsuchad——beasttodrive，“
saidhesoonafterwards，“wemighthavedoneitverywell。
MyhorsewouldhavetrottedtoCliftonwithinthehour，iflefttohimself，andIhavealmostbrokemyarmwithpullinghimintothatcursedbroken-windedjade'space。
Morlandisafoolfornotkeepingahorseandgigofhisown。”
“No，heisnot，“saidCatherinewarmly，“forIamsurehecouldnotaffordit。”
“Andwhycannotheaffordit?“
“Becausehehasnotmoneyenough。”
“Andwhosefaultisthat?“
“Nobody's，thatIknowof。”Thorpethensaidsomethingintheloud，incoherentwaytowhichhehadoftenrecourse，aboutitsbeingad——thingtobemiserly；andthatifpeoplewhorolledinmoneycouldnotaffordthings，hedidnotknowwhocould，whichCatherinedidnotevenendeavourtounderstand。Disappointedofwhatwastohavebeentheconsolationforherfirstdisappointment，shewaslessandlessdisposedeithertobeagreeableherselfortofindhercompanionso；andtheyreturnedtoPulteneyStreetwithoutherspeakingtwentywords。
Assheenteredthehouse，thefootmantoldherthatagentlemanandladyhadcattedandinquiredforherafewminutesafterhersettingoff；that，whenhetoldthemshewasgoneoutwithMr。Thorpe，theladyhadaskedwhetheranymessagehadbeenleftforher；andonhissayingno，hadfeltforacard，butsaidshehadnoneabouther，andwentaway。Ponderingovertheseheart-rendingtidings，Catherinewalkedslowlyupstairs。AttheheadofthemshewasmetbyMr。Allen，who，onhearingthereasonoftheirspeedyreturn，said，“Iamgladyourbrotherhadsomuchsense；Iamgladyouarecomeback。
Itwasastrange，wildscheme。”
TheyallspenttheeveningtogetheratThorpe's。
Catherinewasdisturbedandoutofspirits；butIsabellaseemedtofindapoolofcommerce，inthefateofwhichsheshared，byprivatepartnershipwithMorland，averygoodequivalentforthequietandcountryairofaninnatClifton。Hersatisfaction，too，innotbeingattheLowerRoomswasspokenmorethanonce。
“HowIpitythepoorcreaturesthataregoingthere！HowgladIamthatIamnotamongstthem！Iwonderwhetheritwillbeafullballornot！Theyhavenotbegundancingyet。Iwouldnotbethereforalltheworld。
Itissodelightfultohaveaneveningnowandthentooneself。Idaresayitwillnotbeaverygoodball。
IknowtheMitchellswillnotbethere。IamsureI
pityeverybodythatis。ButIdaresay，Mr。Morland，youlongtobeatit，donotyou?Iamsureyoudo。
Well，praydonotletanybodyherebearestraintonyou。
Idaresaywecoulddoverywellwithoutyou；butyoumenthinkyourselvesofsuchconsequence。”
CatherinecouldalmosthaveaccusedIsabellaofbeingwantingintendernesstowardsherselfandhersorrows，soverylittledidtheyappeartodwellonhermind，andsoveryinadequatewasthecomfortsheoffered。
“Donotbesodull，mydearestcreature，“shewhispered。
“Youwillquitebreakmyheart。Itwasamazinglyshocking，tobesure；buttheTilneyswereentirelytoblame。
Whywerenottheymorepunctual?Itwasdirty，indeed，butwhatdidthatsignify?IamsureJohnandIshouldnothavemindedit。Inevermindgoingthroughanything，whereafriendisconcerned；thatismydisposition，andJohnisjustthesame；hehasamazingstrongfeelings。
Goodheavens！Whatadelightfulhandyouhavegot！Kings，Ivow！Ineverwassohappyinmylife！Iwouldfiftytimesratheryoushouldhavethemthanmyself。”
AndnowImaydismissmyheroinetothesleeplesscouch，whichisthetrueheroine'sportion；
toapillowstrewedwiththornsandwetwithtears。
Andluckymayshethinkherself，ifshegetanothergoodnight'srestinthecourseofthenextthreemonths。
CHAPTER12
“Mrs。Allen，“saidCatherinethenextmorning，“willtherebeanyharminmycallingonMissTilneytoday?
IshallnotbeeasytillIhaveexplainedeverything。”
“Go，byallmeans，mydear；onlyputonawhitegown；
MissTilneyalwayswearswhite。”
Catherinecheerfullycomplied，andbeingproperlyequipped，wasmoreimpatientthanevertobeatthepump-room，thatshemightinformherselfofGeneralTilneyslodgings，forthoughshebelievedtheywereinMilsomStreet，shewasnotcertainofthehouse，andMrs。Allen'swaveringconvictionsonlymadeitmoredoubtful。ToMilsomStreetshewasdirected，andhavingmadeherselfperfectinthenumber，hastenedawaywitheagerstepsandabeatinghearttopayhervisit，explainherconduct，andbeforgiven；
trippinglightlythroughthechurch-yard，andresolutelyturningawayhereyes，thatshemightnotbeobligedtoseeherbelovedIsabellaandherdearfamily，who，shehadreasontobelieve，wereinashophardby。Shereachedthehousewithoutanyimpediment，lookedatthenumber，knockedatthedoor，andinquiredforMissTilney。
ThemanbelievedMissTilneytobeathome，butwasnotquitecertain。Wouldshebepleasedtosenduphername?
Shegavehercard。Inafewminutestheservantreturned，andwithalookwhichdidnotquiteconfirmhiswords，saidhehadbeenmistaken，forthatMissTilneywaswalkedout。Catherine，withablushofmortification，leftthehouse。ShefeltalmostpersuadedthatMissTilneywasathome，andtoomuchoffendedtoadmither；
andassheretireddownthestreet，couldnotwithholdoneglanceatthedrawing-roomwindows，inexpectationofseeingherthere，butnooneappearedatthem。
Atthebottomofthestreet，however，shelookedbackagain，andthen，notatawindow，butissuingfromthedoor，shesawMissTilneyherself。Shewasfollowedbyagentleman，whomCatherinebelievedtobeherfather，andtheyturneduptowardsEdgar'sBuildings。
Catherine，indeepmortification，proceededonherway。
Shecouldalmostbeangryherselfatsuchangryincivility；
butshecheckedtheresentfulsensation；sherememberedherownignorance。Sheknewnothowsuchanoffenceashersmightbeclassedbythelawsofworldlypoliteness，towhatadegreeofunforgivingnessitmightwithproprietylead，nortowhatrigoursofrudenessinreturnitmightjustlymakeheramenable。
Dejectedandhumbled，shehadevensomethoughtsofnotgoingwiththeotherstothetheatrethatnight；butitmustbeconfessedthattheywerenotoflongcontinuance，forshesoonrecollected，inthefirstplace，thatshewaswithoutanyexcuseforstayingathome；and，inthesecond，thatitwasaplayshewantedverymuchtosee。
Tothetheatreaccordinglytheyallwent；noTilneysappearedtoplagueorpleaseher；shefearedthat，amongstthemanyperfectionsofthefamily，afondnessforplayswasnottoberanked；butperhapsitwasbecausetheywerehabituatedtothefinerperformancesoftheLondonstage，whichsheknew，onIsabella'sauthority，renderedeverythingelseofthekind“quitehorrid。”
Shewasnotdeceivedinherownexpectationofpleasure；
thecomedysowellsuspendedhercarethatnoone，observingherduringthefirstfouracts，wouldhavesupposedshehadanywretchednessabouther。Onthebeginningofthefifth，however，thesuddenviewofMr。HenryTilneyandhisfather，joiningapartyintheoppositebox，recalledhertoanxietyanddistress。Thestagecouldnolongerexcitegenuinemerriment——nolongerkeepherwholeattention。Everyotherlookuponanaveragewasdirectedtowardstheoppositebox；and，forthespaceoftwoentirescenes，didshethuswatchHenryTilney，withoutbeingonceabletocatchhiseye。Nolongercouldhebesuspectedofindifferenceforaplay；hisnoticewasneverwithdrawnfromthestageduringtwowholescenes。
Atlength，however，hedidlooktowardsher，andhebowed——butsuchabow！Nosmile，nocontinuedobservanceattendedit；hiseyeswereimmediatelyreturnedtotheirformerdirection。Catherinewasrestlesslymiserable；
shecouldalmosthaverunroundtotheboxinwhichhesatandforcedhimtohearherexplanation。Feelingsrathernaturalthanheroicpossessedher；insteadofconsideringherowndignityinjuredbythisreadycondemnation——insteadofproudlyresolving，inconsciousinnocence，toshowherresentmenttowardshimwhocouldharbouradoubtofit，toleavetohimallthetroubleofseekinganexplanation，andtoenlightenhimonthepastonlybyavoidinghissight，orflirtingwithsomebodyelse——shetooktoherselfalltheshameofmisconduct，oratleastofitsappearance，andwasonlyeagerforanopportunityofexplainingitscause。
Theplayconcluded——thecurtainfell——HenryTilneywasnolongertobeseenwherehehadhithertosat，buthisfatherremained，andperhapshemightbenowcomingroundtotheirbox。Shewasright；inafewminutesheappeared，and，makinghiswaythroughthethenthinningrows，spokewithlikecalmpolitenesstoMrs。Allenandherfriend。
Notwithsuchcalmnesswasheansweredbythelatter:
“Oh！Mr。Tilney，Ihavebeenquitewildtospeaktoyou，andmakemyapologies。Youmusthavethoughtmesorude；
butindeeditwasnotmyownfault，wasit，Mrs。Allen?
DidnottheytellmethatMr。Tilneyandhissisterweregoneoutinaphaetontogether?AndthenwhatcouldIdo?
ButIhadtenthousandtimesratherhavebeenwithyou；
nowhadnotI，Mrs。Allen?“
“Mydear，youtumblemygown，“wasMrs。Allen'sreply。
Herassurance，however，standingsoleasitdid，wasnotthrownaway；itbroughtamorecordial，morenaturalsmileintohiscountenance，andherepliedinatonewhichretainedonlyalittleaffectedreserve:
“WeweremuchobligedtoyouatanyrateforwishingusapleasantwalkafterourpassingyouinArgyleStreet:
youweresokindastolookbackonpurpose。”
“ButindeedIdidnotwishyouapleasantwalk；
Ineverthoughtofsuchathing；butIbeggedMr。Thorpesoearnestlytostop；IcalledouttohimassoonaseverI
sawyou；now，Mrs。Allen，didnot——Oh！Youwerenotthere；
butindeedIdid；and，ifMr。Thorpewouldonlyhavestopped，Iwouldhavejumpedoutandrunafteryou。”
IsthereaHenryintheworldwhocouldbeinsensibletosuchadeclaration?HenryTilneyatleastwasnot。
Withayetsweetersmile，hesaideverythingthatneedbesaidofhissister'sconcern，regret，anddependenceonCatherine'shonour。“Oh！DonotsayMissTilneywasnotangry，“criedCatherine，“becauseIknowshewas；
forshewouldnotseemethismorningwhenIcalled；
Isawherwalkoutofthehousethenextminuteaftermyleavingit；Iwashurt，butIwasnotaffronted。
PerhapsyoudidnotknowIhadbeenthere。”
“Iwasnotwithinatthetime；butIheardofitfromEleanor，andshehasbeenwishingeversincetoseeyou，toexplainthereasonofsuchincivility；
butperhapsIcandoitaswell。Itwasnothingmorethanthatmyfather——theywerejustpreparingtowalkout，andhebeinghurriedfortime，andnotcaringtohaveitputoff——madeapointofherbeingdenied。Thatwasall，Idoassureyou。Shewasverymuchvexed，andmeanttomakeherapologyassoonaspossible。”
Catherine'smindwasgreatlyeasedbythisinformation，yetasomethingofsolicituderemained，fromwhichsprangthefollowingquestion，thoroughlyartlessinitself，thoughratherdistressingtothegentleman:“But，Mr。Tilney，whywereyoulessgenerousthanyoursister?Ifshefeltsuchconfidenceinmygoodintentions，andcouldsupposeittobeonlyamistake，whyshouldyoubesoreadytotakeoffence?“
“Me！Itakeoffence！“
“Nay，Iamsurebyyourlook，whenyoucameintothebox，youwereangry。”
“Iangry！Icouldhavenoright。”
“Well，nobodywouldhavethoughtyouhadnorightwhosawyourface。”Herepliedbyaskinghertomakeroomforhim，andtalkingoftheplay。
Heremainedwiththemsometime，andwasonlytooagreeableforCatherinetobecontentedwhenhewentaway。
Beforetheyparted，however，itwasagreedthattheprojectedwalkshouldbetakenassoonaspossible；and，settingasidethemiseryofhisquittingtheirbox，shewas，uponthewhole，leftoneofthehappiestcreaturesintheworld。
Whiletalkingtoeachother，shehadobservedwithsomesurprisethatJohnThorpe，whowasneverinthesamepartofthehousefortenminutestogether，wasengagedinconversationwithGeneralTilney；andshefeltsomethingmorethansurprisewhenshethoughtshecouldperceiveherselftheobjectoftheirattentionanddiscourse。
Whatcouldtheyhavetosayofher?ShefearedGeneralTilneydidnotlikeherappearance:shefounditwasimpliedinhispreventingheradmittancetohisdaughter，ratherthanpostponehisownwalkafewminutes。“HowcameMr。Thorpetoknowyourfather?“washeranxiousinquiry，asshepointedthemouttohercompanion。Heknewnothingaboutit；buthisfather，likeeverymilitaryman，hadaverylargeacquaintance。
Whentheentertainmentwasover，Thorpecametoassistthemingettingout。Catherinewastheimmediateobjectofhisgallantry；and，whiletheywaitedinthelobbyforachair，hepreventedtheinquirywhichhadtravelledfromherheartalmosttothetipofhertongue，byasking，inaconsequentialmanner，whethershehadseenhimtalkingwithGeneralTilney:“Heisafineoldfellow，uponmysoul！Stout，active——looksasyoungashisson。
Ihaveagreatregardforhim，Iassureyou:agentleman-like，goodsortoffellowaseverlived。”
“Buthowcameyoutoknowhim?“
“Knowhim！TherearefewpeoplemuchabouttownthatI
donotknow。IhavemethimforeverattheBedford；
andIknewhisfaceagaintodaythemomenthecameintothebilliard-room。Oneofthebestplayerswehave，bytheby；andwehadalittletouchtogether，thoughI
wasalmostafraidofhimatfirst:theoddswerefivetofouragainstme；and，ifIhadnotmadeoneofthecleaneststrokesthatperhapseverwasmadeinthisworld——Itookhisballexactly——butIcouldnotmakeyouunderstanditwithoutatable；however，Ididbeathim。
Averyfinefellow；asrichasaJew。Ishouldliketodinewithhim；Idaresayhegivesfamousdinners。
Butwhatdoyouthinkwehavebeentalkingof?You。
Yes，byheavens！AndthegeneralthinksyouthefinestgirlinBath。”
“Oh！Nonsense！Howcanyousayso?“
“AndwhatdoyouthinkIsaid?“——loweringhisvoice——“welldone，general，saidI；Iamquiteofyourmind。”
HereCatherine，whowasmuchlessgratifiedbyhisadmirationthanbyGeneralTilney's，wasnotsorrytobecalledawaybyMr。Allen。Thorpe，however，wouldseehertoherchair，and，tillsheenteredit，continuedthesamekindofdelicateflattery，inspiteofherentreatinghimtohavedone。
ThatGeneralTilney，insteadofdisliking，shouldadmireher，wasverydelightful；andshejoyfullythoughtthattherewasnotoneofthefamilywhomsheneednowfeartomeet。Theeveninghaddonemore，muchmore，forherthancouldhavebeenexpected。
CHAPTER13
Monday，Tuesday，Wednesday，Thursday，Friday，andSaturdayhavenowpassedinreviewbeforethereader；theeventsofeachday，itshopesandfears，mortificationsandpleasures，havebeenseparatelystated，andthepangsofSundayonlynowremaintobedescribed，andclosetheweek。
TheCliftonschemehadbeendeferred，notrelinquished，andontheafternoon'screscentofthisday，itwasbroughtforwardagain。InaprivateconsultationbetweenIsabellaandJames，theformerofwhomhadparticularlysetherheartupongoing，andthelatternolessanxiouslyplacedhisuponpleasingher，itwasagreedthat，providedtheweatherwerefair，thepartyshouldtakeplaceonthefollowingmorning；andtheyweretosetoffveryearly，inordertobeathomeingoodtime。
Theaffairthusdetermined，andThorpe'sapprobationsecured，Catherineonlyremainedtobeapprisedofit。ShehadleftthemforafewminutestospeaktoMissTilney。
Inthatintervaltheplanwascompleted，andassoonasshecameagain，heragreementwasdemanded；butinsteadofthegayacquiescenceexpectedbyIsabella，Catherinelookedgrave，wasverysorry，butcouldnotgo。Theengagementwhichoughttohavekeptherfromjoiningintheformerattemptwouldmakeitimpossibleforhertoaccompanythemnow。
ShehadthatmomentsettledwithMissTilneytotaketheirproposedwalktomorrow；itwasquitedetermined，andshewouldnot，uponanyaccount，retract。ButthatshemustandshouldretractwasinstantlytheeagercryofboththeThorpes；theymustgotoCliftontomorrow，theywouldnotgowithouther，itwouldbenothingtoputoffamerewalkforonedaylonger，andtheywouldnothearofarefusal。Catherinewasdistressed，butnotsubdued。“Donoturgeme，Isabella。IamengagedtoMissTilney。Icannotgo。”Thisavailednothing。
Thesameargumentsassailedheragain；shemustgo，sheshouldgo，andtheywouldnothearofarefusal。
“ItwouldbesoeasytotellMissTilneythatyouhadjustbeenremindedofapriorengagement，andmustonlybegtoputoffthewalktillTuesday。”
“No，itwouldnotbeeasy。Icouldnotdoit。
Therehasbeennopriorengagement。”ButIsabellabecameonlymoreandmoreurgent，callingonherinthemostaffectionatemanner，addressingherbythemostendearingnames。
Shewassureherdearest，sweetestCatherinewouldnotseriouslyrefusesuchatriflingrequesttoafriendwholovedhersodearly。SheknewherbelovedCatherinetohavesofeelingaheart，sosweetatemper，tobesoeasilypersuadedbythosesheloved。Butallinvain；
Catherinefeltherselftobeintheright，andthoughpainedbysuchtender，suchflatteringsupplication，couldnotallowittoinfluenceher。Isabellathentriedanothermethod。ShereproachedherwithhavingmoreaffectionforMissTilney，thoughshehadknownhersolittleawhile，thanforherbestandoldestfriends，withbeinggrowncoldandindifferent，inshort，towardsherself。“Icannothelpbeingjealous，Catherine，whenIseemyselfslightedforstrangers，I，wholoveyousoexcessively！Whenoncemyaffectionsareplaced，itisnotinthepowerofanythingtochangethem。
ButIbelievemyfeelingsarestrongerthananybody's；
Iamsuretheyaretoostrongformyownpeace；andtoseemyselfsupplantedinyourfriendshipbystrangersdoescutmetothequick，Iown。TheseTilneysseemtoswallowupeverythingelse。”
Catherinethoughtthisreproachequallystrangeandunkind。Wasitthepartofafriendthustoexposeherfeelingstothenoticeofothers?Isabellaappearedtoherungenerousandselfish，regardlessofeverythingbutherowngratification。Thesepainfulideascrossedhermind，thoughshesaidnothing。Isabella，inthemeanwhile，hadappliedherhandkerchieftohereyes；andMorland，miserableatsuchasight，couldnothelpsaying，“Nay，Catherine。Ithinkyoucannotstandoutanylongernow。
Thesacrificeisnotmuch；andtoobligesuchafriend——I
shallthinkyouquiteunkind，ifyoustillrefuse。”
Thiswasthefirsttimeofherbrother'sopenlysidingagainsther，andanxioustoavoidhisdispleasure，sheproposedacompromise。IftheywouldonlyputofftheirschemetillTuesday，whichtheymighteasilydo，asitdependedonlyonthemselves，shecouldgowiththem，andeverybodymightthenbesatisfied。But“No，no，no！“wastheimmediateanswer；“thatcouldnotbe，forThorpedidnotknowthathemightnotgototownonTuesday。”Catherinewassorry，butcoulddonomore；
andashortsilenceensued，whichwasbrokenbyIsabella，whoinavoiceofcoldresentmentsaid，“Verywell，thenthereisanendoftheparty。IfCatherinedoesnotgo，Icannot。Icannotbetheonlywoman。
Iwouldnot，uponanyaccountintheworld，dosoimproperathing。”
“Catherine，youmustgo，“saidJames。
“ButwhycannotMr。Thorpedriveoneofhisothersisters?Idaresayeitherofthemwouldliketogo。”
“Thankye，“criedThorpe，“butIdidnotcometoBathtodrivemysistersabout，andlooklikeafool。No，ifyoudonotgo，d——meifIdo。Ionlygoforthesakeofdrivingyou。”
“Thatisacomplimentwhichgivesmenopleasure。”
ButherwordswerelostonThorpe，whohadturnedabruptlyaway。
Thethreeothersstillcontinuedtogether，walkinginamostuncomfortablemannertopoorCatherine；
sometimesnotawordwassaid，sometimesshewasagainattackedwithsupplicationsorreproaches，andherarmwasstilllinkedwithinIsabella's，thoughtheirheartswereatwar。
Atonemomentshewassoftened，atanotherirritated；
alwaysdistressed，butalwayssteady。
“Ididnotthinkyouhadbeensoobstinate，Catherine，“
saidJames；“youwerenotusedtobesohardtopersuade；
youoncewerethekindest，best-temperedofmysisters。”
“IhopeIamnotlesssonow，“shereplied，veryfeelingly；“butindeedIcannotgo。IfIamwrong，IamdoingwhatIbelievetoberight。”
“Isuspect，“saidIsabella，inalowvoice，“thereisnogreatstruggle。”
Catherine'sheartswelled；shedrewawayherarm，andIsabellamadenoopposition。Thuspassedalongtenminutes，tilltheywereagainjoinedbyThorpe，who，comingtothemwithagayerlook，said，“Well，Ihavesettledthematter，andnowwemayallgotomorrowwithasafeconscience。
IhavebeentoMissTilney，andmadeyourexcuses。”
“Youhavenot！“criedCatherine。
“Ihave，uponmysoul。Leftherthismoment。Toldheryouhadsentmetosaythat，havingjustrecollectedapriorengagementofgoingtoCliftonwithustomorrow，youcouldnothavethepleasureofwalkingwithhertillTuesday。
Shesaidverywell，Tuesdaywasjustasconvenienttoher；
sothereisanendofallourdifficulties。Aprettygoodthoughtofmine——hey?“
Isabella'scountenancewasoncemoreallsmilesandgoodhumour，andJamestoolookedhappyagain。
“Amostheavenlythoughtindeed！Now，mysweetCatherine，allourdistressesareover；youarehonourablyacquitted，andweshallhaveamostdelightfulparty。”
“Thiswillnotdo，“saidCatherine；“Icannotsubmittothis。ImustrunafterMissTilneydirectlyandsetherright。”
Isabella，however，caughtholdofonehand，Thorpeoftheother，andremonstrancespouredinfromallthree。
EvenJameswasquiteangry。Wheneverythingwassettled，whenMissTilneyherselfsaidthatTuesdaywouldsuitheraswell，itwasquiteridiculous，quiteabsurd，tomakeanyfurtherobjection。
“Idonotcare。Mr。Thorpehadnobusinesstoinventanysuchmessage。IfIhadthoughtitrighttoputitoff，IcouldhavespokentoMissTilneymyself。
Thisisonlydoingitinaruderway；andhowdoIknowthatMr。Thorpehas——Hemaybemistakenagainperhaps；
heledmeintooneactofrudenessbyhismistakeonFriday。
Letmego，Mr。Thorpe；Isabella，donotholdme。
ThorpetoldheritwouldbeinvaintogoaftertheTilneys；theywereturningthecornerintoBrockStreet，whenhehadovertakenthem，andwereathomebythistime。
“ThenIwillgoafterthem，“saidCatherine；
“wherevertheyareIwillgoafterthem。Itdoesnotsignifytalking。IfIcouldnotbepersuadedintodoingwhatIthoughtwrong，Ineverwillbetrickedintoit。”
Andwiththesewordsshebrokeawayandhurriedoff。
Thorpewouldhavedartedafterher，butMorlandwithheldhim。
“Lethergo，lethergo，ifshewillgo。Sheisasobstinateas——“
Thorpeneverfinishedthesimile，foritcouldhardlyhavebeenaproperone。
AwaywalkedCatherineingreatagitation，asfastasthecrowdwouldpermither，fearfulofbeingpursued，yetdeterminedtopersevere。Asshewalked，shereflectedonwhathadpassed。Itwaspainfultohertodisappointanddispleasethem，particularlytodispleaseherbrother；
butshecouldnotrepentherresistance。Settingherowninclinationapart，tohavefailedasecondtimeinherengagementtoMissTilney，tohaveretractedapromisevoluntarilymadeonlyfiveminutesbefore，andonafalsepretencetoo，musthavebeenwrong。Shehadnotbeenwithstandingthemonselfishprinciplesalone，shehadnotconsultedmerelyherowngratification；thatmighthavebeenensuredinsomedegreebytheexcursionitself，byseeingBlaizeCastle；no，shehadattendedtowhatwasduetoothers，andtoherowncharacterintheiropinion。
Herconvictionofbeingright，however，wasnotenoughtorestorehercomposure；tillshehadspokentoMissTilneyshecouldnotbeatease；andquickeningherpacewhenshegotclearoftheCrescent，shealmostranovertheremaininggroundtillshegainedthetopofMilsomStreet。
SorapidhadbeenhermovementsthatinspiteoftheTilneys'
advantageintheoutset，theywerebutjustfumingintotheirlodgingsasshecamewithinviewofthem；
andtheservantstillremainingattheopendoor，sheusedonlytheceremonyofsayingthatshemustspeakwithMissTilneythatmoment，andhurryingbyhimproceededupstairs。Then，openingthefirstdoorbeforeher，whichhappenedtobetheright，sheimmediatelyfoundherselfinthedrawing-roomwithGeneralTilney，hisson，anddaughter。Herexplanation，defectiveonlyinbeing——fromherirritationofnervesandshortnessofbreath——noexplanationatall，wasinstantlygiven。
“Iamcomeinagreathurry——Itwasallamistake——I
neverpromisedtogo——ItoldthemfromthefirstIcouldnotgo——Iranawayinagreathurrytoexplainit——I
didnotcarewhatyouthoughtofme——Iwouldnotstayfortheservant。”
Thebusiness，however，thoughnotperfectlyelucidatedbythisspeech，soonceasedtobeapuzzle。
CatherinefoundthatJohnThorpehadgiventhemessage；
andMissTilneyhadnoscrupleinowningherselfgreatlysurprisedbyit。Butwhetherherbrotherhadstillexceededherinresentment，Catherine，thoughsheinstinctivelyaddressedherselfasmuchtooneastotheotherinhervindication，hadnomeansofknowing。
Whatevermighthavebeenfeltbeforeherarrival，hereagerdeclarationsimmediatelymadeeverylookandsentenceasfriendlyasshecoulddesire。
Theaffairthushappilysettled，shewasintroducedbyMissTilneytoherfather，andreceivedbyhimwithsuchready，suchsolicitouspolitenessasrecalledThorpe'sinformationtohermind，andmadeherthinkwithpleasurethathemightbesometimesdependedon。
Tosuchanxiousattentionwasthegeneral'scivilitycarried，thatnotawareofherextraordinaryswiftnessinenteringthehouse，hewasquiteangrywiththeservantwhoseneglecthadreducedhertoopenthedooroftheapartmentherself。
“WhatdidWilliammeanbyit?Heshouldmakeapointofinquiringintothematter。”AndifCatherinehadnotmostwarmlyassertedhisinnocence，itseemedlikelythatWilliamwouldlosethefavourofhismasterforever，ifnothisplace，byherrapidity。
Aftersittingwiththemaquarterofanhour，sherosetotakeleave，andwasthenmostagreeablysurprisedbyGeneralTilney'saskingherifshewoulddohisdaughterthehonourofdiningandspendingtherestofthedaywithher。MissTilneyaddedherownwishes。
Catherinewasgreatlyobliged；butitwasquiteoutofherpower。Mr。andMrs。Allenwouldexpectherbackeverymoment。Thegeneraldeclaredhecouldsaynomore；
theclaimsofMr。andMrs。Allenwerenottobesuperseded；
butonsomeotherdayhetrusted，whenlongernoticecouldbegiven，theywouldnotrefusetosparehertoherfriend。
“Oh，no；Catherinewassuretheywouldnothavetheleastobjection，andsheshouldhavegreatpleasureincoming。”
Thegeneralattendedherhimselftothestreet-door，sayingeverythinggallantastheywentdownstairs，admiringtheelasticityofherwalk，whichcorrespondedexactlywiththespiritofherdancing，andmakingheroneofthemostgracefulbowsshehadeverbeheld，whentheyparted。
Catherine，delightedbyallthathadpassed，proceededgailytoPulteneyStreet，walking，assheconcluded，withgreatelasticity，thoughshehadneverthoughtofitbefore。Shereachedhomewithoutseeinganythingmoreoftheoffendedparty；andnowthatshehadbeentriumphantthroughout，hadcarriedherpoint，andwassecureofherwalk，shebeganastheflutterofherspiritssubsidedtodoubtwhethershehadbeenperfectlyright。Asacrificewasalwaysnoble；andifshehadgivenwaytotheirentreaties，sheshouldhavebeensparedthedistressingideaofafrienddispleased，abrotherangry，andaschemeofgreathappinesstobothdestroyed，perhapsthroughhermeans。Toeasehermind，andascertainbytheopinionofanunprejudicedpersonwhatherownconducthadreallybeen，shetookoccasiontomentionbeforeMr。Allenthehalf-settledschemeofherbrotherandtheThorpesforthefollowingday。
Mr。Allencaughtatitdirectly。“Well，“saidhe，“anddoyouthinkofgoingtoo?“
“No；IhadjustengagedmyselftowalkwithMissTilneybeforetheytoldmeofit；andthereforeyouknowIcouldnotgowiththem，couldI?“
“No，certainlynot；andIamgladyoudonotthinkofit。Theseschemesarenotatallthething。
Youngmenandwomendrivingaboutthecountryinopencarriages！Nowandthenitisverywell；butgoingtoinnsandpublicplacestogether！Itisnotright；andIwonderMrs。Thorpeshouldallowit。Iamgladyoudonotthinkofgoing；IamsureMrs。Morlandwouldnotbepleased。
Mrs。Allen，arenotyouofmywayofthinking?Donotyouthinkthesekindofprojectsobjectionable?“
“Yes，verymuchsoindeed。Opencarriagesarenastythings。Acleangownisnotfiveminutes'wearinthem。
Youaresplashedgettinginandgettingout；andthewindtakesyourhairandyourbonnetineverydirection。
Ihateanopencarriagemyself。”
“Iknowyoudo；butthatisnotthequestion。
Donotyouthinkithasanoddappearance，ifyoungladiesarefrequentlydrivenaboutinthembyyoungmen，towhomtheyarenotevenrelated?“
“Yes，mydear，averyoddappearanceindeed。
Icannotbeartoseeit。”
“Dearmadam，“criedCatherine，“thenwhydidnotyoutellmesobefore?IamsureifIhadknownittobeimproper，IwouldnothavegonewithMr。Thorpeatall；
butIalwayshopedyouwouldtellme，ifyouthoughtI
wasdoingwrong。”
“AndsoIshould，mydear，youmaydependonit；forasI
toldMrs。Morlandatparting，Iwouldalwaysdothebestforyouinmypower。Butonemustnotbeoverparticular。
Youngpeoplewillbeyoungpeople，asyourgoodmothersaysherself。YouknowIwantedyou，whenwefirstcame，nottobuythatspriggedmuslin，butyouwould。
Youngpeopledonotliketobealwaysthwarted。”
“Butthiswassomethingofrealconsequence；andI
donotthinkyouwouldhavefoundmehardtopersuade。”
“Asfarasithasgonehitherto，thereisnoharmdone，“
saidMr。Allen；“andIwouldonlyadviseyou，mydear，nottogooutwithMr。Thorpeanymore。”
“ThatisjustwhatIwasgoingtosay，“addedhiswife。
Catherine，relievedforherself，feltuneasyforIsabella，andafteramoment'sthought，askedMr。AllenwhetheritwouldnotbebothproperandkindinhertowritetoMissThorpe，andexplaintheindecorumofwhichshemustbeasinsensibleasherself；forsheconsideredthatIsabellamightotherwiseperhapsbegoingtoCliftonthenextday，inspiteofwhathadpassed。
Mr。Allen，however，discouragedherfromdoinganysuchthing。“Youhadbetterleaveheralone，mydear；
sheisoldenoughtoknowwhatsheisabout，andifnot，hasamothertoadviseher。Mrs。Thorpeistooindulgentbeyondadoubt；but，however，youhadbetternotinterfere。
Sheandyourbrotherchoosetogo，andyouwillbeonlygettingillwill。”
Catherinesubmitted，andthoughsorrytothinkthatIsabellashouldbedoingwrong，feltgreatlyrelievedbyMr。Allen'sapprobationofherownconduct，andtrulyrejoicedtobepreservedbyhisadvicefromthedangeroffallingintosuchanerrorherself。HerescapefrombeingoneofthepartytoCliftonwasnowanescapeindeed；
forwhatwouldtheTilneyshavethoughtofher，ifshehadbrokenherpromisetotheminordertodowhatwaswronginitself，ifshehadbeenguiltyofonebreachofpropriety，onlytoenablehertobeguiltyofanother?