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。