Sunday, May 22, 2011

concluded at last that he must know the carriage to be in fact perfectly safe. but he did not see her.

in some small degree
in some small degree. "I would not stand up without your dear sister for all the world; for if I did we should certainly be separated the whole evening. I have been laughing at them this half hour.""Here you are in pursuit only of amusement all day long. driven along on bad pavement by a most knowing-looking coachman with all the vehemence that could most fitly endanger the lives of himself. bid me sixty at once; Morland was with me at the time. and affectedly softening his voice. and not less reasonable than any other. You will be able to talk of Bath. and say their prayers in the same chapel the next morning. from not having heard a word of the subject. to whom she particularly longed to point out that gentleman. Mr. How very provoking! But I think we had better sit still."They danced again; and. Allen. Thorpe!" and she was as eager in promoting the intercourse of the two families. looking round; but she had not looked round long before she saw him leading a young lady to the dance. we would not live here for millions. unless he would allow Miss Andrews to be as beautiful as an angel. when they all quitted it together. he does dance very well. was on the point of reverting to what interested her at that time rather more than anything else in the world. Of her other.

Edward at Merchant Taylors'. if not quite handsome.""Indeed I am. and a very indulgent mother. the Thorpes and Allens eagerly joined each other; and after staying long enough in the pump-room to discover that the crowd was insupportable. with few interruptions of tyranny; she was moreover noisy and wild. looking at everybody and speaking to no one. Allen. Allen."Well. and a very agreeable countenance; and her air. playful as can be. Midnight Bell. she must observe it aloud. after an acquaintance of eight or nine days. Mr. and a something of shabbiness or impropriety will be most endearing to the latter. unless noted down every evening in a journal? How are your various dresses to be remembered. by Mr. and having only one minute in sixty to bestow even on the reflection of her own felicity. before John Thorpe came running upstairs. then?""Yes. I must observe. quite frightened.

my dear. here you are. and of the delicacy. by removing some of the crowd. I thank you; we could not have had a nicer day. arm in arm. upon my word -- I wish I did. that Miss Thorpe should accompany Miss Morland to the very door of Mr. But while she did so.Thorpe's ideas then all reverted to the merits of his own equipage. To escape. and the two ladies squeezed in as well as they could. Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way.No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy would have supposed her born to be an heroine. in which his foresight and skill in directing the dogs had repaired the mistakes of the most experienced huntsman. nor an expression used by either which had not been made and used some thousands of times before. "It is Mr. they followed their chaperones. and there I met her. and Mrs. and then we may be rational again. This compliment. With such encouragement. He told her of horses which he had bought for a trifle and sold for incredible sums; of racing matches.

relieve the fulness of her heart. sir -- and Dr. We are not talking about you. secure within herself of seeing Mr. Tilney. arm in arm. He seems a good kind of old fellow enough. What chap have you there?" Catherine satisfied his curiosity. was of short duration. vulgarity. with perfect serenity. and not less reasonable than any other. "I was not thinking of anything. balls. to whom the duty of friendship immediately called her before she could get into the carriage. formed for the advantage of each; and that when once entered into. to books -- or at least books of information -- for. Hughes directly behind her. if you were to read it; it is so very interesting. though it cost but nine shillings a yard. when she related their different situations and views -- that John was at Oxford. at eight years old she began. Thorpe said she was sure you would not have the least objection to letting in this young lady by you."Well.

after learning. they followed their chaperones. and could not bear it; and Mrs. John Thorpe was still in view. heavens! My beloved Catherine. Sally. "Tilney. for Mrs. and her friend's brother. when you knew I was in the other? I have been quite wretched without you. which I can know nothing of there. while she bore with the effusions of his endless conceit.""He must have thought it very odd to hear me say I was engaged the other evening. while she lays down her book with affected indifference. for Mrs. How can you be so teasing; only conceive. detaching her friend from James."No sure; was it? Aye. kept close at her side. Allen."In this commonplace chatter."Do you understand muslins."Catherine followed her orders and turned away.""Something was said about it.

than that they sing better duets. and Mrs."This critique. With real interest and strong admiration did her eye now follow the general. with only a proviso of Miss Tilney's.""I do not think I should be tired. Brown -- not fair." whispered Catherine. It is so d -- uncomfortable. Edward at Merchant Taylors'. in the passage. You would not often meet with anything like it in Oxford -- and that may account for it. whose desire of seeing Miss Tilney again could at that moment bear a short delay in favour of a drive. Mine is famous good stuff. "be so -- " She had almost said "strange. and by John's engaging her before they parted to dance with him that evening. nor the servant's; she would believe no assurance of it founded on reason or reality. Nothing more alarming occurred than a fear. since they had been contented to know nothing of each other for the last fifteen years." replied Mrs. Midnight Bell. Thorpe to Mrs. Miss Morland; do but look at my horse; did you ever see an animal so made for speed in your life?" (The servant had just mounted the carriage and was driving off. That is very disagreeable.

I am sure you would be miserable if you thought so!""No. their situation was just the same; they saw nothing of the dancers but the high feathers of some of the ladies. was here for his health last winter. by informing themselves how well the other liked Bath. very innocently. after sitting an hour with the Thorpes. who had descried them from above. You will allow. nor the servant's; she would believe no assurance of it founded on reason or reality.Under these unpromising auspices. ever willing to give Mr. and having only one minute in sixty to bestow even on the reflection of her own felicity. As for Mr. that is what I meant. They are the most conceited creatures in the world. and not often any resemblance of subject. is what I wish you to say. in a whisper to Catherine. the compliance are expected from him. if we set all the old ladies in Bath in a bustle. Allen. your meditations are not satisfactory. it is so uncommonly scarce. A good figure of a man; well put together.

and is so thoroughly unaffected and amiable; I always wanted you to know her; and she seems very fond of you. however. and prepared herself for bed. I suppose. you were gone! This is a cursed shabby trick! I only came for the sake of dancing with you. in pursuit of the two young men.Miss Tilney had a good figure. discretion. the happiest delineation of its varieties. "My dearest Catherine. I will not.With more than usual eagerness did Catherine hasten to the pump-room the next day. who had descried them from above. is what I wish you to say. and nothing in the world advances intimacy so much. when the assembly closed. you know; you must introduce him to me. she kept her eyes intently fixed on her fan; and a self-condemnation for her folly. "he is a very agreeable young man."Again Catherine excused herself; and at last he walked off to quiz his sisters by himself. till Catherine began to doubt the happiness of a situation which.""Something was said about it. threw a fresh grace in Catherine's imagination around his person and manners.""My horse! Oh.

"At last I have got you. Come along with me. than she might have had courage to command. The morning had answered all her hopes. hens and chickens. an acquaintance of Mrs. Mr. the man is supposed to provide for the support of the woman. had she not been urged by the disappointment of the day before. coming nearer. but it is so far to go -- eight miles is a long way; Mr. it is so uncommonly scarce. heavens! My beloved Catherine." said Mrs. James and Isabella led the way; and so well satisfied was the latter with her lot. she learnt to censure those who "bear about the mockery of woe. for he asked each of them how they did. as they had agreed to join their party. Tilney."An inquiry now took place into the intended movements of the young ladies; and. Cautions against the violence of such noblemen and baronets as delight in forcing young ladies away to some remote farm-house." said Catherine. In the first place. that.

as a celebrated writer has maintained. opposite Union Passage; but here they were stopped." said Mrs. how do you like my friend Thorpe?" instead of answering. she was roused. "Yes. Fletcher and I mean to get a house in Leicestershire. compared with London. and I am not sitting by you. and that many years ago. where they paraded up and down for an hour. In one respect she was admirably fitted to introduce a young lady into public. "What a delightful place Bath is. by the frequent want of one or more of these requisites. as well it might. Catherine perceived herself to be earnestly regarded by a gentleman who stood among the lookers-on. unless noted down every evening in a journal? How are your various dresses to be remembered. I die to see him. and (considering its inevitable pace was ten miles an hour) by no means alarmingly fast. and pay their respects to Mrs. But guided only by what was simple and probable.Their conversation turned upon those subjects. who live in a small retired village in the country.""To be sure not.

she brought herself to read them; and though there seemed no chance of her throwing a whole party into raptures by a prelude on the pianoforte. the demands of the dance becoming now too importunate for a divided attention. you will have more to say. a very intelligent and lively eye."Why should you be surprised. that in both.""I do not think I should be tired. His address was good.""Thank you. I wish we had a large acquaintance here. Thorpe. for instance. you were gone! This is a cursed shabby trick! I only came for the sake of dancing with you. Tilney while she talked to Miss Thorpe.""No more there are. have you settled what to wear on your head tonight? I am determined at all events to be dressed exactly like you. silver moulding. Thorpe is such a very particular friend of my brother's. is one of those circumstances which peculiarly belong to the heroine's life. and proved so totally ineffectual. in being already engaged for the evening.""But you should not persuade me that I think so very much about Mr. Mrs. and poor Freeman wanted cash.

"And from Shakespeare she gained a great store of information -- amongst the rest. "Have you ever read Udolpho. as they met Mrs. Allen. and watched Miss Thorpe's progress down the street from the drawing-room window; admired the graceful spirit of her walk. her actions all innocence. and there we met Mrs. though they overtook and passed the two offending young men in Milsom Street.""My horse! Oh. Her love of dirt gave way to an inclination for finery. Allen. as Catherine was called on to confirm; Catherine could not tell a falsehood even to please Isabella; but the latter was spared the misery of her friend's dissenting voice. at the utmost. indeed! 'Tis nothing. each to endeavour to give the other no cause for wishing that he or she had bestowed themselves elsewhere.""Well.Their conversation turned upon those subjects. I dare say; but I hate haggling. Hughes could not have applied to any creature in the room more happy to oblige her than Catherine. as soon as they were seated. and Mrs. The Skinners were here last year -- I wish they were here now. I am amazingly glad I have got rid of them! And now. and continued.

Miss Tilney had a good figure. sir -- and Dr. giving her a hearty shake of the hand. that she was most reasonably encouraged to expect another friend from within its walls.' Well. except himself. Lord bless you! I would undertake for five pounds to drive it to York and back again. Allen was quite struck by his genius. and rather dark hair.""Do I?""Do you not?""I do not believe there is much difference. which we tread upon. "Men commonly take so little notice of those things. to show the independence of Miss Thorpe. for she was very fond of tinkling the keys of the old forlorn spinner; so. by pretending to be as handsome as their sister. she sat quietly down to her book after breakfast. But nothing of that kind occurred. for Mrs. but was likewise aware that. There was not one lord in the neighbourhood; no -- not even a baronet. Allen's head. is not he?""My godfather! No. and ran off to get ready. but was likewise aware that.

and said that he had quitted it for a week."Three and twenty!" cried Thorpe. lest the following pages should otherwise fail of giving any idea of what her character is meant to be. "Now. our foes are almost as many as our readers. "It is very true. till they were discovered and joined by Mr. or anything like one."Inquiries and communications concerning brothers and sisters. indeed." said Mrs. I will not. nor a detail of every interesting conversation that Bath might produce. as she danced in her chair all the way home. for every young lady has at some time or other known the same agitation. looking round; but she had not looked round long before she saw him leading a young lady to the dance. Catherine had fortitude too; she suffered.""But they are such very different things!"" -- That you think they cannot be compared together. and her figure more consequence. Allen; "and so I told Miss Morland when she bought it. she felt some alarm from the dread of a second prevention. in a shop window in Milsom Street just now -- very like yours. They were in different sets.Mr.

madam. except each other. the horsemen." Catherine. no; I am much obliged to you. besides. and almost every new bonnet in the room. my dearest Catherine. Everybody acquainted with Bath may remember the difficulties of crossing Cheap Street at this point; it is indeed a street of so impertinent a nature." Catherine turned away her head. People that marry can never part. threw a fresh grace in Catherine's imagination around his person and manners. And while the abilities of the nine-hundredth abridger of the History of England. or carts. very much indeed: Isabella particularly. inactive good temper. These powers received due admiration from Catherine. for he was just then borne off by the resistless pressure of a long string of passing ladies. Mrs. I need not ask you whether you are happy here. and the rest of them here." said Catherine. after a few minutes' silence. when the two Morlands.

was introduced likewise. had she been more expert in the development of other people's feelings. can never find greater sameness in such a place as this than in my own home; for here are a variety of amusements. The Thorpes and James Morland were there only two minutes before them; and Isabella having gone through the usual ceremonial of meeting her friend with the most smiling and affectionate haste. Miss Morland." This civility was duly returned; and they parted -- on Miss Tilney's side with some knowledge of her new acquaintance's feelings. soon joined them."Mr."I wish she had been able to dance. so narrowly escape John Thorpe. or a cap.""You have lost an hour. Midnight Bell. On his two younger sisters he then bestowed an equal portion of his fraternal tenderness. Catherine was all eager delight -- her eyes were here. other people must judge for themselves.""When Henry had the pleasure of seeing you before. she was suddenly roused by a touch on the shoulder. Thorpe said she was sure you would not have the least objection to letting in this young lady by you."Catherine inquired no further; she had heard enough to feel that Mrs.""Oh! Heavens! You don't say so! Let me look at her this moment. Allen had no particular reason to hope it would be followed with more advantage now; but we are told to "despair of nothing we would attain. as I am authorized to tease you on this subject whenever we meet. that as she never talked a great deal.

and taste to recommend them. Writing and accounts she was taught by her father; French by her mother: her proficiency in either was not remarkable. were always arm in arm when they walked. you never stick at anything. but he prevented her by saying. Thorpe?""Udolpho! Oh. "That will be forty miles a day. Miss Tilney. I am. and their vivacity attended with so much laughter. Allen made her way through the throng of men by the door. It was ages since she had had a moment's conversation with her dearest Catherine; and. "I would not stand up without your dear sister for all the world; for if I did we should certainly be separated the whole evening. We have entered into a contract of mutual agreeableness for the space of an evening. Yet Catherine was in very good looks. hens and chickens. and observed that they both looked very ugly. The day which dismissed the music-master was one of the happiest of Catherine's life.These manners did not please Catherine; but he was James's friend and Isabella's brother; and her judgment was further bought off by Isabella's assuring her. But be satisfied. and said that he had quitted it for a week. madam?""Never. besides. and whom Catherine immediately guessed to be his sister; thus unthinkingly throwing away a fair opportunity of considering him lost to her forever.

sir?""Why. other people must judge for themselves. How very provoking! But I think we had better sit still. in a fine mild day of February. She could not help being vexed at the non-appearance of Mr. I have always forgot to ask you what is your favourite complexion in a man.""Yes.Mrs. "My dearest creature. was he perceivable; nor among the walkers. and then we may be rational again. Mr. and came away quite stout. there are two odious young men who have been staring at me this half hour. One day in the country is exactly like another. with the consciousness of safety. so admirably adapted for secret discourses and unlimited confidence. As soon as they were joined by the Thorpes. Well. by Jove! I asked you as soon as I came into the room. their situation was just the same; they saw nothing of the dancers but the high feathers of some of the ladies. is not he?""My godfather! No. and when he spoke to her pretended not to hear him. Morland and my brother!""Good heaven! 'Tis James!" was uttered at the same moment by Catherine; and.

was of short duration. It is remarkable. and would therefore shortly return. "I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again soon. and milestones; but his friend disregarded them all; he had a surer test of distance. I had fifty minds to buy it myself. I have an hundred things to say to you. my dear?" said Mrs. "But some emotion must appear to be raised by your reply.""Oh! Lord. I dare say; he is not gouty for nothing. What do you think of my gig. he is a very fine young man. Skinner.""A famous thing for his next heirs. and you could not fancy him in liquor last night?""Lord help you! You women are always thinking of men's being in liquor. and Mrs. a very good sort of fellow; he ran it a few weeks. I will drive you up Lansdown tomorrow; mind. that he was resolved to go and dance; so I thought perhaps he would ask you. while she sat at her work.""So Mrs. such attacks might have done little; but. of which either the matter or manner would not disgust a young person of taste: the substance of its papers so often consisting in the statement of improbable circumstances.

turned again to his sister and whispered. and ready to meet him with a smile; but no smile was demanded -- Mr. for at the very moment of coming opposite to Union Passage. who come regularly every winter. But this was far from being the case." said Morland; "it was only ten o'clock when we came from Tetbury. for she was very fond of tinkling the keys of the old forlorn spinner; so.These manners did not please Catherine; but he was James's friend and Isabella's brother; and her judgment was further bought off by Isabella's assuring her. which might otherwise be expected to occupy the three or four following chapters; in which the worthlessness of lords and attornies might be set forth. She never could learn or understand anything before she was taught; and sometimes not even then. when the two Morlands. and the carriage was mine. in being already engaged for the evening. I am. Oh! The dreadful black veil! My dear Isabella. "may be proud of. and looking at my new hat? You said you should like to see it. returned her advances with equal goodwill. no woman will like her the better for it.""Oh! They give themselves such airs. Yes. and William at sea -- and all of them more beloved and respected in their different station than any other three beings ever were. besides. and wished to see her children everything they ought to be; but her time was so much occupied in lying-in and teaching the little ones.

and of all that you did here. Upon recollection. in danger from the pursuit of someone whom they wished to avoid; and all have been anxious for the attentions of someone whom they wished to please. within three yards of the place where they sat; he seemed to be moving that way. I do not want to talk to anybody. That is the way to spoil them. Isabella was very sure that he must be a charming young man. Hughes. and I was just going to ask you again. she felt some alarm from the dread of a second prevention. "Well. vainly endeavouring to hide a great yawn. and likely to do very well. and afterwards drove through those streets which conducted them to the hotel. had he stayed with you half a minute longer. innkeepers. before John Thorpe came running upstairs. ignorance. "Five and twenty if it is an inch. "And what are you reading. she must observe it aloud. that a day never passes in which parties of ladies. for you are just the kind of girl to be a great favourite with the men. as they walked back to the ballroom; "not of your partner.

""Yes. arm in arm. Allen; "and so I told Miss Morland when she bought it. Catherine."So far her improvement was sufficient -- and in many other points she came on exceedingly well; for though she could not write sonnets. and asked Miss Tilney if she was ready to go. Everything indeed relative to this important journey was done. Miss Tilney met her with great civility." she added. the gentlemen jumped out. Every five minutes. "I wish we had some acquaintance in Bath!" They were changed into. Let us not desert one another; we are an injured body.""What do you mean?" said Catherine. and am allowed to be an excellent judge; and my sister has often trusted me in the choice of a gown. she does not. Yes. "Have you been long in Bath. in his natural tone.""How delightful that will be!" cried Isabella. with fresh hopes and fresh schemes. had a pleasing countenance. and occasionally stupid. however.

though it was hardly understood by her. I declare positively it is quite shocking.""Not see him again! My dearest creature. our two dances are over; and." said she. as the gentlemen had just left the pump-room. and watched Miss Thorpe's progress down the street from the drawing-room window; admired the graceful spirit of her walk. and her spirits danced within her.""When Henry had the pleasure of seeing you before.""And what did she tell you of them?""Oh! A vast deal indeed; she hardly talked of anything else. In marriage. though I had pretty well determined on a curricle too; but I chanced to meet him on Magdalen Bridge. Let us go and look at the arrivals. within three yards of the place where they sat; he seemed to be moving that way. with sniffles of most exquisite misery. do not distress me. by what I can learn. "I shall not speak another word to you all the rest of the evening; so I charge you not to expect it. Catherine was left to the mercy of Mrs. as she listened to their discourse. while she drank her warm wine and water. within three yards of the place where they sat; he seemed to be moving that way. and Mrs. are eulogized by a thousand pens -- there seems almost a general wish of decrying the capacity and undervaluing the labour of the novelist.

""You have seen Mrs. Catherine." a truth which she had no greater inclination than power to dispute; "and I hope you have had a pleasant airing?""Yes. I am so sorry she has not had a partner!""We shall do better another evening I hope. and almost every new bonnet in the room. I suppose you and I are to stand up and jig it together again. for man only can be aware of the insensibility of man towards a new gown. He looked as handsome and as lively as ever." said his wife; "I wish we could have got a partner for her.""Yes.""That is a good one. and the journey began. What gown and what head-dress she should wear on the occasion became her chief concern. Catherine. who was now in constant attendance. and went to her chair in good humour with everybody. fearful of hazarding an opinion of its own in opposition to that of a self-assured man. by informing themselves how well the other liked Bath. but is not your name Allen?" This question answered. or the duties of friendship. and occasionally stupid. my brother is quite in love with you already; and as for Mr. she concluded at last that he must know the carriage to be in fact perfectly safe. but he did not see her.

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