northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第43章
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regiment。—And what will then be their acquaintance？—The mess…
room will drink Isabella Thorpe for a fortnight； and she will laugh
with your brother over poor Tilney’s passion for a month。”
Catherine would contend no longer against comfort。 She had
resisted its approaches during the whole length of a speech； but it
now carried her captive。 Henry Tilney must know best。 She
blamed herself for the extent of her fears； and resolved never to
think so seriously on the subject again。
Her resolution was supported by Isabella’s behaviour in their
parting interview。 The Thorpes spent the last evening of
Catherine’s stay in Pulteney…street； and nothing passed between
the lovers to excite her uneasiness； or make her quit them in
apprehension。 James was in excellent spirits； and Isabella most
engagingly placid。 Her tenderness for her friend seemed rather
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the first feeling of her heart； but that at such a moment was
allowable； and once she gave her lover a flat contradiction； and
once she drew back her hand； but Catherine remembered Henry’s
instructions； and placed it all to judicious affection。 The embraces；
tears； and promises of the parting fair ones may be fancied。
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CHAPTER V
r。 and Mrs。 Allen were sorry to lose their young friend；
whose good humour and cheerfulness had made her a
M
valuable companion； and in the promotion of whose
enjoyment their own had been gently increased。 Her happiness in
going with Miss Tilney； however； prevented their wishing it
otherwise； and； as they were to remain only one more week in
Bath themselves； her quitting them now would not long be felt。
Mr。 Allen attended her to Milsom…street； where she was to
breakfast； and saw her seated with the kindest welcome among
her new friends； but so great was her agitation in finding herself
as one of the family； and so fearful was she of not doing exactly
what was right； and of not being able to preserve their good
opinion； that； in the embarrassment of the first five minutes； she
could almost have wished to return with him to Pulteney…street。
Miss Tilney’s manners and Henry’s smile soon did away some
of her unpleasant feelings； but still she was far from being at ease；
nor could the incessant attentions of the General himself entirely
reassure her。 Nay； perverse as it seemed； she doubted whether she
might not have felt less； had she been less attended to。 His anxiety
for her comfort—his continual solicitations that she would eat； and
his often…expressed fears of her seeing nothing to her taste—
though never in her life before had she beheld half such variety on
a breakfast…table—made it impossible for her to forget for a
moment that she was a visitor。 She felt utterly unworthy of such
respect； and knew not how to reply to it。 Her tranquillity was not
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improved by the General’s impatience for the appearance of his
eldest son； nor by the displeasure he expressed at his laziness
when Captain Tilney at last came down。 She was quite pained by
the severity of his father’s reproof； which seemed disproportionate
to the offence； and much was her concern increased when she
found herself the principal cause of the lecture； and that his
tardiness was chiefly resented from being disrespectful to her。
This was placing her in a very uncomfortable situation； and she
felt great compassion for Captain Tilney； without being able to
hope for his good…will。
He listened to his father in silence； and attempted not any
defence； which confirmed her in fearing； that the inquietude of his
mind； on Isabella’s account； might； by keeping him long sleepless；
have been the real cause of his rising late。—It was the first time of
her being decidedly in his company； and she had hoped to be now
able to form her opinion of him； but she scarcely heard his voice
while his father remained in the room； and even afterwards； so
much were his spirits affected； she could distinguish nothing but
these words； in a whisper to Eleanor； “How glad I shall be when
you are all off。”
The bustle of going was not pleasant。—The clock struck ten
while the trunks were carrying down； and the General had fixed to
be out of Milsom…street by that hour。 His great coat； instead of
being brought for him to put on directly； was spread out in the
curricle in which he was to accompany his son。 The middle seat of
the chaise was not drawn out； though there were three people to
go in it； and his daughter’s maid had so crowded it with parcels
that Miss Morland would not have room to sit； and； so much was
he influenced by this apprehension when he handed her in； that
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she had some difficulty in saving her own new writing…desk from
being thrown out into the street。—At last； however； the door was
closed upon the three females； and they set off at the sober pace in
which the handsome； highly fed four horses of a gentleman usually
perform a journey of thirty miles： such was the distance of
Northanger from Bath； to be now divided into two equal stages。
Catherine’s spirits revived as they drove from the door； for with
Miss Tilney she felt no restraint； and； with the interest of a road
entirely new to her； of an abbey before； and a curricle behind； she
caught the last view of Bath without any regret； and met with
every milestone before she expected it。 The tediousness of a two
hours’ wait at Petty…France； in which there was nothing to be done
but to eat without being hungry； and loiter about without anything
to see； next followed—and her admiration of the style in which
they travelled； of the fashionable chaise…and…four—postilions
handsomely liveried； rising so regularly in their stirrups； and
numerous outriders properly mounted； sunk a little under this
consequent inconvenience。 Had their party been perfectly
agreeable； the delay would have been nothing； but General Tilney；
though so charming a man； seemed always a check upon his
children’s spirits； and scarcely anything was said but by himself；
the observation of which； with his discontent at whatev
