northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第50章
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am never within。”
“At any rate； however； I am pleased that you have learnt to love
a hyacinth。 The mere habit of learning to love is the thing； and a
teachableness of disposition in a young lady is a great blessing。—
Has my sister a pleasant mode of instruction？”
Catherine was saved the embarrassment of attempting an
answer by the entrance of the General； whose smiling
compliments announced a happy state of mind； but whose gentle
hint of sympathetic early rising did not advance her composure。
The elegance of the breakfast set forced itself on Catherine’s
notice when they were seated at table； and； luckily； it had been the
General’s choice。 He was enchanted by her approbation of his
taste； confessed it to be neat and simple； thought it right to
encourage the manufacture of his country； and for his part； to his
uncritical palate； the tea was as well flavoured from the clay of
Staffordshire； as from that of Dresden or Sêve。 But this was quite
an old set； purchased two years ago。 The manufacture was much
improved since that time； he had seen some beautiful specimens
when last in town； and had he not been perfectly without vanity of
that kind； might have been tempted to order a new set。 He trusted；
however； that an opportunity might ere long occur of selecting
one—though not for himself。 Catherine was probably the only one
of the party who did not understand him。
Shortly after breakfast Henry left them for Woodston； where
business required and would keep him two or three days。 They all
attended in the hall to see him mount his horse； and immediately
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on re…entering the breakfast…room； Catherine walked to a window
in the hope of catching another glimpse of his figure。 “This is a
somewhat heavy call upon your brother’s fortitude；” observed the
General to Eleanor。 “Woodston will make but a sombre
appearance today。”
“Is it a pretty place？” asked Catherine。
“What say you； Eleanor？—Speak your opinion； for ladies can
best tell the taste of ladies in regard to places as well as men。 I
think it would be acknowledged by the most impartial eye to have
many recommendations。 The house stands among fine meadows
facing the south…east； with an excellent kitchen…garden in the
same aspect； the walls surrounding which I built and stocked
myself about ten years ago； for the benefit of my son。 It is a family
living； Miss Morland； and the property in the place being chiefly
my own； you may believe I take care that it shall not be a bad one。
Did Henry’s income depend solely on this living； he would not be
ill…provided for。 Perhaps it may seem odd； that with only two
younger children； I should think any profession necessary for him；
and certainly there are moments when we could all wish him
disengaged from every tie of business。 But though I may not
exactly make converts of you young ladies； I am sure your father；
Miss Morland； would agree with me in thinking it expedient to
give every young man some employment。 The money is nothing； it
is not an object； but employment is the thing。 Even Frederick； my
eldest son； you see； who will perhaps inherit as considerable a
landed property as any private man in the county； has his
profession。”
The imposing effect of this last argument was equal to his
wishes。 The silence of the lady proved it to be unanswerable。
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Something had been said the evening before of her being
shewn over the house； and he now offered himself as her
conductor； and though Catherine had hoped to explore it
accompanied only by his daughter； it was a proposal of too much
happiness in itself； under any circumstances； not to be gladly
accepted； for she had been already eighteen hours in the abbey；
and had seen only a few of its rooms。 The netting…box； just
leisurely drawn forth； was closed with joyful haste； and she was
ready to attend him in a moment。 “And when they had gone over
the house； he promised himself moreover the pleasure of
accompanying her into the shrubberies and garden。” She curtsied
her acquiescence。 “But perhaps it might be more agreeable to her
to make those her first object。 The weather was at present
favourable； and at this time of year the uncertainty was very great
of its continuing so。—Which would she prefer？ He was equally at
her service。—Which did his daughter think would most accord
with her fair friend’s wishes？—But he thought he could discern。—
Yes； he certainly read in Miss Morland’s eyes a judicious desire of
making use of the present smiling weather。—But when did she
judge amiss？—The Abbey would be always safe and dry。—He
yielded implicitly； and would fetch his hat and attend them in a
moment。” He left the room； and Catherine； with a disappointed；
anxious face； began to speak of her unwillingness that he should
be taking them out of doors against his own inclination； under a
mistaken idea of pleasing her； but she was stopped by Miss
Tilney’s saying； with a little confusion； “I believe it will be wisest to
take the morning while it is so fine； and do not be uneasy on my
father’s account； he always walks out at this time of day。”
Catherine did not exactly know how this was to be understood。
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Why was Miss Tilney embarrassed？ Could there be any
unwillingness on the General’s side to shew her over the Abbey？
The proposal was his own。 And was not it odd that he should
always take his walk so early？ Neither her father nor Mr。 Allen did
so。 It was certainly very provoking。 She was all impatience to see
the house； and had scarcely any curiosity about the grounds。 If
Henry had been with them indeed！—But now she should not
know what was picturesque when she saw it。 Such were her
thoughts； but she kept them to herself； and put on her bonnet in
patient discontent。
She was struck； however； beyond her expectation； by the
grandeur of the Abbey； as she saw it for the first time from the
lawn。 The whole building enclosed a large court； and two sides of
the quadrangle； rich in Gothic ornaments； stood forward for
admiration。 The remainder was shut off by knolls of old trees； or
luxuriant plantations； and the steep woody hills rising behind； to
give it shelter； were
