northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第60章
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seemed quite disappointed that it was not more。 I never was so
deceived in anyone’s character in my life before。”
“Among all the great variety that you have known and studied。”
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“My own disappointment and loss in her is very great； but； as
for poor James； I suppose he will hardly ever recover it。”
“Your brother is certainly very much to be pitied at present； but
we must not； in our concern for his sufferings； undervalue yours。
You feel； I suppose； that in losing Isabella； you lose half yourself：
you feel a void in your heart which nothing else can occupy。
Society is becoming irksome； and as for the amusements in which
you were wont to share at Bath； the very idea of them without her
is abhorrent。 You would not； for instance； now go to a ball for the
world。 You feel that you have no longer any friend to whom you
can speak with unreserve； on whose regard you can place
dependence； or whose counsel； in any difficulty； you could rely on。
You feel all this？”
“No；” said Catherine； after a few moments’ reflection； “I do
not—ought I？ To say the truth； though I am hurt and grieved； that
I cannot still love her； that I am never to hear from her； perhaps
never to see her again； I do not feel so very； very much afflicted as
one would have thought。”
“You feel； as you always do； what is most to the credit of human
nature。—Such feelings ought to be investigated； that they may
know themselves。”
Catherine； by some chance or other； found her spirits so very
much relieved by this conversation that she could not regret her
being led on； though so unaccountably； to mention the
circumstance which had produced it。
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CHAPTER XI
rom this time； the subject was frequently canvassed by the
three young people； and Catherine found； with some
Fsurprize； that her two young friends were perfectly agreed
in considering Isabella’s want of consequence and fortune as likely
to throw great difficulties in the way of her marrying their brother。
Their persuasion that the General would； upon this ground alone；
independent of the objection that might be raised against her
character； oppose the connection； turned her feelings moreover
with some alarm towards herself。 She was as insignificant； and
perhaps as portionless； as Isabella； and if the heir of the Tilney
property had not grandeur and wealth enough in himself； at what
point of interest were the demands of his younger brother to rest？
The very painful reflections to which this thought led could only
be dispersed by a dependence on the effect of that particular
partiality； which； as she was given to understand by his words as
well as his actions； she had from the first been so fortunate as to
excite in the General； and by a recollection of some most generous
and disinterested sentiments on the subject of money； which she
had more than once heard him utter； and which tempted her to
think his disposition in such matters misunderstood by his
children。
They were so fully convinced； however； that their brother
would not have the courage to apply in person for his father’s
consent； and so repeatedly assured her that he had never in his
life been less likely to come to Northanger than at the present
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time； that she suffered her mind to be at ease as to the necessity of
any sudden removal of her own。 But as it was not to be supposed
that Captain Tilney； whenever he made his application； would give
his father any just idea of Isabella’s conduct； it occurred to her as
highly expedient that Henry should lay the whole business before
him as it really was； enabling the General by that means to form a
cool and impartial opinion； and prepare his objections on a fairer
ground than inequality of situations。 She proposed it to him
accordingly； but he did not catch at the measure so eagerly as she
had expected。 “No；” said he； “my father’s hands need not be
strengthened； and Frederick’s confession of folly need not be
forestalled。 He must tell his own story。”
“But he will tell only half of it。”
“A quarter would be enough。”
A day or two passed away and brought no tidings of Captain
Tilney。 His brother and sister knew not what to think。 Sometimes
it appeared to them as if his silence would be the natural result of
the suspected engagement； and at others that it was wholly
incompatible with it。 The General； meanwhile； though offended
every morning by Frederick’s remissness in writing； was free from
any real anxiety about him； and had no more pressing solicitude
than that of making Miss Morland’s time at Northanger pass
pleasantly。 He often expressed his uneasiness on this head； feared
the sameness of every day’s society and employments would
disgust her with the place； wished the Lady Frasers had been in
the country； talked every now and then of having a large party to
dinner； and once or twice began even to calculate the number of
young dancing people in the neighbourhood。 But then it was such
a dead time of year； no wild…fowl； no game； and the Lady Frasers
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were not in the country。 And it all ended； at last； in his telling
Henry one morning that when he next went to Woodston； they
would take him by surprise there some day or other； and eat their
mutton with him。 Henry was greatly honoured and very happy；
and Catherine was quite delighted with the scheme。 “And when
do you think； sir； I may look forward to this pleasure？—I must be
at Woodston on Monday to attend the parish meeting； and shall
probably be obliged to stay two or three days。”
“Well； well； we will take our chance some one of those days。
There is no need to fix。 You are not to put yourself at all out of
your way。 Whatever you may happen to have in the house will be
enough。 I think I can answer for the young ladies making
allowance for a bachelor’s table。 Let me see； Monday will be a
busy day with you； we will not come on Monday； and Tuesday will
be a busy one with me。 I expect my surveyor from Brockham with
his report in the morning； and afterwards I cannot in decency fail
attending the club。 I really could not face my acquaintance if I
stayed away now； for； as I am known to be in
