It was no effort to Catherine to believe that Henry Tilney could never be wrong.His manner might sometimes surprise,but his meaning must always be just: and what she did not understand,she was almost as ready to admire,as what she did.The whole walk was delightful,and though it ended too soon,its conclusion was delightful too; her friends attended her into the house,and Miss Tilney,before they parted,addressing herself with respectful form,as much to Mrs Allen as to Catherine,petitioned for the pleasure of her company to dinner on the day after the next.No difficulty was made on Mrs Allen's side and the only difficulty on Catherine's was in concealing the excess of her pleasure.
The morning had passed away so charmingly as to banish all her friendship and natural affection;for no thought of Isabella or James had crossed her during their walk.When the Tilneys were gone,she became amiable again,but she was amiable for some time to little effect;Mrs Allen had no intelligence to give that could relieve her anxiety,she had heard nothing of any of them.Towards the end of the morning however,Catherine having occasion for some indispensable yard of ribbon which must be bought without a moment's delay,walked out into the town,and in Bond Street overtook the second Miss Thorpe,as she was loitering towards Edgar's Buildings between two of the sweetest girls in the world,who had been her dear friends all the morning.From her,she soon learned that the party to Clifton had taken place.‘They set off at eight this morning,’said Miss Anne,‘and I am sure I do not envy them their drive.I think you and I are very well off to be out of the scrape. It must be the dullest thing in the world,for there is not a soul at Clifton at this time of year.Belle went with your brother,and John drove Maria.’
Catherine spoke the pleasure she really felt on hearing this part of the arrangement.
‘Oh!yes,’rejoined the other,‘Maria is gone.She was quite wild to go.She thought it would be something very fine.I cannot say I admire her taste;and for my part I was determined from the first not to go,if they pressed me ever so much.’
Catherine,a little doubtful of this,could not help answering,‘I wish you could have gone too.It is a pity you could not all go.’
‘Thank you;but it is quite a matter of indifference to me.Indeed,I would not have gone on any account.I was saying so to Emily and Sophia when you overtook us.’
Catherine was still unconvinced;but glad that Anne should have the friendship of an Emily and a Sophia to console her,she bade her adieu without much uneasiness,and returned home,pleased that the party had not been prevented by her refusing to join it,and very heartily wishing that it might be too pleasant to allow either James or Isabella to resent her resistance any longer.
Chapter 15
Early the next day,a note from Isabella,speaking peace and tenderness in every line,and entreating the immediate presence of her friend on a matter of the utmost importance,hastened Catherine,in the happiest state of confidence and curiosity,to Edgar's Buildings. The two youngest Miss Thorpes were by themselves in the parlour;and,on Anne's quitting it to call her sister,Catherine took the opportunity of asking the other for some particulars of their yesterday's party.Maria desired no greater pleasure than to speak of it;and Catherine immediately learnt that it had been altogether the most delightful scheme in the world;that nobody could imagine how charming it had been,and that it had been more delightful than anybody could conceive.Such was the information of the first five minutes;the second unfolded thus much in detail, that they had driven directly to the York Hotel,ate some soup,and bespoke an early dinner,walked down to the Pump room,tasted the water,and laid out some shillings in purses and spars;thence adjourned to eat ice at a pastry cook's ,and hurrying back to the Hotel,swallowed their dinner in haste,to prevent being in the dark;and then had a delightful drive back,only the moon was not up,and it rained a little,and Mr Morland's horse was so tired he could hardly get along.
Catherine listened with heartfelt satisfaction.It appeared that Blaize Castle had never been thought of;and,as for all the rest,there was nothing to regret for half an instant. Maria's intelligence concluded with a tender effusion of pity for her sister Anne,whom she represented as insupportably cross,from being excluded the party.
‘She will never forgive me,I am sure;but,you know,how could I help it?John would have me go,for he vowed he would not drive her,because she had such thick ankles.I dare say she will not be in good humour again this month;but I am determined I will not be cross;it is not a little matter that puts me out of temper.’
Isabella now entered the room with so eager a step,and a look of such happy importance,as engaged all her friend's notice.Maria was without ceremony sent away,and Isabella,embracing Catherine,thus began: ‘Yes,my dear Catherine,it is so indeed;your penetration has not deceived you. Oh!that arch eye of yours! It sees through everything.’
Catherine replied only by a look of wondering ignorance.
‘Nay,my beloved,sweetest friend,’continued the other,‘compose yourself. I am amazingly agitated,as you perceive.Let us sit down and talk in comfort.Well,and so you guessed it the moment you had my note? Sly creature! Oh!my dear Catherine,you alone who know my heart can judge of my present happiness.Your brother is the most charming of men.I only wish I were more worthy of him. But what will your excellent father and mother say? Oh!heavens!when I think of them I am so agitated!’
Catherine's understanding began to wake:an idea of the truth suddenly darted into her mind;and,with the natural blush of so new an emotion,she cried out,‘Good heaven! my dear Isabella,what do you mean?Can you can you really be in love with James?’
