Soon after six Eleanor entered her room,eager to show attention or give assistance where it was possible;but very little remained to be done.Catherine had not loitered;she was almost dressed,and her packing almost finished.The possibility of some conciliatory message from the General occurred to her as his daughter appeared.What so natural,as that anger should pass away and repentance succeed it?and she only wanted to know how far,after what had passed,an apology might properly be received by her.But the knowledge would have been useless here,it was not called for;neither clemency nor dignity was put to the trial Eleanor brought no message.Very little passed between them on meeting;each found her greatest safety in silence,and few and trivial were the sentences exchanged while they remained upstairs,Catherine in busy agitation completing her dress,and Eleanor with more good will than experience intent upon filling the trunk.When everything was done they left the room,Catherine lingering only half a minute behind her friend to throw a parting glance on every well known cherished object,and went down to the breakfast parlour,where breakfast was prepared.She tried to eat,as well to save herself from the pain of being urged,as to make her friend comfortable;but she had no appetite,and could not swallow many mouthfuls.The contrast between this and her last breakfast in that room,gave her fresh misery,and strengthened her distaste for everything before her.It was not four and twenty hours ago since they had met there to the same repast,but in circumstances how different!With what cheerful ease,what happy,though false security,had she then looked around her,enjoying everything present,and fearing little in future,beyond Henry's going to Woodston for a day!Happy,happy breakfast!for Henry had been there,Henry had sat by her and helped her.These reflections were long indulged undisturbed by any address from her companion,who sat as deep in thought as herself;and the appearance of the carriage was the first thing to startle and recall them to the present moment.Catherine's colour rose at the sight of it;and the indignity with which she was treated striking at that instant on her mind with peculiar force,made her for a short time sensible only of resentment.Eleanor seemed now impelled into resolution and speech.
‘You must write to me,Catherine,’she cried,‘you must let me hear from you as soon as possible.Till I know you to be safe at home,I shall not have an hour's comfort.For one letter,at all risks,all hazards,I must entreat.Let me have the satisfaction of knowing that you are safe at Fullerton,and have found your family well,and then,till I can ask for your correspondence as I ought to do,I will not expect more.Direct to me at Lord Longtown's ,and,I must ask it,under cover to Alice.’
‘No,Eleanor,if you are not allowed to receive a letter from me,I am sure I had better not write.There can be no doubt of my getting home safe.’
Eleanor only replied,‘I cannot wonder at your feelings.I will not importune you.I will trust to your own kindness of heart when I am at a distance from you.’But this,with the look of sorrow accompanying it,was enough to melt Catherine's pride in a moment,and she instantly said,‘Oh,Eleanor,I will write to you indeed.’
There was yet another point which Miss Tilney was anxious to settle,though somewhat embarrassed in speaking of.It had occurred to her,that after so long an absence from home,Catherine might not be provided with money enough for the expenses of her journey,and,upon suggesting it to her with most affectionate offers of accommodation,it proved to be exactly the case.Catherine had never thought on the subject till that moment;but,upon examining her purse,was convinced that but for this kindness of her friend,she might have been turned from the house without even the means of getting home;and the distress in which she must have been thereby involved filling the minds of both,scarcely another word was said by either during the time of their remaining together.Short,however,was that time.The carriage was soon announced to be ready;and Catherine,instantly rising,a long and affectionate embrace supplied the place of language in bidding each other adieu;and,as they entered the hall,unable to leave the house without some mention of one whose name had not yet been spoken by either,she paused a moment,and with quivering lips just made it intelligible that she left ‘her kind remembrance for her absent friend.’But with this approach to his name ended all possibility of restraining her feelings;and,hiding her face as well as she could with her handkerchief,she darted across the hall,jumped into the chaise,and in a moment was driven from the door.
Chapter 29
Catherine was too wretched to be fearful.The journey in itself had no terrors for her;and she began it without either dreading its length,or feeling its solitariness.Leaning back in one corner of the carriage,in a violent burst of tears,she was conveyed some miles beyond the walls of the Abbey before she raised her head;and the highest point of ground within the park was almost closed from her view before she was capable of turning her eyes towards it.Unfortunately,the road she now travelled was the same which only ten days ago she had so happily passed along in going to and from Woodston;and,for fourteen miles,every bitter feeling was rendered more severe by the review of objects on which she had first looked under impressions so different.Every mile,as it brought her nearer Woodston,added to her sufferings,and when within the distance of five,she passed the turning which led to it,and thought of Henry,so near,yet so unconscious,her grief and agitation were excessive.
