Northanger Abbey

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
adjoined 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 it 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 awake:  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?"

This bold surmise, however, she soon learnt comprehended but half
the fact.  The anxious affection, which she was accused of having
continually watched in Isabella's every look and action, had,
in the course of their yesterday's party, received the delightful
confession of an equal love.  Her heart and faith were alike engaged
to James.  Never had Catherine listened to anything so full of
interest, wonder, and joy.  Her brother and her friend engaged!  New
to such circumstances, the importance of it appeared unspeakably
great, and she contemplated it as one of those grand events,
of which the ordinary course of life can hardly afford a return.
The strength of her feelings she could not express; the nature of
them, however, contented her friend.  The happiness of having such
a sister was their first effusion, and the fair ladies mingled in
embraces and tears of joy.

Delighting, however, as Catherine sincerely did in the prospect of
the connection, it must be acknowledged that Isabella far surpassed
her in tender anticipations.  "You will be so infinitely dearer to
me, my Catherine, than either Anne or Maria:  I feel that I shall
be so much more attached to my dear Morland's family than to my
own."

This was a pitch of friendship beyond Catherine.