northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第24节
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exactly—but I could not make you understand it without a table；—
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however； I did beat him。 A very fine fellow； as rich as a Jew。 I
should like to dine with him； I dare say he gives famous dinners。
But what do you think we have been talking of？—You。 Yes； by
heavens！—and the General thinks you the finest girl in Bath。”
“Oh！ nonsense！ How can you say so？”
“And what do you think I said？” （lowering his voice） “Well
done； General； said I； I am quite of your mind。”
Here Catherine； who was much less gratified by his admiration
than by General Tilney’s； was not sorry to be called away by Mr。
Allen。 Thorpe； however； would see her to her chair； and； till she
entered it； continued the same kind of delicate flattery； in spite of
her entreating him to have done。
That General Tilney； instead of disliking； should admire her；
was very delightful； and she joyfully thought that there was not
one of the family whom she need now fear to meet。—The evening
had done more； much more； for her than could have been
expected。
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CHAPTER XIII
onday； Tuesday； Wednesday； Thursday； Friday； and
MSaturday have now passed in review before the reader；
the events of each day； its hopes and fears；
mortifications and pleasures； have been separately stated； and the
pangs of Sunday only now remain to be described； and close the
week。 The Clifton scheme had been deferred； not relinquished；
and on the afternoon’s crescent of this day； it was brought forward
again。 In a private consultation between Isabella and James； the
former of whom had particularly set her heart upon going； and the
latter no less anxiously placed his upon pleasing her； it was agreed
that； provided the weather were fair； the party should take place
on the following morning； and they were to set off very early； in
order to be at home in good time。 The affair thus determined； and
Thorpe’s approbation secured； Catherine only remained to be
apprised of it。 She had left them for a few minutes to speak to Miss
Tilney。 In that interval the plan was completed； and as soon as she
came again； her agreement was demanded； but instead of the gay
acquiescence expected by Isabella； Catherine looked grave； was
very sorry； but could not go。 The engagement which ought to have
kept her from joining in the former attempt would make it
impossible for her to accompany them now。 She had that moment
settled with Miss Tilney to take their proposed walk tomorrow； it
was quite determined； and she would not； upon any account；
retract。 But that she must and should retract was instantly the
eager cry of both the Thorpes； they must go to Clifton tomorrow；
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they would not go without her； it would be nothing to put off a
mere walk for one day longer； and they would not hear of a
refusal。 Catherine was distressed； but not subdued。 “Do not urge
me； Isabella。 I am engaged to Miss Tilney。 I cannot go。” This
availed nothing。 The same arguments assailed her again； she must
go； she should go； and they would not hear of a refusal。 “It would
be so easy to tell Miss Tilney that you had just been reminded of a
prior engagement； and must only beg to put off the walk till
Tuesday。”
“No； it would not be easy。 I could not do it。 There has been no
prior engagement。” But Isabella became only more and more
urgent； calling on her in the most affectionate manner； addressing
her by the most endearing names。 She was sure her dearest；
sweetest Catherine would not seriously refuse such a trifling
request to a friend who loved her so dearly。 She knew her beloved
Catherine to have so feeling a heart； so sweet a temper； to be so
easily persuaded by those she loved。 But all in vain； Catherine felt
herself to be in the right； and though pained by such tender； such
flattering supplication； could not allow it to influence her。 Isabella
then tried another method。 She reproached her with having more
affection for Miss Tilney； though she had known her so little a
while； than for her best and oldest friends； with being grown cold
and indifferent； in short； towards herself。 “I cannot help being
jealous； Catherine； when I see myself slighted for strangers； I； who
love you so excessively！ When once my affections are placed； it is
not in the power of anything to change them。 But I believe my
feelings are stronger than anybody’s； I am sure they are too strong
for my own peace； and to see myself supplanted in your friendship
by strangers does cut me to the quick； I own。 These Tilneys seem
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to swallow up every thing else。”
Catherine thought this reproach equally strange and unkind。
Was it the part of a friend thus to expose her feelings to the notice
of others？ Isabella appeared to her ungenerous and selfish；
regardless of every thing but her own gratification。 These painful
ideas crossed her mind； though she said nothing。 Isabella； in the
meanwhile； had applied her handkerchief to her eyes； and
Morland； miserable at such a sight； could not help saying； “Nay；
Catherine。 I think you cannot stand out any longer now。 The
sacrifice is not much； and to oblige such a friend—I shall think you
quite unkind； if you still refuse。”
This was the first time of her brother’s openly siding against
her； and anxious to avoid his displeasure； she proposed a
compromise。 If they would only put off their scheme till Tuesday；
which they might easily do； as it depended only on themselves； she
could go with them； and everybody might then be satisfied。 But
“No； no； no！” was the immediate answer； “that could not be； for
Thorpe did not know that he might not go to town on Tuesday。”
Catherine was sorry； but could do no more； and a short silence
ensued； which was broken by Isabella； who in a voice of cold
resentment said； “Very well； then there is an end of the party。 If
Catherine does not go； I cannot。 I cannot be the only woman。 I
would not； upon any account in the world； do so improper a
thing。”
“Catherine； you must go；” said James。
“But why cannot Mr。 Thorpe drive one of his other sisters？ I
dare say either of them would like to go。”
“Thank ye；” cried Thorpe； “but I did not come to Bath to drive
my sisters about； and look like a fool。 No； if you do not go； d— me
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if I do。 I only go for the sake of driving you。”
“That is a compliment which gives me no pleasure。” But her
words were lost on Thorpe； who had turned abruptly away。
The three others still continued together； walking in a most
uncomfortable manner to poor Catherine； sometimes not a word
was said； sometimes she was again attacked with supplications or
reproaches； and her arm was still linked within Isabella’s； though
their hearts were at war。 At one moment she was softened； at
another irritated； always distressed； but always steady。
“I
