northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第31节
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to support her spirits and while away the many tedious hours
before the delivery of the letters； a needful exertion； for as the time
of reasonable expectation drew near； Isabella became more and
more desponding； and before the letter arrived； had worked
herself into a state of real distress。 But when it did come； where
could distress be found？ “I have had no difficulty in gaining the
consent of my kind parents； and am promised that every thing in
their power shall be done to forward my happiness；” were the first
three lines； and in one moment all was joyful security。 The
brightest glow was instantly spread over Isabella’s features； all
care and anxiety seemed removed； her spirits became almost too
high for control； and she called herself without scruple the
happiest of mortals。
Mrs。 Thorpe； with tears of joy； embraced her daughter； her son；
her visitor； and could have embraced half the inhabitants of Bath
with satisfaction。 Her heart was overflowing with tenderness。 It
was “dear John” and “dear Catherine” at every word；—“dear
Anne and dear Maria” must immediately be made sharers in their
felicity； and two “dears” at once before the name of Isabella were
not more than that beloved child had now well earned。 John
himself was no skulker in joy。 He not only bestowed on Mr。
Morland the high commendation of being one of the finest fellows
in the world； but swore off many sentences in his praise。
The letter； whence sprang all this felicity； was short； containing
little more than this assurance of success； and every particular
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was deferred till James could write again。 But for particulars
Isabella could well afford to wait。 The needful was comprised in
Mr。 Morland’s promise； his honour was pledged to make every
thing easy； and by what means their income was to be formed；
whether landed property were to be resigned； or funded money
made over； was a matter in which her disinterested spirit took no
concern。 She knew enough to feel secure of an honourable and
speedy establishment； and her imagination took a rapid flight over
its attendant felicities。 She saw herself at the end of a few weeks；
the gaze and admiration of every new acquaintance at Fullerton；
the envy of every valued old friend in Putney； with a carriage at
her command； a new name on her tickets； and a brilliant
exhibition of hoop rings on her finger。
When the contents of the letter were ascertained； John Thorpe；
who had only waited its arrival to begin his journey to London；
prepared to set off。 “Well； Miss Morland；” said he； on finding her
alone in the parlour； “I am come to bid you good bye。” Catherine
wished him a good journey。 Without appearing to hear her； he
walked to the window； fidgeted about； hummed a tune； and
seemed wholly self…occupied。
“Shall not you be late at Devizes？” said Catherine。 He made no
answer； but after a minute’s silence burst out with； “A famous
good thing this marrying scheme； upon my soul！ A clever fancy of
Morland’s and Belle’s。 What do you think of it； Miss Morland？ I
say it is no bad notion。”
“I am sure I think it a very good one。”
“Do you？—that’s honest； by heavens！ I am glad you are no
enemy to matrimony； however。 Did you ever hear the old song
‘Going to One Wedding Brings on Another？’ I say； you will come
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to Belle’s wedding； I hope。”
“Yes； I have promised your sister to be with her； if possible。”
“And then you know”—twisting himself about and forcing a
foolish laugh—“I say； then you know； we may try the truth of this
same old song。”
“May we？—but I never sing。 Well； I wish you a good journey。 I
dine with Miss Tilney to…day； and must now be going home。”
“Nay； but there is no such confounded hurry。—Who knows
when we may be together again？—Not but that I shall be down
again by the end of a fortnight； and a devilish long fortnight it will
appear to me。”
“Then why do you stay away so long？” replied Catherine—
finding that he waited for an answer。
“That is kind of you； however—kind and good…natured。—I shall
not forget it in a hurry。—But you have more good nature and all
that； than anybody living； I believe。 A monstrous deal of good
nature； and it is not only good nature； but you have so much； so
much of every thing； and then you have such—upon my soul I do
not know anybody like you。”
“Oh！ dear； there are a great many people like me； I dare say；
only a great deal better。 Good morning to you。”
“But I say； Miss Morland； I shall come and pay my respects at
Fullerton before it is long； if not disagreeable。”
“Pray do。—My father and mother will be very glad to see you。”
“And I hope—I hope； Miss Morland； you will not be sorry to see
me。”
“Oh！ dear； not at all。 There are very few people I am sorry to
see。 Company is always cheerful。”
“That is just my way of thinking。 Give me but a little cheerful
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company； let me only have the company of the people I love； let
me only be where I like and with whom I like； and the devil take
the rest； say I。—And I am heartily glad to hear you say the same。
But I have a notion； Miss Morland； you and I think pretty much
alike upon most matters。”
“Perhaps we may； but it is more than I ever thought of。 And as
to most matters； to say the truth； there are not many that I know
my own mind about。”
“By Jove； no more do I。 It is not my way to bother my brains
with what does not concern me。 My notion of things is simple
enough。 Let me only have the girl I like； say I； with a comfortable
house over my head； and what care I for all the rest？ Fortune is
nothing。 I am sure of a good income of my own； and if she had not
a penny； why； so much the better。”
“Very true。 I think like you there。 If there is a good fortune on
one side； there can be no occasion for any on the other。 No matter
which has it； so that there is enough。 I hate the idea of one great
fortune looking out for another。 And to marry for money I think
the wickedest thing in existence。—Good day。—We shall be very
glad to see you at Fullerton； whenever it is convenient。” And away
she went。 It was not in the power of all his gallantry to detain her
longer。 With such news to communicate； and such a visit to
prepare for； her departure was not to be delayed by anything in
his nature to urge； and she hurried away； leaving him to the
undivided consciousness of his own happy address； and her
explicit encouragement。
The agitation which she had herself experienced on first
learning her brother’s engagement made her expect to raise no
inconsiderable emotion in Mr。 and Mrs。 Allen； by the
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communication of the wonderful event。 How great was her
disappointment！ The important affair； which many words of
preparation ushered in； had been foreseen by them both ever
since her brother’s arrival； and all that they felt on the occasion
w
