northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第33节
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not have her partner conveyed from her sight without very uneasy
sensations。 Her suspense was of full five minutes’ duration； and
she was beginning to think it a very long quarter of an hour； when
they both returned； and an explanation was given； by Henry’s
requesting to know if she thought her friend； Miss Thorpe； would
have any objection to dancing； as his brother would be most happy
to be introduced to her。 Catherine； without hesitation； replied that
she was very sure Miss Thorpe did not mean to dance at all。 The
cruel reply was passed on to the other； and he immediately walked
away。
“Your brother will not mind it； I know；” said she； “because I
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heard him say before that he hated dancing； but it was very good…
natured in him to think of it。 I suppose he saw Isabella sitting
down； and fancied she might wish for a partner； but he is quite
mistaken； for she would not dance upon any account in the
world。”
Henry smiled； and said； “How very little trouble it can give you
to understand the motive of other people’s actions。”
“Why？—What do you mean？”
“With you； it is not； How is such a one likely to be influenced；
What is the inducement most likely to act upon such a person’s
feelings； age； situation； and probable habits of life considered—
but； How should I be influenced； What would be my inducement in
acting so and so？”
“I do not understand you。”
“Then we are on very unequal terms； for I understand you
perfectly well。”
“Me？—yes； I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible。”
“Bravo！ An excellent satire on modern language。”
“But pray tell me what you mean。”
“Shall I indeed？ Do you really desire it？ But you are not aware
of the consequences； it will involve you in a very cruel
embarrassment； and certainly bring on a disagreement between
us。
“No； no； it shall not do either； I am not afraid。”
“Well； then； I only meant that your attributing my brother’s
wish of dancing with Miss Thorpe to good…nature alone； convinced
me of your being superior in good…nature yourself to all the rest of
the world。”
Catherine blushed and disclaimed； and the gentleman’s
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predictions were verified。 There was a something； however； in his
words which repaid her for the pain of confusion； and that
something occupied her mind so much that she drew back for
some time； forgetting to speak or to listen； and almost forgetting
where she was； till； roused by the voice of Isabella； she looked up
and saw her with Captain Tilney preparing to give them hands
across。
Isabella shrugged her shoulders and smiled； the only
explanation of this extraordinary change which could at that time
be given； but as it was not quite enough for Catherine’s
comprehension； she spoke her astonishment in very plain terms to
her partner。
“I cannot think how it could happen！ Isabella was so
determined not to dance。”
“And did Isabella never change her mind before？”
“Oh！ but； because—and your brother！—After what you told him
from me； how could he think of going to ask her？”
“I cannot take surprize to myself on that head。 You bid me be
surprized on your friend’s account； and therefore I am； but as for
my brother； his conduct in the business； I must own； has been no
more than I believed him perfectly equal to。 The fairness of your
friend was an open attraction； her firmness； you know； could only
be understood by yourself。”
“You are laughing； but； I assure you； Isabella is very firm in
general。”
“It is as much as should be said of anyone。 To be always firm
must be to be often obstinate。 When properly to relax is the trial of
judgment； and； without reference to my brother； I really think
Miss Thorpe has by no means chosen ill in fixing on the present
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hour。”
The friends were not able to get together for any confidential
discourse till all the dancing was over； but then； as they walked
about the room arm in arm； Isabella thus explained herself：—“I do
not wonder at your surprize； and I am really fatigued to death。 He
is such a rattle！—Amusing enough； if my mind had been
disengaged； but I would have given the world to sit still。”
“Then why did not you？”
“Oh！ my dear！ it would have looked so particular； and you know
how I abhor doing that。 I refused him as long as I possibly could；
but he would take no denial。 You have no idea how he pressed me。
I begged him to excuse me； and get some other partner—but no；
not he； after aspiring to my hand； there was nobody else in the
room he could bear to think of； and it was not that he wanted
merely to dance； he wanted to be with me。 Oh！ such nonsense！—I
told him he had taken a very unlikely way to prevail upon me； for；
of all things in the world； I hated fine speeches and
compliments；—and so—and so then I found there would be no
peace if I did not stand up。 Besides； I thought Mrs。 Hughes； who
introduced him； might take it ill if I did not： and your dear brother；
I am sure he would have been miserable if I had sat down the
whole evening。 I am so glad it is over！ My spirits are quite jaded
with listening to his nonsense： and then；—being such a smart
young fellow； I saw every eye was upon us。”
“He is very handsome indeed。”
“Handsome！—Yes； I suppose he may。 I dare say people would
admire him in general； but he is not at all in my style of beauty。 I
hate a florid complexion and dark eyes in a man。 However； he is
very well。 Amazingly conceited； I am sure。 I took him down several
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times； you know； in my way。”
When the young ladies next met； they had a far more
interesting subject to discuss。 James Morland’s second letter was
then received； and the kind intentions of his father fully explained。
A living； of which Mr。 Morland was himself patron and incumbent；
of about four hundred pounds yearly value； was to be resigned to
his son as soon as he should be old enough to take it； no trifling
deduction from the family income； no niggardly assignment to one
of ten children。 An estate of at least equal value； moreover； was
assured as his future inheritance。
James expressed himself on the occasion with becoming
gratitude； and the necessity of waiting between two and three
years before they could marry； being； however unwelcome； no
more than he had expected； was borne by him without discontent。
Catherine； whose expectations had been as unfixed as her ideas of
her father’s income； and whose judgment was now entirely led by
her brother； felt equally well satisfied； and heartily congratulated
Isabella on having every thing so pleasantly settled。
“It is very charming indeed；” said Isabella； with a grave face。
“Mr。 Morland has behaved vastly handsome indeed；” said the
gentle Mrs。 Thorpe； looking anxiously at her daughter。 “I only
wish I could do as much。 One could not expect more from him； you
know。 If he finds he can do more by and bye； I dare say he will； for
I am sure he must be an excellent good hearted man。 Four
hundred is but a small income to begin on indeed； but yo
