northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第34节
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hundred is but a small income to begin on indeed； but your
wishes； my dear Isabella； are so moderate； you do not consider
how little you ever want； my dear。”
“It is not on my own account I wish for more； but I cannot bear
to be the means of injuring my dear Morland； making him sit
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down upon an income hardly enough to find one in the common
necessaries of life。 For myself； it is nothing； I never think of
myself。”
“I know you never do； my dear； and you will always find your
reward in the affection it makes every body feel for you。 There
never was a young woman so beloved as you are by every body
that knows you； and I dare say when Mr。 Morland sees you； my
dear child—but do not let us distress our dear Catherine by
talking of such things。 Mr。 Morland has behaved so very
handsome； you know。 I always heard he was a most excellent man；
and you know； my dear； we are not to suppose but what； if you had
had a suitable fortune； he would have come down with something
more； for I am sure he must be a most liberal…minded man。”
“Nobody can think better of Mr。 Morland than I do； I am sure。
But every body has their failing； you know； and every body has a
right to do what they like with their own money。” Catherine was
hurt by these insinuations。 “I am very sure；” said she； “that my
father has promised to do as much as he can afford。”
Isabella recollected herself。 “As to that； my sweet Catherine；
there cannot be a doubt； and you know me well enough to be sure
that a much smaller income would satisfy me。 It is not the want of
more money that makes me just at present a little out of spirits； I
hate money； and if our union could take place now upon only fifty
pounds a year； I should not have a wish unsatisfied。 Ah！ my
Catherine； you have found me out。 There’s the sting。 The long；
long； endless two years and half that are to pass before your
brother can hold the living。”
“Yes； yes； my darling Isabella；” said Mrs。 Thorpe； “we perfectly
see into your heart。 You have no disguise。 We perfectly
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understand the present vexation； and every body must love you
the better for such a noble honest affection。”
Catherine’s uncomfortable feelings began to lessen。 She
endeavoured to believe that the delay of the marriage was the only
source of Isabella’s regret； and when she saw her at their next
interview as cheerful and amiable as ever； endeavoured to forget
that she had for a minute thought otherwise。 James soon followed
his letter； and was received with the most gratifying kindness。
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CHAPTER II
he Allens had now entered on the sixth week of their stay
in Bath； and whether it should be the last was for some
T
time a question； to which Catherine listened with a
beating heart。 To have her acquaintance with the Tilneys end so
soon was an evil which nothing could counterbalance。 Her whole
happiness seemed at stake； while the affair was in suspense； and
every thing secured when it was determined that the lodgings
should be taken for another fortnight。 What this additional
fortnight was to produce to her beyond the pleasure of sometimes
seeing Henry Tilney made but a small part of Catherine’s
speculation。 Once or twice indeed； since James’s engagement had
taught her what could be done； she had got so far as to indulge in a
secret “perhaps；” but in general the felicity of being with him for
the present bounded her views： the present was now comprised in
another three weeks； and her happiness being certain for that
period； the rest of her life was at such a distance as to excite but
little interest。 In the course of the morning which saw this
business arranged； she visited Miss Tilney； and poured forth her
joyful feelings。 It was doomed to be a day of trial。 No sooner had
she expressed her delight in Mr。 Allen’s lengthened stay than Miss
Tilney told her of her father’s having just determined upon
quitting Bath by the end of another week。 Here was a blow！ The
past suspense of the morning had been ease and quiet to the
present disappointment。 Catherine’s countenance fell； and in a
voice of most sincere concern she echoed Miss Tilney’s concluding
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words； “By the end of another week！”
“Yes； my father can seldom be prevailed on to give the waters
what I think a fair trial。 He has been disappointed of some friends’
arrival whom he expected to meet here； and as he is now pretty
well； is in a hurry to get home。”
“I am very sorry for it；” said Catherine dejectedly； “if I had
known this before—”
“Perhaps；” said Miss Tilney in an embarrassed manner； “you
would be so good—it would make me very happy if—”
The entrance of her father put a stop to the civility； which
Catherine was beginning to hope might introduce a desire of their
corresponding。 After addressing her with his usual politeness； he
turned to his daughter and said； “Well； Eleanor； may I
congratulate you on being successful in your application to your
fair friend？”
“I was just beginning to make the request； sir； as you came in。”
“Well； proceed by all means。 I know how much your heart is in
it。 My daughter； Miss Morland；” he continued； without leaving his
daughter time to speak； “has been forming a very bold wish。 We
leave Bath； as she has perhaps told you； on Saturday se’nnight。 A
letter from my steward tells me that my presence is wanted at
home； and being disappointed in my hope of seeing the Marquis of
Longtown and General Courteney here； some of my very old
friends； there is nothing to detain me longer in Bath。 And could we
carry our selfish point with you； we should leave it without a single
regret。 Can you； in short； be prevailed on to quit this scene of
public triumph and oblige your friend Eleanor with your company
in Gloucestershire？ I am almost ashamed to make the request；
though its presumption would certainly appear greater to every
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creature in Bath than yourself。 Modesty such as yours—but not for
the world would I pain it by open praise。 If you can be induced to
honour us with a visit； you will make us happy beyond expression。
’Tis true； we can offer you nothing like the gaieties of this lively
place； we can tempt you neither by amusement nor splendour； for
our mode of living； as you see； is plain and unpretending； yet no
endeavours shall be wanting on our side to make Northanger
Abbey not wholly disagreeable。”
Northanger Abbey！—These were thrilling words； and wound up
Catherine’s feelings to the highest point of ecstasy。 Her grateful
and gratified heart could hardly restrain its expressions within the
language of tolerable calmness。 To receive so flattering an
invitation！ To have her company so warmly solicited！ Every thing
honourable and soothing； every present enjoyment； and every
future hope was
