northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第39节
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that Miss Morland would not have room to sit； and； so much was
he influenced by this apprehension when he handed her in； that
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she had some difficulty in saving her own new writing…desk from
being thrown out into the street。—At last； however； the door was
closed upon the three females； and they set off at the sober pace in
which the handsome； highly fed four horses of a gentleman usually
perform a journey of thirty miles： such was the distance of
Northanger from Bath； to be now divided into two equal stages。
Catherine’s spirits revived as they drove from the door； for with
Miss Tilney she felt no restraint； and； with the interest of a road
entirely new to her； of an abbey before； and a curricle behind； she
caught the last view of Bath without any regret； and met with
every milestone before she expected it。 The tediousness of a two
hours’ wait at Petty…France； in which there was nothing to be done
but to eat without being hungry； and loiter about without anything
to see； next followed—and her admiration of the style in which
they travelled； of the fashionable chaise…and…four—postilions
handsomely liveried； rising so regularly in their stirrups； and
numerous outriders properly mounted； sunk a little under this
consequent inconvenience。 Had their party been perfectly
agreeable； the delay would have been nothing； but General Tilney；
though so charming a man； seemed always a check upon his
children’s spirits； and scarcely anything was said but by himself；
the observation of which； with his discontent at whatever the inn
afforded； and his angry impatience at the waiters； made Catherine
grow every moment more in awe of him； and appeared to lengthen
the two hours into four。—At last； however； the order of release was
given； and much was Catherine then surprised by the General’s
proposal of her taking his place in his son’s curricle for the rest of
the journey：—“the day was fine； and he was anxious for her seeing
as much of the country as possible。”
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The remembrance of Mr。 Allen’s opinion； respecting young
men’s open carriages； made her blush at the mention of such a
plan； and her first thought was to decline it； but her second was of
greater deference for General Tilney’s judgment； he could not
propose anything improper for her； and； in the course of a few
minutes； she found herself with Henry in the curricle； as happy a
being as ever existed。 A very short trial convinced her that a
curricle was the prettiest equipage in the world； the chaise…and…
four wheeled off with some grandeur； to be sure； but it was a
heavy and troublesome business； and she could not easily forget
its having stopped two hours at Petty…France。 Half the time would
have been enough for the curricle； and so nimbly were the light
horses disposed to move； that； had not the General chosen to have
his own carriage lead the way； they could have passed it with ease
in half a minute。 But the merit of the curricle did not all belong to
the horses；—Henry drove so well—so quietly—without making
any disturbance； without parading to her； or swearing at them； so
different from the only gentleman…coachman whom it was in her
power to compare him with！—And then his hat sat so well； and the
innumerable capes of his great coat looked so becomingly
important！—To be driven by him； next to being dancing with him；
was certainly the greatest happiness in the world。 In addition to
every other delight； she had now that of listening to her own
praise； of being thanked at least； on his sister’s account； for her
kindness in thus becoming her visitor； of hearing it ranked as real
friendship； and described as creating real gratitude。 His sister； he
said； was uncomfortably circumstanced—she had no female
companion—and； in the frequent absence of her father； was
sometimes without any companion at all。
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“But how can that be？” said Catherine。 “Are not you with her？”
“Northanger is not more than half my home； I have an
establishment at my own house in Woodston； which is nearly
twenty miles from my father’s； and some of my time is necessarily
spent there。”
“How sorry you must be for that！”
“I am always sorry to leave Eleanor。”
“Yes； but besides your affection for her； you must be so fond of
the abbey！—After being used to such a home as the abbey； an
ordinary parsonage…house must be very disagreeable。”
He smiled； and said； “You have formed a very favourable idea
of the abbey。”
“To be sure I have。 Is not it a fine old place； just like what one
reads about？”
“And are you prepared to encounter all the horrors that a
building such as ‘what one reads about’ may produce？—Have you
a stout heart？—Nerves fit for sliding panels and tapestry？”
“Oh！ yes—I do not think I should be easily frightened； because
there would be so many people in the house—and besides； it has
never been uninhabited and left deserted for years； and then the
family come back to it unawares； without giving any notice； as
generally happens。”
“No； certainly。 We shall not have to explore our way into a hall
dimly lighted by the expiring embers of a wood fire—nor be
obliged to spread our beds on the floor of a room without
windows； doors； or furniture。 But you must be aware that when a
young lady is （by whatever means） introduced into a dwelling of
this kind； she is always lodged apart from the rest of the family。
While they snugly repair to their own end of the house； she is
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formally conducted by Dorothy； the ancient housekeeper； up a
different staircase； and along many gloomy passages； into an
apartment never used since some cousin or kin died in it about
twenty years before。 Can you stand such a ceremony as this？ Will
not your mind misgive you when you find yourself in this gloomy
chamber—too lofty and extensive for you； with only the feeble rays
of a single lamp to take in its size—its walls hung with tapestry
exhibiting figures as large as life； and the bed； of dark green stuff
or purple velvet； presenting even a funereal appearance？ Will not
your heart sink within you？”
“Oh！ but this will not happen to me； I am sure。”
“How fearfully will you examine the furniture of your
apartment！—And what will you discern？—Not tables； toilettes；
wardrobes； or drawers； but on one side perhaps the remains of a
broken lute； on the other a ponderous chest which no efforts can
open； and over the fireplace the portrait of some handsome
warrior； whose features will so incomprehensibly strike you； that
you will not be able to withdraw your eyes from it。 Dorothy；
meanwhile； no less struck by your appearance； gazes on you in
great agitation； and drops a few unintelligible hints。 To raise your
spirits； moreover； she gives you reason to suppose that the part of
the abbey you inhabit is undoubtedly haunted； and informs you
that you will not have a single domestic within call。
