northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第42节
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his daughter for so foolishly hurrying her fair friend； who was
absolutely out of breath from haste； when there was not the least
occasion for hurry in the world： but Catherine could not at all get
over the double distress of having involved her friend in a lecture
and been a great simpleton herself； till they were happily seated at
the dinner…table； when the General’s complacent smiles； and a
good appetite of her own； restored her to peace。 The dining…
parlour was a noble room； suitable in its dimensions to a much
larger drawing…room than the one in common use； and fitted up in
a style of luxury and expense which was almost lost on the
unpractised eye of Catherine； who saw little more than its
spaciousness and the number of their attendants。 Of the former；
she spoke aloud her admiration； and the General； with a very
gracious countenance； acknowledged that it was by no means an
ill…sized room； and further confessed that； though as careless on
such subjects as most people； he did look upon a tolerably large
eating…room as one of the necessaries of life； he supposed；
however； “that she must have been used to much better…sized
apartments at Mr。 Allen’s？”
“No； indeed；” was Catherine’s honest assurance； “Mr。 Allen’s
dining…parlour was not more than half as large；” and she had
never seen so large a room as this in her life。 The General’s good
humour increased。—Why； as he had such rooms； he thought it
would be simple not to make use of them； but； upon his honour； he
believed there might be more comfort in rooms of only half their
size。 Mr。 Allen’s house； he was sure； must be exactly of the true
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size for rational happiness。
The evening passed without any further disturbance； and； in
the occasional absence of General Tilney； with much positive
cheerfulness。 It was only in his presence that Catherine felt the
smallest fatigue from her journey； and even then； even in
moments of languor or restraint； a sense of general happiness
preponderated； and she could think of her friends in Bath without
one wish of being with them。
The night was stormy； the wind had been rising at intervals the
whole afternoon； and by the time the party broke up； it blew and
rained violently。 Catherine； as she crossed the hall； listened to the
tempest with sensations of awe； and； when she heard it rage round
a corner of the ancient building and close with sudden fury a
distant door； felt for the first time that she was really in an
abbey。—Yes； these were characteristic sounds；—they brought to
her recollection a countless variety of dreadful situations and
horrid scenes； which such buildings had witnessed； and such
storms ushered in； and most heartily did she rejoice in the happier
circumstances attending her entrance within walls so solemn！—
She had nothing to dread from midnight assassins or drunken
gallants。 Henry had certainly been only in jest in what he had told
her that morning。 In a house so furnished； and so guarded； she
could have nothing to explore or to suffer； and might go to her
bedroom as securely as if it had been her own chamber at
Fullerton。 Thus wisely fortifying her mind； as she proceeded
upstairs； she was enabled； especially on perceiving that Miss
Tilney slept only two doors from her； to enter her room with a
tolerably stout heart； and her spirits were immediately assisted by
the cheerful blaze of a wood fire。 “How much better is this；” said
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she； as she walked to the fender—“how much better to find a fire
ready lit； than to have to wait shivering in the cold till all the
family are in bed； as so many poor girls have been obliged to do；
and then to have a faithful old servant frightening one by coming
in with a faggot！ How glad I am that Northanger is what it is！ If it
had been like some other places； I do not know that； in such a
night as this； I could have answered for my courage：—but now； to
be sure； there is nothing to alarm one。”
She looked round the room。 The window curtains seemed in
motion。 It could be nothing but the violence of the wind
penetrating through the divisions of the shutters； and she stepped
boldly forward； carelessly humming a tune； to assure herself of its
being so； peeped courageously behind each curtain； saw nothing
on either low window seat to scare her； and on placing a hand
against the shutter； felt the strongest conviction of the wind’s
force。 A glance at the old chest； as she turned away from this
examination； was not without its use； she scorned the causeless
fears of an idle fancy； and began with a most happy indifference to
prepare herself for bed。 “She should take her time； she should not
hurry herself； she did not care if she were the last person up in the
house。 But she would not make up her fire； that would seem
cowardly； as if she wished for the protection of light after she were
in bed。” The fire therefore died away； and Catherine； having spent
the best part of an hour in her arrangements； was beginning to
think of stepping into bed； when； on giving a parting glance round
the room； she was struck by the appearance of a high； old…
fashioned black cabinet； which； though in a situation conspicuous
enough； had never caught her notice before。 Henry’s words； his
description of the ebony cabinet which was to escape her
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observation at first； immediately rushed across her； and though
there could be nothing really in it； there was something whimsical；
it was certainly a very remarkable coincidence！ She took her
candle and looked closely at the cabinet。 It was not absolutely
ebony and gold； but it was Japan； black and yellow Japan of the
handsomest kind； and as she held her candle； the yellow had very
much the effect of gold。 The key was in the door； and she had a
strange fancy to look into it； not； however； with the smallest
expectation of finding anything； but it was so very odd； after what
Henry had said。 In short； she could not sleep till she had examined
it。 So； placing the candle with great caution on a chair； she seized
the key with a very tremulous hand and tried to turn it； but it
resisted her utmost strength。 Alarmed； but not discouraged； she
tried it another way； a bolt flew； and she believed herself
successful； but how strangely mysterious！—The door was still
immovable。 She paused a moment in breathless wonder。 The wind
roared down the chimney； the rain beat in torrents against the
windows； and every thing seemed to speak the awfulness of her
situation。 To retire to bed； however； unsatisfied on such a point；
would be vain； since sleep must be impossible with the
consciousness of a cabinet so mysteriously closed in her
immediate vicinity。 Again； therefore； she applied herself to the
key； and after moving it in every possible way for some instants
