northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第44节
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Jane Austen： Northanger Abbey 185
which had enclosed the rest； seemed by its first cramp line； “To
poultice chestnut mare”—a farrier’s bill！ Such was the collection
of papers （left perhaps； as she could then suppose； by the
negligence of a servant in the place whence she had taken them）
which had filled her with expectation and alarm； and robbed her
of half her night’s rest！ She felt humbled to the dust。 Could not the
adventure of the chest have taught her wisdom？ A corner of it；
catching her eye as she lay； seemed to rise up in judgment against
her。 Nothing could now be clearer than the absurdity of her recent
fancies。 To suppose that a manuscript of many generations back
could have remained undiscovered in a room such as that； so
modern； so habitable！—or that she should be the first to possess
the skill of unlocking a cabinet； the key of which was open to all！
How could she have so imposed on herself？—Heaven forbid
that Henry Tilney should ever know her folly！ And it was in a
great measure his own doing； for had not the cabinet appeared so
exactly to agree with his description of her adventures； she should
never have felt the smallest curiosity about it。 This was the only
comfort that occurred。 Impatient to get rid of those hateful
evidences of her folly； those detestable papers then scattered over
the bed； she rose directly； and folding them up as nearly as
possible in the same shape as before； returned them to the same
spot within the cabinet； with a very hearty wish that no untoward
accident might ever bring them forward again； to disgrace her
even with herself。
Why the locks should have been so difficult to open； however；
was still something remarkable； for she could now manage them
with perfect ease。 In this there was surely something mysterious；
and she indulged in the flattering suggestion for half a minute； till
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the possibility of the door’s having been at first unlocked； and of
being herself its fastener； darted into her head； and cost her
another blush。
She got away as soon as she could from a room in which her
conduct produced such unpleasant reflections； and found her way
with all speed to the breakfast…parlour； as it had been pointed out
to her by Miss Tilney the evening before。 Henry was alone in it；
and his immediate hope of her having been undisturbed by the
tempest； with an arch reference to the character of the building
they inhabited； was rather distressing。 For the world would she
not have her weakness suspected； and yet； unequal to an absolute
falsehood； was constrained to acknowledge that the wind had kept
her awake a little。 “But we have a charming morning after it；” she
added； desiring to get rid of the subject； “and storms and
sleeplessness are nothing when they are over。 What beautiful
hyacinths！—I have just learnt to love a hyacinth。”
“And how might you learn？—By accident or argument？”
“Your sister taught me； I cannot tell how。 Mrs。 Allen used to
take pains； year after year； to make me like them； but I never
could； till I saw them the other day in Milsom…street； I am
naturally indifferent about flowers。”
“But now you love a hyacinth。 So much the better。 You have
gained a new source of enjoyment； and it is well to have as many
holds upon happiness as possible。 Besides； a taste for flowers is
always desirable in your sex； as a means of getting you out of
doors； and tempting you to more frequent exercise than you would
otherwise take。 And though the love of a hyacinth may be rather
domestic； who can tell； the sentiment once raised； but you may in
time come to love a rose？”
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“But I do not want any such pursuit to get me out of doors。 The
pleasure of walking and breathing fresh air is enough for me； and
in fine weather I am out more than half my time。—Mamma says； I
am never within。”
“At any rate； however； I am pleased that you have learnt to love
a hyacinth。 The mere habit of learning to love is the thing； and a
teachableness of disposition in a young lady is a great blessing。—
Has my sister a pleasant mode of instruction？”
Catherine was saved the embarrassment of attempting an
answer by the entrance of the General； whose smiling
compliments announced a happy state of mind； but whose gentle
hint of sympathetic early rising did not advance her composure。
The elegance of the breakfast set forced itself on Catherine’s
notice when they were seated at table； and； luckily； it had been the
General’s choice。 He was enchanted by her approbation of his
taste； confessed it to be neat and simple； thought it right to
encourage the manufacture of his country； and for his part； to his
uncritical palate； the tea was as well flavoured from the clay of
Staffordshire； as from that of Dresden or Sêve。 But this was quite
an old set； purchased two years ago。 The manufacture was much
improved since that time； he had seen some beautiful specimens
when last in town； and had he not been perfectly without vanity of
that kind； might have been tempted to order a new set。 He trusted；
however； that an opportunity might ere long occur of selecting
one—though not for himself。 Catherine was probably the only one
of the party who did not understand him。
Shortly after breakfast Henry left them for Woodston； where
business required and would keep him two or three days。 They all
attended in the hall to see him mount his horse； and immediately
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on re…entering the breakfast…room； Catherine walked to a window
in the hope of catching another glimpse of his figure。 “This is a
somewhat heavy call upon your brother’s fortitude；” observed the
General to Eleanor。 “Woodston will make but a sombre
appearance today。”
“Is it a pretty place？” asked Catherine。
“What say you； Eleanor？—Speak your opinion； for ladies can
best tell the taste of ladies in regard to places as well as men。 I
think it would be acknowledged by the most impartial eye to have
many recommendations。 The house stands among fine meadows
facing the south…east； with an excellent kitchen…garden in the
same aspect； the walls surrounding which I built and stocked
myself about ten years ago； for the benefit of my son。 It is a family
living； Miss Morland； and the property in the place being chiefly
my own； you may believe I take care that it shall not be a bad one。
Did Henry’s income depend solely on this living； he would not be
ill…provided for。 Perhaps it may seem odd； that with only two
younger children； I should think any profession necessary for him；
and certainly there are moments when we could all wish him
disengaged from every tie of business。 But though I may not
exactly make converts of you young ladies； I am sure your father；
Miss Morland； would agree with me in thinking it expedient to
give every young man some employment。 The money is nothing； it
is not an object； but employment is the thing。 Even Frederick； my
eldest son； you see； who will perhaps inherit as considerable a
landed property as any private man in the county； has his
profession。”
The imposing effect
