northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第52节
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continuing on the best terms with James。 Her only dependence for
information of any kind was on Isabella。 James had protested
against writing to her till his return to Oxford； and Mrs。 Allen had
given her no hopes of a letter till she had got back to Fullerton。—
But Isabella had promised and promised again； and when she
promised a thing； she was so scrupulous in performing it！ This
made it so particularly strange！
For nine successive mornings； Catherine wondered over the
repetition of a disappointment； which each morning became more
severe： but； on the tenth； when she entered the breakfast…room；
her first object was a letter； held out by Henry’s willing hand。 She
thanked him as heartily as if he had written it himself。 “’Tis only
from James； however；” as she looked at the direction。 She opened
it； it was from Oxford； and to this purpose：—
“Dear Catherine；
“Though； God knows； with little inclination for writing； I think
it my duty to tell you that every thing is at an end between Miss
Thorpe and me。—I left her and Bath yesterday； never to see either
again。 I shall not enter into particulars—they would only pain you
more。 You will soon hear enough from another quarter to know
where lies the blame； and I hope will acquit your brother of every
thing but the folly of too easily thinking his affection returned。
Thank God！ I am undeceived in time！ But it is a heavy blow！—
After my father’s consent had been so kindly given—but no more
of this。 She has made me miserable forever！ Let me soon hear
from you； dear Catherine； you are my only friend； your love I do
build upon。 I wish your visit at Northanger may be over before
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Captain Tilney makes his engagement known； or you will be
uncomfortably circumstanced。—Poor Thorpe is in town： I dread
the sight of him； his honest heart would feel so much。 I have
written to him and my father。 Her duplicity hurts me more than
all； till the very last； if I reasoned with her； she declared herself as
much attached to me as ever； and laughed at my fears。 I am
ashamed to think how long I bore with it； but if ever man had
reason to believe himself loved； I was that man。 I cannot
understand even now what she would be at； for there could be no
need of my being played off to make her secure of Tilney。 We
parted at last by mutual consent—happy for me had we never met！
I can never expect to know such another woman！ Dearest
Catherine； beware how you give your heart。
“Believe me；” &c。
Catherine had not read three lines before her sudden change of
countenance； and short exclamations of sorrowing wonder；
declared her to be receiving unpleasant news； and Henry；
earnestly watching her through the whole letter； saw plainly that it
ended no better than it began。 He was prevented； however； from
even looking his surprize by his father’s entrance。 They went to
breakfast directly； but Catherine could hardly eat anything。 Tears
filled her eyes； and even ran down her cheeks as she sat。 The letter
was one moment in her hand； then in her lap； and then in her
pocket； and she looked as if she knew not what she did。 The
General； between his cocoa and his newspaper； had luckily no
leisure for noticing her； but to the other two her distress was
equally visible。 As soon as she dared leave the table she hurried
away to her own room； but the housemaids were busy in it； and
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she was obliged to come down again。 She turned into the drawing…
room for privacy； but Henry and Eleanor had likewise retreated
thither； and were at that moment deep in consultation about her。
She drew back； trying to beg their pardon； but was； with gentle
violence； forced to return； and the others withdrew； after Eleanor
had affectionately expressed a wish of being of use or comfort to
her。
After half an hour’s free indulgence of grief and reflection；
Catherine felt equal to encountering her friends； but whether she
should make her distress known to them was another
consideration。 Perhaps； if particularly questioned； she might just
give an idea—just distantly hint at it—but not more。 To expose a
friend； such a friend as Isabella had been to her—and then their
own brother so closely concerned in it！—She believed she must
waive the subject altogether。 Henry and Eleanor were by
themselves in the breakfast…room； and each； as she entered it；
looked at her anxiously。 Catherine took her place at the table； and；
after a short silence； Eleanor said； “No bad news from Fullerton； I
hope？ Mr。 and Mrs。 Morland—your brothers and sisters—I hope
they are none of them ill？”
“No； I thank you；” （sighing as she spoke；） “they are all very
well。 My letter was from my brother at Oxford。”
Nothing further was said for a few minutes； and then speaking
through her tears； she added； “I do not think I shall ever wish for a
letter again！”
“I am sorry；” said Henry； closing the book he had just opened；
“if I had suspected the letter of containing anything unwelcome； I
should have given it with very different feelings。”
“It contained something worse than anybody could suppose！—
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Poor James is so unhappy！—You will soon know why。”
“To have so kind…hearted； so affectionate a sister；” replied
Henry warmly； “must be a comfort to him under any distress。”
“I have one favour to beg；” said Catherine； shortly afterwards；
in an agitated manner； “that； if your brother should be coming
here； you will give me notice of it； that I may go away。”
“Our brother！—Frederick！”
“Yes； I am sure I should be very sorry to leave you so soon； but
something has happened that would make it very dreadful for me
to be in the same house with Captain Tilney。”
Eleanor’s work was suspended while she gazed with increasing
astonishment； but Henry began to suspect the truth； and
something； in which Miss Thorpe’s name was included； passed his
lips。
“How quick you are！” cried Catherine： “you have guessed it； I
declare！—And yet； when we talked about it in Bath； you little
thought of its ending so。 Isabella—no wonder now I have not
heard from her—Isabella has deserted my brother； and is to marry
yours！ Could you have believed there had been such inconstancy
and fickleness； and every thing that is bad in the world？”
“I hope； so far as concerns my brother； you are mis…informed。 I
hope he has not had any material share in bringing on Mr。
Morland’s disappointment。 His marrying Miss Thorpe is not
probable。 I think you must be deceived so far。 I am very sorry for
Mr。 Morland—sorry that anyone you love should be unhappy； but
my surprise would be greater at Frederick’s marrying her than at
any other part of the story。”
“It is very true； however； you shall read James’s letter
yourself。—Stay—there is one part—” recollecting with a blush the
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last line。
“Will you take the trouble of reading to us the passages which
concern my brother
