northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第59节
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the solitude of her situation； the darkness of her chamber； the
antiquity of the building； were felt and considered without the
smallest emotion； and though the wind was high； and often
produced strange and sudden noises throughout the house； she
heard it all as she lay awake； hour after hour； without curiosity or
terror。
Soon after six Eleanor entered her room； eager to show
attention or give assistance where it was possible； but very little
remained to be done。 Catherine had not loitered； she was almost
dressed； and her packing almost finished。 The possibility of some
conciliatory message from the General occurred to her as his
daughter appeared。 What so natural； as that anger should pass
away and repentance succeed it？ And she only wanted to know
how far； after what had passed； an apology might properly be
received by her。 But the knowledge would have been useless here；
it was not called for； neither clemency nor dignity was put to the
trial—Eleanor brought no message。 Very little passed between
them on meeting； each found her greatest safety in silence； and
few and trivial were the sentences exchanged while they remained
upstairs； Catherine in busy agitation completing her dress； and
Eleanor with more good…will than experience intent upon filling
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the trunk。 When every thing was done they left the room；
Catherine lingering only half a minute behind her friend to throw
a parting glance on every well…known； cherished object； and went
down to the breakfast…parlour； where breakfast was prepared。 She
tried to eat； as well to save herself from the pain of being urged as
to make her friend comfortable； but she had no appetite； and
could not swallow many mouthfuls。 The contrast between this and
her last breakfast in that room gave her fresh misery； and
strengthened her distaste for every thing before her。 It was not
four and twenty hours ago since they had met there to the same
repast； but in circumstances how different！ With what cheerful
ease； what happy； though false； security； had she then looked
around her； enjoying every thing present； and fearing little in
future； beyond Henry’s going to Woodston for a day！ Happy；
happy breakfast！ For Henry had been there； Henry had sat by her
and helped her。 These reflections were long indulged undisturbed
by any address from her companion； who sat as deep in thought as
herself； and the appearance of the carriage was the first thing to
startle and recall them to the present moment。 Catherine’s colour
rose at the sight of it； and the indignity with which she was
treated； striking at that instant on her mind with peculiar force；
made her for a short time sensible only of resentment。 Eleanor
seemed now impelled into resolution and speech。
“You must write to me； Catherine；” she cried； “you must let me
hear from you as soon as possible。 Till I know you to be safe at
home； I shall not have an hour’s comfort。 For one letter； at all
risks； all hazards； I must entreat。 Let me have the satisfaction of
knowing that you are safe at Fullerton； and have found your
family well； and then； till I can ask for your correspondence as I
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ought to do； I will not expect more。 Direct to me at Lord
Longtown’s； and； I must ask it； under cover to Alice。”
“No； Eleanor； if you are not allowed to receive a letter from me；
I am sure I had better not write。 There can be no doubt of my
getting home safe。”
Eleanor only replied； “I cannot wonder at your feelings。 I will
not importune you。 I will trust to your own kindness of heart when
I am at a distance from you。” But this； with the look of sorrow
accompanying it； was enough to melt Catherine’s pride in a
moment； and she instantly said； “Oh； Eleanor； I will write to you
indeed。”
There was yet another point which Miss Tilney was anxious to
settle； though somewhat embarrassed in speaking of。 It had
occurred to her that after so long an absence from home；
Catherine might not be provided with money enough for the
expenses of her journey； and； upon suggesting it to her with most
affectionate offers of accommodation； it proved to be exactly the
case。 Catherine had never thought on the subject till that moment；
but； upon examining her purse； was convinced that but for this
kindness of her friend； she might have been turned from the house
without even the means of getting home； and the distress in which
she must have been thereby involved filling the minds of both；
scarcely another word was said by either during the time of their
remaining together。 Short； however； was that time。 The carriage
was soon announced to be ready； and Catherine； instantly rising； a
long and affectionate embrace supplied the place of language in
bidding each other adieu； and； as they entered the hall； unable to
leave the house without some mention of one whose name had not
yet been spoken by either； she paused a moment； and with
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quivering lips just made it intelligible that she left “her kind
remembrance for her absent friend。” But with this approach to his
name ended all possibility of restraining her feelings； and； hiding
her face as well as she could with her handkerchief； she darted
across the hall； jumped into the chaise； and in a moment was
driven from the door。
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CHAPTER XIV
atherine was too wretched to be fearful。 The journey in
itself had no terrors for her； and she began it without
C
either dreading its length or feeling its solitariness。
Leaning back in one corner of the carriage； in a violent burst of
tears； she was conveyed some miles beyond the walls of the Abbey
before she raised her head； and the highest point of ground within
the park was almost closed from her view before she was capable
of turning her eyes towards it。 Unfortunately； the road she now
travelled was the same which only ten days ago she had so happily
passed along in going to and from Woodston； and； for fourteen
miles； every bitter feeling was rendered more severe by the review
of objects on which she had first looked under impressions so
different。 Every mile； as it brought her nearer Woodston； added to
her sufferings； and when within the distance of five； she passed
the turning which led to it； and thought of Henry； so near； yet so
unconscious； her grief and agitation were excessive。
The day which she had spent at that place had been one of the
happiest of her life。 It was there； it was on that day； that the
General had made use of such expressions with regard to Henry
and herself； had so spoken and so looked as to give her the most
positive conviction of his actually wishing their marriage。 Yes； only
ten days ago had he elated her by his pointed regard—had he even
confused her by his too significant reference！ And now—what had
she
