northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第47章
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them？”
“Oh！ Because she had been there so long。”
“Nay； if you can use such a word； I can urge you no farther。 If
you think it long—”
“Oh！ no； I do not indeed。 For my own pleasure； I could stay
with you as long again。” And it was directly settled that； till she
had； her leaving them was not even to be thought of。 In having this
cause of uneasiness so pleasantly removed； the force of the other
was likewise weakened。 The kindness； the earnestness of
Eleanor’s manner in pressing her to stay； and Henry’s gratified
look on being told that her stay was determined； were such sweet
proofs of her importance with them； as left her only just so much
solicitude as the human mind can never do comfortably without。
She did—almost always—believe that Henry loved her； and quite
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always that his father and sister loved and even wished her to
belong to them； and believing so far； her doubts and anxieties
were merely sportive irritations。
Henry was not able to obey his father’s injunction of remaining
wholly at Northanger in attendance on the ladies； during his
absence in London； the engagements of his curate at Woodston
obliging him to leave them on Saturday for a couple of nights。 His
loss was not now what it had been while the General was at home；
it lessened their gaiety； but did not ruin their comfort； and the two
girls agreeing in occupation； and improving in intimacy； found
themselves so well sufficient for the time to themselves； that it was
eleven o’clock； rather a late hour at the Abbey； before they quitted
the supper…room on the day of Henry’s departure。 They had just
reached the head of the stairs when it seemed； as far as the
thickness of the walls would allow them to judge； that a carriage
was driving up to the door； and the next moment confirmed the
idea by the loud noise of the house…bell。 After the first
perturbation of surprise had passed away； in a “Good heaven！
what can be the matter？” it was quickly decided by Eleanor to be
her eldest brother； whose arrival was often as sudden； if not quite
so unseasonable； and accordingly she hurried down to welcome
him。
Catherine walked on to her chamber； making up her mind as
well as she could； to a further acquaintance with Captain Tilney；
and comforting herself under the unpleasant impression his
conduct had given her； and the persuasion of his being by far too
fine a gentleman to approve of her； that at least they should not
meet under such circumstances as would make their meeting
materially painful。 She trusted he would never speak of Miss
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Thorpe； and indeed； as he must by this time be ashamed of the
part he had acted； there could be no danger of it； and as long as all
mention of Bath scenes were avoided； she thought she could
behave to him very civilly。 In such considerations time passed
away； and it was certainly in his favour that Eleanor should be so
glad to see him； and have so much to say； for half an hour was
almost gone since his arrival； and Eleanor did not come up。
At that moment Catherine thought she heard her step in the
gallery； and listened for its continuance； but all was silent。
Scarcely； however； had she convicted her fancy of error； when the
noise of something moving close to her door made her start； it
seemed as if someone was touching the very doorway—and in
another moment a slight motion of the lock proved that some hand
must be on it。 She trembled a little at the idea of anyone’s
approaching so cautiously； but resolving not to be again overcome
by trivial appearances of alarm； or misled by a raised imagination；
she stepped quietly forward； and opened the door。 Eleanor； and
only Eleanor； stood there。 Catherine’s spirits； however； were
tranquillized but for an instant； for Eleanor’s cheeks were pale；
and her manner greatly agitated。 Though evidently intending to
come in； it seemed an effort to enter the room； and a still greater to
speak when there。 Catherine； supposing some uneasiness on
Captain Tilney’s account； could only express her concern by silent
attention； obliged her to be seated； rubbed her temples with
lavender…water； and hung over her with affectionate solicitude。
“My dear Catherine； you must not—you must not indeed—” were
Eleanor’s first connected words。 “I am quite well。 This kindness
distracts me—I cannot bear it—I come to you on such an errand！”
“Errand！—to me！”
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“How shall I tell you！—Oh！ How shall I tell you！”
A new idea now darted into Catherine’s mind； and turning as
pale as her friend； she exclaimed； “’Tis a messenger from
Woodston！”
“You are mistaken； indeed；” returned Eleanor； looking at her
most compassionately—“it is no one from Woodston。 It is my
father himself。” Her voice faltered； and her eyes were turned to
the ground as she mentioned his name。 His unlooked…for return
was enough in itself to make Catherine’s heart sink； and for a few
moments she hardly supposed there were anything worse to be
told。 She said nothing； and Eleanor endeavouring to collect herself
and speak with firmness； but with eyes still cast down； soon went
on。 “You are too good； I am sure； to think the worse of me for the
part I am obliged to perform。 I am indeed a most unwilling
messenger。 After what has so lately passed； so lately been settled
between us—how joyfully； how thankfully on my side！—as to your
continuing here as I hoped for many； many weeks longer； how can
I tell you that your kindness is not to be accepted—and that the
happiness your company has hitherto given us is to be repaid by—
but I must not trust myself with words。 My dear Catherine； we are
to part。 My father has recollected an engagement that takes our
whole family away on Monday。 We are going to Lord Longtown’s；
near Hereford； for a fortnight。 Explanation and apology are
equally impossible。 I cannot attempt either。”
“My dear Eleanor；” cried Catherine； suppressing her feelings as
well as she could； “do not be so distressed。 A second engagement
must give way to a first。 I am very； very sorry we are to part—so
soon； and so suddenly too； but I am not offended； indeed I am not。
I can finish my visit here； you know； at any time； or I hope you will
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come to me。 Can you； when you return from this lord’s； come to
Fullerton？”
“It will not be in my power； Catherine。”
“Come when you can； then。”
Eleanor made no answer； and Catherine’s thoughts recurring to
something more directly interesting； she added； thinking aloud；
“Monday—so soon as Monday； and you all go。 Well； I am certain
of—I shall be able to take leave； however。 I need not go till just
before you do； you know。 Do not be distressed； Eleanor； I can go
on Monday very well。 My father and mother’s having no notice of
it is of very little consequence。 The General will send a servant
with me； I dare say； half the way—and then I shall soon be at
Salisbury； and then I am only nine miles from home。”
“Ah； Catherine！ were it settled so； it would be somewhat less
intolerable； though in such common attentions you would have
received but half what you ought。 But—how can I tell you？—
tomorrow morning is fixed for your leaving us； and not even the
hour is left to your choice； the very carriage is ordered； and will be
here at seven o’clock； and no servant will be offered you。”
Catherine sat down； breathless and speechless。 “I could hardly
believe my senses； when I heard it；—and no displeasure； no
resentment that you can feel at this moment； however justly great；
can be more than I myself—but I must not talk of what I felt。 Oh！
that I could suggest anything in extenuation！ Good God！ what will
your father and mother say！ After courting you from the
protection of real friends to this—almost double distance from
your home； to have you driven out of the house； without the
considerations even of decent civility！ Dear； dear Catherine； in
being the bearer of such a message； I seem guilty myself of all its
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insult； yet； I trust you will acquit me； for you must have been long
enough in this house to see that I am but a nominal mistress of it；
that my real power is nothing。”
“Have I offended the General？” said Catherine in a faltering
voice。
“Alas！ for my feelings as a daughter； all that I know； all that I
answer for； is that you can have given him no just cause of offence。
He
