northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第53章
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no longer serviceable； hastened to contradict all that he had said
before to the advantage of the Morlands；—confessed himself to
have been totally mistaken in his opinion of their circumstances
and character； misled by the rhodomontade of his friend to believe
his father a man of substance and credit； whereas the transactions
of the two or three last weeks proved him to be neither； for after
coming eagerly forward on the first overture of a marriage
between the families； with the most liberal proposals； he had； on
being brought to the point by the shrewdness of the relator； been
constrained to acknowledge himself incapable of giving the young
people even a decent support。 They were； in fact； a necessitous
family； numerous too almost beyond example； by no means
respected in their own neighbourhood； as he had lately had
particular opportunities of discovering； aiming at a style of life
which their fortune could not warrant； seeking to better
themselves by wealthy connections； a forward； bragging； scheming
race。
The terrified General pronounced the name of Allen with an
inquiring look； and here too Thorpe had learnt his error。 The
Allens； he believed； had lived near them too long； and he knew the
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young man on whom the Fullerton estate must devolve。 The
General needed no more。 Enraged with almost everybody in the
world but himself； he set out the next day for the Abbey； where his
performances have been seen。
I leave it to my reader’s sagacity to determine how much of all
this it was possible for Henry to communicate at this time to
Catherine； how much of it he could have learnt from his father； in
what points his own conjectures might assist him； and what
portion must yet remain to be told in a letter from James。 I have
united for their case what they must divide for mine。 Catherine； at
any rate； heard enough to feel that in suspecting General Tilney of
either murdering or shutting up his wife； she had scarcely sinned
against his character； or magnified his cruelty。
Henry； in having such things to relate of his father； was almost
as pitiable as in their first avowal to himself。 He blushed for the
narrow…minded counsel which he was obliged to expose。 The
conversation between them at Northanger had been of the most
unfriendly kind。 Henry’s indignation on hearing how Catherine
had been treated； on comprehending his father’s views； and being
ordered to acquiesce in them； had been open and bold。 The
General； accustomed on every ordinary occasion to give the law in
his family； prepared for no reluctance but of feeling； no opposing
desire that should dare to clothe itself in words； could ill brook the
opposition of his son； steady as the sanction of reason and the
dictate of conscience could make it。 But； in such a cause； his
anger； though it must shock； could not intimidate Henry； who was
sustained in his purpose by a conviction of its justice。 He felt
himself bound as much in honour as in affection to Miss Morland；
and believing that heart to be his own which he had been directed
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to gain； no unworthy retraction of a tacit consent； no reversing
decree of unjustifiable anger； could shake his fidelity； or influence
the resolutions it prompted。
He steadily refused to accompany his father into Herefordshire；
an engagement formed almost at the moment to promote the
dismissal of Catherine； and as steadily declared his intention of
offering her his hand。 The General was furious in his anger； and
they parted in dreadful disagreement。 Henry； in an agitation of
mind which many solitary hours were required to compose； had
returned almost instantly to Woodston； and； on the afternoon of
the following day； had begun his journey to Fullerton。
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CHAPTER XVI
r。 and Mrs。 Morland’s surprise on being applied to by
Mr。 Tilney for their consent to his marrying their
M
daughter was； for a few minutes； considerable； it having
never entered their heads to suspect an attachment on either side；
but as nothing； after all； could be more natural than Catherine’s
being beloved； they soon learnt to consider it with only the happy
agitation of gratified pride； and； as far as they alone were
concerned； had not a single objection to start。 His pleasing
manners and good sense were self…evident recommendations； and
having never heard evil of him； it was not their way to suppose any
evil could be told。 Good…will supplying the place of experience； his
character needed no attestation。 “Catherine would make a sad；
heedless young housekeeper to be sure；” was her mother’s
foreboding remark； but quick was the consolation of there being
nothing like practice。
There was but one obstacle； in short； to be mentioned； but till
that one was removed； it must be impossible for them to sanction
the engagement。 Their tempers were mild； but their principles
were steady； and while his parent so expressly forbade the
connection； they could not allow themselves to encourage it。 That
the General should come forward to solicit the alliance； or that he
should even very heartily approve it； they were not refined enough
to make any parading stipulation； but the decent appearance of
consent must be yielded； and that once obtained—and their own
hearts made them trust that it could not be very long denied—
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their willing approbation was instantly to follow。 His consent was
all that they wished for。 They were no more inclined than entitled
to demand his money。 Of a very considerable fortune； his son was；
by marriage settlements； eventually secure； his present income
was an income of independence and comfort； and under every
pecuniary view； it was a match beyond the claims of their
daughter。
The young people could not be surprised at a decision like this。
They felt and they deplored—but they could not resent it； and they
parted； endeavouring to hope that such a change in the General；
as each believed almost impossible； might speedily take place； to
unite them again in the fullness of privileged affection。 Henry
returned to what was now his only home； to watch over his young
plantations； and extend his improvements for her sake； to whose
share in them he looked anxiously forward； and Catherine
remained at Fullerton to cry。 Whether the torments of absence
were softened by a clandestine correspondence； let us not inquire。
Mr。 and Mrs。 Morland never did—they had been too kind to exact
any promise； and whenever Catherine received a letter； as； at that
time； happened pretty often； they always looked another way。
The anxiety； which in this state of their attachment must be the
portion of Henry and Catherine； and of all who loved either； as to
its final event； can hardly extend； I fear； to the bosom of my
readers； who will see in the tell…tale compression of the pages
before them； that we are all hastening together to perfect felicity。
The means by which their early marriage was effected can be the
only doubt； what probable circumstance could work upon a
temper like the General’s？ The circumstance which chiefly availed
was the marriage of his daughter with a man of fortune and
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consequence； which took place in the course of the summer—an
accession of dignity that threw him into a fit of good humour； from
which he did not recover till after Eleanor had obtained his
forgiveness of Henry； and his permission for him “to be a fool if he
liked it！”
The marriage of Eleanor Tilney； her removal from all the evils
of such a home as Northanger had been made by Henry’s
banishment； to the home of her choice and the man of her choice；
is an event which I expect to give general satisfaction among all
her acquaintance。 My own joy on the occasion is very sincere。 I
know no one more entitled； by unpretending merit； or better
prepared by habitual suffering； to receive and enjoy felicity。 Her
partiality for this gentleman was not of recent origin； and he had
been long withheld only by inferiority of situation from addressing
her。 His unexpected accession to title and fortune had removed all
his difficulties； and never had the General loved his daughter so
well in all her hours of companionship； utility； and patient
endurance as when he first hailed her； “Your Ladyship！” Her
husband was really deserving of her； independent of his peerage；
his wealth； and his attachment； being to a precision the most
charming young man in the world。 Any further definition of
