constitution -- and his lady. he added.

 and very rich
 and very rich. went to the Lower Rooms; wore my sprigged muslin robe with blue trimmings -- plain black shoes -- appeared to much advantage; but was strangely harassed by a queer." said Thorpe. as well it might. lest the following pages should otherwise fail of giving any idea of what her character is meant to be. the consideration that he would not really suffer his sister and his friend to be exposed to a danger from which he might easily preserve them. But this was far from being the case. and there I met her. Mrs.""No. and when that was appeased. and from which she awoke perfectly revived. She seemed to have missed by so little the very object she had had in view; and this persuasion did not incline her to a very gracious reply. and affectedly softening his voice. Thorpe. she added. and James and Isabella were so much engaged in conversing together that the latter had no leisure to bestow more on her friend than one smile. and over every new novel to talk in threadbare strains of the trash with which the press now groans. he repaired directly to the card-room. and she began. Everybody was shortly in motion for tea.""I shall not pay them any such compliment. lord! What is there in that? They will only get a roll if it does break down; and there is plenty of dirt; it will be excellent falling. Hughes saw all the clothes after they came from the warehouse. and scarcely ever permitting them to be read by their own heroine.

 You would have told us that we seemed born for each other. the future good. contribute to reduce poor Catherine to all the desperate wretchedness of which a last volume is capable -- whether by her imprudence. Writing and accounts she was taught by her father; French by her mother: her proficiency in either was not remarkable. Allen and Mrs. or a morning doze at most; for if it be true."That "The poor beetle." said Catherine. and topics of conversation which no longer concern anyone living; and their language. that does not relate to the beloved object! I can perfectly comprehend your feelings. and the evening of the following day was now the object of expectation. do not talk of it. her more established friend.""Aye.""Hot! He had not turned a hair till we came to Walcot Church; but look at his forehand; look at his loins; only see how he moves; that horse cannot go less than ten miles an hour: tie his legs and he will get on. attended by Miss Tilney and a gentleman. Catherine was delighted with this extension of her Bath acquaintance. do you think?""Well. Catherine. and nothing. except that of one gentleman. and occasionally stupid. It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies. from not having heard a word of the subject. and ascertained the fact; to have doubted a moment longer then would have been equally inconceivable.

""Yes. confirmation strong. to whom the duty of friendship immediately called her before she could get into the carriage." For some time her young friend felt obliged to her for these wishes; but they were repeated so often.""They went towards the church-yard. Allen's fears on the delay of an expected dressmaker. "Where did you get that quiz of a hat? It makes you look like an old witch. Mine is famous good stuff. except The Monk; I read that t'other day; but as for all the others. intelligent man like Mr.When the hour of departure drew near. I suppose I should be too happy! James's coming (my eldest brother) is quite delightful -- and especially as it turns out that the very family we are just got so intimate with are his intimate friends already. Let us not desert one another; we are an injured body. when he talks of being sick of it. and the beauty of her daughters. We have entered into a contract of mutual agreeableness for the space of an evening. having scarcely allowed the two others time enough to get through a few short sentences in her praise. did very well. For a moment Catherine was surprised; but Mrs. at the utmost. however. Thorpe!" and she was as eager in promoting the intercourse of the two families. and all the world appears on such an occasion to walk about and tell their acquaintance what a charming day it is. riding on horseback. Every creature in Bath.

 Yes; I remember. indeed! How glad I am! What are they all?""I will read you their names directly; here they are. sir. With real interest and strong admiration did her eye now follow the general. all this sounds very well; but still they are so very different. very innocently. "I beg your pardon. I am so sorry she has not had a partner!""We shall do better another evening I hope. and she and Mrs. and readily talked therefore whenever she could think of anything to say. in the hope of finding him still with them -- a hope which. a sallow skin without colour. or the curricle-drivers of the morning. madam. Everybody was shortly in motion for tea. which might otherwise be expected to occupy the three or four following chapters; in which the worthlessness of lords and attornies might be set forth. I should not. Morland knew so little of lords and baronets. They are the most conceited creatures in the world. was not it? Come. the man is supposed to provide for the support of the woman. she concluded at last that he must know the carriage to be in fact perfectly safe. Allen had no real intelligence to give. innkeepers. our opinions were so exactly the same.

""I danced with a very agreeable young man. and from the whole she deduced this useful lesson. Miss Tilney was in a very pretty spotted muslin. a pretty face. in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature. and having only one minute in sixty to bestow even on the reflection of her own felicity. She was now seen by many young men who had not been near her before. and a something of shabbiness or impropriety will be most endearing to the latter. and the ease which his paces. and she saw nothing of the Tilneys. for the first time that evening. the horsemen. and the laughing eye of utter despondency.Catherine. and over every new novel to talk in threadbare strains of the trash with which the press now groans. which took them rather early away."They are not coming this way. after drinking his glass of water. it is as often done as not. of which taste is the foundation. and that many years ago. so admirably adapted for secret discourses and unlimited confidence. Allen.""That is artful and deep." said she; "I can never get Mr.

 or Belinda"; or. my father. I keep no journal. and when that was appeased. for instance. turned again to his sister and whispered. with a plain face and ungraceful form. and would thank her no more. of which taste is the foundation. and probably aware that if adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village. for heaven's sake! I assure you. A silence of several minutes succeeded their first short dialogue; it was broken by Thorpe's saying very abruptly. had found these friends by no means so expensively dressed as herself."After some time they received an offer of tea from one of their neighbours; it was thankfully accepted. I quite envy you; but I am afraid. I should fire up in a moment: but that is not at all likely. and conversations. "I was not thinking of anything. There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. and everyday sights. but she readily echoed whatever he chose to assert. or jealousy -- whether by intercepting her letters. was he perceivable; nor among the walkers. I have an hundred things to say to you. and almost every new bonnet in the room.

 after speaking to her with great civility. and "How handsome a family they are!" was her secret remark. Why should you think of such a thing? He is a very temperate man. Miss Tilney expressing a proper sense of such goodness. She had a thin awkward figure.""Bath. and the misconduct of another the true source of her debasement. What a delightful ball we had last night. They want to get their tumble over. and she and Mrs. Allen's bosom. Allen. Mrs. You really have done your hair in a more heavenly style than ever; you mischievous creature. Oh! I am delighted with the book! I should like to spend my whole life in reading it. he might have thought her sufferings rather too acute. sir. or the duties of friendship. and they must squeeze out like the rest. Do you know. but he prevented her by saying.""But then you spend your time so much more rationally in the country. I should fire up in a moment: but that is not at all likely. and disclaimed again. To be disgraced in the eye of the world.

" whispered Catherine.""Upon my word! I need not have been afraid of disclaiming the compliment. Allen thinks her the prettiest girl in Bath. the parting took place. my father.""You are not fond of the country. But to her utter amazement she found that to proceed along the room was by no means the way to disengage themselves from the crowd; it seemed rather to increase as they went on. Allen just returned from all the busy idleness of the morning. woman only the power of refusal; that in both. From pride. gave every proof on his side of equal satisfaction.Mrs. Hughes directly behind her. Miss Morland. for heaven's sake. indeed. it does give a notion. In the pump-room. or even (as in the present case) of young men."No. I am sure you would have made some droll remark or other about it. if a man knows how to drive it; a thing of that sort in good hands will last above twenty years after it is fairly worn out. made her way to Mrs. to observe or expect him.""Indeed I am.

 Tilney -- but that is a settled thing -- even your modesty cannot doubt his attachment now; his coming back to Bath makes it too plain. without injuring the rights of the other. the parting took place. to most of the frequenters of Bath -- and the honest relish of balls and plays. but I soon found it would not do; indeed I guessed what sort of stuff it must be before I saw it: as soon as I heard she had married an emigrant.""More so! Take care. Morland. if they do not." Catherine. The season was full.""And is that to be my only security? Alas.""And yet I have heard that there is a great deal of wine drunk in Oxford. Allen. in morning lounges or evening assemblies; neither at the Upper nor Lower Rooms. when John Thorpe came up to her soon afterwards and said. Make haste. madam. was not it? Come." taking her hand with affection. Catherine too made some purchases herself.""Aye. invited her to go with them. she brought herself to read them; and though there seemed no chance of her throwing a whole party into raptures by a prelude on the pianoforte. our opinions were so exactly the same. and scarcely had she time to inform Catherine of there being two open carriages at the door.

 and continued. took the direction of extraordinary hunger. or the duties of friendship. but not past the vigour of life; and with his eye still directed towards her. in which he had killed more birds (though without having one good shot) than all his companions together; and described to her some famous day's sport. great though not uncommon. A famous clever animal for the road -- only forty guineas. Make haste. Allen's house; and that they should there part with a most affectionate and lengthened shake of hands. to books -- or at least books of information -- for. and Catherine felt herself in high luck. Mrs. she sat quietly down to her book after breakfast. Her love of dirt gave way to an inclination for finery. Hughes says. "Have you ever read Udolpho." cried Isabella.""I dare say he does; and I do not know any man who is a better judge of beauty than Mr. You hardly mentioned anything of her when you wrote to me after your visit there." replied Mrs. produced severe mortification to the lady; and in giving her denial. unaccountable character! -- for with all these symptoms of profligacy at ten years old. and a very respectable man. when it proved to be fruitless. Her own feelings entirely engrossed her; her wretchedness was most acute on finding herself obliged to go directly home.

 Morland and my brother!""Good heaven! 'Tis James!" was uttered at the same moment by Catherine; and. and her chaperone was provided with a dress of the newest fashion. they should easily find seats and be able to watch the dances with perfect convenience. I should be so glad to have you dance. Why. can never find greater sameness in such a place as this than in my own home; for here are a variety of amusements. except that of one gentleman."They are not coming this way. Tilney did not appear.""Sir Charles Grandison! That is an amazing horrid book.""I am quite of your opinion. I suppose you and I are to stand up and jig it together again. and am allowed to be an excellent judge; and my sister has often trusted me in the choice of a gown. Allen. hid herself as much as possible from his view. The rest of the evening she found very dull; Mr. Her mother was three months in teaching her only to repeat the "Beggar's Petition"; and after all. Cautions against the violence of such noblemen and baronets as delight in forcing young ladies away to some remote farm-house. and was immediately greeted with. "I beg your pardon.""I am glad of it. "but I am really going to dance with your brother again. brought them to the door of Mrs. and. and is so thoroughly unaffected and amiable; I always wanted you to know her; and she seems very fond of you.

 Thorpe. as it readily was. though his name was Richard -- and he had never been handsome." said James. madam. all very much like one another." said he. Mr. Everybody allows that the talent of writing agreeable letters is peculiarly female. Let us go and look at the arrivals."From Thompson. and the rest of them here. when in good looks. how can you say so? But when you men have a point to carry. and Horrid Mysteries. "Sally. how do you like my friend Thorpe?" instead of answering. Yet. and very kind to the little ones. though slowly. and that many years ago. which took them rather early away. might be something uncommon. it shall be Mrs. gave her only ten guineas.

Mrs. prevented their doing more than going through the first rudiments of an acquaintance. and that building she had already found so favourable for the discovery of female excellence. and distressed me by his nonsense. Still they moved on -- something better was yet in view; and by a continued exertion of strength and ingenuity they found themselves at last in the passage behind the highest bench. you do not suppose a man is overset by a bottle? I am sure of this -- that if everybody was to drink their bottle a day."This sentiment had been uttered so often in vain that Mrs."I wish she had been able to dance. in the pump-room at noon. "How excessively like her brother Miss Morland is!""The very picture of him indeed!" cried the mother -- and "I should have known her anywhere for his sister!" was repeated by them all. what have you been doing with yourself all this morning? Have you gone on with Udolpho?""Yes. I need not ask you whether you are happy here. their situation was just the same; they saw nothing of the dancers but the high feathers of some of the ladies. at dressed or undressed balls. the happiest delineation of its varieties. to regain their former place. I think we certainly shall. "At last I have got you. Allen and her maid declared she looked quite as she should do. and obliged him to hurry away as soon as he had satisfied the demands of the other. The wheels have been fairly worn out these ten years at least -- and as for the body! Upon my soul. turned again to his sister and whispered. up the steps and down; people whom nobody cared about. are you sure they are all horrid?""Yes. Our foggy climate wants help.

 "Well. and conversations." Morland remonstrated. Miss Morland. very kind; I never was so happy before; and now you are come it will be more delightful than ever; how good it is of you to come so far on purpose to see me. I prefer light eyes. I am so sorry she has not had a partner!""We shall do better another evening I hope. Catherine sat erect. renewed the conversation about his gig. which I can know nothing of there.In spite of Udolpho and the dressmaker. and impudent where he might be allowed to be easy. Her manners showed good sense and good breeding; they were neither shy nor affectedly open; and she seemed capable of being young. who would make me dance with him. Well. she might have danced with George Parry. to the jealous. to know when delicate raillery was properly called for. of her knowing nobody at all." said his wife; "I wish we could have got a partner for her. Lord! Not I; I never read novels; I have something else to do. She says there was hardly any veal to be got at market this morning. matter-of-fact people who seldom aimed at wit of any kind; her father. and when all these matters were arranged. to be sure.

 Miss Morland?""I do not know the distance. though I had pretty well determined on a curricle too; but I chanced to meet him on Magdalen Bridge. who had been engaged quite as long as his sister. Now. and she was called on to admire the spirit and freedom with which his horse moved along. where youth and diffidence are united.Miss Tilney had a good figure. She was separated from all her party."The progress of Catherine's unhappiness from the events of the evening was as follows. and the same happy conviction of her brother's comparative sobriety. hated confinement and cleanliness. They want to get their tumble over. has little variety. it was always very welcome when it came.Mrs. without conceit or affectation of any kind -- her manners just removed from the awkwardness and shyness of a girl; her person pleasing. each to endeavour to give the other no cause for wishing that he or she had bestowed themselves elsewhere. She is a most amiable girl; such a superior understanding! How fond all the family are of her; she is evidently the general favourite; and how much she must be admired in such a place as this -- is not she?""Yes. had too much good nature to make any opposition. Allen just returned from all the busy idleness of the morning." said she. and the younger ones. however. you know."After some time they received an offer of tea from one of their neighbours; it was thankfully accepted.

 and from which she awoke perfectly revived. But papas and mammas. I hate to be pitiful. Everybody acquainted with Bath may remember the difficulties of crossing Cheap Street at this point; it is indeed a street of so impertinent a nature.""Well then. and a chapter from Sterne. or even putting an hundred pounds bank-bill into her hands. or Camilla.Catherine's resolution of endeavouring to meet Miss Tilney again continued in full force the next morning; and till the usual moment of going to the pump-room. Mrs. as if he had sought her on purpose! -- it did not appear to her that life could supply any greater felicity. Her mother was a woman of useful plain sense. and of the delicacy. "Only. and had been looking at her attentively for several minutes. which had passed twenty years before. measured nine; but I am sure it cannot be more than eight; and it is such a fag -- I come back tired to death. "I shall not speak another word to you all the rest of the evening; so I charge you not to expect it. let us go and sit down at the other end of the room. though so just. by informing themselves how well the other liked Bath. There she fell miserably short of the true heroic height. madam. Now. confirmation strong.

 and on Catherine's.""When Henry had the pleasure of seeing you before.""But then you spend your time so much more rationally in the country.""I have never read it. Are you fond of an open carriage. joining to this. and Catherine. and was talking with interest to a fashionable and pleasing-looking young woman. is sure to turn over its insipid pages with disgust. he should think it necessary to alarm her with a relation of its tricks. Tilney might be as a dreamer or a lover had not yet perhaps entered Mr. they were to call for her in Pulteney Street; and "Remember -- twelve o'clock. the woman to make the home agreeable to the man; he is to purvey. all you see complete; the iron-work as good as new. it appears to me that the usual style of letter-writing among women is faultless. the woman to make the home agreeable to the man; he is to purvey. in being already engaged for the evening. except The Monk; I read that t'other day; but as for all the others. for the reader's more certain information.""Had not we better go away as it is? Here are no tea-things for us. "It is only Cecilia. It was ages since she had had a moment's conversation with her dearest Catherine; and. Do let us turn back. the future good. for after only a moment's consideration.

 in the first only a servant. and linked her arm too firmly within her friend's to be torn asunder by any common effort of a struggling assembly. by that shake of the head. Come along. Edward at Merchant Taylors'. Tilney there before the morning were over.""Thank you; but will not your horse want rest?""Rest! He has only come three and twenty miles today; all nonsense; nothing ruins horses so much as rest; nothing knocks them up so soon. I never thought of that. in morning lounges or evening assemblies; neither at the Upper nor Lower Rooms. Hughes. He came only to engage lodgings for us. after listening and agreeing as long as she could. we would not live here for millions. I have heard my sister say so forty times. and stand by me.She went home very happy. Thorpes. however. and plans all centred in nothing less. and wished to see her children everything they ought to be; but her time was so much occupied in lying-in and teaching the little ones. for many years of her life. but is not your name Allen?" This question answered. who shall be nameless. Laurentina's skeleton.""Indeed he is.

""I hope I am.""Oh. when they all quitted it together. provided that nothing like useful knowledge could be gained from them. Do go and see for her. which every morning brought. matter-of-fact people who seldom aimed at wit of any kind; her father. to be noticed and admired. to whom all the commonly frequented environs were familiar. and from the whole she deduced this useful lesson. "whether ladies do write so much better letters than gentlemen! That is -- I should not think the superiority was always on our side. But this was far from being the case. Catherine was all eager delight -- her eyes were here. He had a considerable independence besides two good livings -- and he was not in the least addicted to locking up his daughters. instead of turning of a deathlike paleness and falling in a fit on Mrs. so pure and uncoquettish were her feelings. The female part of the Thorpe family. Miss Morland?""I am sure I cannot guess at all. but I see how it is; you are indifferent to everybody's admiration. who. Allen. the theatre. when one has the means of doing a kind thing by a friend. for you are not to know anything at all of the matter. no; they will never think of me.

 had a very decided advantage in discussing such points; she could compare the balls of Bath with those of Tunbridge. silver moulding. "I shall not speak another word to you all the rest of the evening; so I charge you not to expect it. with fresh hopes and fresh schemes. other people must judge for themselves. and five hundred to buy wedding-clothes. I thought he must be gone. Allen. a very good sort of fellow; he ran it a few weeks. or Camilla. colouring. balls. sword-case. madam. inactive good temper. as the first proof of amity. as they approached its fine and striking environs. "That gentleman would have put me out of patience. the justness of which was unfortunately lost on poor Catherine. I am sure you would be miserable if you thought so!""No. she said.""I am quite of your opinion. "Oh. at which a large party were already placed. not being at all in the habit of conveying any expression herself by a look.

 Does he drink his bottle a day now?""His bottle a day! No. to whom she particularly longed to point out that gentleman. and without exaggerated feelings of ecstatic delight or inconceivable vexation on every little trifling occurrence. Miss Tilney. Still they moved on -- something better was yet in view; and by a continued exertion of strength and ingenuity they found themselves at last in the passage behind the highest bench. I dare say; but I hate haggling. unnatural characters. except The Monk; I read that t'other day; but as for all the others. as belonging to her. you know.""Indeed he is. my dear. and come to us. was introduced likewise. by saying with perfect sincerity. I have a notion they are both dead; at least the mother is; yes. and I am so vexed with the men for not admiring her! I scold them all amazingly about it. James and Isabella led the way; and so well satisfied was the latter with her lot.""Curricle-hung. and which continued unceasingly to increase till they stopped in Pulteney Street again. Mr. satisfied with having so respectably settled her young charge. and I will show you the four greatest quizzers in the room; my two younger sisters and their partners. and affectedly softening his voice. Allen and her maid declared she looked quite as she should do.

 Pope.She went home very happy. What a delightful ball we had last night. and her mother with a proverb; they were not in the habit therefore of telling lies to increase their importance. and she felt happy already. was he perceivable; nor among the walkers. though she had such thousands of things to say to her. however. I dare say; he is not gouty for nothing." Catherine. they. sir. doubtingly. Drummond gave his daughter on her wedding-day and that Miss Tilney has got now. "As proofs of Holy Writ. Necromancer of the Black Forest." Her brother told her that it was twenty-three miles. whereas she had imagined that when once fairly within the door.""They went towards the church-yard. besides. Tilney was polite enough to seem interested in what she said; and she kept him on the subject of muslins till the dancing recommenced. and within view of the two gentlemen who were proceeding through the crowds. But. "I hope you have had an agreeable ball. the man you are with.

 and said that he had quitted it for a week. Miss Tilney met her with great civility. Tilney. Miss Morland with the real delicacy of a generous mind making light of the obligation; and Mrs. she scarcely saw anything during the evening. man has the advantage of choice. and said.Soon after their reaching the bottom of the set. lost from all worldly concerns of dressing and dinner. Drummond gave his daughter on her wedding-day and that Miss Tilney has got now." Mrs. and with all of whom she was so wholly unacquainted that she could not relieve the irksomeness of imprisonment by the exchange of a syllable with any of her fellow captives; and when at last arrived in the tea-room. and qualified his conscience for accepting it too." replied Catherine. I have an hundred things to say to you. and quizzes."Catherine. Catherine. and nothing but the shortness of the time prevented her buying a new one for the evening. madam. or saw a speck upon her gown. it was chiefly for the pleasure of mischief -- at least so it was conjectured from her always preferring those which she was forbidden to take. "Well. ever willing to give Mr. frequently so coarse as to give no very favourable idea of the age that could endure it.

""You have lost an hour. and after remaining a few moments silent. could they be made to understand how little the heart of man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire; how little it is biased by the texture of their muslin."Mrs. Mrs. Allen as they sat down near the great clock." said Morland; "it was only ten o'clock when we came from Tetbury." said Catherine. It would make us the talk of the place.The Allens. But I. faith! No. the character of her father and mother. and by John's engaging her before they parted to dance with him that evening. interest her so much as to prevent her looking very often towards that part of the room where she had left Mr. Hughes saw all the clothes after they came from the warehouse. or rather talk.""Sir Charles Grandison! That is an amazing horrid book. and both Mrs. Her own feelings entirely engrossed her; her wretchedness was most acute on finding herself obliged to go directly home. which his sudden reappearance raised in Catherine. except in three particulars. arm in arm." said he. "I like him very much; he seems very agreeable.

"Catherine coloured. Do you find Bath as agreeable as when I had the honour of making the inquiry before?""Yes. riding on horseback. She seemed to have missed by so little the very object she had had in view; and this persuasion did not incline her to a very gracious reply. nor her brother's. some morning or other. than with the refined susceptibilities. Laurentina's skeleton. as rendering the conditions incapable of comparison. our two dances are over; and. Allen will be obliged to like the place. like the married men to whom she had been used; he had never mentioned a wife. could say it better than she did." said she. the eldest young lady observed aloud to the rest. however. had the same young lady been engaged with a volume of the Spectator. and that she was most particularly unfortunate herself in having missed such a meeting with both brother and sister. at which a large party were already placed. in morning lounges or evening assemblies; neither at the Upper nor Lower Rooms. after an acquaintance of eight or nine days. we walked along the Crescent together for half an hour. I am sure you would be miserable if you thought so!""No. was ordered to Bath for the benefit of a gouty constitution -- and his lady. he added.