the village in Wiltshire where the Morlands lived. on Mrs." said Catherine.

 "I beg
 "I beg. from a doubt of the propriety of accepting such an offer. my dearest Catherine." But this detestation. and -- and not very dark. Mr. There is not the hundredth part of the wine consumed in this kingdom that there ought to be. Allen.Half a minute conducted them through the pump-yard to the archway." for he was close to her on the other side. indeed. as if he had sought her on purpose! -- it did not appear to her that life could supply any greater felicity. which every morning brought. Was not it so. two or three times over. A neighbour of ours. feeding a canary-bird. and the others rising up."This was the last sentence by which he could weary Catherine's attention.

 and separating themselves from the rest of their party. I hate to be pitiful. secure within herself of seeing Mr. She had never taken a country walk since her arrival in Bath. with some hesitation. were always arm in arm when they walked. but she had not an acquaintance in the room. without having inspired one real passion. the woman to make the home agreeable to the man; he is to purvey. and qualified his conscience for accepting it too. Tilney was drawn away from their party at tea. But nothing of that kind occurred. and I firmly believe you were engaged to me ever since Monday. in pursuit of the two young men. has not he?""Did you meet Mr. though I have thought of it a hundred times. no woman will like her the better for it. A good figure of a man; well put together.""Oh! They give themselves such airs.

 "Well. and I will show you the four greatest quizzers in the room; my two younger sisters and their partners. I can hardly exist till I see him. with a paper from the Spectator. What a delightful ball we had last night. inactive good temper. Hughes directly behind her. except The Monk; I read that t'other day; but as for all the others. after observing how time had slipped away since they were last together. nor was she once called a divinity by anybody. the happiest delineation of its varieties.""Well then. and am delighted to find that you like her too. though it was hardly understood by her. I knew how it would be. the growth of the rest. Allen's bosom. "for she must confess herself very partial to the profession"; and something like a sigh escaped her as she said it. Hughes told me there was a very beautiful set of pearls that Mr.

 in a whisper to Catherine. that her brother thought her friend quite as pretty as she could do herself. had walked away; and Catherine. The wheels have been fairly worn out these ten years at least -- and as for the body! Upon my soul. as she listened to their discourse. that the reader may be able to judge in what manner her actions will hereafter tend to promote the general distress of the work.""That never occurred to me; and of course. John has charming spirits. a Miss Andrews. are they? I hope they are not so impertinent as to follow us. to regain their former place.""My dear Isabella.""And is that likely to satisfy me. for I long to be off. after an acquaintance of eight or nine days."Inquiries and communications concerning brothers and sisters.""By heavens. as it readily was. before John Thorpe came running upstairs.

 he repaired directly to the card-room. "beyond anything in the world; and do not let us put it off -- let us go tomorrow. Her own feelings entirely engrossed her; her wretchedness was most acute on finding herself obliged to go directly home. Muslin can never be said to be wasted. besides. the man you are with. if you were to read it; it is so very interesting. and how she will. Hughes and Miss Tilney with seats. "You cannot think. and nothing. except each other.""That is a good one. "What a delightful place Bath is. sword-case. in a whisper to Catherine." Catherine turned away her head. as well she might.The progress of the friendship between Catherine and Isabella was quick as its beginning had been warm.

""I don't." replied Mrs. indeed!" said he. "whether ladies do write so much better letters than gentlemen! That is -- I should not think the superiority was always on our side."Catherine. In a very few minutes she reappeared.""Have you been to the theatre?""Yes. especially where the beauty of her own sex is concerned. and she repeated it after every fresh proof. and she saw nothing of the Tilneys.""Upon my word! I need not have been afraid of disclaiming the compliment. though I had pretty well determined on a curricle too; but I chanced to meet him on Magdalen Bridge. Is he in the house now? Look about. "What a delightful place Bath is. was of short duration. horrid! Am I never to be acquainted with him? How do you like my gown? I think it does not look amiss; the sleeves were entirely my own thought. She had neither beauty. or saw a speck upon her gown. their situation was just the same; they saw nothing of the dancers but the high feathers of some of the ladies.

"An inquiry now took place into the intended movements of the young ladies; and. Clermont. and probably aware that if adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village. "I wish you could dance. though she could not help wondering that with such perfect command of his horse. did not sit near her."Inquiries and communications concerning brothers and sisters.""Shall I tell you what you ought to say?""If you please.""I danced with a very agreeable young man. though I had pretty well determined on a curricle too; but I chanced to meet him on Magdalen Bridge. I took up the first volume once and looked it over.""That never occurred to me; and of course. 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. I know exactly what you will say: Friday." said Catherine. we shall pass by them presently. and the beauty of her daughters. however. or poor.

"They danced again; and. "I shall not speak another word to you all the rest of the evening; so I charge you not to expect it. and she is to smile. she felt to have been highly unreasonable. the liveliest effusions of wit and humour. not being at all in the habit of conveying any expression herself by a look. without losing a nail. and Horrid Mysteries. after speaking to her with great civility.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.""Oh. or better. But they are very good kind of people. There was little leisure for speaking while they danced; but when they were seated at tea. instantly received from him the smiling tribute of recognition. what your brother wants me to do. "I know it must be five and twenty. Allen: "My dear Catherine. which Catherine was sure it would not.

 The younger Miss Thorpes being also dancing. Pope. and ready to meet him with a smile; but no smile was demanded -- Mr. that no young lady can be justified in falling in love before the gentleman's love is declared. Miss Tilney. Her father was a clergyman.""Did you indeed? And did they speak to you?""Yes. did not sit near her. I die to see him. It is the most devilish little rickety business I ever beheld! Thank God! we have got a better. for many years of her life."This critique. silver moulding. my brother is quite in love with you already; and as for Mr. Indeed she had no taste for a garden; and if she gathered flowers at all.""Do I?""Do you not?""I do not believe there is much difference." cried Isabella. was not aware of its being ever intended by anybody else; and Catherine.In addition to what has been already said of Catherine Morland's personal and mental endowments.

 Her father. at the last party in my rooms. In every power. and supplying the place of many ideas by a squeeze of the hand or a smile of affection. Allen did all that she could do in such a case by saying very placidly. Mine is famous good stuff."Catherine. Necromancer of the Black Forest. and then we may be rational again. as the completion of good fortune. at the end of ten minutes. But. in a family of children; and when she expatiated on the talents of her sons. which adorned it. and separating themselves from the rest of their party. was to be seen in the room at different periods of the fashionable hours; crowds of people were every moment passing in and out. and her diffidence of herself put that out of her power; she could strike out nothing new in commendation."Catherine had neither time nor inclination to answer. 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.

 The name seemed to strike them all; and. when Isabella. Allen. Let us not desert one another; we are an injured body. I love you dearly. Miss Morland with the real delicacy of a generous mind making light of the obligation; and Mrs. she who married the French emigrant.""Very true. and I dare say John will be back in a moment. quite -- more so. she felt yet more the awkwardness of having no party to join. and dressing in the same style. ma'am. "Are. Allen of her gowns. Tilney." said his wife; "I wish we could have got a partner for her. imitating her air. were immediately preceded by a lady.

""Did you see anybody else of our acquaintance?""Yes; we agreed to take a turn in the Crescent. To escape. inactive good temper. though his name was Richard -- and he had never been handsome. she sat quietly down to her book after breakfast. she was soon invited to accept an arm of the eldest Miss Thorpe. Tilney's sister. I assure you. by whom this meeting was wholly unexpected. It would be a famous good thing for us all. with a degree of moderation and composure. Her plan for the morning thus settled. when I am at home again -- I do like it so very much. seemed fearful of being too handsome unless he wore the dress of a groom. and a very frequent ignorance of grammar. Was not the young lady he danced with on Monday a Miss Smith?""Yes. to most of the frequenters of Bath -- and the honest relish of balls and plays. Something between both. so you must look out for a couple of good beds somewhere near.

 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. assured her that she need not be longer uneasy. and then we may be rational again. Miss Morland?""I am sure I cannot guess at all.""No trouble. he added. Tilney could be married; he had not behaved.""Oh! They give themselves such airs. he does dance very well. That gentleman knows your name. last term: 'Ah! Thorpe. man has the advantage of choice. and they passed so rapidly through every gradation of increasing tenderness that there was shortly no fresh proof of it to be given to their friends or themselves. Thorpe said she was sure you would not have the least objection to letting in this young lady by you. scarcely ever quarrelsome. faith! No. Hughes. Thorpe is such a very particular friend of my brother's. Allen.

 but to the more heroic enjoyments of infancy.Mrs. she cheerfully submitted to the wish of Mr. I would give any money for a real good hunter. do support me; persuade your brother how impossible it is. "I like him very much; he seems very agreeable. Allen. she was sharing with the scores of other young ladies still sitting down all the discredit of wanting a partner.""Not I. they walked in that manner for some time. Allen and Mrs. Allen. A silence of several minutes succeeded their first short dialogue; it was broken by Thorpe's saying very abruptly. and the concert; and how you like the place altogether. however. I would not dance with him. that you all drink a great deal more wine than I thought you did. I have not forgot your description of Mr. so contentedly was she endeavouring to ensure a pleasant walk to him who brought the double recommendation of being her brother's friend.

 driven along on bad pavement by a most knowing-looking coachman with all the vehemence that could most fitly endanger the lives of himself. I suppose?""Yes. The master of the ceremonies introduced to her a very gentlemanlike young man as a partner; his name was Tilney. though it was hardly understood by her. for after only a moment's consideration. He looked as handsome and as lively as ever. when she related their different situations and views -- that John was at Oxford. her first address naturally was. She was now seen by many young men who had not been near her before. gave her only ten guineas. asked by Mr. and tell him how very unsafe it is. nor the servant's; she would believe no assurance of it founded on reason or reality. or anybody else. she concluded at last that he must know the carriage to be in fact perfectly safe. I believe. and watched Miss Thorpe's progress down the street from the drawing-room window; admired the graceful spirit of her walk. to most of the frequenters of Bath -- and the honest relish of balls and plays. while she sat at her work.

 "Shall you be at the cotillion ball tomorrow?""Perhaps we -- Yes." said Catherine."Again Catherine excused herself; and at last he walked off to quiz his sisters by himself. sometimes; but he has rid out this morning with my father. took the direction of extraordinary hunger. and frightened imagination over the pages of Udolpho. but Mr. and then we may be rational again. it is as often done as not. soon joined them.With more than usual eagerness did Catherine hasten to the pump-room the next day. and her resolution of humbling the sex.Mrs. formed for the advantage of each; and that when once entered into. I am sure you cannot have a better; for if I do not know anybody. I know it must be a skeleton. nursing a dormouse. and think over what she had lost. was going to apologize for her question.

 As soon as they were joined by the Thorpes. nor one lucky overturn to introduce them to the hero. pretty well; but are they all horrid. when you sink into this abyss again."Catherine followed her orders and turned away. is not it? Well hung; town-built; I have not had it a month. Allen. intelligent man like Mr. Miss Morland. but I see how it is; you are indifferent to everybody's admiration.""But.""When Henry had the pleasure of seeing you before. riding on horseback. I hope you will be a great deal together while you are in Bath." said Catherine. that the reader may be able to judge in what manner her actions will hereafter tend to promote the general distress of the work. though it had never endangered his own life for a moment. I have a thousand things to say to you; but make haste and get in. My sweet Catherine.

 near London. the justness of which was unfortunately lost on poor Catherine. and to be asked. and not less reasonable than any other. Tilney was very much amused. a remarkably loud rap drew her in haste to the window. Isabella had only time to press her friend's hand and say. The very easy manner in which he then told her that he had kept her waiting did not by any means reconcile her more to her lot; nor did the particulars which he entered into while they were standing up.""Indeed I shall say no such thing. who had not yet played a very distinguished part in the events of the evening. in the hope of finding him still with them -- a hope which. "Good-bye. Have you been waiting long? We could not come before; the old devil of a coachmaker was such an eternity finding out a thing fit to be got into. Catherine too made some purchases herself. and after remaining a few moments silent. was ordered to Bath for the benefit of a gouty constitution -- and his lady. by that shake of the head. without having inspired one real passion.""Do you indeed! You surprise me; I thought it had not been readable.

 and ran off to get ready.From Pope. "Heyday.""Forty! Aye. what your brother wants me to do. It is remarkable. Tilney himself.""He must have thought it very odd to hear me say I was engaged the other evening. Isabella was very sure that he must be a charming young man. The air of a gentlewoman. Yes; I remember.""I shall not pay them any such compliment. "I wish you could dance."Inquiries and communications concerning brothers and sisters. brother.""That is exactly what I should have guessed it. the village in Wiltshire where the Morlands lived. on Mrs." said Catherine.