by Jane Austen
CHAPTER 16
Catherine's expectations of pleasure from her visit in Milsom Streetwere so very high that disappointment was inevitable; and accordingly,though she was most politely received by General Tilney, and kindlywelcomed by his daughter, though Henry was at home, and no one else ofthe party, she found, on her return, without spending many hours inthe examination of her feelings, that she had gone to her appointmentpreparing for happiness which it had not afforded. Instead of findingherself improved in acquaintance with Miss Tilney, from the intercourseof the day, she seemed hardly so intimate with her as before; insteadof seeing Henry Tilney to greater advantage than ever, in the ease of afamily party, he had never said so little, nor been so little agreeable;and, in spite of their father's great civilities to her--in spite of histhanks, invitations, and compliments--it had been a release to getaway from him. It puzzled her to account for all this. It could notbe General Tilney's fault. That he was perfectly agreeable andgood-natured, and altogether a very charming man, did not admit of adoubt, for he was tall and handsome, and Henry's father. He could notbe accountable for his children's want of spirits, or for her want ofenjoyment in his company. The former she hoped at last might havebeen accidental, and the latter she could only attribute to her ownstupidity. Isabella, on hearing the particulars of the visit, gavea different explanation: "It was all pride, pride, insufferablehaughtiness and pride! She had long suspected the family to be veryhigh, and this made it certain. Such insolence of behaviour as MissTilney's she had never heard of in her life! Not to do the honours ofher house with common good breeding! To behave to her guest with suchsuperciliousness! Hardly even to speak to her!"
"But it was not so bad as that, Isabella; there was no superciliousness;she was very civil."
"Oh! Don't defend her! And then the brother, he, who had appearedso attached to you! Good heavens! Well, some people's feelings areincomprehensible. And so he hardly looked once at you the whole day?"
"I do not say so; but he did not seem in good spirits."
"How contemptible! Of all things in the world inconstancy is myaversion. Let me entreat you never to think of him again, my dearCatherine; indeed he is unworthy of you."
"Unworthy! I do not suppose he ever thinks of me."
"That is exactly what I say; he never thinks of you. Such fickleness!Oh! How different to your brother and to mine! I really believe John hasthe most constant heart."
"But as for General Tilney, I assure you it would be impossible foranybody to behave to me with greater civility and attention; it seemedto be his only care to entertain and make me happy."
"Oh! I know no harm of him; I do not suspect him of pride. I believe heis a very gentleman-like man. John thinks very well of him, and John'sjudgment--"
"Well, I shall see how they behave to me this evening; we shall meetthem at the rooms."
"And must I go?"
"Do not you intend it? I thought it was all settled."
"Nay, since you make such a point of it, I can refuse you nothing. Butdo not insist upon my being very agreeable, for my heart, you know, willbe some forty miles off. And as for dancing, do not mention it, I beg;that is quite out of the question. Charles Hodges will plague me todeath, I dare say; but I shall cut him very short. Ten to one but heguesses the reason, and that is exactly what I want to avoid, so I shallinsist on his keeping his conjecture to himself."
Isabella's opinion of the Tilneys did not influence her friend; she wassure there had been no insolence in the manners either of brother orsister; and she did not credit there being any pride in their hearts.The evening rewarded her confidence; she was met by one with the samekindness, and by the other with the same attention, as heretofore: MissTilney took pains to be near her, and Henry asked her to dance.
Having heard the day before in Milsom Street that their elder brother,Captain Tilney, was expected almost every hour, she was at no loss forthe name of a very fashionable-looking, handsome young man, whom she hadnever seen before, and who now evidently belonged to their party. Shelooked at him with great admiration, and even supposed it possible thatsome people might think him handsomer than his brother, though, in hereyes, his air was more assuming, and his countenance less prepossessing.His taste and manners were beyond a doubt decidedly inferior; for,within her hearing, he not only protested against every thought ofdancing himself, but even laughed openly at Henry for finding itpossible. From the latter circumstance it may be presumed that, whatevermight be our heroine's opinion of him, his admiration of her was notof a very dangerous kind; not likely to produce animosities between thebrothers, nor persecutions to the lady. He cannot be the instigator ofthe three villains in horsemen's greatcoats, by whom she will hereafterbe forced into a traveling-chaise and four, which will drive off withincredible speed. Catherine, meanwhile, undisturbed by presentiments ofsuch an evil, or of any evil at all, except that of having but a shortset to dance down, enjoyed her usual happiness with Henry Tilney,listening with sparkling eyes to everything he said; and, in finding himirresistible, becoming so herself.
At the end of the first dance, Captain Tilney came towards them again,and, much to Catherine's dissatisfaction, pulled his brother away. Theyretired whispering together; and, though her delicate sensibility didnot take immediate alarm, and lay it down as fact, that Captain Tilneymust have heard some malevolent misrepresentation of her, which he nowhastened to communicate to his brother, in the hope of separating themforever, she could not have her partner conveyed from her sight withoutvery uneasy sensations. Her suspense was of full five minutes' duration;and she was beginning to think it a very long quarter of an hour, whenthey both returned, and an explanation was given, by Henry's requestingto know if she thought her friend, Miss Thorpe, would have any objectionto dancing, as his brother would be most happy to be introduced toher. Catherine, without hesitation, replied that she was very sure MissThorpe did not mean to dance at all. The cruel reply was passed on tothe other, and he immediately walked away.
"Your brother will not mind it, I know," said she, "because I heard himsay before that he hated dancing; but it was very good-natured in himto think of it. I suppose he saw Isabella sitting down, and fancied shemight wish for a partner; but he is quite mistaken, for she would notdance upon any account in the world."
Henry smiled, and said, "How very little trouble it can give you tounderstand the motive of other people's actions."
"Why? What do you mean?"
"With you, it is not, How is such a one likely to be influenced, Whatis the inducement most likely to act upon such a person's feelings, age,situation, and probable habits of life considered--but, How should I beinfluenced, What would be my inducement in acting so and so?"
"I do not understand you."
"Then we are on very unequal terms, for I understand you perfectlywell."
"Me? Yes; I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible."
"Bravo! An excellent satire on modern language."
"But pray tell me what you mean."
"Shall I indeed? Do you really desire it? But you are not aware of theconsequences; it will involve you in a very cruel embarrassment, andcertainly bring on a disagreement between us."
"No, no; it shall not do either; I am not afraid."
"Well, then, I only meant that your attributing my brother's wish ofdancing with Miss Thorpe to good nature alone convinced me of your beingsuperior in good nature yourself to all the rest of the world."
Catherine blushed and disclaimed, and the gentleman's predictions wereverified. There was a something, however, in his words which repaid herfor the pain of confusion; and that something occupied her mind so muchthat she drew back for some time, forgetting to speak or to listen, andalmost forgetting where she was; till, roused by the voice of Isabella,she looked up and saw her with Captain Tilney preparing to give themhands across.
Isabella shrugged her shoulders and smiled, the only explanation of thisextraordinary change which could at that time be given; but as itwas not quite enough f
or Catherine's comprehension, she spoke herastonishment in very plain terms to her partner.
"I cannot think how it could happen! Isabella was so determined not todance."
"And did Isabella never change her mind before?"
"Oh! But, because--And your brother! After what you told him from me,how could he think of going to ask her?"
"I cannot take surprise to myself on that head. You bid me be surprisedon your friend's account, and therefore I am; but as for my brother, hisconduct in the business, I must own, has been no more than I believedhim perfectly equal to. The fairness of your friend was an openattraction; her firmness, you know, could only be understood byyourself."
"You are laughing; but, I assure you, Isabella is very firm in general."
"It is as much as should be said of anyone. To be always firm must beto be often obstinate. When properly to relax is the trial of judgment;and, without reference to my brother, I really think Miss Thorpe has byno means chosen ill in fixing on the present hour."
The friends were not able to get together for any confidential discoursetill all the dancing was over; but then, as they walked about the roomarm in arm, Isabella thus explained herself: "I do not wonder at yoursurprise; and I am really fatigued to death. He is such a rattle!Amusing enough, if my mind had been disengaged; but I would have giventhe world to sit still."
"Then why did not you?"
"Oh! My dear! It would have looked so particular; and you know how Iabhor doing that. I refused him as long as I possibly could, but hewould take no denial. You have no idea how he pressed me. I begged himto excuse me, and get some other partner--but no, not he; after aspiringto my hand, there was nobody else in the room he could bear to think of;and it was not that he wanted merely to dance, he wanted to be withme. Oh! Such nonsense! I told him he had taken a very unlikely way toprevail upon me; for, of all things in the world, I hated fine speechesand compliments; and so--and so then I found there would be no peace ifI did not stand up. Besides, I thought Mrs. Hughes, who introduced him,might take it ill if I did not: and your dear brother, I am sure hewould have been miserable if I had sat down the whole evening. I amso glad it is over! My spirits are quite jaded with listening to hisnonsense: and then, being such a smart young fellow, I saw every eye wasupon us."
"He is very handsome indeed."
"Handsome! Yes, I suppose he may. I dare say people would admire himin general; but he is not at all in my style of beauty. I hate a floridcomplexion and dark eyes in a man. However, he is very well. Amazinglyconceited, I am sure. I took him down several times, you know, in myway."
When the young ladies next met, they had a far more interesting subjectto discuss. James Morland's second letter was then received, and thekind intentions of his father fully explained. A living, of which Mr.Morland was himself patron and incumbent, of about four hundred poundsyearly value, was to be resigned to his son as soon as he should beold enough to take it; no trifling deduction from the family income, noniggardly assignment to one of ten children. An estate of at least equalvalue, moreover, was assured as his future inheritance.
James expressed himself on the occasion with becoming gratitude; andthe necessity of waiting between two and three years before they couldmarry, being, however unwelcome, no more than he had expected, was borneby him without discontent. Catherine, whose expectations had been asunfixed as her ideas of her father's income, and whose judgment was nowentirely led by her brother, felt equally well satisfied, and heartilycongratulated Isabella on having everything so pleasantly settled.
"It is very charming indeed," said Isabella, with a grave face. "Mr.Morland has behaved vastly handsome indeed," said the gentle Mrs.Thorpe, looking anxiously at her daughter. "I only wish I could do asmuch. One could not expect more from him, you know. If he finds hecan do more by and by, I dare say he will, for I am sure he must be anexcellent good-hearted man. Four hundred is but a small income to beginon indeed, but your wishes, my dear Isabella, are so moderate, you donot consider how little you ever want, my dear."
"It is not on my own account I wish for more; but I cannot bear tobe the means of injuring my dear Morland, making him sit down upon anincome hardly enough to find one in the common necessaries of life. Formyself, it is nothing; I never think of myself."
"I know you never do, my dear; and you will always find your reward inthe affection it makes everybody feel for you. There never was a youngwoman so beloved as you are by everybody that knows you; and I dare saywhen Mr. Morland sees you, my dear child--but do not let us distressour dear Catherine by talking of such things. Mr. Morland has behaved sovery handsome, you know. I always heard he was a most excellent man;and you know, my dear, we are not to suppose but what, if you had had asuitable fortune, he would have come down with something more, for I amsure he must be a most liberal-minded man."
"Nobody can think better of Mr. Morland than I do, I am sure. Buteverybody has their failing, you know, and everybody has a right todo what they like with their own money." Catherine was hurt by theseinsinuations. "I am very sure," said she, "that my father has promisedto do as much as he can afford."
Isabella recollected herself. "As to that, my sweet Catherine, therecannot be a doubt, and you know me well enough to be sure that a muchsmaller income would satisfy me. It is not the want of more money thatmakes me just at present a little out of spirits; I hate money; and ifour union could take place now upon only fifty pounds a year, I shouldnot have a wish unsatisfied. Ah! my Catherine, you have found me out.There's the sting. The long, long, endless two years and half that areto pass before your brother can hold the living."
"Yes, yes, my darling Isabella," said Mrs. Thorpe, "we perfectly seeinto your heart. You have no disguise. We perfectly understand thepresent vexation; and everybody must love you the better for such anoble honest affection."
Catherine's uncomfortable feelings began to lessen. She endeavoured tobelieve that the delay of the marriage was the only source of Isabella'sregret; and when she saw her at their next interview as cheerful andamiable as ever, endeavoured to forget that she had for a minute thoughtotherwise. James soon followed his letter, and was received with themost gratifying kindness.
