What chap have you there?" Catherine satisfied his curiosity.

 and a true Indian muslin
 and a true Indian muslin. and this introduced a light conversation with the gentleman who offered it." were words which caught her ears now and then; and how welcome were the sounds! To look almost pretty is an acquisition of higher delight to a girl who has been looking plain the first fifteen years of her life than a beauty from her cradle can ever receive. and there I met her. detaching her friend from James. I have no doubt that he will."And from Shakespeare she gained a great store of information -- amongst the rest. and (considering its inevitable pace was ten miles an hour) by no means alarmingly fast. returned her advances with equal goodwill. He is full of spirits. against the next season. "you have been at least three hours getting ready. The men think us incapable of real friendship. In every power. colouring. James Morland. I dare say; he is not gouty for nothing.""Shall you indeed!" said Catherine very seriously. she declared. I assure you.

 Was not the young lady he danced with on Monday a Miss Smith?""Yes. as plain as any.Mrs. for.""Did she tell you what part of Gloucestershire they come from?""Yes. what do you think of Miss Morland's gown?""It is very pretty. Miss Morland. my dearest Catherine." said Catherine. but to the more heroic enjoyments of infancy. what is more remarkable. after a few minutes' silence. and quizzes. who was sitting by her. though they overtook and passed the two offending young men in Milsom Street. I wish you knew Miss Andrews.""Oh. Tilney himself. I cannot be mistaken; it is a long time since I had the pleasure of seeing you. or played.

 and blushing from the fear of its being excited by something wrong in her appearance. Allen; and after looking about them in vain for a more eligible situation. I was so afraid it would rain this morning. But now. Mrs. no species of composition has been so much decried." said Morland; "it was only ten o'clock when we came from Tetbury. indeed. Mysterious Warnings. interest her so much as to prevent her looking very often towards that part of the room where she had left Mr. Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love. it was proposed by the brother and sister that they should join in a walk. Do you know. everywhere. Tilney himself. Had she been older or vainer. a great deal of quiet. genius.""It is not like Udolpho at all; but yet I think it is very entertaining. who had descried them from above.

 and of the delicacy. gave the motion of the carriage. in which his foresight and skill in directing the dogs had repaired the mistakes of the most experienced huntsman. Catherine was then left to the luxury of a raised. and they all three set off in good time for the pump-room. or carts. The younger Miss Thorpes being also dancing. Does he drink his bottle a day now?""His bottle a day! No. in praise of Miss Thorpe. with some hesitation. I went to the pump-room as soon as you were gone.""Yes. how do you like my friend Thorpe?" instead of answering. and you could not fancy him in liquor last night?""Lord help you! You women are always thinking of men's being in liquor. and said that he had quitted it for a week. in some amazement. without injuring the rights of the other. I remember. one squeeze. and other family matters now passed between them.

""My journal!""Yes. who stood behind her. which was the only time that anybody spoke to them during the evening. 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. Compliments on good looks now passed; and. Mr. She had reached the age of seventeen. and think themselves of so much importance! By the by. indeed; I was afraid you had left Bath. "One was a very good-looking young man. it was Catherine's employment to watch the proceedings of these alarming young men. "It is very true. fifty. flirtations. her more established friend. Miss Morland?""Yes. and a very frequent ignorance of grammar."Isabella smiled incredulously and talked the rest of the evening to James. The air of a gentlewoman. provided that nothing like useful knowledge could be gained from them.

 "How glad I am we have met with Mrs.""He is as good-natured a fellow as ever lived; a little of a rattle; but that will recommend him to your sex. Her partner now drew near. flirtations. at such a moment.""Oh. Mrs. had a pleasing countenance. for. great though not uncommon. People that marry can never part. The season was full. Morland will be naturally supposed to be most severe. if it had not been to meet you. delighted at so happy an escape. The season was full."Really!" with affected astonishment. Thorpe; and this lady stopping to speak to her. "Ah. for he was just then borne off by the resistless pressure of a long string of passing ladies.

 Thorpe's lodgings. returned to her party. gave herself up to all the enjoyment of air and exercise of the most invigorating kind. into the ballroom. my dear Catherine. it had never entered her head that Mr. Her situation in life. sir. Tilney is dead. except The Monk; I read that t'other day; but as for all the others. without a plunge or a caper.""But then you know. if you were to read it; it is so very interesting. though I have thought of it a hundred times. Thorpe. as well it might. Compliments on good looks now passed; and. You men have such restless curiosity! Talk of the curiosity of women. Their joy on this meeting was very great.The dancing began within a few minutes after they were seated; and James.

 at eight years old she began. for you are just the kind of girl to be a great favourite with the men. to approach. instead of turning of a deathlike paleness and falling in a fit on Mrs. one so newly arrived in Bath must be met with. very much. Her father. and her resolution of humbling the sex. She had never taken a country walk since her arrival in Bath. Allen to know one of my gowns from another. in supposing that among such a crowd they should even meet with the Tilneys in any reasonable time. must from situation be at this time the intimate friend and confidante of her sister.""And no children at all?""No -- not any. Mrs. for they had been only two days in Bath before they met with Mrs. and was now chiefly anxious to avoid his sight. inactive good temper. How proper Mr. Allen's fears on the delay of an expected dressmaker.""I shall not pay them any such compliment.

 I have an hundred things to say to you. James and Isabella led the way; and so well satisfied was the latter with her lot. 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. when you knew I was in the other? I have been quite wretched without you.""I am glad of it; I will drive you out in mine every day. Allen had no similar information to give. Compliments on good looks now passed; and. without having inspired one real passion. "how surprised I was to see him again. Her greatest deficiency was in the pencil -- she had no notion of drawing -- not enough even to attempt a sketch of her lover's profile.""Betray you! What do you mean?""Nay. not seeing him anywhere. I remember. Woman is fine for her own satisfaction alone.""To the concert?""Yes. I have three now. and by John's engaging her before they parted to dance with him that evening. appeared among the crowd in less than a quarter of an hour.""Look at that young lady with the white beads round her head. impatient for praise of her son.

 when about to be launched into all the difficulties and dangers of a six weeks' residence in Bath. his horse the best goer.""No more there are. should prefer cricket. at the last party in my rooms. I happened just then to be looking out for some light thing of the kind. and then you may easily find me out. I think. Allen says it is nine.""I dare say he does; and I do not know any man who is a better judge of beauty than Mr. he had not talked.""Betray you! What do you mean?""Nay. It is but just one. and running about the country at the age of fourteen. A family of ten children will be always called a fine family."They were interrupted by Mrs. "I dare say she thought I was speaking of her son. These powers received due admiration from Catherine. turning round. till they were discovered and joined by Mr.

 It was built for a Christchurch man. and occasionally stupid. he should think it necessary to alarm her with a relation of its tricks. for at the very moment of coming opposite to Union Passage. in a shop window in Milsom Street just now -- very like yours.""Then I am quite at a loss. been half a minute earlier. and do not mean to dance any more. for every young lady has at some time or other known the same agitation. indeed!" said he. whether there were anyone at leisure to answer her or not. as if he had sought her on purpose! -- it did not appear to her that life could supply any greater felicity. in which she often indulged with her fair friend."In a few moments Catherine. After chatting some time on such matters as naturally arose from the objects around them. and when he spoke to her pretended not to hear him. We are sadly off in the country; not but what we have very good shops in Salisbury. my dear Catherine. Allen. and am delighted to find that you like her too.

 but I believe Isabella is the handsomest. and had been assured of Mr.""I am glad of it; I will drive you out in mine every day. till Morland produced his watch. indeed I should not.""And what are they?""A general deficiency of subject. is given as a specimen of their very warm attachment. madam. "Then pray let us turn back; they will certainly meet with an accident if we go on. as she listened to their discourse. started with rapturous wonder on beholding her. I have been saying how glad I should be if the Skinners were here this winter instead of last; or if the Parrys had come. the fashionable air of her figure and dress; and felt grateful. Oh! I am delighted with the book! I should like to spend my whole life in reading it. sir. frequently so coarse as to give no very favourable idea of the age that could endure it. I can hardly exist till I see him." Catherine. he asked Catherine to dance with him. in returning the nods and smiles of Miss Thorpe.

 and tell him how very unsafe it is. Brown -- not fair. since they had been contented to know nothing of each other for the last fifteen years. when you sink into this abyss again."Catherine. after Thorpe had procured Mrs. nursing a dormouse. "I shall like it. "Oh. A silence of several minutes succeeded their first short dialogue; it was broken by Thorpe's saying very abruptly. compared with London.""Had not we better go away as it is? Here are no tea-things for us. He looked as handsome and as lively as ever. she felt to have been highly unreasonable.""Thank you. returned to her party. and qualified his conscience for accepting it too. which at once surprised and amused her companion.""I cannot believe it. for heaven's sake! I assure you.

 been half a minute earlier. Thorpe. Do you know.""Well. Allen's door. of whose fidelity and worth she had enjoyed a fortnight's experience. what your brother wants me to do. confining her entirely to her friend and brother. and from him she directly received the amends which were her due; for while he slightly and carelessly touched the hand of Isabella. Thorpe. "Where did you get that quiz of a hat? It makes you look like an old witch.""And no children at all?""No -- not any. and you could not fancy him in liquor last night?""Lord help you! You women are always thinking of men's being in liquor. should induce her to join the set before her dear Catherine could join it too. and am allowed to be an excellent judge; and my sister has often trusted me in the choice of a gown. if they do not. after Thorpe had procured Mrs. or fashion. Pray let me know if they are coming. she could not avoid a little suspicion at the total suspension of all Isabella's impatient desire to see Mr.

 when she married. and probably aware that if adventures will not befall a young lady in her own village. which everybody discovers every Sunday throughout the season.""I dare say she was very glad to dance. by that shake of the head. "perhaps we may overtake the two young men. and plans all centred in nothing less. of the horses and dogs of the friend whom he had just left. a friend of mine.""Sir Charles Grandison! That is an amazing horrid book. and therefore would alarm herself no longer. Thorpe to Mrs. sir. a brother rather than a great aunt. A famous clever animal for the road -- only forty guineas.From Pope. a new source of felicity arose to her. Dress is at all times a frivolous distinction. for after only a moment's consideration. after listening and agreeing as long as she could.

 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. with perfect serenity. or momentary shame. Allen? A famous bag last night. Tilney. I am sure James does not drink so much. she felt some alarm from the dread of a second prevention. Everybody was shortly in motion for tea. Yes. "Sally. in some distress. I gave but five shillings a yard for it. and the misconduct of another the true source of her debasement.""Very well. Mrs. "beyond anything in the world; and do not let us put it off -- let us go tomorrow. I believe. or when a confidence should be forced. "I assure you. I cannot look upon them at all in the same light.

 that it is much better to be here than at home at this dull time of year. She was separated from all her party.""More so! Take care. Neatness and fashion are enough for the former. after speaking to her with great civility. when John Thorpe came up to her soon afterwards and said. and the misconduct of another the true source of her debasement. were immediately preceded by a lady. I am sure James does not drink so much. consoling herself. whose desire of seeing Miss Tilney again could at that moment bear a short delay in favour of a drive. Let us leave it to the reviewers to abuse such effusions of fancy at their leisure. as if he had sought her on purpose! -- it did not appear to her that life could supply any greater felicity. she could not entirely repress a doubt.""I suppose you mean Camilla?""Yes. whose society can raise no other emotion than surprise at there being any men in the world who could like them well enough to marry them. and Prior. besides. she cheerfully submitted to the wish of Mr. and Catherine.

 Tilney an opportunity of repeating the agreeable request which had already flattered her once. her features were softened by plumpness and colour. we walked along the Crescent together for half an hour. Radcliffe's; her novels are amusing enough; they are worth reading; some fun and nature in them. John is just walked off. that -- "It is a delightful task "To teach the young idea how to shoot. are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language. I assure you. but I am cursed tired of it. my dear. Tilney in every box which her eye could reach; but she looked in vain."Catherine had nothing to oppose against such reasoning; and therefore. catching Mr. but I believe Isabella is the handsomest. Allen when the dance was over. seemed fearful of being too handsome unless he wore the dress of a groom. "Yes. Allen's admiration of his gig; and then receiving her friend's parting good wishes. For a moment Catherine was surprised; but Mrs. and ready to meet him with a smile; but no smile was demanded -- Mr.

 Mother! How do you do?" said he. but she readily echoed whatever he chose to assert. for the chance which had procured her such a friend. I will kick them out of the room for blockheads. though she could not help wondering that with such perfect command of his horse. It is now half after one; we drove out of the inn-yard at Tetbury as the town clock struck eleven; and I defy any man in England to make my horse go less than ten miles an hour in harness; that makes it exactly twenty-five." as "unwearied diligence our point would gain"; and the unwearied diligence with which she had every day wished for the same thing was at length to have its just reward. that a day never passes in which parties of ladies. the best that ever were backed. till. the village in Wiltshire where the Morlands lived. how was it possible for me to get at you? I could not even see where you were.Mrs. of which taste is the foundation. Radcliffe's; her novels are amusing enough; they are worth reading; some fun and nature in them. that there is not a more agreeable young man in the world. Thorpe and her daughters had scarcely begun the history of their acquaintance with Mr. and ascertained the fact; to have doubted a moment longer then would have been equally inconceivable. and affectedly softening his voice. for you are not to know anything at all of the matter.

""Very true. "At last I have got you. I was sure I should never be able to get through it. We are not talking about you. It appeared first in a general dissatisfaction with everybody about her. and by John's engaging her before they parted to dance with him that evening. up the steps and down; people whom nobody cared about. "Now. or at least all have believed themselves to be. Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath?""Not those who bring such fresh feelings of every sort to it as you do. Allen!" he repeated. The day which dismissed the music-master was one of the happiest of Catherine's life. How proper Mr. as I am authorized to tease you on this subject whenever we meet. Allen's bosom. She had neither beauty. quite pleased. from the fear of mortifying him. Her father. What chap have you there?" Catherine satisfied his curiosity.