Chapter 13

by Jane Austen

　　Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturdayhave now passed in review before the reader; the events ofeach day, its hopes and fears, mortifications and pleasures,have been separately stated, and the pangs of Sundayonly now remain to be described, and close the week.The Clifton scheme had been deferred, not relinquished,and on the afternoon's crescent of this day, it wasbrought forward again. In a private consultation betweenIsabella and James, the former of whom had particularlyset her heart upon going, and the latter no less anxiouslyplaced his upon pleasing her, it was agreed that,provided the weather were fair, the party should takeplace on the following morning; and they were to setoff very early, in order to be at home in good time.The affair thus determined, and Thorpe's approbation secured,Catherine only remained to be apprised of it. She hadleft them for a few minutes to speak to Miss Tilney.In that interval the plan was completed, and as soon as shecame again, her agreement was demanded; but instead of the gayacquiescence expected by Isabella, Catherine looked grave,was very sorry, but could not go. The engagement whichought to have kept her from joining in the former attemptwould make it impossible for her to accompany them now.She had that moment settled with Miss Tilney to taketheir proposed walk tomorrow; it was quite determined,and she would not, upon any account, retract. But thatshe must and should retract was instantly the eager cryof both the Thorpes; they must go to Clifton tomorrow,they would not go without her, it would be nothingto put off a mere walk for one day longer, and theywould not hear of a refusal. Catherine was distressed,but not subdued. "Do not urge me, Isabella. I am engagedto Miss Tilney. I cannot go." This availed nothing.The same arguments assailed her again; she must go,she should go, and they would not hear of a refusal."It would be so easy to tell Miss Tilney that you had justbeen reminded of a prior engagement, and must only beg toput off the walk till Tuesday."

　　"No, it would not be easy. I could not do it.There has been no prior engagement." But Isabella becameonly more and more urgent, calling on her in the mostaffectionate manner, addressing her by the most endearing names.She was sure her dearest, sweetest Catherine would notseriously refuse such a trifling request to a friendwho loved her so dearly. She knew her beloved Catherineto have so feeling a heart, so sweet a temper, to be soeasily persuaded by those she loved. But all in vain;Catherine felt herself to be in the right, and thoughpained by such tender, such flattering supplication,could not allow it to influence her. Isabella thentried another method. She reproached her with havingmore affection for Miss Tilney, though she had known herso little a while, than for her best and oldest friends,with being grown cold and indifferent, in short,towards herself. "I cannot help being jealous, Catherine,when I see myself slighted for strangers, I, who loveyou so excessively! When once my affections are placed,it is not in the power of anything to change them.But I believe my feelings are stronger than anybody's;I am sure they are too strong for my own peace; and to seemyself supplanted in your friendship by strangers does cutme to the quick, I own. These Tilneys seem to swallow upeverything else."

　　Catherine thought this reproach equally strangeand unkind. Was it the part of a friend thus to expose herfeelings to the notice of others? Isabella appeared to herungenerous and selfish, regardless of everything but herown gratification. These painful ideas crossed her mind,though she said nothing. Isabella, in the meanwhile,had applied her handkerchief to her eyes; and Morland,miserable at such a sight, could not help saying,"Nay, Catherine. I think you cannot stand out any longer now.The sacrifice is not much; and to oblige such a friend--Ishall think you quite unkind, if you still refuse."

　　This was the first time of her brother's openlysiding against her, and anxious to avoid his displeasure,she proposed a compromise. If they would only put offtheir scheme till Tuesday, which they might easily do,as it depended only on themselves, she could go with them,and everybody might then be satisfied. But "No, no,no!" was the immediate answer; "that could not be,for Thorpe did not know that he might not go to townon Tuesday." Catherine was sorry, but could do no more;and a short silence ensued, which was broken by Isabella,who in a voice of cold resentment said, "Very well,then there is an end of the party. If Catherinedoes not go, I cannot. I cannot be the only woman.I would not, upon any account in the world, do so impropera thing."

　　"Catherine, you must go," said James.

　　"But why cannot Mr. Thorpe drive one of his othersisters? I dare say either of them would like to go."

　　"Thank ye," cried Thorpe, "but I did not come to Bathto drive my sisters about, and look like a fool. No, if youdo not go, d-- me if I do. I only go for the sake of driving you."

　　"That is a compliment which gives me no pleasure."But her words were lost on Thorpe, who had turnedabruptly away.

　　The three others still continued together,walking in a most uncomfortable manner to poor Catherine;sometimes not a word was said, sometimes she was again attackedwith supplications or reproaches, and her arm was stilllinked within Isabella's, though their hearts were at war.At one moment she was softened, at another irritated;always distressed, but always steady.

　　"I did not think you had been so obstinate, Catherine,"said James; "you were not used to be so hard to persuade;you once were the kindest, best-tempered of my sisters."

　　"I hope I am not less so now," she replied,very feelingly; "but indeed I cannot go. If I am wrong,I am doing what I believe to be right."

　　"I suspect," said Isabella, in a low voice,"there is no great struggle."

　　Catherine's heart swelled; she drew away her arm,and Isabella made no opposition. Thus passed a long ten minutes,till they were again joined by Thorpe, who, coming to themwith a gayer look, said, "Well, I have settled the matter,and now we may all go tomorrow with a safe conscience.I have been to Miss Tilney, and made your excuses."

　　"You have not!" cried Catherine.

　　"I have, upon my soul. Left her this moment. Told heryou had sent me to say that, having just recollected a priorengagement of going to Clifton with us tomorrow, you couldnot have the pleasure of walking with her till Tuesday.She said very well, Tuesday was just as convenient to her;so there is an end of all our difficulties. A prettygood thought of mine--hey?"

　　Isabella's countenance was once more all smilesand good humour, and James too looked happy again.

　　"A most heavenly thought indeed! Now, my sweet Catherine,all our distresses are over; you are honourably acquitted,and we shall have a most delightful party."

　　"This will not do," said Catherine; "I cannot submitto this. I must run after Miss Tilney directly and sether right."

　　Isabella, however, caught hold of one hand, Thorpe ofthe other, and remonstrances poured in from all three.Even James was quite angry. When everything was settled,when Miss Tilney herself said that Tuesday would suit heras well, it was quite ridiculous, quite absurd, to makeany further objection.

　　"I do not care. Mr. Thorpe had no business to inventany such message. If I had thought it right to putit off, I could have spoken to Miss Tilney myself.This is only doing it in a ruder way; and how do I knowthat Mr. Thorpe has-- He may be mistaken again perhaps;he led me into one act of rudeness by his mistake on Friday.Let me go, Mr. Thorpe; Isabella, do not hold me.

　　Thorpe told her it would be in vain to go afterthe Tilneys; they were turning the corner into Brock Street,when he had overtaken them, and were at home by this time.

　　"Then I will go after them," said Catherine;"wherever they are I will go after them. It does notsignify talking. If I could not be persuaded into doingwhat I thought wrong, I never will be tricked into it."And with these words she broke away and hurried off.Thorpe would have darted after her, but Morland withheld him."Let her go, let her go, if she will go. She is asobstinate as--"

　　Thorpe never finished the simile, for it couldhardly have been a proper one.

　　Away walked Catherine in great agitation, as fastas the crowd would permit her, fearful of being pursued,yet determined to persevere. As she walked, she reflectedon what had passed. It was painful to her to disappointand displease them, particularly to displease her brother;but she could not repent her resistance. Setting her owninclination apart, to have failed a second time in herengagement to Miss Tilney, to have retracted a promisevoluntarily made only five minutes before, and on a falsepretence too, must have been wrong. She had not beenwithstanding them on selfish principles alone, she hadnot consulted merely her own gratification; that mighthave been ensured in some degree by the excursion itself,by seeing Blaize Castle; no, she had attended to what wasdue to others, and to her own character in their opinion.Her conviction of being right, however, was not enoughto restore her composure; till she had spoken to MissTilney she could not be at ease; and quickening her pacewhen she got clear of the Crescent, she almost ran over theremaining ground till she gained the top of Milsom Street.So rapid had been her movements that in spite of the Tilneys'advantage in the outset, they were but just fuminginto their lodgings as she came within view of them;and the servant still remaining at the open door,she used only the ceremony of saying that she mustspeak with Miss Tilney that moment, and hurrying by himproceeded upstairs. Then, opening the first doorbefore her, which happened to be the right, she immediatelyfound herself in the drawing-room with General Tilney,his son, and daughter. Her explanation, defective onlyin being--from her irritation of nerves and shortnessof breath--no explanation at all, was instantly given."I am come in a great hurry--It was all a mistake--Inever promised to go--I told them from the first I couldnot go.--I ran away in a great hurry to explain it.--Idid not care what you thought of me.--I would not stayfor the servant."

　　The business, however, though not perfectlyelucidated by this speech, soon ceased to be a puzzle.Catherine found that John Thorpe had given the message;and Miss Tilney had no scruple in owning herself greatlysurprised by it. But whether her brother had stillexceeded her in resentment, Catherine, though sheinstinctively addressed herself as much to one as tothe other in her vindication, had no means of knowing.Whatever might have been felt before her arrival,her eager declarations immediately made every lookand sentence as friendly as she could desire.

　　The affair thus happily settled, she was introducedby Miss Tilney to her father, and received by himwith such ready, such solicitous politeness as recalledThorpe's information to her mind, and made her thinkwith pleasure that he might be sometimes depended on.To such anxious attention was the general's civility carried,that not aware of her extraordinary swiftness in enteringthe house, he was quite angry with the servant whose neglecthad reduced her to open the door of the apartment herself."What did William mean by it? He should make a pointof inquiring into the matter." And if Catherine had notmost warmly asserted his innocence, it seemed likelythat William would lose the favour of his master forever,if not his place, by her rapidity.

　　After sitting with them a quarter of an hour,she rose to take leave, and was then most agreeablysurprised by General Tilney's asking her if she would dohis daughter the honour of dining and spending the restof the day with her. Miss Tilney added her own wishes.Catherine was greatly obliged; but it was quite outof her power. Mr. and Mrs. Allen would expect her backevery moment. The general declared he could say no more;the claims of Mr. and Mrs. Allen were not to be superseded;but on some other day he trusted, when longer notice couldbe given, they would not refuse to spare her to her friend."Oh, no; Catherine was sure they would not have the leastobjection, and she should have great pleasure in coming."The general attended her himself to the street-door,saying everything gallant as they went downstairs,admiring the elasticity of her walk, which correspondedexactly with the spirit of her dancing, and makingher one of the most graceful bows she had ever beheld,when they parted.

　　Catherine, delighted by all that had passed,proceeded gaily to Pulteney Street, walking, as sheconcluded, with great elasticity, though she had neverthought of it before. She reached home without seeinganything more of the offended party; and now that shehad been triumphant throughout, had carried her point,and was secure of her walk, she began (as the flutterof her spirits subsided) to doubt whether she had beenperfectly right. A sacrifice was always noble; and if shehad given way to their entreaties, she should have beenspared the distressing idea of a friend displeased,a brother angry, and a scheme of great happiness to bothdestroyed, perhaps through her means. To ease her mind,and ascertain by the opinion of an unprejudiced personwhat her own conduct had really been, she took occasionto mention before Mr. Allen the half-settled schemeof her brother and the Thorpes for the following day.Mr. Allen caught at it directly. "Well," said he,"and do you think of going too?"

　　"No; I had just engaged myself to walk with MissTilney before they told me of it; and therefore you knowI could not go with them, could I?"

　　"No, certainly not; and I am glad you do notthink of it. These schemes are not at all the thing.Young men and women driving about the country in opencarriages! Now and then it is very well; but going to innsand public places together! It is not right; and I wonderMrs. Thorpe should allow it. I am glad you do not thinkof going; I am sure Mrs. Morland would not be pleased.Mrs. Allen, are not you of my way of thinking? Do not youthink these kind of projects objectionable?"

　　"Yes, very much so indeed. Open carriages arenasty things. A clean gown is not five minutes' wear in them.You are splashed getting in and getting out; and the windtakes your hair and your bonnet in every direction.I hate an open carriage myself."

　　"I know you do; but that is not the question.Do not you think it has an odd appearance, if youngladies are frequently driven about in them by young men,to whom they are not even related?"

　　"Yes, my dear, a very odd appearance indeed.I cannot bear to see it."

　　"Dear madam," cried Catherine, "then why did notyou tell me so before? I am sure if I had known it tobe improper, I would not have gone with Mr. Thorpe at all;but I always hoped you would tell me, if you thought Iwas doing wrong."

　　"And so I should, my dear, you may depend on it; for as Itold Mrs. Morland at parting, I would always do the bestfor you in my power. But one must not be over particular.Young people will be young people, as your good mothersays herself. You know I wanted you, when we first came,not to buy that sprigged muslin, but you would.Young people do not like to be always thwarted."

　　"But this was something of real consequence; and Ido not think you would have found me hard to persuade."

　　"As far as it has gone hitherto, there is no harm done,"said Mr. Allen; "and I would only advise you, my dear,not to go out with Mr. Thorpe any more."

　　"That is just what I was going to say," added his wife.

　　Catherine, relieved for herself, felt uneasyfor Isabella, and after a moment's thought, asked Mr. Allenwhether it would not be both proper and kind in herto write to Miss Thorpe, and explain the indecorumof which she must be as insensible as herself; for sheconsidered that Isabella might otherwise perhaps be goingto Clifton the next day, in spite of what had passed.Mr. Allen, however, discouraged her from doing anysuch thing. "You had better leave her alone, my dear;she is old enough to know what she is about, and if not,has a mother to advise her. Mrs. Thorpe is too indulgentbeyond a doubt; but, however, you had better not interfere.She and your brother choose to go, and you will be onlygetting ill will."

　　Catherine submitted, and though sorry to think thatIsabella should be doing wrong, felt greatly relievedby Mr. Allen's approbation of her own conduct, and trulyrejoiced to be preserved by his advice from the dangerof falling into such an error herself. Her escape frombeing one of the party to Clifton was now an escape indeed;for what would the Tilneys have thought of her, if shehad broken her promise to them in order to do what waswrong in itself, if she had been guilty of one breachof propriety, only to enable her to be guilty of another?