Chapter 16

by Jane Austen

　　Catherine's expectations of pleasure from her visitin Milsom Street were so very high that disappointmentwas inevitable; and accordingly, though she was mostpolitely received by General Tilney, and kindly welcomedby his daughter, though Henry was at home, and no one elseof the party, she found, on her return, without spendingmany hours in the examination of her feelings, that shehad gone to her appointment preparing for happiness which ithad not afforded. Instead of finding herself improvedin acquaintance with Miss Tilney, from the intercourse ofthe day, she seemed hardly so intimate with her as before;instead of seeing Henry Tilney to greater advantagethan ever, in the ease of a family party, he had never saidso little, nor been so little agreeable; and, in spiteof their father's great civilities to her--in spiteof his thanks, invitations, and compliments--it had beena release to get away from him. It puzzled her to accountfor all this. It could not be General Tilney's fault.That he was perfectly agreeable and good-natured, andaltogether a very charming man, did not admit of a doubt,for he was tall and handsome, and Henry's father.He could not be accountable for his children's wantof spirits, or for her want of enjoyment in his company.The former she hoped at last might have been accidental,and the latter she could only attribute to her own stupidity.Isabella, on hearing the particulars of the visit,gave a different explanation: "It was all pride, pride,insufferable haughtiness and pride! She had long suspectedthe family to be very high, and this made it certain.Such insolence of behaviour as Miss Tilney's she hadnever heard of in her life! Not to do the honours of herhouse with common good breeding! To behave to her guestwith such superciliousness! Hardly even to speak to her!"

　　"But it was not so bad as that, Isabella; there wasno superciliousness; she was very civil."

　　"Oh! Don't defend her! And then the brother, he,who had appeared so attached to you! Good heavens! Well,some people's feelings are incomprehensible. And so hehardly 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 inconstancyis my aversion. Let me entreat you never to thinkof him again, my dear Catherine; indeed he is unworthy of you."

　　"Unworthy! I do not suppose he ever thinks of me."

　　"That is exactly what I say; he never thinksof you. Such fickleness! Oh! How different to yourbrother and to mine! I really believe John has the mostconstant heart."

　　"But as for General Tilney, I assure you it wouldbe impossible for anybody to behave to me with greatercivility and attention; it seemed to be his only careto entertain and make me happy."

　　"Oh! I know no harm of him; I do not suspect himof pride. I believe he is a very gentleman-like man.John thinks very well of him, and John's judgment--"

　　"Well, I shall see how they behave to me this evening;we shall meet them 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 refuseyou nothing. But do not insist upon my being very agreeable,for my heart, you know, will be some forty miles off.And as for dancing, do not mention it, I beg; that isquite out of the question. Charles Hodges will plague meto death, I dare say; but I shall cut him very short.Ten to one but he guesses the reason, and that is exactlywhat I want to avoid, so I shall insist on his keeping hisconjecture to himself."

　　Isabella's opinion of the Tilneys did not influenceher friend; she was sure there had been no insolencein the manners either of brother or sister; and shedid not credit there being any pride in their hearts.The evening rewarded her confidence; she was met by one withthe same kindness, and by the other with the same attention,as heretofore: Miss Tilney took pains to be near her,and Henry asked her to dance.

　　Having heard the day before in Milsom Streetthat their elder brother, Captain Tilney, was expectedalmost every hour, she was at no loss for the name of avery fashionable-looking, handsome young man, whom shehad never seen before, and who now evidently belongedto their party. She looked at him with great admiration,and even supposed it possible that some people might thinkhim handsomer than his brother, though, in her eyes,his air was more assuming, and his countenanceless prepossessing. His taste and manners were beyonda doubt decidedly inferior; for, within her hearing, he notonly protested against every thought of dancing himself,but even laughed openly at Henry for finding it possible.From the latter circumstance it may be presumed that,whatever might be our heroine's opinion of him,his admiration of her was not of a very dangerous kind;not likely to produce animosities between the brothers,nor persecutions to the lady. He cannot be the instigatorof the three villains in horsemen's greatcoats, by whomshe will hereafter be forced into a traveling-chaiseand four, which will drive off with incredible speed.Catherine, meanwhile, undisturbed by presentimentsof such an evil, or of any evil at all, except that ofhaving but a short set to dance down, enjoyed her usualhappiness with Henry Tilney, listening with sparkling eyesto everything he said; and, in finding him irresistible,becoming so herself.

　　At the end of the first dance, Captain Tilney cametowards them again, and, much to Catherine's dissatisfaction,pulled his brother away. They retired whispering together;and, though her delicate sensibility did not take immediate alarm,and lay it down as fact, that Captain Tilney must haveheard some malevolent misrepresentation of her, which henow hastened to communicate to his brother, in the hopeof separating them forever, she could not have her partnerconveyed from her sight without very uneasy sensations.Her suspense was of full five minutes' duration; and shewas beginning to think it a very long quarter of an hour,when they both returned, and an explanation was given,by Henry's requesting to know if she thought her friend,Miss Thorpe, would have any objection to dancing,as his brother would be most happy to be introducedto her. Catherine, without hesitation, replied that shewas very sure Miss Thorpe did not mean to dance at all.The cruel reply was passed on to the other, and heimmediately walked away.

　　"Your brother will not mind it, I know," said she,"because I heard him say before that he hated dancing;but it was very good-natured in him to 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 not dance upon any account in the world."

　　Henry smiled, and said, "How very little trouble it cangive you to understand the motive of other people's actions."

　　"Why? What do you mean?"

　　"With you, it is not, How is such a one likely tobe influenced, What is the inducement most likely to actupon such a person's feelings, age, situation, and probablehabits of life considered--but, How should I be influenced,What would be my inducement in acting so and so?"

　　"I do not understand you."

　　"Then we are on very unequal terms, for I understandyou perfectly well."

　　"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 youare not aware of the consequences; it will involve youin a very cruel embarrassment, and certainly bringon a disagreement between us.

　　"No, no; it shall not do either; I am not afraid."

　　"Well, then, I only meant that your attributing mybrother's wish of dancing with Miss Thorpe to good naturealone convinced me of your being superior in good natureyourself to all the rest of the world."

　　Catherine blushed and disclaimed, and the gentleman'spredictions were verified. There was a something, however,in his words which repaid her for the pain of confusion;and that something occupied her mind so much that she drewback for some time, forgetting to speak or to listen,and almost forgetting where she was; till, roused by thevoice of Isabella, she looked up and saw her with CaptainTilney preparing to give them hands across.

　　Isabella shrugged her shoulders and smiled, the onlyexplanation of this extraordinary change which couldat that time be given; but as it was not quite enoughfor Catherine's comprehension, she spoke her astonishmentin very plain terms to her partner.

　　"I cannot think how it could happen! Isabella wasso determined not to dance."

　　"And did Isabella never change her mind before?"

　　"Oh! But, because-- And your brother! After what youtold 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 surprised on your friend's account,and therefore I am; but as for my brother, his conductin the business, I must own, has been no more than Ibelieved him perfectly equal to. The fairness of yourfriend was an open attraction; her firmness, you know,could only be understood by yourself."

　　"You are laughing; but, I assure you, Isabella isvery firm in general."

　　"It is as much as should be said of anyone. To bealways firm must be to be often obstinate. When properlyto relax is the trial of judgment; and, without referenceto my brother, I really think Miss Thorpe has by no meanschosen ill in fixing on the present hour."

　　The friends were not able to get together for anyconfidential discourse till all the dancing was over;but then, as they walked about the room arm in arm,Isabella thus explained herself: "I do not wonder atyour surprise; and I am really fatigued to death. He is sucha rattle! Amusing enough, if my mind had been disengaged;but I would have given the world to sit still."

　　"Then why did not you?"

　　"Oh! My dear! It would have looked so particular;and you know how I abhor doing that. I refused him aslong as I possibly could, but he would take no denial.You have no idea how he pressed me. I begged him toexcuse me, and get some other partner--but no, not he;after aspiring to my hand, there was nobody else in theroom he could bear to think of; and it was not that hewanted merely to dance, he wanted to be with me.Oh! Such nonsense! I told him he had taken a very unlikelyway to prevail upon me; for, of all things in the world,I hated fine speeches and compliments; and so--and so thenI found there would be no peace if I 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 he would have been miserable if I had sat downthe whole evening. I am so glad it is over! My spiritsare quite jaded with listening to his nonsense: 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 peoplewould admire him in general; but he is not at all in mystyle of beauty. I hate a florid complexion and dark eyesin a man. However, he is very well. Amazingly conceited,I am sure. I took him down several times, you know,in my way."

　　When the young ladies next met, they had a farmore interesting subject to discuss. James Morland'ssecond letter was then received, and the kind intentionsof his father fully explained. A living, of whichMr. Morland was himself patron and incumbent, of aboutfour hundred pounds yearly value, was to be resignedto his son as soon as he should be old enough to take it;no trifling deduction from the family income, no niggardlyassignment to one of ten children. An estate of at leastequal value, moreover, was assured as his future inheritance.

　　James expressed himself on the occasion withbecoming gratitude; and the necessity of waiting betweentwo and three years before they could marry, being,however unwelcome, no more than he had expected, was borneby him without discontent. Catherine, whose expectationshad been as unfixed as her ideas of her father's income,and whose judgment was now entirely led by her brother,felt equally well satisfied, and heartily congratulatedIsabella on having everything so pleasantly settled.

　　"It is very charming indeed," said Isabella,with a grave face. "Mr. Morland has behaved vastlyhandsome indeed," said the gentle Mrs. Thorpe,looking anxiously at her daughter. "I only wish I coulddo as much. One could not expect more from him, you know.If he finds he can do more by and by, I dare say he will,for I am sure he must be an excellent good-hearted man.Four hundred is but a small income to begin on 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 Icannot bear to be the means of injuring my dear Morland,making him sit down upon an income hardly enough to findone in the common necessaries of life. For myself,it is nothing; I never think of myself."

　　"I know you never do, my dear; and you will alwaysfind your reward in the affection it makes everybodyfeel for you. There never was a young woman so belovedas you are by everybody that knows you; and I dare saywhen Mr. Morland sees you, my dear child--but do not letus distress our dear Catherine by talking of such things.Mr. Morland has behaved so very 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 am sure he must be a most liberal-minded man."

　　"Nobody can think better of Mr. Morland than I do,I am sure. But everybody has their failing, you know,and everybody has a right to do what they like with theirown money." Catherine was hurt by these insinuations."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, there cannot be a doubt, and you knowme well enough to be sure that a much smaller income wouldsatisfy me. It is not the want of more money that makesme just at present a little out of spirits; I hate money;and if our union could take place now upon only fiftypounds a year, I should not 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 are to passbefore your brother can hold the living."

　　"Yes, yes, my darling Isabella," said Mrs. Thorpe,"we perfectly see into your heart. You have no disguise.We perfectly understand the present vexation; and everybodymust love you the better for such a noble honest affection."

　　Catherine's uncomfortable feelings began to lessen.She endeavoured to believe that the delay of the marriagewas the only source of Isabella's regret; and when shesaw her at their next interview as cheerful and amiableas ever, endeavoured to forget that she had for a minutethought otherwise. James soon followed his letter,and was received with the most gratifying kindness.