Chapter 19

by Jane Austen

　　A few days passed away, and Catherine, though notallowing herself to suspect her friend, could not helpwatching her closely. The result of her observationswas not agreeable. Isabella seemed an altered creature.When she saw her, indeed, surrounded only by theirimmediate friends in Edgar's Buildings or Pulteney Street,her change of manners was so trifling that, had itgone no farther, it might have passed unnoticed.A something of languid indifference, or of that boastedabsence of mind which Catherine had never heard of before,would occasionally come across her; but had nothingworse appeared, that might only have spread a new graceand inspired a warmer interest. But when Catherine sawher in public, admitting Captain Tilney's attentionsas readily as they were offered, and allowing him almostan equal share with James in her notice and smiles,the alteration became too positive to be passed over.What could be meant by such unsteady conduct, what herfriend could be at, was beyond her comprehension.Isabella could not be aware of the pain she was inflicting;but it was a degree of wilful thoughtlessness whichCatherine could not but resent. James was the sufferer.She saw him grave and uneasy; and however carelessof his present comfort the woman might be who hadgiven him her heart, to her it was always an object.For poor Captain Tilney too she was greatly concerned.Though his looks did not please her, his name was a passportto her goodwill, and she thought with sincere compassionof his approaching disappointment; for, in spite of whatshe had believed herself to overbear in the pump-room,his behaviour was so incompatible with a knowledge ofIsabella's engagement that she could not, upon reflection,imagine him aware of it. He might be jealous of herbrother as a rival, but if more bad seemed implied,the fault must have been in her misapprehension.She wished, by a gentle remonstrance, to remind Isabella ofher situation, and make her aware of this double unkindness;but for remonstrance, either opportunity or comprehensionwas always against her. If able to suggest a hint,Isabella could never understand it. In this distress,the intended departure of the Tilney family became herchief consolation; their journey into Gloucestershirewas to take place within a few days, and Captain Tilney'sremoval would at least restore peace to every heart buthis own. But Captain Tilney had at present no intentionof removing; he was not to be of the party to Northanger;he was to continue at Bath. When Catherine knew this,her resolution was directly made. She spoke to Henry Tilneyon the subject, regretting his brother's evident partialityfor Miss Thorpe, and entreating him to make known herprior engagement.

　　"My brother does know it," was Henry's answer.

　　"Does he? Then why does he stay here?"

　　He made no reply, and was beginning to talkof something else; but she eagerly continued, "Why donot you persuade him to go away? The longer he stays,the worse it will be for him at last. Pray advisehim for his own sake, and for everybody's sake,to leave Bath directly. Absence will in time makehim comfortable again; but he can have no hope here,and it is only staying to be miserable." Henry smiledand said, "I am sure my brother would not wish to do that."

　　"Then you will persuade him to go away?"

　　"Persuasion is not at command; but pardon me, if Icannot even endeavour to persuade him. I have myselftold him that Miss Thorpe is engaged. He knows what heis about, and must be his own master."

　　"No, he does not know what he is about," cried Catherine;"he does not know the pain he is giving my brother.Not that James has ever told me so, but I am sure he isvery uncomfortable."

　　"And are you sure it is my brother's doing?"

　　"Yes, very sure."

　　"Is it my brother's attentions to Miss Thorpe,or Miss Thorpe's admission of them, that gives the pain?"

　　"Is not it the same thing?"

　　"I think Mr. Morland would acknowledge a difference.No man is offended by another man's admiration of thewoman he loves; it is the woman only who can make ita torment."

　　Catherine blushed for her friend, and said,"Isabella is wrong. But I am sure she cannot meanto torment, for she is very much attached to my brother.She has been in love with him ever since they first met,and while my father's consent was uncertain, she frettedherself almost into a fever. You know she must be attachedto him."

　　"I understand: she is in love with James, and flirtswith Frederick."

　　"Oh! no, not flirts. A woman in love with one mancannot flirt with another."

　　"It is probable that she will neither love so well,nor flirt so well, as she might do either singly.The gentlemen must each give up a little."

　　After a short pause, Catherine resumed with,"Then you do not believe Isabella so very much attachedto my brother?"

　　"I can have no opinion on that subject."

　　"But what can your brother mean? If he knowsher engagement, what can he mean by his behaviour?"

　　"You are a very close questioner."

　　"Am I? I only ask what I want to be told."

　　"But do you only ask what I can be expected to tell?"

　　"Yes, I think so; for you must know your brother's heart."

　　"My brother's heart, as you term it, on thepresent occasion, I assure you I can only guess at."

　　"Well?"

　　"Well! Nay, if it is to be guesswork, let us all guessfor ourselves. To be guided by second-hand conjectureis pitiful. The premises are before you. My brother isa lively and perhaps sometimes a thoughtless young man;he has had about a week's acquaintance with your friend,and he has known her engagement almost as long as he hasknown her."

　　"Well," said Catherine, after some moments' consideration,"you may be able to guess at your brother's intentions fromall this; but I am sure I cannot. But is not your fatheruncomfortable about it? Does not he want Captain Tilneyto go away? Sure, if your father were to speak to him,he would go."

　　"My dear Miss Morland," said Henry, "in this amiablesolicitude for your brother's comfort, may you not bea little mistaken? Are you not carried a little too far?Would he thank you, either on his own account or MissThorpe's, for supposing that her affection, or at leasther good behaviour, is only to be secured by her seeingnothing of Captain Tilney? Is he safe only in solitude?Or is her heart constant to him only when unsolicitedby anyone else? He cannot think this--and you may be surethat he would not have you think it. I will not say,'Do not be uneasy,' because I know that you are so,at this moment; but be as little uneasy as you can.You have no doubt of the mutual attachment of your brotherand your friend; depend upon it, therefore, that realjealousy never can exist between them; depend upon itthat no disagreement between them can be of any duration.Their hearts are open to each other, as neither heart canbe to you; they know exactly what is required and what canbe borne; and you may be certain that one will never teasethe other beyond what is known to be pleasant."

　　Perceiving her still to look doubtful and grave,he added, "Though Frederick does not leave Bath with us,he will probably remain but a very short time,perhaps only a few days behind us. His leave of absencewill soon expire, and he must return to his regiment.And what will then be their acquaintance? The mess-roomwill drink Isabella Thorpe for a fortnight, and she willlaugh with your brother over poor Tilney's passion fora month."

　　Catherine would contend no longer against comfort.She had resisted its approaches during the whole lengthof a speech, but it now carried her captive. Henry Tilneymust know best. She blamed herself for the extentof her fears, and resolved never to think so seriouslyon the subject again.

　　Her resolution was supported by Isabella's behaviourin their parting interview. The Thorpes spent the lastevening of Catherine's stay in Pulteney Street, and nothingpassed between the lovers to excite her uneasiness,or make her quit them in apprehension. James was inexcellent spirits, and Isabella most engagingly placid.Her tenderness for her friend seemed rather the first feelingof her heart; but that at such a moment was allowable;and once she gave her lover a flat contradiction, and onceshe drew back her hand; but Catherine remembered Henry'sinstructions, and placed it all to judicious affection.The embraces, tears, and promises of the parting fairones may be fancied.