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understanding of women than I do。 In my opinion； nature has
given them so much that they never find it necessary to use more
than half。”
“We shall get nothing more serious from him now； Miss
Morland。 He is not in a sober mood。 But I do assure you that he
must be entirely misunderstood； if he can ever appear to say an
unjust thing of any woman at all； or an unkind one of me。”
It was no effort to Catherine to believe that Henry Tilney could
never be wrong。 His manner might sometimes surprise； but his
meaning must always be just：—and what she did not understand；
she was almost as ready to admire； as what she did。 The whole
walk was delightful； and though it ended too soon； its conclusion
was delightful too；—her friends attended her into the house； and
Miss Tilney； before they parted； addressing herself with respectful
form； as much to Mrs。 Allen as to Catherine； petitioned for the
pleasure of her company to dinner on the day after the next。 No
difficulty was made on Mrs。 Allen’s side—and the only difficulty on
Catherine’s was in concealing the excess of her pleasure。
The morning had passed away so charmingly as to banish all
her friendship and natural affection； for no thought of Isabella or
James had crossed her during their walk。 When the Tilneys were
gone； she became amiable again； but she was amiable for some
time to little effect； Mrs。 Allen had no intelligence to give that
could relieve her anxiety； she had heard nothing of any of them。
Towards the end of the morning； however； Catherine； having
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occasion for some indispensable yard of ribbon which must be
bought without a moment’s delay； walked out into the town； and in
Bond…street overtook the second Miss Thorpe as she was loitering
towards Edgar’s…buildings between two of the sweetest girls in the
world； who had been her dear friends all the morning。 From her；
she soon learned that the party to Clifton had taken place。 “They
set off at eight this morning；” said Miss Anne； “and I am sure I do
not envy them their drive。 I think you and I are very well off to be
out of the scrape。—It must be the dullest thing in the world； for
there is not a soul at Clifton at this time of year。 Belle went with
your brother； and John drove Maria。”
Catherine spoke the pleasure she really felt on hearing this part
of the arrangement。
“Oh！ yes；” rejoined the other； “Maria is gone。 She was quite
wild to go。 She thought it would be something very fine。 I cannot
say I admire her taste； and for my part； I was determined from the
first not to go； if they pressed me ever so much。”
Catherine； a little doubtful of this； could not help answering； “I
wish you could have gone too。 It is a pity you could not all go。”
“Thank you； but it is quite a matter of indifference to me。
Indeed； I would not have gone on any account。 I was saying so to
Emily and Sophia when you overtook us。
Catherine was still unconvinced； but glad that Anne should
have the friendship of an Emily and a Sophia to console her； she
bade her adieu without much uneasiness； and returned home；
pleased that the party had not been prevented by her refusing to
join it； and very heartily wishing that it might be too pleasant to
allow either James or Isabella to resent her resistance any longer。
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CHAPTER XV
arly the next day； a note from Isabella； speaking peace and
Etenderness in every line； and entreating the immediate
presence of her friend on a matter of the utmost
importance； hastened Catherine； in the happiest state of
confidence and curiosity； to Edgar’s…buildings。—The two youngest
Miss Thorpes were by themselves in the parlour； and； on Anne’s
quitting it to call her sister； Catherine took the opportunity of
asking the other for some particulars of their yesterday’s party。
Maria desired no greater pleasure than to speak of it； and
Catherine immediately learnt that it had been altogether the most
delightful scheme in the world； that nobody could imagine how
charming it had been； and that it had been more delightful than
anybody could conceive。 Such was the information of the first five
minutes； the second unfolded thus much in detail；—that they had
driven directly to the York Hotel； ate some soup； and bespoke an
early dinner； walked down to the Pump…room； tasted the water；
and laid out some shillings in purses and spars； thence adjoined to
eat ice at a pastry…cook’s； and hurrying back to the hotel；
swallowed their dinner in haste； to prevent being in the dark； and
then had a delightful drive back； only the moon was not up； and it
rained a little； and Mr。 Morland’s horse was so tired he could
hardly get it along。
Catherine listened with heartfelt satisfaction。 It appeared that
Blaize Castle had never been thought of； and； as for all the rest；
there was nothing to regret for half an instant。 Maria’s intelligence
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concluded with a tender effusion of pity for her sister Anne； whom
she represented as insupportably cross； from being excluded the
party。
“She will never forgive me； I am sure； but； you know； how could
I help it？ John would have me go； for he vowed he would not drive
her； because she had such thick ankles。 I dare say she will not be
in good humour again this month； but I am determined I will not
be cross； it is not a little matter that puts me out of temper。”
Isabella now entered the room with so eager a step； and a look
of such happy importance； as engaged all her friend’s notice。
Maria was without ceremony sent away； and Isabella； embracing
Catherine； thus began：—“Yes； my dear Catherine； it is so indeed；
your penetration has not deceived you。—Oh！ That arch eye of
yours！—It sees through every thing。”
Catherine replied only by a look of wondering ignorance。
“Nay； my beloved； sweetest friend；” continued the other；
“compose yourself。—I am amazingly agitated； as you perceive。 Let
us sit down and talk in comfort。 Well； and so you guessed it the
moment you had my note？—Sly creature！—Oh！ My dear
Catherine； you alone； who know my heart； can judge of my present
happiness。 Your brother is the most charming of men。 I only wish
I were more worthy of him。—But what will your excellent father
and mother say？—Oh！ heavens！ when I think of them I am so
agitated！”
Catherine’s understanding began to awake： an idea of the truth
suddenly darted into her mind； and； with the natural blush of so
new an emotion； she cried out； “Good heaven！—My dear Isabella；
what do you mean？ Can you—can you really be in love with
James？”
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This bold surmise； however； she soon learnt comprehended but
half the fact。 The anxious affection； which she was accused of
having continually watched in Isabella’s every look and action；
had； in the course of their yesterday’s party； received the
delightful confession of an equal love。 Her heart and faith were
alike engaged to James。—Never had Catherine listened to
anything so full of interest； wonder； and joy。 Her brother and her
friend engaged！—New to such circumsta