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anything so full of interest； wonder； and joy。 Her brother and her
friend engaged！—New to such circumstances； the importance of it
appeared unspeakably great； and she contemplated it as one of
those grand events； of which the ordinary course of life can hardly
afford a return。 The strength of her feelings she could not express；
the nature of them； however； contented her friend。 The happiness
of having such a sister was their first effusion； and the fair ladies
mingled in embraces and tears of joy。
Delighting； however； as Catherine sincerely did in the prospect
of the connection； it must be acknowledged that Isabella far
surpassed her in tender anticipations。—“You will be so infinitely
dearer to me； my Catherine； than either Anne or Maria： I feel that
I shall be so much more attached to my dear Morland’s family
than to my own。”
This was a pitch of friendship beyond Catherine。
“You are so like your dear brother；” continued Isabella； “that I
quite doated on you the first moment I saw you。 But so it always is
with me； the first moment settles every thing。 The very first day
that Morland came to us last Christmas—the very first moment I
beheld him—my heart was irrecoverably gone。 I remember I wore
my yellow gown； with my hair done up in braids； and when I came
into the drawing…room； and John introduced him； I thought I
never saw anybody so handsome before。”
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Here Catherine secretly acknowledged the power of love； for；
though exceedingly fond of her brother； and partial to all his
endowments； she had never in her life thought him handsome。
“I remember too； Miss Andrews drank tea with us that evening；
and wore her puce…coloured sarsenet； and she looked so heavenly
that I thought your brother must certainly fall in love with her； I
could not sleep a wink all night for thinking of it。 Oh！ Catherine；
the many sleepless nights I have had on your brother’s account！—I
would not have you suffer half what I have done！ I am grown
wretchedly thin； I know； but I will not pain you by describing my
anxiety； you have seen enough of it。 I feel that I have betrayed
myself perpetually；—so unguarded in speaking of my partiality for
the church！—But my secret I was always sure would be safe with
you。”
Catherine felt that nothing could have been safer； but ashamed
of an ignorance little expected； she dared no longer contest the
point； nor refuse to have been as full of arch penetration and
affectionate sympathy as Isabella chose to consider her。 Her
brother； she found； was preparing to set off with all speed to
Fullerton； to make known his situation and ask consent； and here
was a source of some real agitation to the mind of Isabella。
Catherine endeavoured to persuade her； as she was herself
persuaded； that her father and mother would never oppose their
son’s wishes。—“It is impossible；” said she； “for parents to be more
kind； or more desirous of their children’s happiness； I have no
doubt of their consenting immediately。”
“Morland says exactly the same；” replied Isabella； “and yet I
dare not expect it； my fortune will be so small； they never can
consent to it。 Your brother； who might marry anybody！”
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Here Catherine again discerned the force of love。
“Indeed； Isabella； you are too humble。—The difference of
fortune can be nothing to signify。”
“Oh！ My sweet Catherine； in your generous heart I know it
would signify nothing； but we must not expect such
disinterestedness in many。 As for myself； I am sure I only wish our
situations were reversed。 Had I the command of millions； were I
mistress of the whole world； your brother would be my only
choice。”
This charming sentiment； recommended as much by sense as
novelty； gave Catherine a most pleasing remembrance of all the
heroines of her acquaintance； and she thought her friend never
looked more lovely than in uttering the grand idea。—“I am sure
they will consent；” was her frequent declaration； “I am sure they
will be delighted with you。”
“For my own part；” said Isabella； “my wishes are so moderate
that the smallest income in nature would be enough for me。 Where
people are really attached； poverty itself is wealth； grandeur I
detest： I would not settle in London for the universe。 A cottage in
some retired village would be ecstasy。 There are some charming
little villas about Richmond。”
“Richmond！” cried Catherine。—“You must settle near
Fullerton。 You must be near us。”
“I am sure I shall be miserable if we do not。 If I can but be near
you； I shall be satisfied。 But this is idle talking！ I will not allow
myself to think of such things； till we have your father’s answer。
Morland says that by sending it tonight to Salisbury； we may have
it to…morrow。—To…morrow？—I know I shall never have courage to
open the letter。 I know it will be the death of me。”
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A reverie succeeded this conviction—and when Isabella spoke
again； it was to resolve on the quality of her wedding…gown。
Their conference was put an end to by the anxious young lover
himself； who came to breathe his parting sigh before he set off for
Wiltshire。 Catherine wished to congratulate him； but knew not
what to say； and her eloquence was only in her eyes。 From them；
however； the eight parts of speech shone out most expressively；
and James could combine them with ease。 Impatient for the
realization of all that he hoped at home； his adieus were not long；
and they would have been yet shorter； had he not been frequently
detained by the urgent entreaties of his fair one that he would go。
Twice was he called almost from the door by her eagerness to have
him gone。 “Indeed； Morland； I must drive you away。 Consider how
far you have to ride。 I cannot bear to see you linger so。 For
heaven’s sake； waste no more time。 There； go； go—I insist on it。”
The two friends； with hearts now more united than ever； were
inseparable for the day； and in schemes of sisterly happiness the
hours flew along。 Mrs。 Thorpe and her son； who were acquainted
with every thing； and who seemed only to want Mr。 Morland’s
consent； to consider Isabella’s engagement as the most fortunate
circumstance imaginable for their family； were allowed to join
their counsels； and add their quota of significant looks and
mysterious expressions to fill up the measure of curiosity to be
raised in the unprivileged younger sisters。 To Catherine’s simple
feelings； this odd sort of reserve seemed neither kindly meant； nor
consistently supported； and its unkindness she would hardly have
forborne pointing out； had its inconsistency been less their
friend；—but Anne and Maria soon set her heart at ease by the
sagacity of their “I know what；” and the evening was spent in a
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sort of war of wit； a display of family ingenuity； on one side in the
mystery of an affected secret； on the other of undefined discovery；
all equally acute。
Catherine was with her friend again the next day； endeavouring
to support her spirits and while away the many tedi