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The General； perceiving how her eye was employed； began to
talk of the smallness of the room and simplicity of the furniture；
where every thing； being for daily use； pretended only to comfort；
&c。； flattering himself； however； that there were some apartments
in the Abbey not unworthy her notice—and was proceeding to
mention the costly gilding of one in particular； when； taking out
his watch； he stopped short to pronounce it with surprise within
twenty minutes of five！ This seemed the word of separation； and
Catherine found herself hurried away by Miss Tilney in such a
manner as convinced her that the strictest punctuality to the
family hours would be expected at Northanger。
Returning through the large and lofty hall； they ascended a
broad staircase of shining oak； which； after many flights and many
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landing…places； brought them upon a long； wide gallery。 On one
side it had a range of doors； and it was lighted on the other by
windows which Catherine had only time to discover looked into a
quadrangle； before Miss Tilney led the way into a chamber； and
scarcely staying to hope she would find it comfortable； left her
with an anxious entreaty that she would make as little alteration
as possible in her dress。
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CHAPTER VI
moment’s glance was enough to satisfy Catherine that her
Aapartment was very unlike the one which Henry had
endeavoured to alarm her by the description of。—It was
by no means unreasonably large； and contained neither tapestry
nor velvet。—The walls were papered； the floor was carpeted； the
windows were neither less perfect nor more dim than those of the
drawing…room below； the furniture； though not of the latest
fashion； was handsome and comfortable； and the air of the room
altogether far from uncheerful。 Her heart instantaneously at ease
on this point； she resolved to lose no time in particular
examination of any thing； as she greatly dreaded disobliging the
General by any delay。 Her habit therefore was thrown off with all
possible haste； and she was preparing to unpin the linen package；
which the chaise…seat had conveyed for her immediate
accommodation； when her eye suddenly fell on a large high chest；
standing back in a deep recess on one side of the fireplace。 The
sight of it made her start； and； forgetting every thing else； she
stood gazing on it in motionless wonder； while these thoughts
crossed her：—
“This is strange indeed！ I did not expect such a sight as this！—
An immense heavy chest！—What can it hold？—Why should it be
placed here？—Pushed back too； as if meant to be out of sight！—I
will look into it—cost me what it may； I will look into it—and
directly too—by day…light。—If I stay till evening my candle may go
out。” She advanced and examined it closely： it was of cedar；
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curiously inlaid with some darker wood； and raised； about a foot
from the ground； on a carved stand of the same。 The lock was
silver； though tarnished from age； at each end were the imperfect
remains of handles also of silver； broken perhaps prematurely by
some strange violence； and； on the centre of the lid； was a
mysterious cipher； in the same metal。 Catherine bent over it
intently； but without being able to distinguish anything with
certainty。 She could not； in whatever direction she took it； believe
the last letter to be a T； and yet that it should be anything else in
that house was a circumstance to raise no common degree of
astonishment。 If not originally theirs； by what strange events could
it have fallen into the Tilney family？
Her fearful curiosity was every moment growing greater； and
seizing； with trembling hands； the hasp of the lock； she resolved at
all hazards to satisfy herself at least as to its contents。 With
difficulty； for something seemed to resist her efforts； she raised the
lid a few inches； but at that moment a sudden knocking at the door
of the room made her； starting； quit her hold； and the lid closed
with alarming violence。 This ill…timed intruder was Miss Tilney’s
maid； sent by her mistress to be of use to Miss Morland； and
though Catherine immediately dismissed her； it recalled her to the
sense of what she ought to be doing； and forced her； in spite of her
anxious desire to penetrate this mystery； to proceed in her
dressing without further delay。 Her progress was not quick； for
her thoughts and her eyes were still bent on the object so well
calculated to interest and alarm； and though she dared not waste a
moment upon a second attempt； she could not remain many paces
from the chest。 At length； however； having slipped one arm into
her gown； her toilette seemed so nearly finished that the
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impatience of her curiosity might safely be indulged。 One moment
surely might be spared； and； so desperate should be the exertion
of her strength； that； unless secured by supernatural means； the
lid in one moment should be thrown back。 With this spirit she
sprang forward； and her confidence did not deceive her。 Her
resolute effort threw back the lid； and gave to her astonished eyes
the view of a white cotton counterpane； properly folded； reposing
at one end of the chest in undisputed possession！
She was gazing on it with the first blush of surprize when Miss
Tilney； anxious for her friend’s being ready； entered the room； and
to the rising shame of having harboured for some minutes an
absurd expectation； was then added the shame of being caught in
so idle a search。 “That is a curious old chest； is not it？” said Miss
Tilney； as Catherine hastily closed it and turned away to the glass。
“It is impossible to say how many generations it has been here。
How it came to be first put in this room I know not； but I have not
had it moved； because I thought it might sometimes be of use in
holding hats and bonnets。 The worst of it is that its weight makes
it difficult to open。 In that corner； however； it is at least out of the
way。”
Catherine had no leisure for speech； being at once blushing；
tying her gown； and forming wise resolutions with the most violent
dispatch。 Miss Tilney gently hinted her fear of being late； and in
half a minute they ran downstairs together； in an alarm not wholly
unfounded； for General Tilney was pacing the drawing…room； his
watch in his hand； and having； on the very instant of their
entering； pulled the bell with violence； ordered “Dinner to be on
table directly！”
Catherine trembled at the emphasis with which he spoke； and
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sat pale and breathless； in a most humble mood； concerned for his
children； and detesting old chests； and the General； recovering his
politeness as he looked at her； spent the rest of his time in scolding
his daughter for so foolishly hurrying her fair friend； who was