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soothed in her progress by being told that she was treading what
had once been a cloister； having traces of cells pointed out； and
observing several doors that were neither opened nor explained to
her；—by finding herself successively in a billiard…room； and in the
General’s private apartment； without comprehending their
connection； or being able to turn aright when she left them； and
lastly； by passing through a dark little room； owning Henry’s
authority； and strewed with his litter of books； guns； and great
coats。
From the dining…room； of which； though already seen； and
always to be seen at five o’clock； the General could not forgo the
pleasure of pacing out the length； for the more certain information
of Miss Morland； as to what she neither doubted nor cared for；
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they proceeded by quick communication to the kitchen—the
ancient kitchen of the convent； rich in the massy walls and smoke
of former days； and in the stoves and hot closets of the present。
The General’s improving hand had not loitered here： every
modern invention to facilitate the labour of the cooks had been
adopted within this； their spacious theatre； and； when the genius
of others had failed； his own had often produced the perfection
wanted。 His endowments of this spot alone might at any time have
placed him high among the benefactors of the convent。
With the walls of the kitchen ended all the antiquity of the
Abbey； the fourth side of the quadrangle having； on account of its
decaying state； been removed by the General’s father； and the
present erected in its place。 All that was venerable ceased here。
The new building was not only new； but declared itself to be so；
intended only for offices； and enclosed behind by stable…yards； no
uniformity of architecture had been thought necessary。 Catherine
could have raved at the hand which had swept away what must
have been beyond the value of all the rest； for the purposes of
mere domestic economy； and would willingly have been spared
the mortification of a walk through scenes so fallen； had the
General allowed it； but if he had a vanity； it was in the
arrangement of his offices； and as he was convinced that； to a
mind like Miss Morland’s； a view of the accommodations and
comforts； by which the labours of her inferiors were softened；
must always be gratifying； he should make no apology for leading
her on。 They took a slight survey of all； and Catherine was
impressed； beyond her expectation； by their multiplicity and their
convenience。 The purposes for which a few shapeless pantries and
a comfortless scullery were deemed sufficient at Fullerton； were
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here carried on in appropriate divisions； commodious and roomy。
The number of servants continually appearing did not strike her
less than the number of their offices。 Wherever they went； some
pattened girl stopped to curtsy； or some footman in dishabille
sneaked off。 Yet this was an Abbey！—How inexpressibly different
in these domestic arrangements from such as she had read
about—from abbeys and castles； in which； though certainly larger
than Northanger； all the dirty work of the house was to be done by
two pair of female hands at the utmost。 How they could get
through it all had often amazed Mrs。 Allen； and； when Catherine
saw what was necessary here； she began to be amazed herself。
They returned to the hall； that the chief stair…case might be
ascended； and the beauty of its wood； and ornaments of rich
carving might be pointed out： having gained the top； they turned
in an opposite direction from the gallery in which her room lay；
and shortly entered one on the same plan； but superior in length
and breadth。 She was here shown successively into three large
bed…chambers； with their dressing…rooms； most completely and
handsomely fitted up； every thing that money and taste could do；
to give comfort and elegance to apartments； had been bestowed on
these； and； being furnished within the last five years； they were
perfect in all that would be generally pleasing； and wanting in all
that could give pleasure to Catherine。 As they were surveying the
last； the General； after slightly naming a few of the distinguished
characters by whom they had at times been honoured； turned with
a smiling countenance to Catherine； and ventured to hope that
henceforward some of their earliest tenants might be “our friends
from Fullerton。” She felt the unexpected compliment； and deeply
regretted the impossibility of thinking well of a man so kindly
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disposed towards herself； and so full of civility to all her family。
The gallery was terminated by folding doors； which Miss
Tilney； advancing； had thrown open； and passed through； and
seemed on the point of doing the same by the first door to the left；
in another long reach of gallery； when the General； coming
forwards； called her hastily； and； as Catherine thought； rather
angrily back； demanding whither she were going？—And what was
there more to be seen？—Had not Miss Morland already seen all
that could be worth her notice？—And did she not suppose her
friend might be glad of some refreshment after so much exercise？
Miss Tilney drew back directly； and the heavy doors were closed
upon the mortified Catherine； who； having seen； in a momentary
glance beyond them； a narrower passage； more numerous
openings； and symptoms of a winding stair…case； believed herself
at last within the reach of something worth her notice； and felt； as
she unwillingly paced back the gallery； that she would rather be
allowed to examine that end of the house than see all the finery of
all the rest。—The General’s evident desire of preventing such an
examination was an additional stimulant。 Something was certainly
to be concealed； her fancy； though it had trespassed lately once or
twice； could not mislead her here； and what that something was； a
short sentence of Miss Tilney’s； as they followed the General at
some distance downstairs； seemed to point out：—“I was going to
take you into what was my mother’s room—the room in which she
died—” were all her words； but few as they were； they conveyed
pages of intelligence to Catherine。 It was no wonder that the
General should shrink from the sight of such objects as that room
must contain； a room in all probability never entered by him since
the dreadful scene had passed； which released his suffering wife；
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and left him to the stings of conscience。
She ventured； when next alone with Eleanor； to express her
wish of being permitted to see it； as well as all the rest of that side
of the house； and Eleanor promised to attend her there； whenever
they should have a convenient hour。 Catherine understood her：—
the General must be watched from home； before that room could
be entered。 “It remains as it was； I suppose？” said she； in a tone of
feeling。
“Yes； entirely。”
“And how long ago may it be that your mother died？”
“She has