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to gain； no unworthy retraction of a tacit consent； no reversing
decree of unjustifiable anger； could shake his fidelity； or influence
the resolutions it prompted。
He steadily refused to accompany his father into Herefordshire；
an engagement formed almost at the moment to promote the
dismissal of Catherine； and as steadily declared his intention of
offering her his hand。 The General was furious in his anger； and
they parted in dreadful disagreement。 Henry； in an agitation of
mind which many solitary hours were required to compose； had
returned almost instantly to Woodston； and； on the afternoon of
the following day； had begun his journey to Fullerton。
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CHAPTER XVI
r。 and Mrs。 Morland’s surprise on being applied to by
Mr。 Tilney for their consent to his marrying their
M
daughter was； for a few minutes； considerable； it having
never entered their heads to suspect an attachment on either side；
but as nothing； after all； could be more natural than Catherine’s
being beloved； they soon learnt to consider it with only the happy
agitation of gratified pride； and； as far as they alone were
concerned； had not a single objection to start。 His pleasing
manners and good sense were self…evident recommendations； and
having never heard evil of him； it was not their way to suppose any
evil could be told。 Good…will supplying the place of experience； his
character needed no attestation。 “Catherine would make a sad；
heedless young housekeeper to be sure；” was her mother’s
foreboding remark； but quick was the consolation of there being
nothing like practice。
There was but one obstacle； in short； to be mentioned； but till
that one was removed； it must be impossible for them to sanction
the engagement。 Their tempers were mild； but their principles
were steady； and while his parent so expressly forbade the
connection； they could not allow themselves to encourage it。 That
the General should come forward to solicit the alliance； or that he
should even very heartily approve it； they were not refined enough
to make any parading stipulation； but the decent appearance of
consent must be yielded； and that once obtained—and their own
hearts made them trust that it could not be very long denied—
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their willing approbation was instantly to follow。 His consent was
all that they wished for。 They were no more inclined than entitled
to demand his money。 Of a very considerable fortune； his son was；
by marriage settlements； eventually secure； his present income
was an income of independence and comfort； and under every
pecuniary view； it was a match beyond the claims of their
daughter。
The young people could not be surprised at a decision like this。
They felt and they deplored—but they could not resent it； and they
parted； endeavouring to hope that such a change in the General；
as each believed almost impossible； might speedily take place； to
unite them again in the fullness of privileged affection。 Henry
returned to what was now his only home； to watch over his young
plantations； and extend his improvements for her sake； to whose
share in them he looked anxiously forward； and Catherine
remained at Fullerton to cry。 Whether the torments of absence
were softened by a clandestine correspondence； let us not inquire。
Mr。 and Mrs。 Morland never did—they had been too kind to exact
any promise； and whenever Catherine received a letter； as； at that
time； happened pretty often； they always looked another way。
The anxiety； which in this state of their attachment must be the
portion of Henry and Catherine； and of all who loved either； as to
its final event； can hardly extend； I fear； to the bosom of my
readers； who will see in the tell…tale compression of the pages
before them； that we are all hastening together to perfect felicity。
The means by which their early marriage was effected can be the
only doubt； what probable circumstance could work upon a
temper like the General’s？ The circumstance which chiefly availed
was the marriage of his daughter with a man of fortune and
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consequence； which took place in the course of the summer—an
accession of dignity that threw him into a fit of good humour； from
which he did not recover till after Eleanor had obtained his
forgiveness of Henry； and his permission for him “to be a fool if he
liked it！”
The marriage of Eleanor Tilney； her removal from all the evils
of such a home as Northanger had been made by Henry’s
banishment； to the home of her choice and the man of her choice；
is an event which I expect to give general satisfaction among all
her acquaintance。 My own joy on the occasion is very sincere。 I
know no one more entitled； by unpretending merit； or better
prepared by habitual suffering； to receive and enjoy felicity。 Her
partiality for this gentleman was not of recent origin； and he had
been long withheld only by inferiority of situation from addressing
her。 His unexpected accession to title and fortune had removed all
his difficulties； and never had the General loved his daughter so
well in all her hours of companionship； utility； and patient
endurance as when he first hailed her； “Your Ladyship！” Her
husband was really deserving of her； independent of his peerage；
his wealth； and his attachment； being to a precision the most
charming young man in the world。 Any further definition of his
merits must be unnecessary； the most charming young man in the
world is instantly before the imagination of us all。 Concerning the
one in question； therefore； I have only to add—（aware that the
rules of composition forbid the introduction of a character not
connected with my fable）—that this was the very gentleman whose
negligent servant left behind him that collection of washing…bills；
resulting from a long visit at Northanger； by which my heroine
was involved in one of her most alarming adventures。
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The influence of the Viscount and Viscountess in their brother’s
behalf was assisted by that right understanding of Mr。 Morland’s
circumstances which； as soon as the General would allow himself
to be informed； they were qualified to give。 It taught him that he
had been scarcely more misled by Thorpe’s first boast of the
family wealth than by his subsequent malicious overthrow of it；
that in no sense of the word were they necessitous or poor； and
that Catherine would have three thousand pounds。 This was so
material an amendment of his late expectations that it greatly
contributed to smooth the descent of his pride； and by no means
without its effect was the private intelligence； which he was at
some pains to procure； that the Fullerton estate； being entirely at
the disposal of its present proprietor； was consequently open to
every greedy speculation。
On the strength of this； the General； soon after Eleanor’s
marriage； permitted his son to return to Northanger； and thence
made him the bearer of his c