‘That is just my way of thinking.Give me but a little cheerful company,let me only have the company of the people I love,let me only be where I like and with whom I like,and the devil take the rest,say I. And I am heartily glad to hear you say the same.But I have a notion,Miss Morland,you and I think pretty much alike upon most matters.’
‘Perhaps we may;but it is more than I ever thought of.And as to most matters,to say the truth,there are not many that I know my own mind about.’
‘By Jove,no more do I.It is not my way to bother my brains with what does not concern me.My notion of things is simple enough.Let me only have the girl I like,say I,with a comfortable house over my head,and what care I for all the rest?Fortune is nothing.I am sure of a good income of my own;and if she had not a penny,why so much the better.’
‘Very true.I think like you there.If there is a good fortune on one side,there can be no occasion for any on the other.No matter which has it,so that there is enough.I hate the idea of one great fortune looking out for another.And to marry for money I think the wickedest thing in existence. Good day. We shall be very glad to see you at Fullerton,whenever it is convenient.’And away she went.It was not in the power of all his gallantry to detain her longer.With such news to communicate,and such a visit to prepare for,her departure was not to be delayed by anything in his nature to urge;and she hurried away,leaving him to the undivided consciousness of his own happy address,and her explicit encouragement.
The agitation which she had herself experienced on first learning her brother's engagement,made her expect to raise no inconsiderable emotion in Mr and Mrs Allen,by the communication of the wonderful event.How great was her disappointment!The important affair,which many words of preparation ushered in,had been foreseen by them both ever since her brother's arrival;and all that they felt on the occasion was comprehended in a wish for the young people's happiness,with a remark,on the gentleman's side,in favour of Isabella's beauty,and on the lady's,of her great good luck.It was to Catherine the most surprising insensibility.The disclosure however of the great secret of James's going to Fullerton the day before,did raise some emotion in Mrs Allen.She could not listen to that with perfect calmness;but repeatedly regretted the necessity of its concealment,wished she could have known his intention,wished she could have seen him before he went,as she should certainly have troubled him with her best regards to his father and mother,and her kind compliments to all the Skinners.
Chapter 16
Catherine's expectations of pleasure from her visit in Milsom Street were so very high,that disappointment was inevitable;and accordingly,though she was most politely received by General Tilney,and kindly welcomed by his daughter,though Henry was at home,and no one else of the party,she found,on her return,without spending many hours in the examination of her feelings,that she had gone to her appointment preparing for happiness which it had not afforded.Instead of finding herself improved in acquaintance with Miss Tilney,from the intercourse of the day,she seemed hardly so intimate with her as before;instead of seeing Henry Tilney to greater advantage than ever,in the ease of a family party,he had never said so little,nor been so little agreeable;and,in spite of their father's great civilities to her in spite of his thanks,invitations,and compliments it had been a release to get away from him.It puzzled her to account for all this.It could not be General Tilney's fault.That he was perfectly agreeable and good natured,and altogether a very charming man,did not admit of a doubt,for he was tall and handsome,and Henry's father.He could not be accountable for his children's want of spirits,or for her want of enjoyment in his company.The former she hoped at last might have been accidental,and the latter she could only attribute to her own stupidity.Isabella,on hearing the particulars of the visit,gave a different explanation:‘It was all pride,pride,insufferable haughtiness and pride!She had long suspected the family to be very high,and this made it certain.Such insolence of behaviour as Miss Tilney's she had never heard of in her life!Not to do the honours of her house with common good breeding! To behave to her guest with such superciliousness! Hardly even to speak to her!’
‘But it was not so bad as that,Isabella;there was no superciliousness;she was very civil.’
‘Oh!don't defend her!And then the brother,he,who had appeared so attached to you!Good heavens!well,some people's feelings are incomprehensible.And so he hardly looked once at you the whole day?’
‘I do not say so;but he did not seem in good spirits.’
‘How contemptible!Of all things in the world inconstancy is my aversion.Let me entreat you never to think of him again,my dear Catherine;indeed he is unworthy of you.’
‘Unworthy!I do not suppose he ever thinks of me.’
‘That is exactly what I say;he never thinks of you. Such fickleness!Oh!how different to your brother and to mine!I really believe John has the most constant heart.’
‘But as for General Tilney,I assure you it would be impossible for anybody to behave to me with greater civility and attention;it seemed to be his only care to entertain and make me happy.’
‘Oh!I know no harm of him;I do not suspect him of pride.I believe he is a very gentleman like man.John thinks very well of him,and John's judgment ’
‘Well,I shall see how they behave to me this evening;we shall meet them at the rooms.’
‘And must I go?’
‘Do not you intend it?I thought it was all settled.’