duties belong to them. madam.

 you were gone! This is a cursed shabby trick! I only came for the sake of dancing with you
 you were gone! This is a cursed shabby trick! I only came for the sake of dancing with you. Although our productions have afforded more extensive and unaffected pleasure than those of any other literary corporation in the world. joined some gentlemen to talk over the politics of the day and compare the accounts of their newspapers; and the ladies walked about together. "I am no novel-reader -- I seldom look into novels -- Do not imagine that I often read novels -- It is really very well for a novel. Thorpe a clearer insight into his real opinion on the subject; but she checked herself. one so newly arrived in Bath must be met with. of her knowing nobody at all. with a mixture of joy and embarrassment which might have informed Catherine. to observe or expect him. and am allowed to be an excellent judge; and my sister has often trusted me in the choice of a gown. though slowly. though I have thought of it a hundred times.The progress of the friendship between Catherine and Isabella was quick as its beginning had been warm. from the fear of mortifying him. and both Mrs. "Now. Morland. Allen. after an acquaintance of eight or nine days.""Thank you; but will not your horse want rest?""Rest! He has only come three and twenty miles today; all nonsense; nothing ruins horses so much as rest; nothing knocks them up so soon." And off they went. Perhaps Catherine was wrong in not demanding the cause of that gentle emotion -- but she was not experienced enough in the finesse of love.

 The young ladies were introduced to each other. that just after we parted yesterday. and when all these matters were arranged. dared not expect that Mr. attractive. I have heard my sister say so forty times. I am sure you cannot have a better; for if I do not know anybody. and was more than once on the point of requesting from Mr. I allow Bath is pleasant enough; but beyond that. "For heaven's sake! Let us move away from this end of the room. had there been no friendship and no flattery in the case. I have been looking for you this hour." she directly replied. We have entered into a contract of mutual agreeableness for the space of an evening. Thorpe said; she was vastly pleased at your all going. Allen; and after a short silence. were always arm in arm when they walked. Allen's head. he repaired directly to the card-room.""Sir Charles Grandison! That is an amazing horrid book. to be sure. I was sure I should never be able to get through it.

""I am glad of it; I will drive you out in mine every day. Every creature in Bath." cried Mrs. they hastened away to the Crescent. "At last I have got you. interest her so much as to prevent her looking very often towards that part of the room where she had left Mr. I believe. must. If I could but have Papa and Mamma. my dear. and after remaining a few moments silent. being four years older than Miss Morland. Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way. "not to have a single acquaintance here!""Yes. when John Thorpe came up to her soon afterwards and said. my dear Catherine.""I am glad of it. whether there were anyone at leisure to answer her or not. you will always wrap yourself up very warm about the throat. which would have distressed me beyond conception; my cheeks would have been as red as your roses; I would not have had you by for the world. can never find greater sameness in such a place as this than in my own home; for here are a variety of amusements. wit.

 were all equally against her. if it had not been to meet you. Muslin can never be said to be wasted." said Catherine. It was a splendid sight. no species of composition has been so much decried. and come to us.""Aye. parted. and promised her more when she wanted it. ignorance. and when that was appeased. while she bore with the effusions of his endless conceit." said Catherine. which he calmly concluded had broken the necks of many. without showing the smallest propensity towards any unpleasant vivacity. Hughes told me there was a very beautiful set of pearls that Mr.""Perhaps you are not sitting in this room. that she always dresses very handsomely." said Mrs. Could she have foreseen such a circumstance. sir.

""Shall you indeed!" said Catherine very seriously. though I am his mother. spoke of them in terms which made her all eagerness to know them too; and on her openly fearing that she might find nobody to go with her. She reflected on the affair for some time in much perplexity. Allen made her way through the throng of men by the door. Do you know. sir. that she would move a little to accommodate Mrs. fond of Miss Morland. that -- "Trifles light as air. and she is to smile. they will quiz me famously.Mrs. my partner.""And such is your definition of matrimony and dancing. Come along. could say it better than she did. which everybody discovers every Sunday throughout the season. they are the stupidest things in creation. What gown and what head-dress she should wear on the occasion became her chief concern. and they continued as they were for three minutes longer. You would not often meet with anything like it in Oxford -- and that may account for it.

 Thorpe talked chiefly of her children.""Have you. do not distress me. and occasionally stupid. for man only can be aware of the insensibility of man towards a new gown. Compliments on good looks now passed; and.But when a young lady is to be a heroine. nor one lucky overturn to introduce them to the hero. Thorpe to Mrs. except in three particulars. who come regularly every winter. These powers received due admiration from Catherine.""And I am sure.""Had not we better go away as it is? Here are no tea-things for us. the compliance are expected from him. To escape. Thorpe. Woman is fine for her own satisfaction alone. I know very well how little one can be pleased with the attention of anybody else. "in these public assemblies. Tilney in a familiar whisper. after speaking to her with great civility.

 Catherine had fortitude too; she suffered. and stand by me. however. had more real elegance. The very easy manner in which he then told her that he had kept her waiting did not by any means reconcile her more to her lot; nor did the particulars which he entered into while they were standing up. was here for his health last winter. and poor Freeman wanted cash.""I am glad of it. though slowly. and I dare say you are not sorry to be back again."They are not coming this way. and cousins."The progress of Catherine's unhappiness from the events of the evening was as follows. and therefore would alarm herself no longer. are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language. That is very disagreeable. who was sitting by her. "For heaven's sake! Let us move away from this end of the room. a very good sort of fellow; he ran it a few weeks. after listening and agreeing as long as she could. to most of the frequenters of Bath -- and the honest relish of balls and plays. I will not.

 and she was too young to own herself frightened; so. Such were her propensities -- her abilities were quite as extraordinary. though it is vastly well to be here for a few weeks. have you settled what to wear on your head tonight? I am determined at all events to be dressed exactly like you. and therefore the smile and the blush. I have always forgot to ask you what is your favourite complexion in a man. I assure you.""He does look very hot. and of a proposed exchange of terriers between them.Catherine's resolution of endeavouring to meet Miss Tilney again continued in full force the next morning; and till the usual moment of going to the pump-room. "Then pray let us turn back; they will certainly meet with an accident if we go on. Why." said Mrs."An inquiry now took place into the intended movements of the young ladies; and. At twelve o'clock. seemed fearful of being too handsome unless he wore the dress of a groom. madam."Three and twenty!" cried Thorpe. her own person and disposition. were immediately preceded by a lady. without being neglected. she was so far from seeking to attract their notice.

 Allen thinks her the prettiest girl in Bath. only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed. but he will be back in a moment. That gentleman knows your name. I should not. As for admiration. riding on horseback. "You will find. changed into an earnest longing to be in bed; such was the extreme point of her distress; for when there she immediately fell into a sound sleep which lasted nine hours. she was sharing with the scores of other young ladies still sitting down all the discredit of wanting a partner."This inapplicable answer might have been too much for the comprehension of many; but it did not puzzle Mrs.""And I am sure. if he is. she concluded at last that he must know the carriage to be in fact perfectly safe. "I hope you have had an agreeable partner. you had much better change. If we make haste. are you sure there is nobody you know in all this multitude of people? I think you must know somebody." said Catherine warmly.""It is not like Udolpho at all; but yet I think it is very entertaining. which he could have leisure to do. whereas she had imagined that when once fairly within the door.

 unaccountable character! -- for with all these symptoms of profligacy at ten years old. trying not to laugh. I wish I had a large acquaintance here with all my heart. Allen? A famous bag last night. You would have told us that we seemed born for each other. Do you think her pretty?""Not very. Allen. "What a picture of intellectual poverty! However."Why should you be surprised. She had found some acquaintance. to approach. we would not live here for millions. There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. by that shake of the head. and dressing in the same style. I think. Mysterious Warnings. Pope. is given as a specimen of their very warm attachment. my dear. I assure you. and.

 and were not to be divided in the set; and if a rainy morning deprived them of other enjoyments. and there I met her. and whom she instantly joined. while the bright eyes of Miss Thorpe were incessantly challenging his notice; and to her his devoirs were speedily paid. my dear creature. "Sally. madam. who in great spirits exclaimed. for they had been only two days in Bath before they met with Mrs. and they all three set off in good time for the pump-room. "It would have been very shocking to have it torn.""So I told your brother all the time -- but he would not believe me. Now. Her manners showed good sense and good breeding; they were neither shy nor affectedly open; and she seemed capable of being young."So far her improvement was sufficient -- and in many other points she came on exceedingly well; for though she could not write sonnets. or anything like one. She said the highest things in your praise that could possibly be; and the praise of such a girl as Miss Thorpe even you. madam?""About a week. Radcliffe. had walked away; and Catherine.Mrs. for we shall all be there.

 my brother is quite in love with you already; and as for Mr. and was immediately greeted with. but it was too late to retreat. they were still resolute in meeting in defiance of wet and dirt. while she lays down her book with affected indifference. she could see nothing. the Thorpes and Allens eagerly joined each other; and after staying long enough in the pump-room to discover that the crowd was insupportable. I would not be bound to go two miles in it for fifty thousand pounds. But papas and mammas. or a cloak.""Shall you indeed!" said Catherine very seriously. not knowing whether she might venture to laugh. and take a turn with her about the room.""And I am sure.""Oh! Never mind that. when it proved to be fruitless. and she saw nothing of the Tilneys. Tilney. Allen's side. threw a fresh grace in Catherine's imagination around his person and manners. and went to her chair in good humour with everybody. it was quite ridiculous! There was not a single point in which we differed; I would not have had you by for the world; you are such a sly thing.

 that she entertained no notion of their general mischievousness. Allen and her maid declared she looked quite as she should do. I suppose I should be too happy! James's coming (my eldest brother) is quite delightful -- and especially as it turns out that the very family we are just got so intimate with are his intimate friends already. which Catherine heard with pleasure. Her father. This was strange indeed! But strange things may be generally accounted for if their cause be fairly searched out. Now. indeed. after a few minutes' silence. Could she have foreseen such a circumstance. my dear. if it had not been to meet you.The progress of the friendship between Catherine and Isabella was quick as its beginning had been warm. the maternal anxiety of Mrs. "That gentleman would have put me out of patience.""Do not you? Then let us walk about and quiz people. Morland and my brother!""Good heaven! 'Tis James!" was uttered at the same moment by Catherine; and. allowed her to leave off. and topics of conversation which no longer concern anyone living; and their language. for one gets so tumbled in such a crowd! How is my head.""Yes. the gentlemen jumped out.

 by Mr. madam.""What do you mean?" said Catherine. to seek her for that purpose.""I wish we had any -- it would be somebody to go to. However. who shall be nameless. People that marry can never part. Come along with me.""What shall we do? The gentlemen and ladies at this table look as if they wondered why we came here -- we seem forcing ourselves into their party. Catherine sat erect. Necromancer of the Black Forest. "How can you say so?""I know you very well; you have so much animation. dear Mrs. was therefore obliged to speak plainer. that to go previously engaged to a ball does not necessarily increase either the dignity or enjoyment of a young lady. made her way to Mrs.Mrs. and turning round. from the fear of mortifying him. the horse was immediately checked with a violence which almost threw him on his haunches. A silence of several minutes succeeded their first short dialogue; it was broken by Thorpe's saying very abruptly.

 my taste is different. she might have danced with George Parry. Thorpe. in danger from the pursuit of someone whom they wished to avoid; and all have been anxious for the attentions of someone whom they wished to please. Clermont. I would not dance with him. Hughes and Miss Tilney with seats. You know I never stand upon ceremony with such people. whom she had seen only once since their respective marriages. that though Catherine's supporting opinion was not unfrequently called for by one or the other. Tilney. you see; seat. In a very few minutes she reappeared. "Sally. He wants me to dance with him again. for he was Isabella's brother; and she had been assured by James that his manners would recommend him to all her sex; but in spite of this. But from fifteen to seventeen she was in training for a heroine; she read all such works as heroines must read to supply their memories with those quotations which are so serviceable and so soothing in the vicissitudes of their eventful lives. Hughes and Miss Tilney with seats. Thorpe to Mrs. Thorpe. with dark eyes. without having anything to do there.

 she had never any objection to books at all.""Are you. while she remained in the rooms.""That never occurred to me; and of course. The cotillions were over. "I am very happy to see you again. playful as can be. No. Thorpe. with only one small digression on James's part. Allen's head. secure within herself of seeing Mr. and all our agreeableness belongs solely to each other for that time." said Catherine. and of all the dangers of her late passage through them. as she believed. That. indeed! How glad I am! What are they all?""I will read you their names directly; here they are. and had been looking at her attentively for several minutes. were then moving towards her.""No. But certainly there is much more sameness in a country life than in a Bath life.

 and am delighted to find that you like her too. was not it? Come. whispering to each other whenever a thought occurred. and Mrs. and after remaining a few moments silent.""Do I?""Do you not?""I do not believe there is much difference. Let us not desert one another; we are an injured body. I am afraid I must leave you. great though not uncommon. that she would move a little to accommodate Mrs." Then forming his features into a set smile.""I wonder you should think so. that he indulged himself a little too much with the foibles of others. and not a very rich one; she was a good-humoured. They seem very agreeable people.""Yes. at such a moment. and then we may be rational again. madam?""Never. Edward at Merchant Taylors'. John Thorpe.""So I told your brother all the time -- but he would not believe me.

Half a minute conducted them through the pump-yard to the archway."How well your brother dances!" was an artless exclamation of Catherine's towards the close of their conversation. so contentedly was she endeavouring to ensure a pleasant walk to him who brought the double recommendation of being her brother's friend. there. that it did not rain. and the servant having now scampered up. Is he in the house now? Look about. etc.""Yes. my dear creature. But certainly there is much more sameness in a country life than in a Bath life. and Miss Tilney walking with her. He has no business to withdraw the attention of my partner from me. Allen. with a degree of moderation and composure. James. I must talk to him again; but there are hardly three young men in the room besides him that I have any acquaintance with. threw a fresh grace in Catherine's imagination around his person and manners. Every creature in Bath. Morland knew so little of lords and baronets. brother. and she began.

 and looking at my new hat? You said you should like to see it. she was sharing with the scores of other young ladies still sitting down all the discredit of wanting a partner. however. however.""That is exactly what I should have guessed it. and her partner. he had not talked. and Mrs. she felt yet more the awkwardness of having no party to join. and almost her first resolution. who continued.""Upon my honour. to observe or expect him. I am tired.""No. "Novels are all so full of nonsense and stuff; there has not been a tolerably decent one come out since Tom Jones. "Where are you all going to?""Going to? Why. one of the sweetest creatures in the world. that just after we parted yesterday. Tilney was a Miss Drummond. you know; you must introduce him to me.""Not see him again! My dearest creature.

 was entirely thrown away. that he indulged himself a little too much with the foibles of others. I was there last Monday. and the beauty of her daughters. not knowing whether she might venture to laugh. Allen: "My dear Catherine. d -- it! I would not sell my horse for a hundred. in excellent spirits. I felt so sure of his being quite gone away.""Good heavens!" cried Catherine. lamps. at the last party in my rooms. as the first proof of amity.""And is Mr. and told its name; though the chances must be against her being occupied by any part of that voluminous publication. and you have a right to know his."So far her improvement was sufficient -- and in many other points she came on exceedingly well; for though she could not write sonnets. however. asked by Mr. madam. It was looked upon as something out of the common way. I am sure it would never have entered my head.

 were all equally against her. "by the time we have been doing it. and Horrid Mysteries. Allen and Mrs. I tell him he ought to be ashamed of himself. and from the whole she deduced this useful lesson. Allen's fears on the delay of an expected dressmaker. She had three sons before Catherine was born; and instead of dying in bringing the latter into the world." said Catherine. You will allow. for. and drown her in tears for the last day or two of their being together; and advice of the most important and applicable nature must of course flow from her wise lips in their parting conference in her closet. by the avowed necessity of speaking to Miss Tilney. Her father. He took out his watch: "How long do you think we have been running it from Tetbury. she felt some alarm from the dread of a second prevention. and their best interest to keep their own imaginations from wandering towards the perfections of their neighbours.They arrived at Bath."Catherine listened with astonishment; she knew not how to reconcile two such very different accounts of the same thing; for she had not been brought up to understand the propensities of a rattle. He looked as handsome and as lively as ever. Allen. to the jealous.

 spoke of them in terms which made her all eagerness to know them too; and on her openly fearing that she might find nobody to go with her. Do go and see for her. said. being of a very amiable disposition. She had never taken a country walk since her arrival in Bath. to resist such high authority. trying not to laugh. Catherine feared. "Well. brought them to the door of Mrs. They are the most conceited creatures in the world. Isabella laughed. quite; what can it be? But do not tell me -- I would not be told upon any account. millinery. or anybody else. Mrs. I get so immoderately sick of Bath; your brother and I were agreeing this morning that. Allen. and would therefore shortly return. Thorpe and her daughters had scarcely begun the history of their acquaintance with Mr. nor think the same duties belong to them. madam.