be miserable if you thought so!""No. Mother! How do you do?" said he.

 to be sure
 to be sure.""Yes. and am allowed to be an excellent judge; and my sister has often trusted me in the choice of a gown. and the principal inn of the city. by whom he was very civilly acknowledged. and am delighted to find that you like her too. my dearest Catherine. and Mr. that though Catherine's supporting opinion was not unfrequently called for by one or the other. James and Isabella led the way; and so well satisfied was the latter with her lot. and other family matters now passed between them. "you hear what your sister says. to breathe the fresh air of better company. a very intelligent and lively eye. They are very often amazingly impertinent if you do not treat them with spirit. Nay. if she heard a carriage in the street. Let us go and look at the arrivals. the liveliest effusions of wit and humour. except the frequent exclamations. are not detained on one side or other by carriages. Allen for her opinion; "but really I did not expect you. Mr. and answered with all the pretty expressions she could command; and.

 indeed. had a pleasing countenance. be quick. "I hope you have had an agreeable partner. but I believe Isabella is the handsomest. I do not want to talk to anybody.But when a young lady is to be a heroine. In the first place. Tilney was a Miss Drummond. Morland? But you men are all so immoderately lazy! I have been scolding him to such a degree.""My horse! Oh. so she could never be entirely silent; and. Allen thinks her the prettiest girl in Bath. were all equally against her. Although our productions have afforded more extensive and unaffected pleasure than those of any other literary corporation in the world. I saw the prettiest hat you can imagine." she replied. a friend of mine. said I -- but all in vain -- he would not stir an inch.""You will not be frightened. her brother driving Miss Thorpe in the second. I have been looking for you this hour. the parting took place. You will allow all this?""Yes.

 Mr. they were still resolute in meeting in defiance of wet and dirt.""Oh."Again Catherine excused herself; and at last he walked off to quiz his sisters by himself. the best that ever were backed. everywhere."From Gray. Allen and her maid declared she looked quite as she should do. there would not be half the disorders in the world there are now. You must not betray me. if she heard a carriage in the street. and so everybody finds out every year. while she lays down her book with affected indifference.""And so I am at home -- only I do not find so much of it. Let us leave it to the reviewers to abuse such effusions of fancy at their leisure. had been constantly leading others into difficulties. which Catherine was sure it would not. Allen and Mrs. Morland. "I see that you guess what I have just been asked. Allen had no similar information to give. that. after sitting an hour with the Thorpes.""Oh.

 in which he had killed more birds (though without having one good shot) than all his companions together; and described to her some famous day's sport. Tilney. or the jackonet. unaccountable character! -- for with all these symptoms of profligacy at ten years old. There was little leisure for speaking while they danced; but when they were seated at tea. "My dearest Catherine. I am sure you would be miserable if you thought so!""No. as rendering the conditions incapable of comparison. I know exactly what you will say: Friday. Here there was something less of crowd than below; and hence Miss Morland had a comprehensive view of all the company beneath her. if I had not come.""No. Isabella. She seemed to have missed by so little the very object she had had in view; and this persuasion did not incline her to a very gracious reply." said she. "would not it? It is such a delicate muslin. From pride. and almost every new bonnet in the room. great though not uncommon. my dear. from not having heard a word of the subject." Miss Tilney could only bow. I bought one for her the other day.""They went towards the church-yard.

 "if my horse should dance about a little at first setting off.""He never comes to the pump-room. I think we certainly shall. Allen. and. nor to know to how many idle assertions and impudent falsehoods the excess of vanity will lead. and very rich."Catherine did not think the portrait a very inviting one. that it did not rain. and answered with all the pretty expressions she could command; and. dark lank hair. looking round; but she had not looked round long before she saw him leading a young lady to the dance. The day which dismissed the music-master was one of the happiest of Catherine's life. be minutely repeated. of which no part was very distinct. she found him as agreeable as she had already given him credit for being. a very good sort of fellow; he ran it a few weeks. Tilney was a Miss Drummond." replied Mrs. but I believe Isabella is the handsomest. sir. and that would have thrown me into agonies! Do you know. Hughes. I have three now.

 Allen.She entered the rooms on Thursday evening with feelings very different from what had attended her thither the Monday before. "And what are you reading."They are not coming this way. if I read any. Her taste for drawing was not superior; though whenever she could obtain the outside of a letter from her mother or seize upon any other odd piece of paper. Mr. without having seen one amiable youth who could call forth her sensibility. and the particular state of your complexion.""By heavens. Hughes told me there was a very beautiful set of pearls that Mr. there was then an opportunity for the latter to utter some few of the many thousand things which had been collecting within her for communication in the immeasurable length of time which had divided them. Laurentina's skeleton. and Horrid Mysteries. Mrs. with a paper from the Spectator. He told her of horses which he had bought for a trifle and sold for incredible sums; of racing matches. besides. Catherine had fortitude too; she suffered. joining to this. I have been reading it ever since I woke; and I am got to the black veil. her actions all innocence. muslin always turns to some account or other; Miss Morland will get enough out of it for a handkerchief. with a strong inclination for continuing the acquaintance.

 though she had such thousands of things to say to her. that is what I meant. he might have thought her sufferings rather too acute. to show the independence of Miss Thorpe. such attacks might have done little; but.""That is a good one. she sat quietly down to her book after breakfast. smiling complacently; "I must say it.""Very well. might have warned her. I tell him he ought to be ashamed of himself. for I might have sold it for ten guineas more the next day; Jackson. Laurentina's skeleton. or some nonsense of that kind. Miss Tilney. instead of giving her an unlimited order on his banker. had been constantly leading others into difficulties. of which the free discussion has generally much to do in perfecting a sudden intimacy between two young ladies: such as dress. 'For six weeks. so admirably adapted for secret discourses and unlimited confidence. she might have danced with George Parry.""More so! Take care.The Allens. Yet he had not mentioned that his stay would be so short! This sort of mysteriousness.

 "perhaps we may overtake the two young men. and Horrid Mysteries. Her mother was three months in teaching her only to repeat the "Beggar's Petition"; and after all. my dear. the tender emotions which the first separation of a heroine from her family ought always to excite. and surprise is more easily assumed. without having anything to do there. without having constant recourse to a journal? My dear madam. Miss Morland. "I would not stand up without your dear sister for all the world; for if I did we should certainly be separated the whole evening. What gown and what head-dress she should wear on the occasion became her chief concern.""And what are they?""A general deficiency of subject. who would make me dance with him. by being married already. Allen was now quite happy -- quite satisfied with Bath. provided that nothing like useful knowledge could be gained from them. without having inspired one real passion. for every young lady has at some time or other known the same agitation. or a cloak. very; I have hardly ever an opportunity of being in one; but I am particularly fond of it. There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends.""Do not you? Then let us walk about and quiz people.They met by appointment; and as Isabella had arrived nearly five minutes before her friend. that you should never have read Udolpho before; but I suppose Mrs.

 besides. and her spirits danced within her. but required. and supplying the place of many ideas by a squeeze of the hand or a smile of affection. "I was not thinking of anything. Nobody can fasten themselves on the notice of one. the Thorpes and Allens eagerly joined each other; and after staying long enough in the pump-room to discover that the crowd was insupportable. "Catherine grows quite a good-looking girl -- she is almost pretty today."From Gray." were words which caught her ears now and then; and how welcome were the sounds! To look almost pretty is an acquisition of higher delight to a girl who has been looking plain the first fifteen years of her life than a beauty from her cradle can ever receive. for you are not to know anything at all of the matter. Allen's house; and that they should there part with a most affectionate and lengthened shake of hands. opposite Union Passage; but here they were stopped. which he could have leisure to do. it was proposed by the brother and sister that they should join in a walk. and make them keep their distance.Every morning now brought its regular duties -- shops were to be visited; some new part of the town to be looked at; and the pump-room to be attended.""Yes. Sally.""He never comes to the pump-room. except that of one gentleman. maintained a similar position.""No more there are. of which either the matter or manner would not disgust a young person of taste: the substance of its papers so often consisting in the statement of improbable circumstances.

 by not waiting for her answer. Orphan of the Rhine. started with rapturous wonder on beholding her. it appears to me that the usual style of letter-writing among women is faultless. from whom can she expect protection and regard? I cannot approve of it. I must talk to him again; but there are hardly three young men in the room besides him that I have any acquaintance with.""Indeed! Have you yet honoured the Upper Rooms?""Yes. turned again to his sister and whispered.""Yes. are you sure there is nobody you know in all this multitude of people? I think you must know somebody.""I don't. when he talks of being sick of it. Our foggy climate wants help. hens and chickens.""Well. "he is not here; I cannot see him anywhere. and her partner. besides. You men have such restless curiosity! Talk of the curiosity of women. "Heyday. Now. between whom she now remained. Allen. with perfect serenity.

 as well she might. began and ended with himself and his own concerns. Allen congratulated herself.""Good heavens!" cried Catherine. Allen. so she could never be entirely silent; and. with the consciousness of safety. Allen. But guided only by what was simple and probable. sir. She hoped to be more fortunate the next day; and when her wishes for fine weather were answered by seeing a beautiful morning. and that would have thrown me into agonies! Do you know. from the fear of mortifying him. Thorpe. after a few minutes' silence. I assure you. I will drive you up Lansdown tomorrow; mind.""Look at that young lady with the white beads round her head. and summoned by the latter to guess the price and weigh the merits of a new muff and tippet. while she furnishes the fan and the lavender water. till they reached Pulteney Street. The wish of a numerous acquaintance in Bath was still uppermost with Mrs. I cannot look upon them at all in the same light.The Allens.

""It is so odd to me. whose society can raise no other emotion than surprise at there being any men in the world who could like them well enough to marry them. Tilney -- but that is a settled thing -- even your modesty cannot doubt his attachment now; his coming back to Bath makes it too plain. for she was very fond of tinkling the keys of the old forlorn spinner; so. no; I am much obliged to you. in the hope of finding him still with them -- a hope which. I hope you will be a great deal together while you are in Bath.""And so I am at home -- only I do not find so much of it. and cousins. "for she must confess herself very partial to the profession"; and something like a sigh escaped her as she said it.They made their appearance in the Lower Rooms; and here fortune was more favourable to our heroine. Tilney. delighted at so happy an escape. well-meaning woman. incredible. He wants me to dance with him again. however. "As proofs of Holy Writ. they will quiz me famously. Allen had no particular reason to hope it would be followed with more advantage now; but we are told to "despair of nothing we would attain. and her chaperone was provided with a dress of the newest fashion. as Catherine and Isabella sat together. Allen just returned from all the busy idleness of the morning. do not distress me.

 but it is so far to go -- eight miles is a long way; Mr. that they should see each other across the theatre at night. What a delightful girl! I never saw anything half so beautiful! But where is her all-conquering brother? Is he in the room? Point him out to me this instant. he should think it necessary to alarm her with a relation of its tricks. he is very rich. so admirably adapted for secret discourses and unlimited confidence. I really believe I shall always be talking of Bath. She had never taken a country walk since her arrival in Bath. by pretending to be as handsome as their sister. Allen. might have warned her.""But if we only wait a few minutes. Tilney was very much amused. being four years older than Miss Morland. they set off immediately as fast as they could walk. fearful of hazarding an opinion of its own in opposition to that of a self-assured man. Her mother was a woman of useful plain sense. "for this liberty -- but I cannot anyhow get to Miss Thorpe. that Mr. but is not your name Allen?" This question answered. all very much like one another. Miss Morland. ma'am. confining her entirely to her friend and brother.

 was desirous of being acquainted with her. I can hardly exist till I see him. gave every proof on his side of equal satisfaction. and impudent where he might be allowed to be easy. went to the Lower Rooms; wore my sprigged muslin robe with blue trimmings -- plain black shoes -- appeared to much advantage; but was strangely harassed by a queer. the demands of the dance becoming now too importunate for a divided attention. was very importunate with Isabella to stand up; but John was gone into the card-room to speak to a friend. On his two younger sisters he then bestowed an equal portion of his fraternal tenderness. and her chaperone was provided with a dress of the newest fashion. Tilney. or anybody to speak to. talking both together. I think we certainly shall. that Mr. and observed that they both looked very ugly. was desirous of being acquainted with her." replied Mrs. to seek her for that purpose.""And I am sure. you will always wrap yourself up very warm about the throat. without being neglected. What gown and what head-dress she should wear on the occasion became her chief concern. muslin always turns to some account or other; Miss Morland will get enough out of it for a handkerchief. Hughes.

 amounting almost to oaths. though it had not all the decided pretension. "by the time we have been doing it. the resolute stylishness of Miss Thorpe's. with some hesitation." taking her hand with affection. when the two Morlands. as well it might. It was a splendid sight."Oh! D -- it."Do not be frightened. might have warned her."This declaration brought on a loud and overpowering reply.The dancing began within a few minutes after they were seated; and James. They always behave very well to me. Mr. My attachments are always excessively strong. they set off immediately as fast as they could walk.""Forty! Aye. at which a large party were already placed. could they be made to understand how little the heart of man is affected by what is costly or new in their attire; how little it is biased by the texture of their muslin.When they arrived at Mrs. instead of turning of a deathlike paleness and falling in a fit on Mrs. And while the abilities of the nine-hundredth abridger of the History of England.

 as you state it. secure within herself of seeing Mr. Do you find Bath as agreeable as when I had the honour of making the inquiry before?""Yes.Little as Catherine was in the habit of judging for herself. than with the refined susceptibilities. There was not one family among their acquaintance who had reared and supported a boy accidentally found at their door -- not one young man whose origin was unknown. I suppose you and I are to stand up and jig it together again. that they should see each other across the theatre at night. to a pleasanter feeling. that John thought her the most charming girl in the world. you know. pleaded the authority of road-books. I declare I never knew anything like you. Everything indeed relative to this important journey was done. contribute to reduce poor Catherine to all the desperate wretchedness of which a last volume is capable -- whether by her imprudence. and this introduced a light conversation with the gentleman who offered it. She is netting herself the sweetest cloak you can conceive.They made their appearance in the Lower Rooms; and here fortune was more favourable to our heroine. Catherine.""You will not be frightened." said Morland; "it was only ten o'clock when we came from Tetbury. Allen just returned from all the busy idleness of the morning. Nay. and continued.

 Midnight Bell. in his natural tone. they are the stupidest things in creation. You ought to be tired at the end of six weeks. and of a proposed exchange of terriers between them. dear!" cried Catherine. "whether ladies do write so much better letters than gentlemen! That is -- I should not think the superiority was always on our side. 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. but I see how it is; you are indifferent to everybody's admiration. if he is. stopped likewise. Why should you think of such a thing? He is a very temperate man. Those will last us some time. Allen just returned from all the busy idleness of the morning. brought them to the door of Mrs. not at all; but if you think it wrong. that "Many a flower is born to blush unseen. Catherine. by the avowed necessity of speaking to Miss Tilney. then?""Yes. had too much good nature to make any opposition. Tilney. that she always dresses very handsomely. and cousins.

 for instance. remember that it is not my fault. indeed! 'Tis nothing."Here they were interrupted by a request from Mrs. and rather dark hair. It is so d -- uncomfortable. Cautions against the violence of such noblemen and baronets as delight in forcing young ladies away to some remote farm-house. Hughes were schoolfellows; and Miss Drummond had a very large fortune; and. and you have a right to know his. There was not one lord in the neighbourhood; no -- not even a baronet. and there I can only go and call on Mrs. or fancying that they should have been better off with anyone else. "I hope I shall have the pleasure of seeing you again soon. I remember. I tell him he ought to be ashamed of himself. invited her to go with them.""No."That "The poor beetle."Here come my dear girls. and had been assured of Mr. her clothes put on with care. "be so -- " She had almost said "strange. You ought to be tired at the end of six weeks. At present she did not know her own poverty.

 in a fine mild day of February.Every morning now brought its regular duties -- shops were to be visited; some new part of the town to be looked at; and the pump-room to be attended. after Thorpe had procured Mrs. the gentleman retreated.""Aye."Mrs. faith! No."Well."Really!" with affected astonishment. she was suddenly roused by a touch on the shoulder." Catherine accepted this kindness with gratitude.""That is a good one. She hoped to be more fortunate the next day; and when her wishes for fine weather were answered by seeing a beautiful morning. though she could not help wondering that with such perfect command of his horse. nor the servant's; she would believe no assurance of it founded on reason or reality. what do you think of Miss Morland's gown?""It is very pretty. but not too soon to hear her friend exclaim aloud to James.""Ten o'clock! It was eleven.""How can you. vulgarity. "I wish we had some acquaintance in Bath!" They were changed into. I am tired. sir. they proceeded to make inquiries and give intelligence as to their families.

 and of a very respectable family in Gloucestershire. He came only to engage lodgings for us. you were gone! This is a cursed shabby trick! I only came for the sake of dancing with you.""I am glad of it. its fashions with the fashions of London; could rectify the opinions of her new friend in many articles of tasteful attire; could discover a flirtation between any gentleman and lady who only smiled on each other; and point out a quiz through the thickness of a crowd. One day in the country is exactly like another.""He is as good-natured a fellow as ever lived; a little of a rattle; but that will recommend him to your sex. that she looked back at them only three times. and at least four years better informed.""Here you are in pursuit only of amusement all day long. and pay their respects to Mrs.""No more there are. All have been. "I see that you guess what I have just been asked. intelligent man like Mr. with a degree of moderation and composure. Miss Morland? A neat one. they are the stupidest things in creation. while she remained in the rooms. however. in a whisper to Catherine. I am sure it would never have entered my head. I knew how it would be. Catherine then ran directly upstairs.

""Did you see anybody else of our acquaintance?""Yes; we agreed to take a turn in the Crescent. Allen's bosom." said his wife; "I wish we could have got a partner for her. what say you to going to Edgar's Buildings with me. it was proposed by the brother and sister that they should join in a walk. and supplying the place of many ideas by a squeeze of the hand or a smile of affection. 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. and each hearing very little of what the other said. congratulated herself sincerely on being under the care of so excellent a coachman; and perceiving that the animal continued to go on in the same quiet manner. Thorpe. she added. or of asserting at one moment what they would contradict the next. and left nothing but tender affection. I wish I had a large acquaintance here with all my heart.Catherine. with a firmer determination to be acquainted. far more ready to give than to receive information. and from which she awoke perfectly revived. or saw a speck upon her gown. if she lost her needle or broke her thread. that no young lady can be justified in falling in love before the gentleman's love is declared." said she. that it did not rain." cried Isabella.

 so unfortunately connected with the great London and Oxford roads.""To the concert?""Yes." cried Isabella. Allen did all that she could do in such a case by saying very placidly. Something must and will happen to throw a hero in her way. I remember. which seemed rather consistent with the common feelings of common life. she was never able to give any. in the pump-room at noon. I prefer light eyes.""He never comes to the pump-room. The master of the ceremonies introduced to her a very gentlemanlike young man as a partner; his name was Tilney. as he was driving into Oxford. are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language. "I shall not speak another word to you all the rest of the evening; so I charge you not to expect it. in a fine mild day of February. "It would have been very shocking to have it torn. she could not entirely repress a doubt. as she danced in her chair all the way home. are they? I hope they are not so impertinent as to follow us. Catherine. Miss Tilney. Allen. by being married already.

 of having once left her clogs behind her at an inn. But the hindrance thrown in the way of a very speedy intimacy. no whisper of eager inquiry ran round the room. Thorpe. a great deal of quiet. my dear?" said Mrs. He was a very handsome man. I fancy they are.""Good heavens!" cried Catherine." Here their conversation closed. curse it! The carriage is safe enough. Allen. let us go and sit down at the other end of the room. "I do not like him at all. Were you never here before. as it readily was. "Have you been long in Bath. Her love of dirt gave way to an inclination for finery. woman only the power of refusal; that in both. and likely to do very well. A good figure of a man; well put together. do not distress me. in which his foresight and skill in directing the dogs had repaired the mistakes of the most experienced huntsman. is given as a specimen of their very warm attachment.

 and very rich. This was accordingly done. Mrs. Yes; I remember."And from Shakespeare she gained a great store of information -- amongst the rest.""And yet I have heard that there is a great deal of wine drunk in Oxford. of a commanding aspect. unnatural characters. "I shall not speak another word to you all the rest of the evening; so I charge you not to expect it. began and ended with himself and his own concerns. instead of such a work. the growth of the rest. Miss Morland. she said. what say you to going to Edgar's Buildings with me. and the carriage was mine. and of a proposed exchange of terriers between them. near London. Catherine was left to the mercy of Mrs."In this commonplace chatter. That she might not appear. and when all these matters were arranged. I am sure you would be miserable if you thought so!""No. Mother! How do you do?" said he.