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of human nature。 Such feelings ought to be investigated；
that they may know themselves。〃
Catherine； by some chance or other； found her spirits
so very much relieved by this conversation that she could
not regret her being led on； though so unaccountably；
to mention the circumstance which had produced it。
CHAPTER 26
From this time； the subject was frequently canvassed
by the three young people； and Catherine found；
with some surprise； that her two young friends were
perfectly agreed in considering Isabella's want
of consequence and fortune as likely to throw great
difficulties in the way of her marrying their brother。
Their persuasion that the general would； upon this
ground alone； independent of the objection that might
be raised against her character； oppose the connection；
turned her feelings moreover with some alarm towards herself。
She was as insignificant； and perhaps as portionless；
as Isabella； and if the heir of the Tilney property had
not grandeur and wealth enough in himself； at what point
of interest were the demands of his younger brother to
rest？ The very painful reflections to which this thought
led could only be dispersed by a dependence on the effect
of that particular partiality； which； as she was given
to understand by his words as well as his actions；
she had from the first been so fortunate as to excite
in the general； and by a recollection of some most generous
and disinterested sentiments on the subject of money；
which she had more than once heard him utter； and which
tempted her to think his disposition in such matters
misunderstood by his children。
They were so fully convinced； however； that their
brother would not have the courage to apply in person
for his father's consent； and so repeatedly assured her
that he had never in his life been less likely to come
to Northanger than at the present time； that she suffered
her mind to be at ease as to the necessity of any sudden
removal of her own。 But as it was not to be supposed
that Captain Tilney； whenever he made his application；
would give his father any just idea of Isabella's conduct；
it occurred to her as highly expedient that Henry should
lay the whole business before him as it really was；
enabling the general by that means to form a cool
and impartial opinion； and prepare his objections
on a fairer ground than inequality of situations。
She proposed it to him accordingly； but he did not
catch at the measure so eagerly as she had expected。
〃No；〃 said he； 〃my father's hands need not be strengthened；
and Frederick's confession of folly need not be forestalled。
He must tell his own story。〃
〃But he will tell only half of it。〃
〃A quarter would be enough。〃
A day or two passed away and brought no tidings
of Captain Tilney。 His brother and sister knew not what
to think。 Sometimes it appeared to them as if his silence
would be the natural result of the suspected engagement；
and at others that it was wholly incompatible with it。
The general； meanwhile； though offended every morning by
Frederick's remissness in writing； was free from any real
anxiety about him； and had no more pressing solicitude
than that of making Miss Morland's time at Northanger
pass pleasantly。 He often expressed his uneasiness on
this head； feared the sameness of every day's society
and employments would disgust her with the place；
wished the Lady Frasers had been in the country；
talked every now and then of having a large party
to dinner； and once or twice began even to calculate
the number of young dancing people in the neighbourhood。
But then it was such a dead time of year； no wild…fowl；
no game； and the Lady Frasers were not in the country。
And it all ended； at last； in his telling Henry one morning
that when he next went to Woodston； they would take him
by surprise there some day or other； and eat their mutton
with him。 Henry was greatly honoured and very happy；
and Catherine was quite delighted with the scheme。
〃And when do you think； sir； I may look forward to this
pleasure？ I must be at Woodston on Monday to attend the
parish meeting； and shall probably be obliged to stay two
or three days。〃
〃Well； well； we will take our chance some one
of those days。 There is no need to fix。 You are not
to put yourself at all out of your way。 Whatever you
may happen to have in the house will be enough。
I think I can answer for the young ladies making allowance
for a bachelor's table。 Let me see； Monday will be
a busy day with you； we will not come on Monday；
and Tuesday will be a busy one with me。 I expect my
surveyor from Brockham with his report in the morning；
and afterwards I cannot in decency fail attending the club。
I really could not face my acquaintance if I stayed
away now； for； as I am known to be in the country；
it would be taken exceedingly amiss； and it is a rule
with me； Miss Morland； never to give offence to any of
my neighbours； if a small sacrifice of time and attention
can prevent it。 They are a set of very worthy men。
They have half a buck from Northanger twice a year；
and I dine with them whenever I can。 Tuesday； therefore；
we may say is out of the question。 But on Wednesday；
I think； Henry； you may expect us； and we shall be with
you early； that we may have time to look about us。
Two hours and three quarters will carry us to Woodston；
I suppose； we shall be in the carriage by ten； so； about a
quarter before one on Wednesday； you may look for us。〃
A ball itself could not have been more welcome
to Catherine than this little excursion； so strong
was her desire to be acquainted with Woodston；
and her heart was still bounding with joy when Henry；
about an hour afterwards； came booted and greatcoated into
the room where she and Eleanor were sitting； and said；
〃I am come； young ladies； in a very moralizing strain；
to observe that our pleasures in this world are always
to be paid for； and that we often purchase them at a
great disadvantage； giving ready…monied actual happiness
for a draft on the future； that may not be honoured。
Witness myself； at this present hour。 Because I am
to hope for the satisfaction of seeing you at Woodston
on Wednesday； which bad weather； or twenty other causes；
may prevent； I must go away directly； two days before I
intended it。〃
〃Go away！〃 said Catheri