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of such incivility； but perhaps I can do it as well。 It was nothing
more than that my father—they were just preparing to walk out；
and he being hurried for time； and not caring to have it put off；
made a point of her being denied。 That was all； I do assure you。
She was very much vexed； and meant to make her apology as soon
as possible。”
Catherine’s mind was greatly eased by this information； yet a
something of solicitude remained； from which sprang the
following question； thoroughly artless in itself； though rather
distressing to the gentleman：—“But； Mr。 Tilney； why were you less
generous than your sister？ If she felt such confidence in my good
intentions； and could suppose it to be only a mistake； why should
you be so ready to take offence？”
“Me！—I take offence！”
“Nay； I am sure by your look； when you came into the box； you
were angry。”
“I angry！ I could have no right。”
“Well； nobody would have thought you had no right who saw
your face。” He replied by asking her to make room for him； and
talking of the play。
He remained with them some time； and was only too agreeable
for Catherine to be contented when he went away。 Before they
parted； however； it was agreed that the projected walk should be
taken as soon as possible； and； setting aside the misery of his
quitting their box； she was； upon the whole； left one of the
happiest creatures in the world。
While talking to each other； she had observed with some
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surprize that John Thorpe； who was never in the same part of the
house for ten minutes together； was engaged in conversation with
General Tilney； and she felt something more than surprise when
she thought she could perceive herself the object of their attention
and discourse。 What could they have to say of her？ She feared
General Tilney did not like her appearance： she found it was
implied in his preventing her admittance to his daughter； rather
than postpone his own walk a few minutes。 “How came Mr。
Thorpe to know your father？” was her anxious inquiry； as she
pointed them out to her companion。 He knew nothing about it； but
his father； like every military man； had a very large acquaintance。
When the entertainment was over； Thorpe came to assist them
in getting out。 Catherine was the immediate object of his gallantry；
and； while they waited in the lobby for a chair； he prevented the
inquiry which had travelled from her heart almost to the tip of her
tongue； by asking； in a consequential manner； whether she had
seen him talking with General Tilney：—“He is a fine old fellow；
upon my soul！—stout； active—looks as young as his son。 I have a
great regard for him； I assure you： a gentleman…like； good sort of
fellow as ever lived。”
“But how came you to know him？”
“Know him！ There are few people much about town that I do
not know。 I have met him forever at the Bedford； and I knew his
face again to…day the moment he came into the billiard…room。 One
of the best players we have； by the bye； and we had a little touch
together； though I was almost afraid of him at first： the odds were
five to four against me； and； if I had not made one of the cleanest
strokes that perhaps ever was made in this world—I took his ball
exactly—but I could not make you understand it without a table；—
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however； I did beat him。 A very fine fellow； as rich as a Jew。 I
should like to dine with him； I dare say he gives famous dinners。
But what do you think we have been talking of？—You。 Yes； by
heavens！—and the General thinks you the finest girl in Bath。”
“Oh！ nonsense！ How can you say so？”
“And what do you think I said？” （lowering his voice） “Well
done； General； said I； I am quite of your mind。”
Here Catherine； who was much less gratified by his admiration
than by General Tilney’s； was not sorry to be called away by Mr。
Allen。 Thorpe； however； would see her to her chair； and； till she
entered it； continued the same kind of delicate flattery； in spite of
her entreating him to have done。
That General Tilney； instead of disliking； should admire her；
was very delightful； and she joyfully thought that there was not
one of the family whom she need now fear to meet。—The evening
had done more； much more； for her than could have been
expected。
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CHAPTER XIII
onday； Tuesday； Wednesday； Thursday； Friday； and
MSaturday have now passed in review before the reader；
the events of each day； its hopes and fears；
mortifications and pleasures； have been separately stated； and the
pangs of Sunday only now remain to be described； and close the
week。 The Clifton scheme had been deferred； not relinquished；
and on the afternoon’s crescent of this day； it was brought forward
again。 In a private consultation between Isabella and James； the
former of whom had particularly set her heart upon going； and the
latter no less anxiously placed his upon pleasing her； it was agreed
that； provided the weather were fair； the party should take place
on the following morning； and they were to set off very early； in
order to be at home in good time。 The affair thus determined； and
Thorpe’s approbation secured； Catherine only remained to be
apprised of it。 She had left them for a few minutes to speak to Miss
Tilney。 In that interval the plan was completed； and as soon as she
came again； her agreement was demanded； but instead of the gay
acquiescence expected by Isabella； Catherine looked grave； was
very sorry； but could not go。 The engagement which ought to have
kept her from