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Maria was without ceremony sent away； and Isabella； embracing
Catherine； thus began：—“Yes； my dear Catherine； it is so indeed；
your penetration has not deceived you。—Oh！ That arch eye of
yours！—It sees through every thing。”
Catherine replied only by a look of wondering ignorance。
“Nay； my beloved； sweetest friend；” continued the other；
“compose yourself。—I am amazingly agitated； as you perceive。 Let
us sit down and talk in comfort。 Well； and so you guessed it the
moment you had my note？—Sly creature！—Oh！ My dear
Catherine； you alone； who know my heart； can judge of my present
happiness。 Your brother is the most charming of men。 I only wish
I were more worthy of him。—But what will your excellent father
and mother say？—Oh！ heavens！ when I think of them I am so
agitated！”
Catherine’s understanding began to awake： an idea of the truth
suddenly darted into her mind； and； with the natural blush of so
new an emotion； she cried out； “Good heaven！—My dear Isabella；
what do you mean？ Can you—can you really be in love with
James？”
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
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Jane Austen： Northanger Abbey 126
This bold surmise； however； she soon learnt comprehended but
half the fact。 The anxious affection； which she was accused of
having continually watched in Isabella’s every look and action；
had； in the course of their yesterday’s party； received the
delightful confession of an equal love。 Her heart and faith were
alike engaged to James。—Never had Catherine listened to
anything so full of interest； wonder； and joy。 Her brother and her
friend engaged！—New to such circumstances； the importance of it
appeared unspeakably great； and she contemplated it as one of
those grand events； of which the ordinary course of life can hardly
afford a return。 The strength of her feelings she could not express；
the nature of them； however； contented her friend。 The happiness
of having such a sister was their first effusion； and the fair ladies
mingled in embraces and tears of joy。
Delighting； however； as Catherine sincerely did in the prospect
of the connection； it must be acknowledged that Isabella far
surpassed her in tender anticipations。—“You will be so infinitely
dearer to me； my Catherine； than either Anne or Maria： I feel that
I shall be so much more attached to my dear Morland’s family
than to my own。”
This was a pitch of friendship beyond Catherine。
“You are so like your dear brother；” continued Isabella； “that I
quite doated on you the first moment I saw you。 But so it always is
with me； the first moment settles every thing。 The very first day
that Morland came to us last Christmas—the very first moment I
beheld him—my heart was irrecoverably gone。 I remember I wore
my yellow gown； with my hair done up in braids； and when I came
into the drawing…room； and John introduced him； I thought I
never saw anybody so handsome before。”
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
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Jane Austen： Northanger Abbey 127
Here Catherine secretly acknowledged the power of love； for；
though exceedingly fond of her brother； and partial to all his
endowments； she had never in her life thought him handsome。
“I remember too； Miss Andrews drank tea with us that evening；
and wore her puce…coloured sarsenet； and she looked so heavenly
that I thought your brother must certainly fall in love with her； I
could not sleep a wink all night for thinking of it。 Oh！ Catherine；
the many sleepless nights I have had on your brother’s account！—I
would not have you suffer half what I have done！ I am grown
wretchedly thin； I know； but I will not pain you by describing my
anxiety； you have seen enough of it。 I feel that I have betrayed
myself perpetually；—so unguarded in speaking of my partiality for
the church！—But my secret I was always sure would be safe with
you。”
Catherine felt that nothing could have been safer； but ashamed
of an ignorance little expected； she dared no longer contest the
point； nor refuse to have been as full of arch penetration and
affectionate sympathy as Isabella chose to consider her。 Her
brother； she found； was preparing to set off with all speed to
Fullerton； to make known his situation and ask consent； and here
was a source of some real agitation to the mind of Isabella。
Catherine endeavoured to persuade her； as she was herself
persuaded； that her father and mother would never oppose their
son’s wishes。—“It is impossible；” said she； “for parents to be more
kind； or more desirous of their children’s happiness； I have no
doubt of their consenting immediately。”
“Morland says exactly the same；” replied Isabella； “and yet I
dare not expect it； my fortune will be so small； they never can
consent to it。 Your brother； who might marry anybody！”
Classics in Literature： Jane Austen ElecBook
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Jane Austen： Northanger Abbey 128
Here Catherine again discerned the force of love。
“Indeed； Isabella； you are too humble。—The difference of
fortune can be nothing to signify。”
“Oh！ My sweet Catherine； in your generous heart I know it
would signify nothing； but we must not expect such
disinterestedness in many。 As for myself； I am sure I only wish our
situations were reversed。 Had I the command of millions； were I
mistress of the whole world； your brother would be my only
choice。”
This charming sentiment； recommended as much by sense as
novelty； gave Catherine a most pleasing remembrance of all the
heroines of her acquaintance； and she thought her friend never
looked more lovely than in uttering the grand idea。—“I am sure
they will consent；” was her frequ