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looked more lovely than in uttering the grand idea。—“I am sure
they will consent；” was her frequent declaration； “I am sure they
will be delighted with you。”
“For my own part；” said Isabella； “my wishes are so moderate
that the smallest income in nature would be enough for me。 Where
people are really attached； poverty itself is wealth； grandeur I
detest： I would not settle in London for the universe。 A cottage in
some retired village would be ecstasy。 There are some charming
little villas about Richmond。”
“Richmond！” cried Catherine。—“You must settle near
Fullerton。 You must be near us。”
“I am sure I shall be miserable if we do not。 If I can but be near
you； I shall be satisfied。 But this is idle talking！ I will not allow
myself to think of such things； till we have your father’s answer。
Morland says that by sending it tonight to Salisbury； we may have
it to…morrow。—To…morrow？—I know I shall never have courage to
open the letter。 I know it will be the death of me。”
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A reverie succeeded this conviction—and when Isabella spoke
again； it was to resolve on the quality of her wedding…gown。
Their conference was put an end to by the anxious young lover
himself； who came to breathe his parting sigh before he set off for
Wiltshire。 Catherine wished to congratulate him； but knew not
what to say； and her eloquence was only in her eyes。 From them；
however； the eight parts of speech shone out most expressively；
and James could combine them with ease。 Impatient for the
realization of all that he hoped at home； his adieus were not long；
and they would have been yet shorter； had he not been frequently
detained by the urgent entreaties of his fair one that he would go。
Twice was he called almost from the door by her eagerness to have
him gone。 “Indeed； Morland； I must drive you away。 Consider how
far you have to ride。 I cannot bear to see you linger so。 For
heaven’s sake； waste no more time。 There； go； go—I insist on it。”
The two friends； with hearts now more united than ever； were
inseparable for the day； and in schemes of sisterly happiness the
hours flew along。 Mrs。 Thorpe and her son； who were acquainted
with every thing； and who seemed only to want Mr。 Morland’s
consent； to consider Isabella’s engagement as the most fortunate
circumstance imaginable for their family； were allowed to join
their counsels； and add their quota of significant looks and
mysterious expressions to fill up the measure of curiosity to be
raised in the unprivileged younger sisters。 To Catherine’s simple
feelings； this odd sort of reserve seemed neither kindly meant； nor
consistently supported； and its unkindness she would hardly have
forborne pointing out； had its inconsistency been less their
friend；—but Anne and Maria soon set her heart at ease by the
sagacity of their “I know what；” and the evening was spent in a
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sort of war of wit； a display of family ingenuity； on one side in the
mystery of an affected secret； on the other of undefined discovery；
all equally acute。
Catherine was with her friend again the next day； endeavouring
to support her spirits and while away the many tedious hours
before the delivery of the letters； a needful exertion； for as the time
of reasonable expectation drew near； Isabella became more and
more desponding； and before the letter arrived； had worked
herself into a state of real distress。 But when it did come； where
could distress be found？ “I have had no difficulty in gaining the
consent of my kind parents； and am promised that every thing in
their power shall be done to forward my happiness；” were the first
three lines； and in one moment all was joyful security。 The
brightest glow was instantly spread over Isabella’s features； all
care and anxiety seemed removed； her spirits became almost too
high for control； and she called herself without scruple the
happiest of mortals。
Mrs。 Thorpe； with tears of joy； embraced her daughter； her son；
her visitor； and could have embraced half the inhabitants of Bath
with satisfaction。 Her heart was overflowing with tenderness。 It
was “dear John” and “dear Catherine” at every word；—“dear
Anne and dear Maria” must immediately be made sharers in their
felicity； and two “dears” at once before the name of Isabella were
not more than that beloved child had now well earned。 John
himself was no skulker in joy。 He not only bestowed on Mr。
Morland the high commendation of being one of the finest fellows
in the world； but swore off many sentences in his praise。
The letter； whence sprang all this felicity； was short； containing
little more than this assurance of success； and every particular
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was deferred till James could write again。 But for particulars
Isabella could well afford to wait。 The needful was comprised in
Mr。 Morland’s promise； his honour was pledged to make every
thing easy； and by what means their income was to be formed；
whether landed property were to be resigned； or funded money
made over； was a matter in which her disinterested spirit took no
concern。 She knew enough to feel secure of an honourable and
speedy establishment； and her imagination took a rapid flight over
its attendant felicities。 She saw herself at the end of a few weeks；
the gaze and admiration of every new acquaintance at Fullerton；
the envy of every valued old friend in Putney； with a carriage at
her command； a new name on her tickets； and a brilliant
exhibit