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coats； by whom she will hereafter be forced into a travelling…chaise
and four； which will drive off with incredible speed。 Catherine；
meanwhile； undisturbed by presentiments of such an evil； or of
any evil at all； except that of having but a short set to dance down；
enjoyed her usual happiness with Henry Tilney； listening with
sparkling eyes to every thing he said； and； in finding him
irresistible； becoming so herself。
At the end of the first dance； Captain Tilney came towards them
again； and； much to Catherine’s dissatisfaction； pulled his brother
away。 They retired whispering together； and； though her delicate
sensibility did not take immediate alarm； and lay it down as fact；
that Captain Tilney must have heard some malevolent
misrepresentation of her； which he now hastened to communicate
to his brother； in the hope of separating them forever； she could
not have her partner conveyed from her sight without very uneasy
sensations。 Her suspense was of full five minutes’ duration； and
she was beginning to think it a very long quarter of an hour； when
they both returned； and an explanation was given； by Henry’s
requesting to know if she thought her friend； Miss Thorpe； would
have any objection to dancing； as his brother would be most happy
to be introduced to her。 Catherine； without hesitation； replied that
she was very sure Miss Thorpe did not mean to dance at all。 The
cruel reply was passed on to the other； and he immediately walked
away。
“Your brother will not mind it； I know；” said she； “because I
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heard him say before that he hated dancing； but it was very good…
natured in him to think of it。 I suppose he saw Isabella sitting
down； and fancied she might wish for a partner； but he is quite
mistaken； for she would not dance upon any account in the
world。”
Henry smiled； and said； “How very little trouble it can give you
to understand the motive of other people’s actions。”
“Why？—What do you mean？”
“With you； it is not； How is such a one likely to be influenced；
What is the inducement most likely to act upon such a person’s
feelings； age； situation； and probable habits of life considered—
but； How should I be influenced； What would be my inducement in
acting so and so？”
“I do not understand you。”
“Then we are on very unequal terms； for I understand you
perfectly well。”
“Me？—yes； I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible。”
“Bravo！ An excellent satire on modern language。”
“But pray tell me what you mean。”
“Shall I indeed？ Do you really desire it？ But you are not aware
of the consequences； it will involve you in a very cruel
embarrassment； and certainly bring on a disagreement between
us。
“No； no； it shall not do either； I am not afraid。”
“Well； then； I only meant that your attributing my brother’s
wish of dancing with Miss Thorpe to good…nature alone； convinced
me of your being superior in good…nature yourself to all the rest of
the world。”
Catherine blushed and disclaimed； and the gentleman’s
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predictions were verified。 There was a something； however； in his
words which repaid her for the pain of confusion； and that
something occupied her mind so much that she drew back for
some time； forgetting to speak or to listen； and almost forgetting
where she was； till； roused by the voice of Isabella； she looked up
and saw her with Captain Tilney preparing to give them hands
across。
Isabella shrugged her shoulders and smiled； the only
explanation of this extraordinary change which could at that time
be given； but as it was not quite enough for Catherine’s
comprehension； she spoke her astonishment in very plain terms to
her partner。
“I cannot think how it could happen！ Isabella was so
determined not to dance。”
“And did Isabella never change her mind before？”
“Oh！ but； because—and your brother！—After what you told him
from me； how could he think of going to ask her？”
“I cannot take surprize to myself on that head。 You bid me be
surprized on your friend’s account； and therefore I am； but as for
my brother； his conduct in the business； I must own； has been no
more than I believed him perfectly equal to。 The fairness of your
friend was an open attraction； her firmness； you know； could only
be understood by yourself。”
“You are laughing； but； I assure you； Isabella is very firm in
general。”
“It is as much as should be said of anyone。 To be always firm
must be to be often obstinate。 When properly to relax is the trial of
judgment； and； without reference to my brother； I really think
Miss Thorpe has by no means chosen ill in fixing on the present
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hour。”
The friends were not able to get together for any confidential
discourse till all the dancing was over； but then； as they walked
about the room arm in arm； Isabella thus explained herself：—“I do
not wonder at your surprize； and I am really fatigued to death。 He
is such a rattle！—Amusing enough； if my mind had been
disengaged； but I would have given the world to sit still。”
“Then why did not you？”
“Oh！ my dear！ it would have looked so particular； and you know
how I abhor doing that。 I refused him as long as I possibly could；
but he would take no denial。 You have no idea how he pressed me。
I begged him to excuse me； and get some other partner—but no；
not he； after aspiring to my hand； there was nobody else in the
room he could bear to think of； and it was not that he wanted
merely to dance； he wanted to be with me。 Oh！ such nonse