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merely to dance； he wanted to be with me。 Oh！ such nonsense！—I
told him he had taken a very unlikely way to prevail upon me； for；
of all things in the world； I hated fine speeches and
compliments；—and so—and so then I found there would be no
peace if I did not stand up。 Besides； I thought Mrs。 Hughes； who
introduced him； might take it ill if I did not： and your dear brother；
I am sure he would have been miserable if I had sat down the
whole evening。 I am so glad it is over！ My spirits are quite jaded
with listening to his nonsense： and then；—being such a smart
young fellow； I saw every eye was upon us。”
“He is very handsome indeed。”
“Handsome！—Yes； I suppose he may。 I dare say people would
admire him in general； but he is not at all in my style of beauty。 I
hate a florid complexion and dark eyes in a man。 However； he is
very well。 Amazingly conceited； I am sure。 I took him down several
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times； you know； in my way。”
When the young ladies next met； they had a far more
interesting subject to discuss。 James Morland’s second letter was
then received； and the kind intentions of his father fully explained。
A living； of which Mr。 Morland was himself patron and incumbent；
of about four hundred pounds yearly value； was to be resigned to
his son as soon as he should be old enough to take it； no trifling
deduction from the family income； no niggardly assignment to one
of ten children。 An estate of at least equal value； moreover； was
assured as his future inheritance。
James expressed himself on the occasion with becoming
gratitude； and the necessity of waiting between two and three
years before they could marry； being； however unwelcome； no
more than he had expected； was borne by him without discontent。
Catherine； whose expectations had been as unfixed as her ideas of
her father’s income； and whose judgment was now entirely led by
her brother； felt equally well satisfied； and heartily congratulated
Isabella on having every thing so pleasantly settled。
“It is very charming indeed；” said Isabella； with a grave face。
“Mr。 Morland has behaved vastly handsome indeed；” said the
gentle Mrs。 Thorpe； looking anxiously at her daughter。 “I only
wish I could do as much。 One could not expect more from him； you
know。 If he finds he can do more by and bye； I dare say he will； for
I am sure he must be an excellent good hearted man。 Four
hundred is but a small income to begin on indeed； but your
wishes； my dear Isabella； are so moderate； you do not consider
how little you ever want； my dear。”
“It is not on my own account I wish for more； but I cannot bear
to be the means of injuring my dear Morland； making him sit
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down upon an income hardly enough to find one in the common
necessaries of life。 For myself； it is nothing； I never think of
myself。”
“I know you never do； my dear； and you will always find your
reward in the affection it makes every body feel for you。 There
never was a young woman so beloved as you are by every body
that knows you； and I dare say when Mr。 Morland sees you； my
dear child—but do not let us distress our dear Catherine by
talking of such things。 Mr。 Morland has behaved so very
handsome； you know。 I always heard he was a most excellent man；
and you know； my dear； we are not to suppose but what； if you had
had a suitable fortune； he would have come down with something
more； for I am sure he must be a most liberal…minded man。”
“Nobody can think better of Mr。 Morland than I do； I am sure。
But every body has their failing； you know； and every body has a
right to do what they like with their own money。” Catherine was
hurt by these insinuations。 “I am very sure；” said she； “that my
father has promised to do as much as he can afford。”
Isabella recollected herself。 “As to that； my sweet Catherine；
there cannot be a doubt； and you know me well enough to be sure
that a much smaller income would satisfy me。 It is not the want of
more money that makes me just at present a little out of spirits； I
hate money； and if our union could take place now upon only fifty
pounds a year； I should not have a wish unsatisfied。 Ah！ my
Catherine； you have found me out。 There’s the sting。 The long；
long； endless two years and half that are to pass before your
brother can hold the living。”
“Yes； yes； my darling Isabella；” said Mrs。 Thorpe； “we perfectly
see into your heart。 You have no disguise。 We perfectly
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understand the present vexation； and every body must love you
the better for such a noble honest affection。”
Catherine’s uncomfortable feelings began to lessen。 She
endeavoured to believe that the delay of the marriage was the only
source of Isabella’s regret； and when she saw her at their next
interview as cheerful and amiable as ever； endeavoured to forget
that she had for a minute thought otherwise。 James soon followed
his letter； and was received with the most gratifying kindness。
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CHAPTER II
he Allens had now entered on the sixth week of their stay
in Bath； and whether it should be the last was for some
T
time a question； to which Catherine listened with a
beating heart。 To have her acquaintance with the Tilneys end so
soon was an evil which nothing could counterbalance