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beating heart。 To have her acquaintance with the Tilneys end so
soon was an evil which nothing could counterbalance。 Her whole
happiness seemed at stake； while the affair was in suspense； and
every thing secured when it was determined that the lodgings
should be taken for another fortnight。 What this additional
fortnight was to produce to her beyond the pleasure of sometimes
seeing Henry Tilney made but a small part of Catherine’s
speculation。 Once or twice indeed； since James’s engagement had
taught her what could be done； she had got so far as to indulge in a
secret “perhaps；” but in general the felicity of being with him for
the present bounded her views： the present was now comprised in
another three weeks； and her happiness being certain for that
period； the rest of her life was at such a distance as to excite but
little interest。 In the course of the morning which saw this
business arranged； she visited Miss Tilney； and poured forth her
joyful feelings。 It was doomed to be a day of trial。 No sooner had
she expressed her delight in Mr。 Allen’s lengthened stay than Miss
Tilney told her of her father’s having just determined upon
quitting Bath by the end of another week。 Here was a blow！ The
past suspense of the morning had been ease and quiet to the
present disappointment。 Catherine’s countenance fell； and in a
voice of most sincere concern she echoed Miss Tilney’s concluding
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words； “By the end of another week！”
“Yes； my father can seldom be prevailed on to give the waters
what I think a fair trial。 He has been disappointed of some friends’
arrival whom he expected to meet here； and as he is now pretty
well； is in a hurry to get home。”
“I am very sorry for it；” said Catherine dejectedly； “if I had
known this before—”
“Perhaps；” said Miss Tilney in an embarrassed manner； “you
would be so good—it would make me very happy if—”
The entrance of her father put a stop to the civility； which
Catherine was beginning to hope might introduce a desire of their
corresponding。 After addressing her with his usual politeness； he
turned to his daughter and said； “Well； Eleanor； may I
congratulate you on being successful in your application to your
fair friend？”
“I was just beginning to make the request； sir； as you came in。”
“Well； proceed by all means。 I know how much your heart is in
it。 My daughter； Miss Morland；” he continued； without leaving his
daughter time to speak； “has been forming a very bold wish。 We
leave Bath； as she has perhaps told you； on Saturday se’nnight。 A
letter from my steward tells me that my presence is wanted at
home； and being disappointed in my hope of seeing the Marquis of
Longtown and General Courteney here； some of my very old
friends； there is nothing to detain me longer in Bath。 And could we
carry our selfish point with you； we should leave it without a single
regret。 Can you； in short； be prevailed on to quit this scene of
public triumph and oblige your friend Eleanor with your company
in Gloucestershire？ I am almost ashamed to make the request；
though its presumption would certainly appear greater to every
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creature in Bath than yourself。 Modesty such as yours—but not for
the world would I pain it by open praise。 If you can be induced to
honour us with a visit； you will make us happy beyond expression。
’Tis true； we can offer you nothing like the gaieties of this lively
place； we can tempt you neither by amusement nor splendour； for
our mode of living； as you see； is plain and unpretending； yet no
endeavours shall be wanting on our side to make Northanger
Abbey not wholly disagreeable。”
Northanger Abbey！—These were thrilling words； and wound up
Catherine’s feelings to the highest point of ecstasy。 Her grateful
and gratified heart could hardly restrain its expressions within the
language of tolerable calmness。 To receive so flattering an
invitation！ To have her company so warmly solicited！ Every thing
honourable and soothing； every present enjoyment； and every
future hope was contained in it； and her acceptance； with only the
saving clause of papa and mamma’s approbation； was eagerly
given。—“I will write home directly；” said she； “and if they do not
object； as I dare say they will not—”
General Tilney was not less sanguine； having already waited on
her excellent friends in Pulteney…street； and obtained their
sanction of his wishes。 “Since they can consent to part with you；”
said he； “we may expect philosophy from all the world。”
Miss Tilney was earnest； though gentle； in her secondary
civilities； and the affair became in a few minutes as nearly settled
as this necessary reference to Fullerton would allow。
The circumstances of the morning had led Catherine’s feelings
through the varieties of suspense； security； and disappointment；
but they were now safely lodged in perfect bliss； and with spirits
elated to rapture； with Henry at her heart； and Northanger Abbey
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on her lips； she hurried home to write her letter。 Mr。 and Mrs。
Morland； relying on the discretion of the friends to whom they had
already entrusted their daughter； felt no doubt of the propriety of
an acquaintance which had been formed under their eye； and sent
therefore by return of post their ready consent to her visit in
Gloucestershire。 This indulgence； though not more than Catherine
had hoped for； completed her conviction of being favoured beyond
every other human creature； in friends and fortune； circumstance
and chance。 Every thing seemed to co…operate for her advantage。
By the kindness of her first friends； the Allens；