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start。 Though spoken low； she could distinguish； “What！ Always to
be watched； in person or by proxy！”
“Psha； nonsense！” was Isabella’s answer in the same half
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whisper。 “Why do you put such things into my head？ If I could
believe it—my spirit； you know； is pretty independent。”
“I wish your heart were independent。 That would be enough for
me。”
“My heart； indeed！ What can you have to do with hearts？ You
men have none of you any hearts。”
“If we have not hearts； we have eyes； and they give us torment
enough。”
“Do they？ I am sorry for it； I am sorry they find anything so
disagreeable in me。 I will look another way。 I hope this pleases
you；” （turning her back on him；） “I hope your eyes are not
tormented now。”
“Never more so； for the edge of a blooming cheek is still in
view—at once too much and too little。”
Catherine heard all this； and quite out of countenance； could
listen no longer。 Amazed that Isabella could endure it； and jealous
for her brother； she rose up； and saying she should join Mrs。 Allen；
proposed their walking。 But for this Isabella showed no
inclination。 She was so amazingly tired； and it was so odious to
parade about the Pump…room； and if she moved from her seat she
should miss her sisters； she was expecting her sisters every
moment； so that her dearest Catherine must excuse her； and must
sit quietly down again。 But Catherine could be stubborn too； and
Mrs。 Allen just then coming up to propose their returning home；
she joined her and walked out of the Pump…room； leaving Isabella
still sitting with Captain Tilney。 With much uneasiness did she
thus leave them。 It seemed to her that Captain Tilney was falling
in love with Isabella； and Isabella unconsciously encouraging him；
unconsciously it must be； for Isabella’s attachment to James was
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as certain and well acknowledged as her engagement。 To doubt
her truth or good intentions was impossible； and yet； during the
whole of their conversation her manner had been odd。 She wished
Isabella had talked more like her usual self； and not so much
about money； and had not looked so well pleased at the sight of
Captain Tilney。 How strange that she should not perceive his
admiration！ Catherine longed to give her a hint of it； to put her on
her guard； and prevent all the pain which her too lively behaviour
might otherwise create both for him and her brother。
The compliment of John Thorpe’s affection did not make
amends for this thoughtlessness in his sister。 She was almost as far
from believing as from wishing it to be sincere； for she had not
forgotten that he could mistake； and his assertion of the offer and
of her encouragement convinced her that his mistakes could
sometimes be very egregious。 In vanity； therefore； she gained but
little； her chief profit was in wonder。 That he should think it worth
his while to fancy himself in love with her was a matter of lively
astonishment。 Isabella talked of his attentions； she had never been
sensible of any； but Isabella had said many things which she
hoped had been spoken in haste； and would never be said again；
and upon this she was glad to rest altogether for present ease and
comfort。
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CHAPTER IV
few days passed away； and Catherine； though not
Aallowing herself to suspect her friend； could not help
watching her closely。 The result of her observations was
not agreeable。 Isabella seemed an altered creature。 When she saw
her； indeed； surrounded only by their immediate friends in
Edgar’s…buildings or Pulteney…street； her change of manners was
so trifling that； had it gone no farther； it might have passed
unnoticed。 A something of languid indifference； or of that boasted
absence of mind which Catherine had never heard of before；
would occasionally come across her； but had nothing worse
appeared； that might only have spread a new grace and inspired a
warmer interest。 But when Catherine saw her in public； admitting
Captain Tilney’s attentions as readily as they were offered； and
allowing him almost an equal share with James in her notice and
smiles； the alteration became too positive to be passed over。 What
could be meant by such unsteady conduct； what her friend could
be at； was beyond her comprehension。 Isabella could not be aware
of the pain she was inflicting； but it was a degree of wilful
thoughtlessness which Catherine could not but resent。 James was
the sufferer。 She saw him grave and uneasy； and however careless
of his present comfort the woman might be who had given him her
heart； to her it was always an object。 For poor Captain Tilney too
she was greatly concerned。 Though his looks did not please her；
his name was a passport to her good will； and she thought with
sincere compassion of his approaching disappointment； for； in
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spite of what she had believed herself to overhear in the Pump…
room； his behaviour was so incompatible with a knowledge of
Isabella’s engagement that she could not； upon reflection； imagine
him aware of it。 He might be jealous of her brother as a rival； but if
more had seemed implied； the fault must have been in her
misapprehension。 She wished； by a gentle remonstrance； to
remind Isabella of her situ