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antique chimney。
She knew not that she had any right to be surprised； but there
was a something in this mode of approach which she certainly had
not expected。 To pass between lodges of a modern appearance； to
find herself with such ease in the very precincts of the abbey； and
driven so rapidly along a smooth； level road of fine gravel； without
obstacle； alarm； or solemnity of any kind； struck her as odd and
inconsistent。 She was not long at leisure； however； for such
considerations。 A sudden scud of rain； driving full in her face；
made it impossible for her to observe anything further； and fixed
all her thoughts on the welfare of her new straw bonnet；—and she
was actually under the abbey walls； was springing； with Henry’s
assistance； from the carriage； was beneath the shelter of the old
porch； and had even passed on to the hall； where her friend and
the General were waiting to welcome her； without feeling one
awful foreboding of future misery to herself； or one moment’s
suspicion of any past scenes of horror being acted within the
solemn edifice。 The breeze had not seemed to waft the sighs of the
murdered to her； it had wafted nothing worse than a thick
mizzling rain； and having given a good shake to her habit； she was
ready to be shown into the common drawing…room； and capable of
considering where she was。
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An abbey！—yes； it was delightful to be really in an abbey！—But
she doubted； as she looked round the room； whether anything
within her observation would have given her the consciousness。
The furniture was in all the profusion and elegance of modern
taste。 The fireplace； where she had expected the ample width and
ponderous carving of former times； was contracted to a Rumford；
with slabs of plain though handsome marble； and ornaments over
it of the prettiest English china。 The windows； to which she looked
with peculiar dependence； from having heard the general talk of
his preserving them in their Gothic form with reverential care；
were yet less what her fancy had portrayed。 To be sure； the
pointed arch was preserved—the form of them was Gothic—they
might be even casements—but every pane was so large； so clear；
so light！ To an imagination which had hoped for the smallest
divisions； and the heaviest stone…work； for painted glass； dirt； and
cobwebs； the difference was very distressing。
The General； perceiving how her eye was employed； began to
talk of the smallness of the room and simplicity of the furniture；
where every thing； being for daily use； pretended only to comfort；
&c。； flattering himself； however； that there were some apartments
in the Abbey not unworthy her notice—and was proceeding to
mention the costly gilding of one in particular； when； taking out
his watch； he stopped short to pronounce it with surprise within
twenty minutes of five！ This seemed the word of separation； and
Catherine found herself hurried away by Miss Tilney in such a
manner as convinced her that the strictest punctuality to the
family hours would be expected at Northanger。
Returning through the large and lofty hall； they ascended a
broad staircase of shining oak； which； after many flights and many
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landing…places； brought them upon a long； wide gallery。 On one
side it had a range of doors； and it was lighted on the other by
windows which Catherine had only time to discover looked into a
quadrangle； before Miss Tilney led the way into a chamber； and
scarcely staying to hope she would find it comfortable； left her
with an anxious entreaty that she would make as little alteration
as possible in her dress。
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CHAPTER VI
moment’s glance was enough to satisfy Catherine that her
Aapartment was very unlike the one which Henry had
endeavoured to alarm her by the description of。—It was
by no means unreasonably large； and contained neither tapestry
nor velvet。—The walls were papered； the floor was carpeted； the
windows were neither less perfect nor more dim than those of the
drawing…room below； the furniture； though not of the latest
fashion； was handsome and comfortable； and the air of the room
altogether far from uncheerful。 Her heart instantaneously at ease
on this point； she resolved to lose no time in particular
examination of any thing； as she greatly dreaded disobliging the
General by any delay。 Her habit therefore was thrown off with all
possible haste； and she was preparing to unpin the linen package；
which the chaise…seat had conveyed for her immediate
accommodation； when her eye suddenly fell on a large high chest；
standing back in a deep recess on one side of the fireplace。 The
sight of it made her start； and； forgetting every thing else； she
stood gazing on it in motionless wonder； while these thoughts
crossed her：—
“This is strange indeed！ I did not expect such a sight as this！—
An immense heavy chest！—What can it hold？—Why should it be
placed here？—Pushed back too； as if meant to be out of sight！—I
will look into it—cost me what it may； I will look into it—and
directly too—by day…light。—If I stay till evening my candle may go
out。” She advanced and examined it closely： it was of cedar；
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curiously inlaid with some