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what a sweet little cottage there is among the trees—apple trees；
too！ It is the prettiest cottage！”—
“You like it—you approve it as an object；—it is enough。 Henry；
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remember that Robinson is spoken to about it。 The cottage
remains。”
Such a compliment recalled all Catherine’s consciousness； and
silenced her directly； and； though pointedly applied to by the
General for her choice of the prevailing colour of the paper and
hangings； nothing like an opinion on the subject could be drawn
from her。 The influence of fresh objects and fresh air； however；
was of great use in dissipating these embarrassing associations；
and； having reached the ornamental part of the premises；
consisting of a walk round two sides of a meadow； on which
Henry’s genius had begun to act about half a year ago； she was
sufficiently recovered to think it prettier than any pleasure…ground
she had ever been in before； though there was not a shrub in it
higher than the green bench in the corner。
A saunter into other meadows； and through part of the village；
with a visit to the stables to examine some improvements； and a
charming game of play with a litter of puppies just able to roll
about； brought them to four o’clock； when Catherine scarcely
thought it could be three。 At four they were to dine； and at six to
set off on their return。 Never had any day passed so quickly！
She could not but observe that the abundance of the dinner did
not seem to create the smallest astonishment in the General； nay；
that he was even looking at the side…table for cold meat which was
not there。 His son and daughter’s observations were of a different
kind。 They had seldom seen him eat so heartily at any table but his
own； and never before known him so little disconcerted by the
melted butter’s being oiled。
At six o’clock； the General having taken his coffee； the carriage
again received them； and so gratifying had been the tenor of his
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conduct throughout the whole visit； so well assured was her mind
on the subject of his expectations； that； could she have felt equally
confident of the wishes of his son； Catherine would have quitted
Woodston with little anxiety as to the How or the When she might
return to it。
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CHAPTER XII
he next morning brought the following very unexpected
letter from Isabella：—
T
Bath； April —
My dearest Catherine；
I received your two kind letters with the greatest delight； and
have a thousand apologies to make for not answering them sooner。
I really am quite ashamed of my idleness； but in this horrid place
one can find time for nothing。 I have had my pen in my hand to
begin a letter to you almost every day since you left Bath； but have
always been prevented by some silly trifler or other。 Pray write to
me soon； and direct to my own home。 Thank God； we leave this
vile place tomorrow。 Since you went away； I have had no pleasure
in it—the dust is beyond anything； and every body one cares for is
gone。 I believe if I could see you I should not mind the rest； for you
are dearer to me than anybody can conceive。 I am quite uneasy
about your dear brother； not having heard from him since he went
to Oxford； and am fearful of some misunderstanding。 Your kind
offices will set all right：—he is the only man I ever did or could
love； and I trust you will convince him of it。 The spring fashions
are partly down； and the hats the most frightful you can imagine。 I
hope you spend your time pleasantly； but am afraid you never
think of me。 I will not say all that I could of the family you are
with； because I would not be ungenerous； or set you against those
you esteem； but it is very difficult to know whom to trust； and
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young men never know their minds two days together。 I rejoice to
say that the young man whom； of all others； I particularly abhor；
has left Bath。 You will know； from this description； I must mean
Captain Tilney； who； as you may remember； was amazingly
disposed to follow and tease me； before you went away。
Afterwards he got worse； and became quite my shadow。 Many
girls might have been taken in； for never were such attentions； but
I knew the fickle sex too well。 He went away to his regiment two
days ago； and I trust I shall never be plagued with him again。 He is
the greatest coxcomb I ever saw； and amazingly disagreeable。 The
last two days he was always by the side of Charlotte Davis： I pitied
his taste； but took no notice of him。 The last time we met was in
Bath…street； and I turned directly into a shop that he might not
speak to me；—I would not even look at him。 He went into the
Pump…room afterwards； but I would not have followed him for all
the world。 Such a contrast between him and your brother！—pray
send me some news of the latter—I am quite unhappy about him；
he seemed so uncomfortable when he went away； with a cold； or
something that affected his spirits。 I would write to him myself；
but have mislaid his direction； and； as I hinted above； am afraid he
took something in my conduct amiss。 Pray explain every thing to
his satisfaction； or； if he still harbours any doubt； a line from
himself to me； or a call at Putney when next in town； might set all
to rights。 I have not been to the rooms this age； nor to the pl