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tranquillized but for an instant； for Eleanor’s cheeks were pale；
and her manner greatly agitated。 Though evidently intending to
come in； it seemed an effort to enter the room； and a still greater to
speak when there。 Catherine； supposing some uneasiness on
Captain Tilney’s account； could only express her concern by silent
attention； obliged her to be seated； rubbed her temples with
lavender…water； and hung over her with affectionate solicitude。
“My dear Catherine； you must not—you must not indeed—” were
Eleanor’s first connected words。 “I am quite well。 This kindness
distracts me—I cannot bear it—I come to you on such an errand！”
“Errand！—to me！”
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“How shall I tell you！—Oh！ How shall I tell you！”
A new idea now darted into Catherine’s mind； and turning as
pale as her friend； she exclaimed； “’Tis a messenger from
Woodston！”
“You are mistaken； indeed；” returned Eleanor； looking at her
most compassionately—“it is no one from Woodston。 It is my
father himself。” Her voice faltered； and her eyes were turned to
the ground as she mentioned his name。 His unlooked…for return
was enough in itself to make Catherine’s heart sink； and for a few
moments she hardly supposed there were anything worse to be
told。 She said nothing； and Eleanor endeavouring to collect herself
and speak with firmness； but with eyes still cast down； soon went
on。 “You are too good； I am sure； to think the worse of me for the
part I am obliged to perform。 I am indeed a most unwilling
messenger。 After what has so lately passed； so lately been settled
between us—how joyfully； how thankfully on my side！—as to your
continuing here as I hoped for many； many weeks longer； how can
I tell you that your kindness is not to be accepted—and that the
happiness your company has hitherto given us is to be repaid by—
but I must not trust myself with words。 My dear Catherine； we are
to part。 My father has recollected an engagement that takes our
whole family away on Monday。 We are going to Lord Longtown’s；
near Hereford； for a fortnight。 Explanation and apology are
equally impossible。 I cannot attempt either。”
“My dear Eleanor；” cried Catherine； suppressing her feelings as
well as she could； “do not be so distressed。 A second engagement
must give way to a first。 I am very； very sorry we are to part—so
soon； and so suddenly too； but I am not offended； indeed I am not。
I can finish my visit here； you know； at any time； or I hope you will
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come to me。 Can you； when you return from this lord’s； come to
Fullerton？”
“It will not be in my power； Catherine。”
“Come when you can； then。”
Eleanor made no answer； and Catherine’s thoughts recurring to
something more directly interesting； she added； thinking aloud；
“Monday—so soon as Monday； and you all go。 Well； I am certain
of—I shall be able to take leave； however。 I need not go till just
before you do； you know。 Do not be distressed； Eleanor； I can go
on Monday very well。 My father and mother’s having no notice of
it is of very little consequence。 The General will send a servant
with me； I dare say； half the way—and then I shall soon be at
Salisbury； and then I am only nine miles from home。”
“Ah； Catherine！ were it settled so； it would be somewhat less
intolerable； though in such common attentions you would have
received but half what you ought。 But—how can I tell you？—
tomorrow morning is fixed for your leaving us； and not even the
hour is left to your choice； the very carriage is ordered； and will be
here at seven o’clock； and no servant will be offered you。”
Catherine sat down； breathless and speechless。 “I could hardly
believe my senses； when I heard it；—and no displeasure； no
resentment that you can feel at this moment； however justly great；
can be more than I myself—but I must not talk of what I felt。 Oh！
that I could suggest anything in extenuation！ Good God！ what will
your father and mother say！ After courting you from the
protection of real friends to this—almost double distance from
your home； to have you driven out of the house； without the
considerations even of decent civility！ Dear； dear Catherine； in
being the bearer of such a message； I seem guilty myself of all its
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insult； yet； I trust you will acquit me； for you must have been long
enough in this house to see that I am but a nominal mistress of it；
that my real power is nothing。”
“Have I offended the General？” said Catherine in a faltering
voice。
“Alas！ for my feelings as a daughter； all that I know； all that I
answer for； is that you can have given him no just cause of offence。
He certainly is greatly； very greatly discomposed； I have seldom
seen him more so。 His temper is not happy； and something has
now occurred to ruffle it in an uncommon degree； some
disappointment； some vexation； which just at this moment seems
important； but which I can hardly suppose you to have any
concern in； for how is it possible？”
It was with pain that Catherine could speak at all； and it was
only for Eleanor’s sake that she attempted it。 “I am sure；” said she；
“I am very sorry if I have offended him。 It was the last thing I
would willingly have done。 But do not be unhappy； Eleanor。 An
engagement； you know； must be kept。 I am only sorry it was not
recollected sooner； that I might have written home。 But it is of
very little consequence。”