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recollected sooner； that I might have written home。 But it is of
very little consequence。”
“I hope； I earnestly hope； that to your real safety it will be of
none； but to every thing else it is of the greatest consequence； to
comfort； appearance； propriety； to your family； to the world。 Were
your friends； the Allens； still in Bath； you might go to them with
comparative ease； a few hours would take you there； but a journey
of seventy miles； to be taken post by you； at your age； alone；
unattended！”
“Oh； the journey is nothing。 Do not think about that。 And if we
are to part； a few hours sooner or later； you know； makes no
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difference。 I can be ready by seven。 Let me be called in time。”
Eleanor saw that she wished to be alone； and believing it better for
each that they should avoid any further conversation； now left her
with； “I shall see you in the morning。”
Catherine’s swelling heart needed relief。 In Eleanor’s presence
friendship and pride had equally restrained her tears； but no
sooner was she gone than they burst forth in torrents。 Turned
from the house； and in such a way！—Without any reason that
could justify； any apology that could atone for the abruptness； the
rudeness； nay； the insolence of it。 Henry at a distance—not able
even to bid him farewell。 Every hope； every expectation from him
suspended； at least； and who could say how long？—Who could say
when they might meet again？—And all this by such a man as
General Tilney； so polite； so well bred； and heretofore so
particularly fond of her！ It was as incomprehensible as it was
mortifying and grievous。 From what it could arise； and where it
would end； were considerations of equal perplexity and alarm。
The manner in which it was done so grossly uncivil； hurrying her
away without any reference to her own convenience； or allowing
her even the appearance of choice as to the time or mode of her
travelling； of two days； the earliest fixed on； and of that almost the
earliest hour； as if resolved to have her gone before he was stirring
in the morning； that he might not be obliged even to see her。 What
could all this mean but an intentional affront？ By some means or
other she must have had the misfortune to offend him。 Eleanor
had wished to spare her from so painful a notion； but Catherine
could not believe it possible that any injury or any misfortune
could provoke such ill…will against a person not connected； or； at
least； not supposed to be connected with it。
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Heavily passed the night。 Sleep； or repose that deserved the
name of sleep； was out of the question。 That room； in which her
disturbed imagination had tormented her on her first arrival； was
again the scene of agitated spirits and unquiet slumbers。 Yet how
different now the source of her inquietude from what it had been
then—how mournfully superior in reality and substance！ Her
anxiety had foundation in fact； her fears in probability； and with a
mind so occupied in the contemplation of actual and natural evil；
the solitude of her situation； the darkness of her chamber； the
antiquity of the building； were felt and considered without the
smallest emotion； and though the wind was high； and often
produced strange and sudden noises throughout the house； she
heard it all as she lay awake； hour after hour； without curiosity or
terror。
Soon after six Eleanor entered her room； eager to show
attention or give assistance where it was possible； but very little
remained to be done。 Catherine had not loitered； she was almost
dressed； and her packing almost finished。 The possibility of some
conciliatory message from the General occurred to her as his
daughter appeared。 What so natural； as that anger should pass
away and repentance succeed it？ And she only wanted to know
how far； after what had passed； an apology might properly be
received by her。 But the knowledge would have been useless here；
it was not called for； neither clemency nor dignity was put to the
trial—Eleanor brought no message。 Very little passed between
them on meeting； each found her greatest safety in silence； and
few and trivial were the sentences exchanged while they remained
upstairs； Catherine in busy agitation completing her dress； and
Eleanor with more good…will than experience intent upon filling
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the trunk。 When every thing was done they left the room；
Catherine lingering only half a minute behind her friend to throw
a parting glance on every well…known； cherished object； and went
down to the breakfast…parlour； where breakfast was prepared。 She
tried to eat； as well to save herself from the pain of being urged as
to make her friend comfortable； but she had no appetite； and
could not swallow many mouthfuls。 The contrast between this and
her last breakfast in that room gave her fresh misery； and
strengthened her distaste for every thing before her。 It was not
four and twenty hours ago since they had met there to the same
repast； but in circumstances how different！ With what cheerful
ease； what happy； though false； security； had she then looked
around her； enjoying every thing present； and fearing little in
future； beyond Henry’s going to Woodston for a day！ Happy；
happy breakfast！ For Henry had been there； Henry had sat by her
and helped her。 These reflections were long indulged und