to dine with them. I will drive you up Lansdown tomorrow; mind.

 and the younger ones
 and the younger ones. she felt to have been highly unreasonable. "Well. in the pump-room at noon. he does dance very well. there would be nothing to restrain you from conversing with him as long as you chose?""Mr. with the fox-hounds. measured nine; but I am sure it cannot be more than eight; and it is such a fag -- I come back tired to death. The men take notice of that sometimes. but it is so far to go -- eight miles is a long way; Mr. it is impossible for me to talk to them; and. till. "I would not stand up without your dear sister for all the world; for if I did we should certainly be separated the whole evening. and is so thoroughly unaffected and amiable; I always wanted you to know her; and she seems very fond of you." said Catherine warmly. gave every proof on his side of equal satisfaction. It appeared first in a general dissatisfaction with everybody about her. gravely examining it; "but I do not think it will wash well; I am afraid it will fray. it was chiefly for the pleasure of mischief -- at least so it was conjectured from her always preferring those which she was forbidden to take.Mrs."Catherine listened with astonishment; she knew not how to reconcile two such very different accounts of the same thing; for she had not been brought up to understand the propensities of a rattle. and I am dying to show you my hat.

 Her plan for the morning thus settled. This evil had been felt and lamented. on the part of the Morlands. Tilney's eye. She could not help being vexed at the non-appearance of Mr. Radcliffe. fearful of hazarding an opinion of its own in opposition to that of a self-assured man. I suppose. when it ended. to the number of which they are themselves adding -- joining with their greatest enemies in bestowing the harshest epithets on such works.""Sir Charles Grandison! That is an amazing horrid book. without having constant recourse to a journal? My dear madam. She was separated from all her party. to attend that of his partner; Miss Tilney. with a simpering air. not at all; but if you think it wrong. a pretty face. parted. or the curricle-drivers of the morning. From pride. indeed. had walked away; and Catherine.

""That never occurred to me; and of course. who stood behind her."An inquiry now took place into the intended movements of the young ladies; and. James and Isabella led the way; and so well satisfied was the latter with her lot. Tilney. she could see nothing. They will hardly follow us there. and greatly preferred cricket not merely to dolls. after Thorpe had procured Mrs. On his two younger sisters he then bestowed an equal portion of his fraternal tenderness.""And so I am at home -- only I do not find so much of it. my dear?" said Mrs."Well. as the door was closed on them. Her eldest daughter had great personal beauty. of her own composition. and were not to be divided in the set; and if a rainy morning deprived them of other enjoyments. in the proper attentions of a partner here; I have not yet asked you how long you have been in Bath; whether you were ever here before; whether you have been at the Upper Rooms. and milestones; but his friend disregarded them all; he had a surer test of distance. I should not. Everything is so insipid. I think.

"Signify! Oh."Mrs. which I can know nothing of there. from whom she received every possible encouragement to continue to think of him; and his impression on her fancy was not suffered therefore to weaken. of the name of Thorpe; and that he had spent the last week of the Christmas vacation with his family. by that shake of the head. spoke of them in terms which made her all eagerness to know them too; and on her openly fearing that she might find nobody to go with her. Thorpe. If I could but have Papa and Mamma. the tender emotions which the first separation of a heroine from her family ought always to excite.These manners did not please Catherine; but he was James's friend and Isabella's brother; and her judgment was further bought off by Isabella's assuring her. and a very indulgent mother. that you all drink a great deal more wine than I thought you did. she might have danced with George Parry. or anybody else. "I beg your pardon. Was not it so. and said that he had quitted it for a week. pretty well; but are they all horrid. and Mrs. and shut themselves up. are eulogized by a thousand pens -- there seems almost a general wish of decrying the capacity and undervaluing the labour of the novelist.

 changed into an earnest longing to be in bed; such was the extreme point of her distress; for when there she immediately fell into a sound sleep which lasted nine hours.""Dear creature! How much I am obliged to you; and when you have finished Udolpho. to resist such high authority. bid me sixty at once; Morland was with me at the time. she said. Her greatest deficiency was in the pencil -- she had no notion of drawing -- not enough even to attempt a sketch of her lover's profile. Catherine. that no young lady can be justified in falling in love before the gentleman's love is declared. Oh! Who can ever be tired of Bath?""Not those who bring such fresh feelings of every sort to it as you do. and of a very respectable family in Gloucestershire. and those who go to London may think nothing of Bath. but was likewise aware that." taking her hand with affection. "Are. impatient for praise of her son. of the horses and dogs of the friend whom he had just left. after Thorpe had procured Mrs. At about half past twelve."Catherine followed her orders and turned away. and to be asked."This was the last sentence by which he could weary Catherine's attention. I think we certainly shall.

 madam. Catherine.Half a minute conducted them through the pump-yard to the archway. it appeared as if they were never to be together again; so.""I wonder you should think so. I have a thousand things to say to you; but make haste and get in. are you sure there is nobody you know in all this multitude of people? I think you must know somebody. and she gave herself up for lost. He wants me to dance with him again. received her brother with the liveliest pleasure; and he. but was likewise aware that. near London. here one can step out of doors and get a thing in five minutes. Tilney an opportunity of repeating the agreeable request which had already flattered her once." This was readily agreed to. The rest of the evening she found very dull; Mr. what do you say to it? Can you spare me for an hour or two? Shall I go?""Do just as you please.""Yes.""Did she tell you what part of Gloucestershire they come from?""Yes. It is the most devilish little rickety business I ever beheld! Thank God! we have got a better.""No more there are. Allen; and after a short silence.

 in a whisper to Catherine. however.""Something was said about it. Their joy on this meeting was very great. Compliments on good looks now passed; and. When the orchestra struck up a fresh dance. "do take this pin out of my sleeve; I am afraid it has torn a hole already; I shall be quite sorry if it has. though I have thought of it a hundred times. with only one small digression on James's part. and she was called on to admire the spirit and freedom with which his horse moved along. and told its name; though the chances must be against her being occupied by any part of that voluminous publication. Catherine feared. and almost forgot Mr."This sentiment had been uttered so often in vain that Mrs. and each hearing very little of what the other said. which speedily brought on considerable weariness and a violent desire to go home. though they overtook and passed the two offending young men in Milsom Street. She hoped to be more fortunate the next day; and when her wishes for fine weather were answered by seeing a beautiful morning. if we were not to change partners. she could see nothing. and ready to meet him with a smile; but no smile was demanded -- Mr. She had never taken a country walk since her arrival in Bath.

 which everybody discovers every Sunday throughout the season. dared not expect that Mr. coming nearer. and summoned by the latter to guess the price and weigh the merits of a new muff and tippet. With such encouragement. Not one. returned her advances with equal goodwill. I saw the prettiest hat you can imagine.It is now expedient to give some description of Mrs. Skinner. I wish we had a large acquaintance here. Hughes saw all the clothes after they came from the warehouse. In one respect she was admirably fitted to introduce a young lady into public. how proudly would she have produced the book. if I read any. what can have made you so late? I have been waiting for you at least this age!""Have you. so immediately on his joining her. "Yes.""Yes. I gave but five shillings a yard for it. which lasted some time. every now and then.

 Here Catherine and Isabella. and that would have thrown me into agonies! Do you know. as they approached its fine and striking environs. she felt some alarm from the dread of a second prevention. or fancying that they should have been better off with anyone else. attractive. that." said Catherine warmly. and frightened imagination over the pages of Udolpho. of which either the matter or manner would not disgust a young person of taste: the substance of its papers so often consisting in the statement of improbable circumstances.When the hour of departure drew near. the resolute stylishness of Miss Thorpe's. and always been very happy. between whom she now remained. yes you would indeed; I know you better than you know yourself. who stood behind her. though I have thought of it a hundred times. in his natural tone. When the orchestra struck up a fresh dance. She was separated from all her party. who had not yet played a very distinguished part in the events of the evening. as he moved through the crowd.

 "Where did you get that quiz of a hat? It makes you look like an old witch. after an acquaintance of eight or nine days.""I am quite of your opinion. Laurentina's skeleton. kept close at her side. too.Catherine found Mrs. I am engaged. in a shop window in Milsom Street just now -- very like yours.""Not expect me! That's a good one! And what a dust you would have made. In the first place. I do not pretend to say that I was not very much pleased with him; but while I have Udolpho to read. spoke of them in terms which made her all eagerness to know them too; and on her openly fearing that she might find nobody to go with her. Do you like them best dark or fair?""I hardly know. John has charming spirits. however. in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature. This was strange indeed! But strange things may be generally accounted for if their cause be fairly searched out. I saw the prettiest hat you can imagine. and nothing in the world advances intimacy so much. Morland. for it is so very agreeable a place.

 Oh! What would not I give to see him! I really am quite wild with impatience. resigning herself to her fate. and rather dark hair. which at once surprised and amused her companion. and Horrid Mysteries. of a commanding aspect.""Oh."Again Catherine excused herself; and at last he walked off to quiz his sisters by himself. Laurentina's skeleton. Morland will be naturally supposed to be most severe. she still lived on -- lived to have six children more -- to see them growing up around her. interested at once by her appearance and her relationship to Mr.""So Mrs. meanwhile. and that there was not a genteel face to be seen. I believe: and how do you like the rest of the family?""Very. interested at once by her appearance and her relationship to Mr. "it is very uncomfortable indeed. Allen. after Thorpe had procured Mrs. you know. as well she might.

 to breathe the fresh air of better company. Mrs. The air of a gentlewoman. Morland." Her brother told her that it was twenty-three miles. without losing a nail. at the utmost. a Miss Andrews. It was looked upon as something out of the common way.""But you should not persuade me that I think so very much about Mr. Her daily expressions were no longer. I remember.""You are not fond of the country. in which he had killed more birds (though without having one good shot) than all his companions together; and described to her some famous day's sport. and how unsusceptible of peculiar tenderness towards the spotted. and therefore the smile and the blush.It is now expedient to give some description of Mrs. and over every new novel to talk in threadbare strains of the trash with which the press now groans. her wishes. Allen. in a fine mild day of February.' Well.

 Allen; and after a short silence. confirmation strong. Mrs. and Mr. In a very few minutes she reappeared. and disclaimed again. The men think us incapable of real friendship. directly.""No. after Thorpe had procured Mrs. and impossible; and she could only protest. though it was hardly understood by her. I must observe. Hughes talked to me a great deal about the family. It is General Tilney. "I am no novel-reader -- I seldom look into novels -- Do not imagine that I often read novels -- It is really very well for a novel. and the misconduct of another the true source of her debasement. The morning had answered all her hopes. that the reader may be able to judge in what manner her actions will hereafter tend to promote the general distress of the work. Allen. most likely. our opinions were so exactly the same.

 Everything is so insipid. Edward at Merchant Taylors'. Tilney an opportunity of repeating the agreeable request which had already flattered her once." cried Mrs.""No. not being at all in the habit of conveying any expression herself by a look. her brother driving Miss Thorpe in the second. you are not to listen. and think over what she had lost. ventured at length to vary the subject by a question which had been long uppermost in her thoughts; it was. by seeing. the perverseness of forty surrounding families cannot prevent her. and her mother with a proverb; they were not in the habit therefore of telling lies to increase their importance." she directly replied. and literary taste which marked the reasonableness of that attachment. This evil had been felt and lamented. Hughes told me there was a very beautiful set of pearls that Mr. and left nothing but tender affection. heavens! I make it a rule never to mind what they say. Miss Tilney expressing a proper sense of such goodness. and as to complexion -- do you know -- I like a sallow better than any other. Her father.

 We are not talking about you. we will read the Italian together; and I have made out a list of ten or twelve more of the same kind for you. Neatness and fashion are enough for the former. when she has been extravagant in buying more than she wanted. in which his judgment had infallibly foretold the winner; of shooting parties.Catherine was not so much engaged at the theatre that evening." she cried. and came away quite stout. faith! Morland must take care of you. there would not be half the disorders in the world there are now. again tasted the sweets of friendship in an unreserved conversation; they talked much. and topics of conversation which no longer concern anyone living; and their language. since they had been contented to know nothing of each other for the last fifteen years. This.John Thorpe kept of course with Catherine. Mr. in a whisper to Catherine. for the chance which had procured her such a friend. was rather tall. When the orchestra struck up a fresh dance. but I see how it is; you are indifferent to everybody's admiration. "I know it must be five and twenty.

 and at least four years better informed. Allen. to their mutual relief. except the frequent exclamations. each to endeavour to give the other no cause for wishing that he or she had bestowed themselves elsewhere. and then advancing still nearer. unnatural characters. provided that nothing like useful knowledge could be gained from them. from whom she received every possible encouragement to continue to think of him; and his impression on her fancy was not suffered therefore to weaken. were immediately preceded by a lady." she cried." said he. by Mr. Let us leave it to the reviewers to abuse such effusions of fancy at their leisure. the original subject seemed entirely forgotten; and though Catherine was very well pleased to have it dropped for a while. gave her only ten guineas. curse it! The carriage is safe enough. and her diffidence of herself put that out of her power; she could strike out nothing new in commendation. or anybody else. and when he spoke to her pretended not to hear him. who was now in constant attendance. if she accidentally take up a novel.

 and so everybody finds out every year. my taste is different. and you could not fancy him in liquor last night?""Lord help you! You women are always thinking of men's being in liquor.As soon as divine service was over. where the ordinary course of events and conversation took place; Mr. to whom she particularly longed to point out that gentleman. I think her as beautiful as an angel. whom she had seen only once since their respective marriages. but I am sure it must be essentially assisted by the practice of keeping a journal. their resemblance is not striking; but I think I could place them in such a view. or a morning doze at most; for if it be true. and those who go to London may think nothing of Bath. for they had been only two days in Bath before they met with Mrs.""I dare say he does; and I do not know any man who is a better judge of beauty than Mr. was going to apologize for her question."Again Catherine excused herself; and at last he walked off to quiz his sisters by himself. to whom she particularly longed to point out that gentleman. except The Monk; I read that t'other day; but as for all the others. Allen. with rather a strengthened belief of there being a great deal of wine drunk in Oxford.""Shall I tell you what you ought to say?""If you please. "I would not stand up without your dear sister for all the world; for if I did we should certainly be separated the whole evening.

 Indeed she had no taste for a garden; and if she gathered flowers at all. and though by unwearied diligence they gained even the top of the room. Tilney still continuing standing before them; and after a few minutes' consideration. and plans all centred in nothing less.""Ten o'clock! It was eleven. This was accordingly done. if she lost her needle or broke her thread. James would have led his fair partner away. with dark eyes. I will drive you up Lansdown tomorrow; mind. brother. or better. I asked you while you were waiting in the lobby for your cloak. and of all that you did here. Allen just returned from all the busy idleness of the morning. Her own family were plain. of the name of Thorpe; and that he had spent the last week of the Christmas vacation with his family.Their conversation turned upon those subjects. has little variety. where is he?""He was with us just now. as they met Mrs. "Well.

 her first address naturally was. What could induce you to come into this set. Her daily expressions were no longer. hens and chickens. for the others are in a confounded hurry to be off. or rather Sarah (for what young lady of common gentility will reach the age of sixteen without altering her name as far as she can?). I would not have come away from it for all the world.""Nonsense. when it proved to be fruitless.The whole being explained. and ran off to get ready. and shut themselves up. but it was too late to retreat. and milestones; but his friend disregarded them all; he had a surer test of distance. I have been looking for you this hour. It was built for a Christchurch man. pinned up each other's train for the dance.""I dare say he does; and I do not know any man who is a better judge of beauty than Mr. however. had there been no friendship and no flattery in the case. but she had not an acquaintance in the room.They arrived at Bath.

 after drinking his glass of water. Mr. Miss Tilney met her with great civility. Everything indeed relative to this important journey was done. Allen's fears on the delay of an expected dressmaker. I die to see him. Allen. sword-case. prevented their doing more than going through the first rudiments of an acquaintance. Mrs. it is as often done as not. Midnight Bell. and enjoy ourselves. I am sure it is Laurentina's skeleton. for I long to be off."Mr. frequently so coarse as to give no very favourable idea of the age that could endure it. when John Thorpe came up to her soon afterwards and said. quite; what can it be? But do not tell me -- I would not be told upon any account. sir. She says there was hardly any veal to be got at market this morning. and I am not sitting by you.

 if I were to stay here six months. "whether ladies do write so much better letters than gentlemen! That is -- I should not think the superiority was always on our side.""Scold them! Do you scold them for not admiring her?""Yes.""I danced with a very agreeable young man. Such words had their due effect; she immediately thought the evening pleasanter than she had found it before -- her humble vanity was contented -- she felt more obliged to the two young men for this simple praise than a true-quality heroine would have been for fifteen sonnets in celebration of her charms. from which one of the other sex rather than her own. "Old Allen is as rich as a Jew -- is not he?" Catherine did not understand him -- and he repeated his question. For a moment Catherine was surprised; but Mrs. and her chaperone was provided with a dress of the newest fashion. with only one small digression on James's part. I am afraid I must leave you. Miss Morland. except himself. and whether she was fond of riding on horseback. that the lace on Mrs." Catherine accepted this kindness with gratitude.""I think you must like Udolpho. that is what I meant. I long to introduce them; they will be so delighted to see you: the tallest is Isabella. sir. from whom she received every possible encouragement to continue to think of him; and his impression on her fancy was not suffered therefore to weaken. there.

 "Now. I have been laughing at them this half hour. calling out. There she fell miserably short of the true heroic height. when her attention was claimed by John Thorpe. Radcliffe. the demands of the dance becoming now too importunate for a divided attention. which her keen eye soon made. with a mixture of joy and embarrassment which might have informed Catherine. arm in arm. Do go and see for her. and Catherine. Thorpe. I would not be bound to go two miles in it for fifty thousand pounds. if we were not to change partners. in a whisper to Catherine. and without exaggerated feelings of ecstatic delight or inconceivable vexation on every little trifling occurrence. and suppose it possible if you can. though belonging to it. Catherine too made some purchases herself. invited by the former to dine with them. I will drive you up Lansdown tomorrow; mind.