第 20 节
作者:打倒一切      更新:2024-04-07 21:07      字数:9316
  left one of the happiest creatures in the world。
  While talking to each other; she had observed with
  some surprise that John Thorpe; who was never in the same
  part of the house for ten minutes together; was engaged
  in conversation with General Tilney; and she felt something
  more than surprise when she thought she could perceive
  herself the object of their attention and discourse。
  What could they have to say of her? She feared General
  Tilney did not like her appearance: she found it was
  implied in his preventing her admittance to his daughter;
  rather than postpone his own walk a few minutes。  〃How came
  Mr。 Thorpe to know your father?〃 was her anxious inquiry;
  as she pointed them out to her companion。  He knew nothing
  about it; but his father; like every military man;
  had a very large acquaintance。
  When the entertainment was over; Thorpe came to assist
  them in getting out。  Catherine was the immediate object
  of his gallantry; and; while they waited in the lobby
  for a chair; he prevented the inquiry which had travelled
  from her heart almost to the tip of her tongue; by asking;
  in a consequential manner; whether she had seen him
  talking with General Tilney: 〃He is a fine old fellow;
  upon my soul! Stout; activelooks as young as his son。
  I have a great regard for him; I assure you: a gentleman…like;
  good sort of fellow as ever lived。〃
  〃But how came you to know him?〃
  〃Know him! There are few people much about town that I
  do not know。  I have met him forever at the Bedford;
  and I knew his face again today the moment he came into
  the billiard…room。 One of the best players we have;
  by the by; and we had a little touch together; though I
  was almost afraid of him at first: the odds were five
  to four against me; and; if I had not made one of the
  cleanest strokes that perhaps ever was made in this
  worldI took his ball exactlybut I could not make you
  understand it without a table; however; I did beat him。
  A very fine fellow; as rich as a Jew。  I should like
  to dine with him; I dare say he gives famous dinners。
  But what do you think we have been talking of? You。
  Yes; by heavens! And the general thinks you the finest
  girl in Bath。〃
  〃Oh! Nonsense! How can you say so?〃
  〃And what do you think I said?〃lowering his
  voice〃well done; general; said I; I am quite of your mind。〃
  Here Catherine; who was much less gratified by his
  admiration than by General Tilney's; was not sorry to be
  called away by Mr。 Allen。  Thorpe; however; would see her to
  her chair; and; till she entered it; continued the same kind
  of delicate flattery; in spite of her entreating him to have done。
  That General Tilney; instead of disliking;
  should admire her; was very delightful; and she joyfully
  thought that there was not one of the family whom she need
  now fear to meet。  The evening had done more; much more;
  for her than could have been expected。
  CHAPTER 13
  Monday; Tuesday; Wednesday; Thursday; Friday; and Saturday
  have now passed in review before the reader; the events of
  each day; its hopes and fears; mortifications and pleasures;
  have been separately stated; and the pangs of Sunday
  only now remain to be described; and close the week。
  The Clifton scheme had been deferred; not relinquished;
  and on the afternoon's crescent of this day; it was
  brought forward again。  In a private consultation between
  Isabella and James; the former of whom had particularly
  set her heart upon going; and the latter no less anxiously
  placed his upon pleasing her; it was agreed that;
  provided the weather were fair; the party should take
  place on the following morning; and they were to set
  off very early; in order to be at home in good time。
  The affair thus determined; and Thorpe's approbation secured;
  Catherine only remained to be apprised of it。  She had
  left them for a few minutes to speak to Miss Tilney。
  In that interval the plan was completed; and as soon as she
  came again; her agreement was demanded; but instead of the gay
  acquiescence expected by Isabella; Catherine looked grave;
  was very sorry; but could not go。  The engagement which
  ought to have kept her from joining in the former attempt
  would make it impossible for her to accompany them now。
  She had that moment settled with Miss Tilney to take
  their proposed walk tomorrow; it was quite determined;
  and she would not; upon any account; retract。  But that
  she must and should retract was instantly the eager cry
  of both the Thorpes; they must go to Clifton tomorrow;
  they would not go without her; it would be nothing
  to put off a mere walk for one day longer; and they
  would not hear of a refusal。  Catherine was distressed;
  but not subdued。  〃Do not urge me; Isabella。  I am engaged
  to Miss Tilney。  I cannot go。〃 This availed nothing。
  The same arguments assailed her again; she must go;
  she should go; and they would not hear of a refusal。
  〃It would be so easy to tell Miss Tilney that you had just
  been reminded of a prior engagement; and must only beg to
  put off the walk till Tuesday。〃
  〃No; it would not be easy。  I could not do it。
  There has been no prior engagement。〃 But Isabella became
  only more and more urgent; calling on her in the most
  affectionate manner; addressing her by the most endearing names。
  She was sure her dearest; sweetest Catherine would not
  seriously refuse such a trifling request to a friend
  who loved her so dearly。  She knew her beloved Catherine
  to have so feeling a heart; so sweet a temper; to be so
  easily persuaded by those she loved。  But all in vain;
  Catherine felt herself to be in the right; and though
  pained by such tender; such flattering supplication;
  could not allow it to influence her。  Isabella then
  tried another method。  She reproached her with having
  more affection for Miss Tilney; though she had known her
  so little a while; than for her best and oldest friends;
  with being grown cold and indifferent; in short;
  towards herself。  〃I cannot help being jealous; Catherine;
  when I see myself slighted for strangers; I; who love
  you so excessively! When once my affections are placed;
  it is not in the power of anything to change them。
  But I believe my feelings are stronger than anybody's;
  I am sure they are too strong for my own peace; and to see
  myself supplanted in your friendship by strangers does cut
  me to the quick; I own。  These Tilneys seem to swallow up
  everything else。〃
  Catherine thought this reproach equally strange
  and unkind。  Was it the part of a friend thus to expose her
  feelings to the notice of others? Isabella appeared to her
  ungenerous and selfish; regardless of everything but her
  own gratification。  These painful ideas crossed her mind;
  though she said nothing。  Isabella; in the meanwhile;
  had applied her handkerchief to her eyes; and Morland;
  miserable at such a sight; could not help saying;
  〃Nay; Catherine。  I think you cannot stand out any longer now。
  The sacrifice is not much; and to oblige such a friendI
  shall think you quite unkind; if you still refuse。〃
  This was the first time of her brother's openly
  siding against her; and anxious to avoid his displeasure;
  she proposed a compromise。  If they would only put off
  their scheme till Tuesday; which they might easily do;
  as it depended only on themselves; she could go with them;
  and everybody might then be satisfied。  But 〃No; no;
  no!〃 was the immediate answer; 〃that could not be;
  for Thorpe did not know that he might not go to town
  on Tuesday。〃 Catherine was sorry; but could do no more;
  and a short silence ensued; which was broken by Isabella;
  who in a voice of cold resentment said; 〃Very well;
  then there is an end of the party。  If Catherine
  does not go; I cannot。  I cannot be the only woman。
  I would not; upon any account in the world; do so improper
  a thing。〃
  〃Catherine; you must go;〃 said James。
  〃But why cannot Mr。 Thorpe drive one of his other
  sisters? I dare say either of them would like to go。〃
  〃Thank ye;〃 cried Thorpe; 〃but I did not come to Bath
  to drive my sisters about; and look like a fool。  No; if you
  do not go; d me if I do。  I only go for the sake of driving you。〃