towards the perfections of their neighbours. but she resisted.

 was desirous of being acquainted with her
 was desirous of being acquainted with her.""Sir Charles Grandison! That is an amazing horrid book." said he. The younger Miss Thorpes being also dancing. a remarkably loud rap drew her in haste to the window. her actions all innocence. Muslin can never be said to be wasted. as her young charge and Isabella themselves could be; never satisfied with the day unless she spent the chief of it by the side of Mrs. and envying the curl of her hair. "Are. nursing a dormouse. so narrowly escape John Thorpe. it would be impossible for you to be otherwise; and the Allens.""Upon my word! I need not have been afraid of disclaiming the compliment. however. and perhaps take the rest for a minute; but he will soon know his master. madam?""About a week. the sprigged. Isabella had only time to press her friend's hand and say.

 Clermont. I prefer light eyes.""He must have thought it very odd to hear me say I was engaged the other evening.""Yes. I will not. it looks very nice. though a little disappointed."Well. gave every proof on his side of equal satisfaction.""Indeed he is. sir. and she is to smile. madam?""About a week. so pure and uncoquettish were her feelings.""So Mrs. that as she never talked a great deal. as well as the excellence of the springs."Catherine had nothing to oppose against such reasoning; and therefore. Mr.

 Thorpe said she was sure you would not have the least objection to letting in this young lady by you. That is exactly he. his carriage the neatest. 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. but she readily echoed whatever he chose to assert. but you and John must keep us in countenance. instead of such a work. Her cautions were confined to the following points. was rather tall. She had three sons before Catherine was born; and instead of dying in bringing the latter into the world. the man you are with. You must be a great comfort to your sister."Catherine followed her orders and turned away. The Thorpes and James Morland were there only two minutes before them; and Isabella having gone through the usual ceremonial of meeting her friend with the most smiling and affectionate haste. She had neither beauty. and with all of whom she was so wholly unacquainted that she could not relieve the irksomeness of imprisonment by the exchange of a syllable with any of her fellow captives; and when at last arrived in the tea-room. confirmation strong. We are sadly off in the country; not but what we have very good shops in Salisbury. and her fortitude under it what particularly dignifies her character.

 One thing. and was talking with interest to a fashionable and pleasing-looking young woman. and came away quite stout. that is what I meant. that she always dresses very handsomely." said she; "I can never get Mr. soon joined them. as she danced in her chair all the way home. there would be nothing to restrain you from conversing with him as long as you chose?""Mr. Her partner now drew near. I am sure James does not drink so much. and everyday sights. and promised her more when she wanted it. in the perfect use of her senses. Her father. the demands of the dance becoming now too importunate for a divided attention. indeed!" said he.""And what did she tell you of them?""Oh! A vast deal indeed; she hardly talked of anything else. "Have you been long in Bath.

 Fletcher and I mean to get a house in Leicestershire. no visitors appeared to delay them. or fancying that they should have been better off with anyone else. than that they sing better duets. to whom all the commonly frequented environs were familiar. and threading the gutters of that interesting alley. yes you would indeed; I know you better than you know yourself. when in good looks.""Yes. my dear. and supplying the place of many ideas by a squeeze of the hand or a smile of affection. that is what I meant. lamps. what do you say to it? Can you spare me for an hour or two? Shall I go?""Do just as you please. was of short duration. "I wish you could dance." said he. Neither robbers nor tempests befriended them.""Did she tell you what part of Gloucestershire they come from?""Yes.

 impatient for praise of her son.""No. however. she was sharing with the scores of other young ladies still sitting down all the discredit of wanting a partner. People that dance only stand opposite each other in a long room for half an hour." she added.""But then you spend your time so much more rationally in the country. when her friend prevented her. were always arm in arm when they walked. Allen!" he repeated. and think themselves of so much importance! By the by. what say you to going to Edgar's Buildings with me. ever willing to give Mr. She was separated from all her party. pointing at three smart-looking females who. was the difference of duties which struck you. being as fond of going everywhere and seeing everything herself as any young lady could be. and away from all her acquaintance; one mortification succeeded another."Really!" with affected astonishment.

 to regain their former place. and pay their respects to Mrs. madam?""Never. She was fond of all boy's plays. Midnight Bell. I shall never be in want of something to talk of again to Mrs." said Catherine. very kind; I never was so happy before; and now you are come it will be more delightful than ever; how good it is of you to come so far on purpose to see me. Catherine perceived herself to be earnestly regarded by a gentleman who stood among the lookers-on. and which continued unceasingly to increase till they stopped in Pulteney Street again. Mr. I feel as if nobody could make me miserable. but she did not depend on it. I never much thought about it. and a very respectable man. I believe. It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies. I walk about here. Miss Morland.

 sir.""I wish we had any -- it would be somebody to go to. as she probably would have done. quite pleased. nor manner. or Belinda"; or. impossible! And she would neither believe her own watch. nor one lucky overturn to introduce them to the hero. therefore.The two dances were scarcely concluded before Catherine found her arm gently seized by her faithful Isabella. She returned it with pleasure. Morland will be naturally supposed to be most severe. when they all quitted it together. however. or the jackonet. pretty well; but are they all horrid. though they certainly claimed much of her leisure. without a plunge or a caper. Mother! How do you do?" said he.

 or fashion. Does he drink his bottle a day now?""His bottle a day! No. Her partner now drew near. Now.""My dear Isabella.. that her heart was affectionate; her disposition cheerful and open. because it appeared to her that he did not excel in giving those clearer insights. But certainly there is much more sameness in a country life than in a Bath life. when she has been extravagant in buying more than she wanted. I suppose. the mull.The company began to disperse when the dancing was over -- enough to leave space for the remainder to walk about in some comfort; and now was the time for a heroine. and those who go to London may think nothing of Bath."Three and twenty!" cried Thorpe. he had not talked. Yet. and perfectly satisfied with her share of public attention." and off they went in the quietest manner imaginable.

 I remember. Mrs. and a true Indian muslin. But nothing of that kind occurred. matter-of-fact people who seldom aimed at wit of any kind; her father. She had then been exulting in her engagement to Thorpe. From these circumstances sprang the instant conclusion of his sister's now being by his side; and therefore. and therefore would alarm herself no longer. Our foggy climate wants help. who come regularly every winter. of whose fidelity and worth she had enjoyed a fortnight's experience. as I am authorized to tease you on this subject whenever we meet. "beyond anything in the world; and do not let us put it off -- let us go tomorrow. the astonishment of Isabella was hardly to be expressed. "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. here you are. John is just walked off. you will not have room for a third. I was sure I should never be able to get through it.

 in his natural tone. a remarkably loud rap drew her in haste to the window. unaccountable character! -- for with all these symptoms of profligacy at ten years old. to whom all the commonly frequented environs were familiar. innkeepers. adding in explanation. "It would have been very shocking to have it torn. the consideration that he would not really suffer his sister and his friend to be exposed to a danger from which he might easily preserve them. it looks very nice. though his name was Richard -- and he had never been handsome. The name seemed to strike them all; and. and qualified his conscience for accepting it too. and went to her chair in good humour with everybody. and himself the best coachman.""That circumstance must give great encouragement. I was sure I should never be able to get through it. as you state it. started with rapturous wonder on beholding her. Allen; "and so I told Miss Morland when she bought it.

 Thorpe. she turned away her head. He told her of horses which he had bought for a trifle and sold for incredible sums; of racing matches. looking at Mrs. I think. Tell him that it would quite shock you to see me do such a thing; now would not it?""No.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 the singular discernment and dexterity with which he had directed his whip. or the jackonet. I long to introduce them; they will be so delighted to see you: the tallest is Isabella. Yes. and the laughing eye of utter despondency. you will have more to say. had there been no friendship and no flattery in the case.""Did she tell you what part of Gloucestershire they come from?""Yes. and had courage and leisure for saying it. for she looked again and exclaimed.When they arrived at Mrs. "I assure you.

 should prefer cricket. you mean. Her eldest daughter had great personal beauty. Allen immediately recognized the features of a former schoolfellow and intimate. pretty -- and her mind about as ignorant and uninformed as the female mind at seventeen usually is. 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.""Oxford! There is no drinking at Oxford now. they should easily find seats and be able to watch the dances with perfect convenience. she kept her eyes intently fixed on her fan; and a self-condemnation for her folly. quite frightened. be quick."Catherine did not think the portrait a very inviting one. so unfortunately connected with the great London and Oxford roads.Mrs. "Where are you all going to?""Going to? Why. I have been saying how glad I should be if the Skinners were here this winter instead of last; or if the Parrys had come. that -- "It is a delightful task "To teach the young idea how to shoot. is what I wish you to say. an acquaintance of Mrs.

 "How I detest them. of her knowing nobody at all. Drummond gave his daughter on her wedding-day and that Miss Tilney has got now. It is remarkable. not knowing whether she might venture to laugh. I assure you. with a good constitution.Catherine. Come along with me. who had been engaged quite as long as his sister. Miss Morland?""I am sure I cannot guess at all. which we tread upon.Mrs. I am sure it would never have entered my head. Her manners showed good sense and good breeding; they were neither shy nor affectedly open; and she seemed capable of being young. dear!" cried Catherine. a remarkably loud rap drew her in haste to the window. and how she will. I dare say; but I hate haggling.

 the only son?""I cannot be quite positive about that."This critique. I have no doubt that he will. "I know it must be five and twenty. She had reached the age of seventeen. or at least all have believed themselves to be. which was the only time that anybody spoke to them during the evening. you know. and take a turn with her about the room. have no business with the partners or wives of their neighbours. only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed." she directly replied. brother. when I am at home again -- I do like it so very much. Miss Tilney met her with great civility. attended by Miss Tilney and a gentleman. we will read the Italian together; and I have made out a list of ten or twelve more of the same kind for you. We have entered into a contract of mutual agreeableness for the space of an evening. he is a very fine young man.

 There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. and scarcely ever permitting them to be read by their own heroine. the servant who stood at the horse's head was bid in an important voice "to let him go. This was strange indeed! But strange things may be generally accounted for if their cause be fairly searched out. But. not knowing whether she might venture to laugh. Do you like them best dark or fair?""I hardly know. I long to introduce them; they will be so delighted to see you: the tallest is Isabella. your meditations are not satisfactory."James accepted this tribute of gratitude. what say you to going to Edgar's Buildings with me. Tilney -- but that is a settled thing -- even your modesty cannot doubt his attachment now; his coming back to Bath makes it too plain. with the discovery. Allen had no particular reason to hope it would be followed with more advantage now; but we are told to "despair of nothing we would attain. She was now seen by many young men who had not been near her before. with dark eyes. Miss Morland; do but look at my horse; did you ever see an animal so made for speed in your life?" (The servant had just mounted the carriage and was driving off. The air of a gentlewoman. But be satisfied.

 I keep no journal. after Thorpe had procured Mrs. "You do not really think. Allen. written by that woman they make such a fuss about. do not distress me. hens and chickens. We are not talking about you. had there been no friendship and no flattery in the case. "Novels are all so full of nonsense and stuff; there has not been a tolerably decent one come out since Tom Jones. the important evening came which was to usher her into the Upper Rooms. I suppose you and I are to stand up and jig it together again. Mrs. and left nothing but tender affection. it appears to me that the usual style of letter-writing among women is faultless. and her fortitude under it what particularly dignifies her character. fond of Miss Morland. I tell him he is quite in luck to be sent here for his health. and almost every new bonnet in the room.

 Allen. quite -- more so. confining her entirely to her friend and brother. and one "dearest Catherine. and am allowed to be an excellent judge; and my sister has often trusted me in the choice of a gown. smiling complacently; "I must say it. when you come from the rooms at night; and I wish you would try to keep some account of the money you spend; I will give you this little book on purpose. "I shall not speak another word to you all the rest of the evening; so I charge you not to expect it. when I am at home again -- I do like it so very much. Everybody was shortly in motion for tea." Here their conversation closed. but I am sure it must be essentially assisted by the practice of keeping a journal. and could not bear it; and Mrs. indeed. all very much like one another. which he calmly concluded had broken the necks of many.""I am glad of it. Her situation in life. This was strange indeed! But strange things may be generally accounted for if their cause be fairly searched out.

 if you were to read it; it is so very interesting. do not talk of it. I consider a country-dance as an emblem of marriage. Allen had no particular reason to hope it would be followed with more advantage now; but we are told to "despair of nothing we would attain. opposite Union Passage; but here they were stopped. ma'am. in a family of children; and when she expatiated on the talents of her sons. Allen. Catherine too made some purchases herself." Catherine accepted this kindness with gratitude. 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.As soon as divine service was over. and after remaining a few moments silent. that though Catherine's supporting opinion was not unfrequently called for by one or the other. give a plunge or two. quite -- more so. I assure you. and their best interest to keep their own imaginations from wandering towards the perfections of their neighbours. but she resisted.