Нортенгерское аббатство

           Thegeneraldeclaredhecouldsaynomore;theclaimsofMr.andMrs.Allenwerenottobesuperseded;butonsomeotherdayhetrusted,whenlongernoticecouldbegiven,theywouldnotrefusetosparehertoherfriend.“Oh,no;Catherinewassuretheywouldnothavetheleastobjection,andsheshouldhavegreatpleasureincoming.”Thegeneralattendedherhimselftothestreet-door,sayingeverythinggallantastheywentdownstairs,admiringtheelasticityofherwalk,whichcorrespondedexactlywiththespiritofherdancing,andmakingheroneofthemostgracefulbowsshehadeverbeheld,whentheyparted.

           Catherine,delightedbyallthathadpassed,proceededgailytoPulteneyStreet,walking,assheconcluded,withgreatelasticity,thoughshehadneverthoughtofitbefore.Shereachedhomewithoutseeinganythingmoreoftheoffendedparty;andnowthatshehadbeentriumphantthroughout,hadcarriedherpoint,andwassecureofherwalk,shebegan(astheflutterofherspiritssubsided)todoubtwhethershehadbeenperfectlyright.Asacrificewasalwaysnoble;andifshehadgivenwaytotheirentreaties,sheshouldhavebeensparedthedistressingideaofafrienddispleased,abrotherangry,andaschemeofgreathappinesstobothdestroyed,perhapsthroughhermeans.Toeasehermind,andascertainbytheopinionofanunprejudicedpersonwhatherownconducthadreallybeen,shetookoccasiontomentionbeforeMr.Allenthehalf-settledschemeofherbrotherandtheThorpesforthefollowingday.Mr.Allencaughtatitdirectly.