Нортенгерское аббатство
Chapter 15
Maria’sintelligenceconcludedwithatendereffusionofpityforhersisterAnne,whomsherepresentedasinsupportablycross,frombeingexcludedtheparty.
“Shewillneverforgiveme,Iamsure;but,youknow,howcouldIhelpit?Johnwouldhavemego,forhevowedhewouldnotdriveher,becauseshehadsuchthickankles.Idaresayshewillnotbeingoodhumouragainthismonth;butIamdeterminedIwillnotbecross;itisnotalittlematterthatputsmeoutoftemper.”
Isabellanowenteredtheroomwithsoeagerastep,andalookofsuchhappyimportance,asengagedallherfriend’snotice.Mariawaswithoutceremonysentaway,andIsabella,embracingCatherine,thusbegan:“Yes,mydearCatherine,itissoindeed;yourpenetrationhasnotdeceivedyou.Oh!Thatarcheyeofyours!Itseesthrougheverything.”
Catherinerepliedonlybyalookofwonderingignorance.
“Nay,mybeloved,sweetestfriend,”continuedtheother,“composeyourself.Iamamazinglyagitated,asyouperceive.Letussitdownandtalkincomfort.Well,andsoyouguesseditthemomentyouhadmynote?Slycreature!Oh!MydearCatherine,youalone,whoknowmyheart,canjudgeofmypresenthappiness.Yourbrotheristhemostcharmingofmen.IonlywishIweremoreworthyofhim.
