Chapter 18
Withamindthusfullofhappiness,Catherinewashardlyawarethattwoorthreedayshadpassedaway,withoutherseeingIsabellaformorethanafewminutestogether.Shebeganfirsttobesensibleofthis,andtosighforherconversation,asshewalkedalongthepump-roomonemorning,byMrs.Allen’sside,withoutanythingtosayortohear;andscarcelyhadshefeltafiveminutes’longingoffriendship,beforetheobjectofitappeared,andinvitinghertoasecretconference,ledthewaytoaseat.“Thisismyfavouriteplace,”saidsheastheysatdownonabenchbetweenthedoors,whichcommandedatolerableviewofeverybodyenteringateither;“itissooutoftheway.”
Catherine,observingthatIsabella’seyeswerecontinuallybenttowardsonedoorortheother,asineagerexpectation,andrememberinghowoftenshehadbeenfalselyaccusedofbeingarch,thoughtthepresentafineopportunityforbeingreallyso;andthereforegailysaid,“Donotbeuneasy,Isabella,Jameswillsoonbehere.”
“Psha!Mydearcreature,”shereplied,“donotthinkmesuchasimpletonastobealwayswantingtoconfinehimtomyelbow.Itwouldbehideoustobealwaystogether;weshouldbethejestoftheplace.AndsoyouaregoingtoNorthanger!Iamamazinglygladofit.ItisoneofthefinestoldplacesinEngland,Iunderstand.Ishalldependuponamostparticulardescriptionofit.”
“Youshallcertainlyhavethebestinmypowertogive.Butwhoareyoulookingfor?Areyoursisterscoming?”
“Iamnotlookingforanybody.