Нортенгерское аббатство
Chapter 4
CatherinewasdelightedwiththisextensionofherBathacquaintance,andalmostforgotMr.TilneywhileshetalkedtoMissThorpe.Friendshipiscertainlythefinestbalmforthepangsofdisappointedlove.
Theirconversationturneduponthosesubjects,ofwhichthefreediscussionhasgenerallymuchtodoinperfectingasuddenintimacybetweentwoyoungladies:suchasdress,balls,flirtations,andquizzes.MissThorpe,however,beingfouryearsolderthanMissMorland,andatleastfouryearsbetterinformed,hadaverydecidedadvantageindiscussingsuchpoints;shecouldcomparetheballsofBathwiththoseofTunbridge,itsfashionswiththefashionsofLondon;couldrectifytheopinionsofhernewfriendinmanyarticlesoftastefulattire;coulddiscoveraflirtationbetweenanygentlemanandladywhoonlysmiledoneachother;andpointoutaquizthroughthethicknessofacrowd.ThesepowersreceiveddueadmirationfromCatherine,towhomtheywereentirelynew;andtherespectwhichtheynaturallyinspiredmighthavebeentoogreatforfamiliarity,hadnottheeasygaietyofMissThorpe’smanners,andherfrequentexpressionsofdelightonthisacquaintancewithher,softeneddowneveryfeelingofawe,andleftnothingbuttenderaffection.Theirincreasingattachmentwasnottobesatisfiedwithhalfadozenturnsinthepump-room,butrequired,whentheyallquittedittogether,thatMissThorpeshouldaccompanyMissMorlandtotheverydoorofMr
