Chapter 30
Catherine’sdispositionwasnotnaturallysedentary,norhadherhabitsbeeneververyindustrious;butwhatevermighthithertohavebeenherdefectsofthatsort,hermothercouldnotbutperceivethemnowtobegreatlyincreased.Shecouldneithersitstillnoremployherselffortenminutestogether,walkingroundthegardenandorchardagainandagain,asifnothingbutmotionwasvoluntary;anditseemedasifshecouldevenwalkaboutthehouseratherthanremainfixedforanytimeintheparlour.Herlossofspiritswasayetgreateralteration.Inherramblingandheridlenessshemightonlybeacaricatureofherself;butinhersilenceandsadnessshewastheveryreverseofallthatshehadbeenbefore.
FortwodaysMrs.Morlandallowedittopassevenwithoutahint;butwhenathirdnight’sresthadneitherrestoredhercheerfulness,improvedherinusefulactivity,norgivenheragreaterinclinationforneedlework,shecouldnolongerrefrainfromthegentlereproofof,“MydearCatherine,Iamafraidyouaregrowingquiteafinelady.IdonotknowwhenpoorRichard’scravatswouldbedone,ifhehadnofriendbutyou.YourheadrunstoomuchuponBath;butthereisatimeforeverything—atimeforballsandplays,andatimeforwork.Youhavehadalongrunofamusement,andnowyoumusttrytobeuseful.”
Catherinetookupherworkdirectly,saying,inadejectedvoice,that“herheaddidnotrunuponBath—much.”
“ThenyouarefrettingaboutGeneralTilney,andthatisverysimpleofyou;fortentoonewhetheryoueverseehimagain.Youshouldneverfretabouttrifles.