Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 12
Whatcouldtheyhavetosayofher?ShefearedGeneralTilneydidnotlikeherappearance:shefounditwasimpliedinhispreventingheradmittancetohisdaughter,ratherthanpostponehisownwalkafewminutes.“HowcameMr.Thorpetoknowyourfather?”washeranxiousinquiry,asshepointedthemouttohercompanion.Heknewnothingaboutit;buthisfather,likeeverymilitaryman,hadaverylargeacquaintance.
Whentheentertainmentwasover,Thorpecametoassistthemingettingout.Catherinewastheimmediateobjectofhisgallantry;and,whiletheywaitedinthelobbyforachair,hepreventedtheinquirywhichhadtravelledfromherheartalmosttothetipofhertongue,byasking,inaconsequentialmanner,whethershehadseenhimtalkingwithGeneralTilney:“Heisafineoldfellow,uponmysoul!Stout,active—looksasyoungashisson.Ihaveagreatregardforhim,Iassureyou:agentleman-like,goodsortoffellowaseverlived.”
“Buthowcameyoutoknowhim?”
“Knowhim!TherearefewpeoplemuchabouttownthatIdonotknow.IhavemethimforeverattheBedford;andIknewhisfaceagaintodaythemomenthecameintothebilliard-room.Oneofthebestplayerswehave,bytheby;andwehadalittletouchtogether,thoughIwasalmostafraidofhimatfirst:theoddswerefivetofouragainstme;and,ifIhadnotmadeoneofthecleaneststrokesthatperhapseverwasmadeinthisworld—Itookhisballexactly—butIcouldnotmakeyouunderstanditwithoutatable;however,Ididbeathim.Averyfinefellow;asrichasaJew
