Chapter 15

           Earlythenextday,anotefromIsabella,speakingpeaceandtendernessineveryline,andentreatingtheimmediatepresenceofherfriendonamatteroftheutmostimportance,hastenedCatherine,inthehappieststateofconfidenceandcuriosity,toEdgar’sBuildings.ThetwoyoungestMissThorpeswerebythemselvesintheparlour;and,onAnne’squittingittocallhersister,Catherinetooktheopportunityofaskingtheotherforsomeparticularsoftheiryesterday’sparty.Mariadesirednogreaterpleasurethantospeakofit;andCatherineimmediatelylearntthatithadbeenaltogetherthemostdelightfulschemeintheworld,thatnobodycouldimaginehowcharmingithadbeen,andthatithadbeenmoredelightfulthananybodycouldconceive.Suchwastheinformationofthefirstfiveminutes;thesecondunfoldedthusmuchindetail—thattheyhaddrivendirectlytotheYorkHotel,atesomesoup,andbespokeanearlydinner,walkeddowntothepump-room,tastedthewater,andlaidoutsomeshillingsinpursesandspars;thenceadjournedtoeaticeatapastry-cook’s,andhurryingbacktothehotel,swallowedtheirdinnerinhaste,topreventbeinginthedark;andthenhadadelightfuldriveback,onlythemoonwasnotup,anditrainedalittle,andMr.Morland’shorsewassotiredhecouldhardlygetitalong.

           Catherinelistenedwithheartfeltsatisfaction.ItappearedthatBlaizeCastlehadneverbeenthoughtof;and,asforalltherest,therewasnothingtoregretforhalfaninstant.