Chapter 16

           Catherine’sexpectationsofpleasurefromhervisitinMilsomStreetweresoveryhighthatdisappointmentwasinevitable;andaccordingly,thoughshewasmostpolitelyreceivedbyGeneralTilney,andkindlywelcomedbyhisdaughter,thoughHenrywasathome,andnooneelseoftheparty,shefound,onherreturn,withoutspendingmanyhoursintheexaminationofherfeelings,thatshehadgonetoherappointmentpreparingforhappinesswhichithadnotafforded.InsteadoffindingherselfimprovedinacquaintancewithMissTilney,fromtheintercourseoftheday,sheseemedhardlysointimatewithherasbefore;insteadofseeingHenryTilneytogreateradvantagethanever,intheeaseofafamilyparty,hehadneversaidsolittle,norbeensolittleagreeable;and,inspiteoftheirfather’sgreatcivilitiestoher—inspiteofhisthanks,invitations,andcompliments—ithadbeenareleasetogetawayfromhim.Itpuzzledhertoaccountforallthis.ItcouldnotbeGeneralTilney’sfault.Thathewasperfectlyagreeableandgood-natured,andaltogetheraverycharmingman,didnotadmitofadoubt,forhewastallandhandsome,andHenry’sfather.Hecouldnotbeaccountableforhischildren’swantofspirits,orforherwantofenjoymentinhiscompany.Theformershehopedatlastmighthavebeenaccidental,andthelattershecouldonlyattributetoherownstupidity.Isabella,onhearingtheparticularsofthevisit,gaveadifferentexplanation:“Itwasallpride,pride,insufferablehaughtinessandpride!Shehadlongsuspectedthefamilytobeveryhigh,andthismadeitcertain.