Chapter 18

           Withamindthusfullofhappiness,Catherinewashardlyawarethattwoorthreedayshadpassedaway,withoutherseeingIsabellaformorethanafewminutestogether.Shebeganfirsttobesensibleofthis,andtosighforherconversation,asshewalkedalongthepump-roomonemorning,byMrs.Allen’sside,withoutanythingtosayortohear;andscarcelyhadshefeltafiveminutes’longingoffriendship,beforetheobjectofitappeared,andinvitinghertoasecretconference,ledthewaytoaseat.“Thisismyfavouriteplace,”saidsheastheysatdownonabenchbetweenthedoors,whichcommandedatolerableviewofeverybodyenteringateither;“itissooutoftheway.”

           Catherine,observingthatIsabella’seyeswerecontinuallybenttowardsonedoorortheother,asineagerexpectation,andrememberinghowoftenshehadbeenfalselyaccusedofbeingarch,thoughtthepresentafineopportunityforbeingreallyso;andthereforegailysaid,“Donotbeuneasy,Isabella,Jameswillsoonbehere.”

           “Psha!Mydearcreature,”shereplied,“donotthinkmesuchasimpletonastobealwayswantingtoconfinehimtomyelbow.Itwouldbehideoustobealwaystogether;weshouldbethejestoftheplace.AndsoyouaregoingtoNorthanger!Iamamazinglygladofit.ItisoneofthefinestoldplacesinEngland,Iunderstand.Ishalldependuponamostparticulardescriptionofit.”

           “Youshallcertainlyhavethebestinmypowertogive.Butwhoareyoulookingfor?Areyoursisterscoming?”

           “Iamnotlookingforanybody.