Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 18
One’seyesmustbesomewhere,andyouknowwhatafoolishtrickIhaveoffixingmine,whenmythoughtsareanhundredmilesoff.Iamamazinglyabsent;IbelieveIamthemostabsentcreatureintheworld.Tilneysaysitisalwaysthecasewithmindsofacertainstamp.”
“ButIthought,Isabella,youhadsomethinginparticulartotellme?”
“Oh!Yes,andsoIhave.ButhereisaproofofwhatIwassaying.Mypoorhead,Ihadquiteforgotit.Well,thethingisthis:IhavejusthadaletterfromJohn;youcanguessthecontents.”
“No,indeed,Icannot.”
“Mysweetlove,donotbesoabominablyaffected.Whatcanhewriteabout,butyourself?Youknowheisoverheadandearsinlovewithyou.”
“Withme,dearIsabella!”
“Nay,mysweetestCatherine,thisisbeingquiteabsurd!Modesty,andallthat,isverywellinitsway,butreallyalittlecommonhonestyissometimesquiteasbecoming.Ihavenoideaofbeingsooverstrained!Itisfishingforcompliments.Hisattentionsweresuchasachildmusthavenoticed.AnditwasbuthalfanhourbeforeheleftBaththatyougavehimthemostpositiveencouragement.Hesayssointhisletter,saysthatheasgoodasmadeyouanoffer,andthatyoureceivedhisadvancesinthekindestway;andnowhewantsmetourgehissuit,andsayallmannerofprettythingstoyou.Soitisinvaintoaffectignorance.”
Catherine,withalltheearnestnessoftruth,expressedherastonishmentatsuchacharge,protestingherinnocenceofeverythoughtofMr.
