Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 18
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“Youdoacquitme,then,ofanythingwrong?—YouareconvincedthatInevermeanttodeceiveyourbrother,neversuspectedhimoflikingmetillthismoment?”
“Oh!Astothat,”answeredIsabellalaughingly,“Idonotpretendtodeterminewhatyourthoughtsanddesignsintimepastmayhavebeen.Allthatisbestknowntoyourself.Alittleharmlessflirtationorsowilloccur,andoneisoftendrawnontogivemoreencouragementthanonewishestostandby.ButyoumaybeassuredthatIamthelastpersonintheworldtojudgeyouseverely.Allthosethingsshouldbeallowedforinyouthandhighspirits.Whatonemeansoneday,youknow,onemaynotmeanthenext.Circumstanceschange,opinionsalter.”
“Butmyopinionofyourbrotherneverdidalter;itwasalwaysthesame.Youaredescribingwhatneverhappened.”
“MydearestCatherine,”continuedtheotherwithoutatalllisteningtoher,“Iwouldnotforalltheworldbethemeansofhurryingyouintoanengagementbeforeyouknewwhatyouwereabout.Idonotthinkanythingwouldjustifymeinwishingyoutosacrificeallyourhappinessmerelytoobligemybrother,becauseheismybrother,andwhoperhapsafterall,youknow,mightbejustashappywithoutyou,forpeopleseldomknowwhattheywouldbeat,youngmenespecially,theyaresoamazinglychangeableandinconstant.WhatIsayis,whyshouldabrother’shappinessbedearertomethanafriend’s?YouknowIcarrymynotionsoffriendshipprettyhigh.But,aboveallthings,mydearCatherine,donotbeinahurry.
