Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 19
Shehasbeeninlovewithhimeversincetheyfirstmet,andwhilemyfather’sconsentwasuncertain,shefrettedherselfalmostintoafever.Youknowshemustbeattachedtohim.”
“Iunderstand:sheisinlovewithJames,andflirtswithFrederick.”
“Oh!no,notflirts.Awomaninlovewithonemancannotflirtwithanother.”
“Itisprobablethatshewillneitherlovesowell,norflirtsowell,asshemightdoeithersingly.Thegentlemenmusteachgiveupalittle.”
Afterashortpause,Catherineresumedwith,“ThenyoudonotbelieveIsabellasoverymuchattachedtomybrother?”
“Icanhavenoopiniononthatsubject.”
“Butwhatcanyourbrothermean?Ifheknowsherengagement,whatcanhemeanbyhisbehaviour?”
“Youareaveryclosequestioner.”
“AmI?IonlyaskwhatIwanttobetold.”
“ButdoyouonlyaskwhatIcanbeexpectedtotell?”
“Yes,Ithinkso;foryoumustknowyourbrother’sheart.”
“Mybrother’sheart,asyoutermit,onthepresentoccasion,IassureyouIcanonlyguessat.”
“Well?”
“Well!Nay,ifitistobeguesswork,letusallguessforourselves.Tobeguidedbysecond-handconjectureispitiful.Thepremisesarebeforeyou.Mybrotherisalivelyandperhapssometimesathoughtlessyoungman;hehashadaboutaweek’sacquaintancewithyourfriend,andhehasknownherengagementalmostaslongashehasknownher.”
“Well,”saidCatherine,aftersomemoments’consideration,“youmaybeabletoguessatyourbrother’sintentionsfromallthis;butIamsureIcannot.
