Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 20
Butthemeritofthecurricledidnotallbelongtothehorses;Henrydrovesowell—soquietly—withoutmakinganydisturbance,withoutparadingtoher,orswearingatthem:sodifferentfromtheonlygentleman-coachmanwhomitwasinherpowertocomparehimwith!Andthenhishatsatsowell,andtheinnumerablecapesofhisgreatcoatlookedsobecominglyimportant!Tobedrivenbyhim,nexttobeingdancingwithhim,wascertainlythegreatesthappinessintheworld.Inadditiontoeveryotherdelight,shehadnowthatoflisteningtoherownpraise;ofbeingthankedatleast,onhissister’saccount,forherkindnessinthusbecominghervisitor;ofhearingitrankedasrealfriendship,anddescribedascreatingrealgratitude.Hissister,hesaid,wasuncomfortablycircumstanced—shehadnofemalecompanion—and,inthefrequentabsenceofherfather,wassometimeswithoutanycompanionatall.
“Buthowcanthatbe?”saidCatherine.“Arenotyouwithher?”
“Northangerisnotmorethanhalfmyhome;IhaveanestablishmentatmyownhouseinWoodston,whichisnearlytwentymilesfrommyfather’s,andsomeofmytimeisnecessarilyspentthere.”
“Howsorryyoumustbeforthat!”
“IamalwayssorrytoleaveEleanor.”
“Yes;butbesidesyouraffectionforher,youmustbesofondoftheabbey!Afterbeingusedtosuchahomeastheabbey,anordinaryparsonage-housemustbeverydisagreeable.”
Hesmiled,andsaid,“Youhaveformedaveryfavourableideaoftheabbey.”
“Tobesure,Ihave.
