Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 21
Thelockwassilver,thoughtarnishedfromage;ateachendweretheimperfectremainsofhandlesalsoofsilver,brokenperhapsprematurelybysomestrangeviolence;and,onthecentreofthelid,wasamysteriouscipher,inthesamemetal.Catherinebentoveritintently,butwithoutbeingabletodistinguishanythingwithcertainty.Shecouldnot,inwhateverdirectionshetookit,believethelastlettertobeaT;andyetthatitshouldbeanythingelseinthathousewasacircumstancetoraisenocommondegreeofastonishment.Ifnotoriginallytheirs,bywhatstrangeeventscouldithavefallenintotheTilneyfamily?
Herfearfulcuriositywaseverymomentgrowinggreater;andseizing,withtremblinghands,thehaspofthelock,sheresolvedatallhazardstosatisfyherselfatleastastoitscontents.Withdifficulty,forsomethingseemedtoresistherefforts,sheraisedthelidafewinches;butatthatmomentasuddenknockingatthedooroftheroommadeher,starting,quitherhold,andthelidclosedwithalarmingviolence.Thisill-timedintruderwasMissTilney’smaid,sentbyhermistresstobeofusetoMissMorland;andthoughCatherineimmediatelydismissedher,itrecalledhertothesenseofwhatsheoughttobedoing,andforcedher,inspiteofheranxiousdesiretopenetratethismystery,toproceedinherdressingwithoutfurtherdelay.Herprogresswasnotquick,forherthoughtsandhereyeswerestillbentontheobjectsowellcalculatedtointerestandalarm;andthoughshedarednotwasteamomentuponasecondattempt,shecouldnotremainmanypacesfromthechest.
