Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 22
Thewholebuildingenclosedalargecourt;andtwosidesofthequadrangle,richinGothicornaments,stoodforwardforadmiration.Theremainderwasshutoffbyknollsofoldtrees,orluxuriantplantations,andthesteepwoodyhillsrisingbehind,togiveitshelter,werebeautifulevenintheleaflessmonthofMarch.Catherinehadseennothingtocomparewithit;andherfeelingsofdelightweresostrong,thatwithoutwaitingforanybetterauthority,sheboldlyburstforthinwonderandpraise.Thegenerallistenedwithassentinggratitude;anditseemedasifhisownestimationofNorthangerhadwaitedunfixedtillthathour.
Thekitchen-gardenwastobenextadmired,andheledthewaytoitacrossasmallportionofthepark.
ThenumberofacrescontainedinthisgardenwassuchasCatherinecouldnotlistentowithoutdismay,beingmorethandoubletheextentofallMr.Allen’s,aswellasherfather’s,includingchurch-yardandorchard.Thewallsseemedcountlessinnumber,endlessinlength;avillageofhot-housesseemedtoariseamongthem,andawholeparishtobeatworkwithintheenclosure.Thegeneralwasflatteredbyherlooksofsurprise,whichtoldhimalmostasplainly,ashesoonforcedhertotellhiminwords,thatshehadneverseenanygardensatallequaltothembefore;andhethenmodestlyownedthat,“withoutanyambitionofthatsorthimself—withoutanysolicitudeaboutit—hedidbelievethemtobeunrivalledinthekingdom.Ifhehadahobby-horse,itwasthat.Helovedagarden.
