Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 22
Butperhapsitmaybedamp.”
ItwasanarrowwindingpaththroughathickgroveofoldScotchfirs;andCatherine,struckbyitsgloomyaspect,andeagertoenterit,couldnot,evenbythegeneral’sdisapprobation,bekeptfromsteppingforward.Heperceivedherinclination,andhavingagainurgedthepleaofhealthinvain,wastoopolitetomakefurtheropposition.Heexcusedhimself,however,fromattendingthem:“Theraysofthesunwerenottoocheerfulforhim,andhewouldmeetthembyanothercourse.”Heturnedaway;andCatherinewasshockedtofindhowmuchherspiritswererelievedbytheseparation.Theshock,however,beinglessrealthantherelief,offereditnoinjury;andshebegantotalkwitheasygaietyofthedelightfulmelancholywhichsuchagroveinspired.
“Iamparticularlyfondofthisspot,”saidhercompanion,withasigh.“Itwasmymother’sfavouritewalk.”
CatherinehadneverheardMrs.Tilneymentionedinthefamilybefore,andtheinterestexcitedbythistenderremembranceshoweditselfdirectlyinheralteredcountenance,andintheattentivepausewithwhichshewaitedforsomethingmore.
“Iusedtowalkheresooftenwithher!”addedEleanor;“thoughIneverloveditthen,asIhaveloveditsince.AtthattimeindeedIusedtowonderatherchoice.Buthermemoryendearsitnow.”
“Andoughtitnot,”reflectedCatherine,“toendearittoherhusband?Yetthegeneralwouldnotenterit.
