Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 22
“Herpicture,Isuppose,”blushingattheconsummateartofherownquestion,“hangsinyourfather’sroom?”
“No;itwasintendedforthedrawing-room;butmyfatherwasdissatisfiedwiththepainting,andforsometimeithadnoplace.SoonafterherdeathIobtaineditformyown,andhungitinmybed-chamber—whereIshallbehappytoshowityou;itisverylike.”Herewasanotherproof.Aportrait—verylike—ofadepartedwife,notvaluedbythehusband!Hemusthavebeendreadfullycrueltoher!
Catherineattemptednolongertohidefromherselfthenatureofthefeelingswhich,inspiteofallhisattentions,hehadpreviouslyexcited;andwhathadbeenterroranddislikebefore,wasnowabsoluteaversion.Yes,aversion!Hiscrueltytosuchacharmingwomanmadehimodioustoher.Shehadoftenreadofsuchcharacters,characterswhichMr.Allenhadbeenusedtocallunnaturalandoverdrawn;butherewasproofpositiveofthecontrary.
Shehadjustsettledthispointwhentheendofthepathbroughtthemdirectlyuponthegeneral;andinspiteofallhervirtuousindignation,shefoundherselfagainobligedtowalkwithhim,listentohim,andeventosmilewhenhesmiled.Beingnolongerable,however,toreceivepleasurefromthesurroundingobjects,shesoonbegantowalkwithlassitude;thegeneralperceivedit,andwithaconcernforherhealth,whichseemedtoreproachherforheropinionofhim,wasmosturgentforreturningwithhisdaughtertothehouse.Hewouldfollowtheminaquarterofanhour
