Chapter 4

           WithmorethanusualeagernessdidCatherinehastentothepump-roomthenextday,securewithinherselfofseeingMr.Tilneytherebeforethemorningwereover,andreadytomeethimwithasmile;butnosmilewasdemanded—Mr.Tilneydidnotappear.EverycreatureinBath,excepthimself,wastobeseenintheroomatdifferentperiodsofthefashionablehours;crowdsofpeoplewereeverymomentpassinginandout,upthestepsanddown;peoplewhomnobodycaredabout,andnobodywantedtosee;andheonlywasabsent.“WhatadelightfulplaceBathis,”saidMrs.Allenastheysatdownnearthegreatclock,afterparadingtheroomtilltheyweretired;“andhowpleasantitwouldbeifwehadanyacquaintancehere.”

           ThissentimenthadbeenutteredsoofteninvainthatMrs.Allenhadnoparticularreasontohopeitwouldbefollowedwithmoreadvantagenow;butwearetoldto“despairofnothingwewouldattain,”as“unwearieddiligenceourpointwouldgain”;andtheunwearieddiligencewithwhichshehadeverydaywishedforthesamethingwasatlengthtohaveitsjustreward,forhardlyhadshebeenseatedtenminutesbeforealadyofaboutherownage,whowassittingbyher,andhadbeenlookingatherattentivelyforseveralminutes,addressedherwithgreatcomplaisanceinthesewords:“Ithink,madam,Icannotbemistaken;itisalongtimesinceIhadthepleasureofseeingyou,butisnotyournameAllen?”Thisquestionanswered,asitreadilywas,thestrangerpronouncedherstobeThorpe;andMrs.