Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 24
Tobefoundthere,evenbyaservant,wouldbeunpleasant;butbythegeneral(andheseemedalwaysathandwhenleastwanted),muchworse!Shelistened—thesoundhadceased;andresolvingnottoloseamoment,shepassedthroughandclosedthedoor.Atthatinstantadoorunderneathwashastilyopened;someoneseemedwithswiftstepstoascendthestairs,bytheheadofwhichshehadyettopassbeforeshecouldgainthegallery.Shehadnopowertomove.Withafeelingofterrornotverydefinable,shefixedhereyesonthestaircase,andinafewmomentsitgaveHenrytoherview.“Mr.Tilney!”sheexclaimedinavoiceofmorethancommonastonishment.Helookedastonishedtoo.“GoodGod!”shecontinued,notattendingtohisaddress.“Howcameyouhere?Howcameyouupthatstaircase?”
“HowcameIupthatstaircase!”hereplied,greatlysurprised.“Becauseitismynearestwayfromthestable-yardtomyownchamber;andwhyshouldInotcomeupit?”
Catherinerecollectedherself,blusheddeeply,andcouldsaynomore.Heseemedtobelookinginhercountenanceforthatexplanationwhichherlipsdidnotafford.Shemovedontowardsthegallery.“AndmayInot,inmyturn,”saidhe,ashepushedbackthefoldingdoors,“askhowyoucamehere?Thispassageisatleastasextraordinaryaroadfromthebreakfast-parlourtoyourapartment,asthatstaircasecanbefromthestablestomine.”
“Ihavebeen,”saidCatherine,lookingdown,“toseeyourmother’sroom.”
“Mymother’sroom!Isthereanythingextraordinarytobeseenthere?”
“No,nothingatall.
