Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 26
ButasitwasnottobesupposedthatCaptainTilney,wheneverhemadehisapplication,wouldgivehisfatheranyjustideaofIsabella’sconduct,itoccurredtoherashighlyexpedientthatHenryshouldlaythewholebusinessbeforehimasitreallywas,enablingthegeneralbythatmeanstoformacoolandimpartialopinion,andpreparehisobjectionsonafairergroundthaninequalityofsituations.Sheproposedittohimaccordingly;buthedidnotcatchatthemeasuresoeagerlyasshehadexpected.“No,”saidhe,“myfather’shandsneednotbestrengthened,andFrederick’sconfessionoffollyneednotbeforestalled.Hemusttellhisownstory.”
“Buthewilltellonlyhalfofit.”
“Aquarterwouldbeenough.”
AdayortwopassedawayandbroughtnotidingsofCaptainTilney.Hisbrotherandsisterknewnotwhattothink.Sometimesitappearedtothemasifhissilencewouldbethenaturalresultofthesuspectedengagement,andatothersthatitwaswhollyincompatiblewithit.Thegeneral,meanwhile,thoughoffendedeverymorningbyFrederick’sremissnessinwriting,wasfreefromanyrealanxietyabouthim,andhadnomorepressingsolicitudethanthatofmakingMissMorland’stimeatNorthangerpasspleasantly.Heoftenexpressedhisuneasinessonthishead,fearedthesamenessofeveryday’ssocietyandemploymentswoulddisgustherwiththeplace,wishedtheLadyFrasershadbeeninthecountry,talkedeverynowandthenofhavingalargepartytodinner,andonceortwicebeganeventocalculatethenumberofyoungdancingpeopleintheneighbourhood.
