Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 26
ButonWednesday,Ithink,Henry,youmayexpectus;andweshallbewithyouearly,thatwemayhavetimetolookaboutus.TwohoursandthreequarterswillcarryustoWoodston,Isuppose;weshallbeinthecarriagebyten;so,aboutaquarterbeforeoneonWednesday,youmaylookforus.”
AballitselfcouldnothavebeenmorewelcometoCatherinethanthislittleexcursion,sostrongwasherdesiretobeacquaintedwithWoodston;andherheartwasstillboundingwithjoywhenHenry,aboutanhourafterwards,camebootedandgreatcoatedintotheroomwheresheandEleanorweresitting,andsaid,“Iamcome,youngladies,inaverymoralizingstrain,toobservethatourpleasuresinthisworldarealwaystobepaidfor,andthatweoftenpurchasethematagreatdisadvantage,givingready-moniedactualhappinessforadraftonthefuture,thatmaynotbehonoured.Witnessmyself,atthispresenthour.BecauseIamtohopeforthesatisfactionofseeingyouatWoodstononWednesday,whichbadweather,ortwentyothercauses,mayprevent,Imustgoawaydirectly,twodaysbeforeIintendedit.”
“Goaway!”saidCatherine,withaverylongface.“Andwhy?”
“Why!Howcanyouaskthequestion?Becausenotimeistobelostinfrighteningmyoldhousekeeperoutofherwits,becauseImustgoandprepareadinnerforyou,tobesure.”
“Oh!Notseriously!”
“Aye,andsadlytoo—forIhadmuchratherstay.”
“Buthowcanyouthinkofsuchathing,afterwhatthegeneralsaid?Whenhesoparticularlydesiredyounottogiveyourselfanytrouble,becauseanythingwoulddo.”
Henryonlysmiled.
