Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 27
WehappenedtositbytheMitchells,andtheypretendedtobequitesurprisedtoseemeout.Iknewtheirspite:atonetimetheycouldnotbeciviltome,butnowtheyareallfriendship;butIamnotsuchafoolastobetakeninbythem.YouknowIhaveaprettygoodspiritofmyown.AnneMitchellhadtriedtoputonaturbanlikemine,asIworeittheweekbeforeattheconcert,butmadewretchedworkofit—ithappenedtobecomemyoddface,Ibelieve,atleastTilneytoldmesoatthetime,andsaideveryeyewasuponme;butheisthelastmanwhosewordIwouldtake.Iwearnothingbutpurplenow:IknowIlookhideousinit,butnomatter—itisyourdearbrother’sfavouritecolour.Losenotime,mydearest,sweetestCatherine,inwritingtohimandtome,Whoeveram,etc.
SuchastrainofshallowartificecouldnotimposeevenuponCatherine.Itsinconsistencies,contradictions,andfalsehoodstruckherfromtheveryfirst.ShewasashamedofIsabella,andashamedofhavingeverlovedher.Herprofessionsofattachmentwerenowasdisgustingasherexcuseswereempty,andherdemandsimpudent.“WritetoJamesonherbehalf!No,JamesshouldneverhearIsabella’snamementionedbyheragain.”
OnHenry’sarrivalfromWoodston,shemadeknowntohimandEleanortheirbrother’ssafety,congratulatingthemwithsincerityonit,andreadingaloudthemostmaterialpassagesofherletterwithstrongindignation.
