Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 29
Thestrengthofthesefeelings,however,wasfarfromassistingherpen;andneverhaditbeenharderforhertowritethaninaddressingEleanorTilney.Tocomposealetterwhichmightatoncedojusticetohersentimentsandhersituation,conveygratitudewithoutservileregret,beguardedwithoutcoldness,andhonestwithoutresentment—aletterwhichEleanormightnotbepainedbytheperusalof—and,aboveall,whichshemightnotblushherself,ifHenryshouldchancetosee,wasanundertakingtofrightenawayallherpowersofperformance;and,afterlongthoughtandmuchperplexity,tobeverybriefwasallthatshecoulddetermineonwithanyconfidenceofsafety.ThemoneythereforewhichEleanorhadadvancedwasenclosedwithlittlemorethangratefulthanks,andthethousandgoodwishesofamostaffectionateheart.
“Thishasbeenastrangeacquaintance,”observedMrs.Morland,astheletterwasfinished;“soonmadeandsoonended.Iamsorryithappensso,forMrs.Allenthoughtthemveryprettykindofyoungpeople;andyouweresadlyoutoflucktooinyourIsabella.Ah!PoorJames!Well,wemustliveandlearn;andthenextnewfriendsyoumakeIhopewillbebetterworthkeeping.”
Catherinecolouredasshewarmlyanswered,“NofriendcanbebetterworthkeepingthanEleanor.”
“Ifso,mydear,Idaresayyouwillmeetagainsometimeorother;donotbeuneasy.Itistentoonebutyouarethrowntogetheragaininthecourseofafewyears;andthenwhatapleasureitwillbe!”
Mrs.Morlandwasnothappyinherattemptatconsolation.
