Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 29
ThehopeofmeetingagaininthecourseofafewyearscouldonlyputintoCatherine’sheadwhatmighthappenwithinthattimetomakeameetingdreadfultoher.ShecouldneverforgetHenryTilney,orthinkofhimwithlesstendernessthanshedidatthatmoment;buthemightforgether;andinthatcase,tomeet—!Hereyesfilledwithtearsasshepicturedheracquaintancesorenewed;andhermother,perceivinghercomfortablesuggestionstohavehadnogoodeffect,proposed,asanotherexpedientforrestoringherspirits,thattheyshouldcallonMrs.Allen.
Thetwohouseswereonlyaquarterofamileapart;and,astheywalked,Mrs.MorlandquicklydispatchedallthatshefeltonthescoreofJames’sdisappointment.“Wearesorryforhim,”saidshe;“butotherwisethereisnoharmdoneinthematchgoingoff;foritcouldnotbeadesirablethingtohavehimengagedtoagirlwhomwehadnotthesmallestacquaintancewith,andwhowassoentirelywithoutfortune;andnow,aftersuchbehaviour,wecannotthinkatallwellofher.JustatpresentitcomeshardtopoorJames;butthatwillnotlastforever;andIdaresayhewillbeadiscreetermanallhislife,forthefoolishnessofhisfirstchoice.”
ThiswasjustsuchasummaryviewoftheaffairasCatherinecouldlistento;anothersentencemighthaveendangeredhercomplaisance,andmadeherreplylessrational;forsoonwereallherthinkingpowersswallowedupinthereflectionofherownchangeoffeelingsandspiritssincelastshehadtroddenthatwell-knownroad.
