Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 30
Allen,inwhichHenrytalkedatrandom,withoutsenseorconnection,andCatherine,raptinthecontemplationofherownunutterablehappiness,scarcelyopenedherlips,dismissedthemtotheecstasiesofanothertete-a-tete;andbeforeitwassufferedtoclose,shewasenabledtojudgehowfarhewassanctionedbyparentalauthorityinhispresentapplication.OnhisreturnfromWoodston,twodaysbefore,hehadbeenmetneartheabbeybyhisimpatientfather,hastilyinformedinangrytermsofMissMorland’sdeparture,andorderedtothinkofhernomore.
Suchwasthepermissionuponwhichhehadnowofferedherhishand.TheaffrightedCatherine,amidstalltheterrorsofexpectation,asshelistenedtothisaccount,couldnotbutrejoiceinthekindcautionwithwhichHenryhadsavedherfromthenecessityofaconscientiousrejection,byengagingherfaithbeforehementionedthesubject;andasheproceededtogivetheparticulars,andexplainthemotivesofhisfather’sconduct,herfeelingssoonhardenedintoevenatriumphantdelight.Thegeneralhadhadnothingtoaccuseherof,nothingtolaytohercharge,butherbeingtheinvoluntary,unconsciousobjectofadeceptionwhichhispridecouldnotpardon,andwhichabetterpridewouldhavebeenashamedtoown.Shewasguiltyonlyofbeinglessrichthanhehadsupposedhertobe.Underamistakenpersuasionofherpossessionsandclaims,hehadcourtedheracquaintanceinBath,solicitedhercompanyatNorthanger,anddesignedherforhisdaughter-in-law.
