Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 30
ForCatherine,however,thepeculiarobjectofthegeneral’scuriosity,andhisownspeculations,hehadyetsomethingmoreinreserve,andthetenorfifteenthousandpoundswhichherfathercouldgiveherwouldbeaprettyadditiontoMr.Allen’sestate.Herintimacytherehadmadehimseriouslydetermineonherbeinghandsomelylegaciedhereafter;andtospeakofherthereforeasthealmostacknowledgedfutureheiressofFullertonnaturallyfollowed.Uponsuchintelligencethegeneralhadproceeded;forneverhaditoccurredtohimtodoubtitsauthority.Thorpe’sinterestinthefamily,byhissister’sapproachingconnectionwithoneofitsmembers,andhisownviewsonanother(circumstancesofwhichheboastedwithalmostequalopenness),seemedsufficientvouchersforhistruth;andtothesewereaddedtheabsolutefactsoftheAllensbeingwealthyandchildless,ofMissMorland’sbeingundertheircare,and—assoonashisacquaintanceallowedhimtojudge—oftheirtreatingherwithparentalkindness.Hisresolutionwassoonformed.AlreadyhadhediscernedalikingtowardsMissMorlandinthecountenanceofhisson;andthankfulforMr.Thorpe’scommunication,healmostinstantlydeterminedtosparenopainsinweakeninghisboastedinterestandruininghisdearesthopes.Catherineherselfcouldnotbemoreignorantatthetimeofallthis,thanhisownchildren.
