Chapter 6

           Thefollowingconversation,whichtookplacebetweenthetwofriendsinthepump-roomonemorning,afteranacquaintanceofeightorninedays,isgivenasaspecimenoftheirverywarmattachment,andofthedelicacy,discretion,originalityofthought,andliterarytastewhichmarkedthereasonablenessofthatattachment.

           Theymetbyappointment;andasIsabellahadarrivednearlyfiveminutesbeforeherfriend,herfirstaddressnaturallywas,“Mydearestcreature,whatcanhavemadeyousolate?Ihavebeenwaitingforyouatleastthisage!”

           “Haveyou,indeed!Iamverysorryforit;butreallyIthoughtIwasinverygoodtime.Itisbutjustone.Ihopeyouhavenotbeenherelong?”

           “Oh!Thesetenagesatleast.IamsureIhavebeenherethishalfhour.Butnow,letusgoandsitdownattheotherendoftheroom,andenjoyourselves.Ihaveanhundredthingstosaytoyou.Inthefirstplace,Iwassoafraiditwouldrainthismorning,justasIwantedtosetoff;itlookedveryshowery,andthatwouldhavethrownmeintoagonies!Doyouknow,Isawtheprettiesthatyoucanimagine,inashopwindowinMilsomStreetjustnow—verylikeyours,onlywithcoquelicotribbonsinsteadofgreen;Iquitelongedforit.But,mydearestCatherine,whathaveyoubeendoingwithyourselfallthismorning?HaveyougoneonwithUdolpho?”

           “Yes,IhavebeenreadingiteversinceIwoke;andIamgottotheblackveil.