Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 7
Thorpe’slodgings,andthefeelingsofthediscerningandunprejudicedreaderofCamillagavewaytothefeelingsofthedutifulandaffectionateson,astheymetMrs.Thorpe,whohaddescriedthemfromabove,inthepassage.“Ah,Mother!Howdoyoudo?”saidhe,givingheraheartyshakeofthehand.“Wheredidyougetthatquizofahat?Itmakesyoulooklikeanoldwitch.HereisMorlandandIcometostayafewdayswithyou,soyoumustlookoutforacoupleofgoodbedssomewherenear.”Andthisaddressseemedtosatisfyallthefondestwishesofthemother’sheart,forshereceivedhimwiththemostdelightedandexultingaffection.Onhistwoyoungersistershethenbestowedanequalportionofhisfraternaltenderness,forheaskedeachofthemhowtheydid,andobservedthattheybothlookedveryugly.
ThesemannersdidnotpleaseCatherine;buthewasJames’sfriendandIsabella’sbrother;andherjudgmentwasfurtherboughtoffbyIsabella’sassuringher,whentheywithdrewtoseethenewhat,thatJohnthoughtherthemostcharminggirlintheworld,andbyJohn’sengagingherbeforetheypartedtodancewithhimthatevening.Hadshebeenolderorvainer,suchattacksmighthavedonelittle;but,whereyouthanddiffidenceareunited,itrequiresuncommonsteadinessofreasontoresisttheattractionofbeingcalledthemostcharminggirlintheworld,andofbeingsoveryearlyengagedasapartner;andtheconsequencewasthat,whenthetwoMorlands,aftersittinganhourwiththeThorpes,setofftowalktogethertoMr.
