Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 7
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“Idaresayhedoes;andIdonotknowanymanwhoisabetterjudgeofbeautythanMr.Allen.Ineednotaskyouwhetheryouarehappyhere,mydearCatherine;withsuchacompanionandfriendasIsabellaThorpe,itwouldbeimpossibleforyoutobeotherwise;andtheAllens,Iamsure,areverykindtoyou?”
“Yes,verykind;Ineverwassohappybefore;andnowyouarecomeitwillbemoredelightfulthanever;howgooditisofyoutocomesofaronpurposetoseeme.”
Jamesacceptedthistributeofgratitude,andqualifiedhisconscienceforacceptingittoo,bysayingwithperfectsincerity,“Indeed,Catherine,Iloveyoudearly.”
Inquiriesandcommunicationsconcerningbrothersandsisters,thesituationofsome,thegrowthoftherest,andotherfamilymattersnowpassedbetweenthem,andcontinued,withonlyonesmalldigressiononJames’spart,inpraiseofMissThorpe,tilltheyreachedPulteneyStreet,wherehewaswelcomedwithgreatkindnessbyMr.andMrs.Allen,invitedbytheformertodinewiththem,andsummonedbythelattertoguessthepriceandweighthemeritsofanewmuffandtippet.Apre-engagementinEdgar’sBuildingspreventedhisacceptingtheinvitationofonefriend,andobligedhimtohurryawayassoonashehadsatisfiedthedemandsoftheother.ThetimeofthetwopartiesunitingintheOctagonRoombeingcorrectlyadjusted,Catherinewasthenlefttotheluxuryofaraised,restless,andfrightenedimaginationoverthepagesofUdolpho,lostfromallworldlyconcernsofdressinganddinner,incapableofsoothingMrs
