Chapter 8

           InspiteofUdolphoandthedressmaker,however,thepartyfromPulteneyStreetreachedtheUpperRoomsinverygoodtime.TheThorpesandJamesMorlandwerethereonlytwominutesbeforethem;andIsabellahavinggonethroughtheusualceremonialofmeetingherfriendwiththemostsmilingandaffectionatehaste,ofadmiringthesetofhergown,andenvyingthecurlofherhair,theyfollowedtheirchaperones,arminarm,intotheballroom,whisperingtoeachotherwheneverathoughtoccurred,andsupplyingtheplaceofmanyideasbyasqueezeofthehandorasmileofaffection.

           Thedancingbeganwithinafewminutesaftertheywereseated;andJames,whohadbeenengagedquiteaslongashissister,wasveryimportunatewithIsabellatostandup;butJohnwasgoneintothecard-roomtospeaktoafriend,andnothing,shedeclared,shouldinducehertojointhesetbeforeherdearCatherinecouldjoinittoo.“Iassureyou,”saidshe,“Iwouldnotstandupwithoutyourdearsisterforalltheworld;forifIdidweshouldcertainlybeseparatedthewholeevening.”Catherineacceptedthiskindnesswithgratitude,andtheycontinuedastheywereforthreeminuteslonger,whenIsabella,whohadbeentalkingtoJamesontheothersideofher,turnedagaintohissisterandwhispered,“Mydearcreature,IamafraidImustleaveyou,yourbrotherissoamazinglyimpatienttobegin;Iknowyouwillnotmindmygoingaway,andIdaresayJohnwillbebackinamoment,andthenyoumayeasilyfindmeout.