Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 9
Allen,whosevacancyofmindandincapacityforthinkingweresuch,thatasshenevertalkedagreatdeal,soshecouldneverbeentirelysilent;and,therefore,whileshesatatherwork,ifshelostherneedleorbrokeherthread,ifsheheardacarriageinthestreet,orsawaspeckuponhergown,shemustobserveitaloud,whethertherewereanyoneatleisuretoanswerherornot.Atabouthalfpasttwelve,aremarkablyloudrapdrewherinhastetothewindow,andscarcelyhadshetimetoinformCatherineoftherebeingtwoopencarriagesatthedoor,inthefirstonlyaservant,herbrotherdrivingMissThorpeinthesecond,beforeJohnThorpecamerunningupstairs,callingout,“Well,MissMorland,hereIam.Haveyoubeenwaitinglong?Wecouldnotcomebefore;theolddevilofacoachmakerwassuchaneternityfindingoutathingfittobegotinto,andnowitistenthousandtoonebuttheybreakdownbeforeweareoutofthestreet.Howdoyoudo,Mrs.Allen?Afamousballlastnight,wasnotit?Come,MissMorland,bequick,fortheothersareinaconfoundedhurrytobeoff.Theywanttogettheirtumbleover.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”saidCatherine.“Whereareyouallgoingto?”
“Goingto?Why,youhavenotforgotourengagement!Didnotweagreetogethertotakeadrivethismorning?Whataheadyouhave!WearegoingupClavertonDown.”
“Somethingwassaidaboutit,Iremember,”saidCatherine,lookingatMrs.Allenforheropinion;“butreallyIdidnotexpectyou.”
“Notexpectme!That’sagoodone!Andwhatadustyouwouldhavemade,ifIhadnotcome.
