Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 9
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Catherine’ssilentappealtoherfriend,meanwhile,wasentirelythrownaway,forMrs.Allen,notbeingatallinthehabitofconveyinganyexpressionherselfbyalook,wasnotawareofitsbeingeverintendedbyanybodyelse;andCatherine,whosedesireofseeingMissTilneyagaincouldatthatmomentbearashortdelayinfavourofadrive,andwhothoughttherecouldbenoimproprietyinhergoingwithMr.Thorpe,asIsabellawasgoingatthesametimewithJames,wasthereforeobligedtospeakplainer.“Well,ma’am,whatdoyousaytoit?Canyousparemeforanhourortwo?ShallIgo?”
“Dojustasyouplease,mydear,”repliedMrs.Allen,withthemostplacidindifference.Catherinetooktheadvice,andranofftogetready.Inaveryfewminutesshereappeared,havingscarcelyallowedthetwootherstimeenoughtogetthroughafewshortsentencesinherpraise,afterThorpehadprocuredMrs.Allen’sadmirationofhisgig;andthenreceivingherfriend’spartinggoodwishes,theybothhurrieddownstairs.“Mydearestcreature,”criedIsabella,towhomthedutyoffriendshipimmediatelycalledherbeforeshecouldgetintothecarriage,“youhavebeenatleastthreehoursgettingready.Iwasafraidyouwereill.Whatadelightfulballwehadlastnight.Ihaveathousandthingstosaytoyou;butmakehasteandgetin,forIlongtobeoff.”
Catherinefollowedherordersandturnedaway,butnottoosoontohearherfriendexclaimaloudtoJames,“Whatasweetgirlsheis!Iquitedoteonher.
