Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 9
Catherine,thoughshecouldnothelpwonderingthatwithsuchperfectcommandofhishorse,heshouldthinkitnecessarytoalarmherwitharelationofitstricks,congratulatedherselfsincerelyonbeingunderthecareofsoexcellentacoachman;andperceivingthattheanimalcontinuedtogooninthesamequietmanner,withoutshowingthesmallestpropensitytowardsanyunpleasantvivacity,and(consideringitsinevitablepacewastenmilesanhour)bynomeansalarminglyfast,gaveherselfuptoalltheenjoymentofairandexerciseofthemostinvigoratingkind,inafinemilddayofFebruary,withtheconsciousnessofsafety.Asilenceofseveralminutessucceededtheirfirstshortdialogue;itwasbrokenbyThorpe’ssayingveryabruptly,“OldAllenisasrichasaJew—isnothe?”Catherinedidnotunderstandhim—andherepeatedhisquestion,addinginexplanation,“OldAllen,themanyouarewith.”
“Oh!Mr.Allen,youmean.Yes,Ibelieve,heisveryrich.”
“Andnochildrenatall?”
“No—notany.”
“Afamousthingforhisnextheirs.Heisyourgodfather,isnothe?”
“Mygodfather!No.”
“Butyouarealwaysverymuchwiththem.”
“Yes,verymuch.”
“Aye,thatiswhatImeant.Heseemsagoodkindofoldfellowenough,andhaslivedverywellinhistime,Idaresay;heisnotgoutyfornothing.Doeshedrinkhisbottleadaynow?”
“Hisbottleaday!No.Whyshouldyouthinkofsuchathing?Heisaverytemperateman,andyoucouldnotfancyhiminliquorlastnight?”
“Lordhelpyou!Youwomenarealwaysthinkingofmen’sbeinginliquor.
