Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 9
Thorpe’sideasthenallrevertedtothemeritsofhisownequipage,andshewascalledontoadmirethespiritandfreedomwithwhichhishorsemovedalong,andtheeasewhichhispaces,aswellastheexcellenceofthesprings,gavethemotionofthecarriage.Shefollowedhiminallhisadmirationaswellasshecould.Togobeforeorbeyondhimwasimpossible.Hisknowledgeandherignoranceofthesubject,hisrapidityofexpression,andherdiffidenceofherselfputthatoutofherpower;shecouldstrikeoutnothingnewincommendation,butshereadilyechoedwhateverhechosetoassert,anditwasfinallysettledbetweenthemwithoutanydifficultythathisequipagewasaltogetherthemostcompleteofitskindinEngland,hiscarriagetheneatest,hishorsethebestgoer,andhimselfthebestcoachman.“Youdonotreallythink,Mr.Thorpe,”saidCatherine,venturingaftersometimetoconsiderthematterasentirelydecided,andtooffersomelittlevariationonthesubject,“thatJames’sgigwillbreakdown?”
“Breakdown!Oh!Lord!Didyoueverseesuchalittletittuppythinginyourlife?Thereisnotasoundpieceofironaboutit.Thewheelshavebeenfairlywornoutthesetenyearsatleast—andasforthebody!Uponmysoul,youmightshakeittopiecesyourselfwithatouch.ItisthemostdevilishlittlericketybusinessIeverbeheld!ThankGod!wehavegotabetter.Iwouldnotbeboundtogotwomilesinitforfiftythousandpounds.”
“Goodheavens!”criedCatherine,quitefrightened.“Thenprayletusturnback;theywillcertainlymeetwithanaccidentifwegoon.
