Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 9
Itwasaboldsurmise,forhewasIsabella’sbrother;andshehadbeenassuredbyJamesthathismannerswouldrecommendhimtoallhersex;butinspiteofthis,theextremewearinessofhiscompany,whichcreptoverherbeforetheyhadbeenoutanhour,andwhichcontinuedunceasinglytoincreasetilltheystoppedinPulteneyStreetagain,inducedher,insomesmalldegree,toresistsuchhighauthority,andtodistrusthispowersofgivinguniversalpleasure.
WhentheyarrivedatMrs.Allen’sdoor,theastonishmentofIsabellawashardlytobeexpressed,onfindingthatitwastoolateinthedayforthemtoattendherfriendintothehouse:“Pastthreeo’clock!”Itwasinconceivable,incredible,impossible!Andshewouldneitherbelieveherownwatch,norherbrother’s,northeservant’s;shewouldbelievenoassuranceofitfoundedonreasonorreality,tillMorlandproducedhiswatch,andascertainedthefact;tohavedoubtedamomentlongerthenwouldhavebeenequallyinconceivable,incredible,andimpossible;andshecouldonlyprotest,overandoveragain,thatnotwohoursandahalfhadevergoneoffsoswiftlybefore,asCatherinewascalledontoconfirm;CatherinecouldnottellafalsehoodeventopleaseIsabella;butthelatterwassparedthemiseryofherfriend’sdissentingvoice,bynotwaitingforheranswer.Herownfeelingsentirelyengrossedher;herwretchednesswasmostacuteonfindingherselfobligedtogodirectlyhome.
