Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 11
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“Itwassuchanice-lookingmorning!Ifeltsoconvinceditwouldbedry!”
“Anybodywouldhavethoughtsoindeed.Therewillbeveryfewpeopleinthepump-room,ifitrainsallthemorning.IhopeMr.Allenwillputonhisgreatcoatwhenhegoes,butIdaresayhewillnot,forhehadratherdoanythingintheworldthanwalkoutinagreatcoat;Iwonderheshoulddislikeit,itmustbesocomfortable.”
Theraincontinued—fast,thoughnotheavy.Catherinewenteveryfiveminutestotheclock,threateningoneachreturnthat,ifitstillkeptonraininganotherfiveminutes,shewouldgiveupthematterashopeless.Theclockstrucktwelve,anditstillrained.“Youwillnotbeabletogo,mydear.”
“Idonotquitedespairyet.Ishallnotgiveituptillaquarteraftertwelve.Thisisjustthetimeofdayforittoclearup,andIdothinkitlooksalittlelighter.There,itistwentyminutesaftertwelve,andnowIshallgiveitupentirely.Oh!ThatwehadsuchweatherhereastheyhadatUdolpho,oratleastinTuscanyandthesouthofFrance!—thenightthatpoorSt.Aubindied!—suchbeautifulweather!”
Athalfpasttwelve,whenCatherine’sanxiousattentiontotheweatherwasoverandshecouldnolongerclaimanymeritfromitsamendment,theskybeganvoluntarilytoclear.Agleamofsunshinetookherquitebysurprise;shelookedround;thecloudswereparting,andsheinstantlyreturnedtothewindowtowatchoverandencouragethehappyappearance.Tenminutesmoremadeitcertainthatabrightafternoonwouldsucceed,andjustifiedtheopinionofMrs.
