Нортенгерське абатство
Chapter 2
Allen’sside,ofhavingonceleftherclogsbehindherataninn,andthatfortunatelyprovedtobegroundless.
TheyarrivedatBath.Catherinewasalleagerdelight—hereyeswerehere,there,everywhere,astheyapproacheditsfineandstrikingenvirons,andafterwardsdrovethroughthosestreetswhichconductedthemtothehotel.Shewascometobehappy,andshefelthappyalready.
TheyweresoonsettledincomfortablelodgingsinPulteneyStreet.
ItisnowexpedienttogivesomedescriptionofMrs.Allen,thatthereadermaybeabletojudgeinwhatmannerheractionswillhereaftertendtopromotethegeneraldistressofthework,andhowshewill,probably,contributetoreducepoorCatherinetoallthedesperatewretchednessofwhichalastvolumeiscapable—whetherbyherimprudence,vulgarity,orjealousy—whetherbyinterceptingherletters,ruininghercharacter,orturningheroutofdoors.
Mrs.Allenwasoneofthatnumerousclassoffemales,whosesocietycanraisenootheremotionthansurpriseattherebeinganymenintheworldwhocouldlikethemwellenoughtomarrythem.Shehadneitherbeauty,genius,accomplishment,normanner.Theairofagentlewoman,agreatdealofquiet,inactivegoodtemper,andatriflingturnofmindwereallthatcouldaccountforherbeingthechoiceofasensible,intelligentmanlikeMr.Allen.Inonerespectshewasadmirablyfittedtointroduceayoungladyintopublic,beingasfondofgoingeverywhereandseeingeverythingherselfasanyyoungladycouldbe.Dresswasherpassion.
