northanger abbey(诺桑觉奇)-第37节
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she joined her and walked out of the Pump…room； leaving Isabella
still sitting with Captain Tilney。 With much uneasiness did she
thus leave them。 It seemed to her that Captain Tilney was falling
in love with Isabella； and Isabella unconsciously encouraging him；
unconsciously it must be； for Isabella’s attachment to James was
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as certain and well acknowledged as her engagement。 To doubt
her truth or good intentions was impossible； and yet； during the
whole of their conversation her manner had been odd。 She wished
Isabella had talked more like her usual self； and not so much
about money； and had not looked so well pleased at the sight of
Captain Tilney。 How strange that she should not perceive his
admiration！ Catherine longed to give her a hint of it； to put her on
her guard； and prevent all the pain which her too lively behaviour
might otherwise create both for him and her brother。
The compliment of John Thorpe’s affection did not make
amends for this thoughtlessness in his sister。 She was almost as far
from believing as from wishing it to be sincere； for she had not
forgotten that he could mistake； and his assertion of the offer and
of her encouragement convinced her that his mistakes could
sometimes be very egregious。 In vanity； therefore； she gained but
little； her chief profit was in wonder。 That he should think it worth
his while to fancy himself in love with her was a matter of lively
astonishment。 Isabella talked of his attentions； she had never been
sensible of any； but Isabella had said many things which she
hoped had been spoken in haste； and would never be said again；
and upon this she was glad to rest altogether for present ease and
comfort。
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CHAPTER IV
few days passed away； and Catherine； though not
Aallowing herself to suspect her friend； could not help
watching her closely。 The result of her observations was
not agreeable。 Isabella seemed an altered creature。 When she saw
her； indeed； surrounded only by their immediate friends in
Edgar’s…buildings or Pulteney…street； her change of manners was
so trifling that； had it gone no farther； it might have passed
unnoticed。 A something of languid indifference； or of that boasted
absence of mind which Catherine had never heard of before；
would occasionally come across her； but had nothing worse
appeared； that might only have spread a new grace and inspired a
warmer interest。 But when Catherine saw her in public； admitting
Captain Tilney’s attentions as readily as they were offered； and
allowing him almost an equal share with James in her notice and
smiles； the alteration became too positive to be passed over。 What
could be meant by such unsteady conduct； what her friend could
be at； was beyond her comprehension。 Isabella could not be aware
of the pain she was inflicting； but it was a degree of wilful
thoughtlessness which Catherine could not but resent。 James was
the sufferer。 She saw him grave and uneasy； and however careless
of his present comfort the woman might be who had given him her
heart； to her it was always an object。 For poor Captain Tilney too
she was greatly concerned。 Though his looks did not please her；
his name was a passport to her good will； and she thought with
sincere compassion of his approaching disappointment； for； in
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spite of what she had believed herself to overhear in the Pump…
room； his behaviour was so incompatible with a knowledge of
Isabella’s engagement that she could not； upon reflection； imagine
him aware of it。 He might be jealous of her brother as a rival； but if
more had seemed implied； the fault must have been in her
misapprehension。 She wished； by a gentle remonstrance； to
remind Isabella of her situation； and make her aware of this
double unkindness； but for remonstrance； either opportunity or
comprehension was always against her。 If able to suggest a hint；
Isabella could never understand it。 In this distress； the intended
departure of the Tilney family became her chief consolation； their
journey into Gloucestershire was to take place within a few days；
and Captain Tilney’s removal would at least restore peace to every
heart but his own。 But Captain Tilney had at present no intention
of removing； he was not to be of the party to Northanger； he was to
continue at Bath。 When Catherine knew this； her resolution was
directly made。 She spoke to Henry Tilney on the subject；
regretting his brother’s evident partiality for Miss Thorpe； and
entreating him to make known her prior engagement。
“My brother does know it；” was Henry’s answer。
“Does he？—then why does he stay here？”
He made no reply； and was beginning to talk of something else；
but she eagerly continued； “Why do not you persuade him to go
away？ The longer he stays； the worse it will be for him at last。 Pray
advise him for his own sake； and for every body’s sake； to leave
Bath directly。 Absence will in time make him comfortable again；
but he can have no hope here； and it is only staying to be
miserable。” Henry smiled and said； “I am sure my brother would
not wish to do that。”
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“Then you will persuade him to go away？”
“Persuasion is not at command； but pardon me； if I cannot even
endeavour to persuade him。 I have myself told him that Miss
Thorpe is engaged。 He knows what he is about； and must be his
own master。”
“No； he does not know what he is about；” cried Catherine； “he
does not know the pain he is giving my brother。 Not that James
has ever told me so； but I am sure he is very uncomfortable。”
“And are you sure it is my brother’s doing？”
“Yes； very sure。”
“Is it my brother’s attentions to Miss Thorpe； or Miss Thorpe’s
admission of them； that gives the pain？”
“Is not it the same thing？”
“I think Mr。 Morland would acknowledge a difference。 No man
is offended by another man’s admiration of the woman he loves； it
is the woman only who can make it a torment。”
Catherine blushed for her friend； and said； “Isabella is wrong。
But I am sure she cannot mean to torment； for she is very much
attached to my brother。 She has been in love with him ever since
they first met； and while my father’s consent was uncertain； she
fretted herself almost into a fever。 You know she must be attached
to him。”
“I understand： she is in love with James； and flirts with
Frederick。”
“Oh！ no； not flirts。 A woman in love with one man cannot flirt
with another。”
“It is probable that she will neither love so well； nor flirt so well；
as she might do either singly。 The gentlemen must each give up a
little。”
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After a short pause； Catherine resumed with； “Then you do not
believe Isabella so very much attached to my brother？”
“I can have no opinion on that subject。”
“But what can your brother mean？ If he knows her
engagement； what can he mean by his behaviour？”
