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however important their business； whether in quest
of pastry； millinery； or even （as in the present case）
of young men； are not detained on one side or other
by carriages； horsemen； or carts。 This evil had been felt
and lamented； at least three times a day； by Isabella
since her residence in Bath； and she was now fated
to feel and lament it once more； for at the very moment
of coming opposite to Union Passage； and within view of
the two gentlemen who were proceeding through the crowds；
and threading the gutters of that interesting alley；
they were prevented crossing by the approach of a gig；
driven along on bad pavement by a most knowing…looking
coachman with all the vehemence that could most fitly
endanger the lives of himself； his companion； and his horse。
〃Oh； these odious gigs！〃 said Isabella； looking up。
〃How I detest them。〃 But this detestation； though so just；
was of short duration； for she looked again and exclaimed；
〃Delightful！ Mr。 Morland and my brother！〃
〃Good heaven！ 'Tis James！〃 was uttered at the same
moment by Catherine； and； on catching the young men's eyes；
the horse was immediately checked with a violence
which almost threw him on his haunches； and the servant
having now scampered up； the gentlemen jumped out；
and the equipage was delivered to his care。
Catherine； by whom this meeting was wholly unexpected；
received her brother with the liveliest pleasure； and he；
being of a very amiable disposition； and sincerely attached
to her； gave every proof on his side of equal satisfaction；
which he could have leisure to do； while the bright eyes
of Miss Thorpe were incessantly challenging his notice；
and to her his devoirs were speedily paid； with a mixture
of joy and embarrassment which might have informed Catherine；
had she been more expert in the development of other
people's feelings； and less simply engrossed by her own；
that her brother thought her friend quite as pretty as she
could do herself。
John Thorpe； who in the meantime had been giving
orders about the horses； soon joined them； and from him she
directly received the amends which were her due； for while
he slightly and carelessly touched the hand of Isabella；
on her he bestowed a whole scrape and half a short bow。
He was a stout young man of middling height； who； with a
plain face and ungraceful form； seemed fearful of being
too handsome unless he wore the dress of a groom；
and too much like a gentleman unless he were easy where he
ought to be civil； and impudent where he might be allowed
to be easy。 He took out his watch： 〃How long do you
think we have been running it from Tetbury； Miss Morland？〃
〃I do not know the distance。〃 Her brother told
her that it was twenty…three miles。
〃Three and twenty！〃 cried Thorpe。 〃Five and twenty if it
is an inch。〃 Morland remonstrated； pleaded the authority
of road…books； innkeepers； and milestones； but his friend
disregarded them all； he had a surer test of distance。
〃I know it must be five and twenty；〃 said he； 〃by the
time we have been doing it。 It is now half after one；
we drove out of the inn…yard at Tetbury as the town clock
struck eleven； and I defy any man in England to make
my horse go less than ten miles an hour in harness；
that makes it exactly twenty…five。〃
〃You have lost an hour；〃 said Morland； 〃it was only
ten o'clock when we came from Tetbury。〃
〃Ten o'clock！ It was eleven； upon my soul！ I counted
every stroke。 This brother of yours would persuade me
out of my senses； Miss Morland； do but look at my horse；
did you ever see an animal so made for speed in your life？〃
（The servant had just mounted the carriage and was driving off。）
〃Such true blood！ Three hours and and a half indeed coming
only three and twenty miles！ Look at that creature；
and suppose it possible if you can。〃
〃He does look very hot； to be sure。〃
〃Hot！ He had not turned a hair till we came to
Walcot Church； but look at his forehand； look at his loins；
only see how he moves； that horse cannot go less than
ten miles an hour： tie his legs and he will get on。
What do you think of my gig； Miss Morland？ A neat one；
is not it？ Well hung； town…built； I have not had it a month。
It was built for a Christchurch man； a friend of mine；
a very good sort of fellow； he ran it a few weeks； till；
I believe； it was convenient to have done with it。
I happened just then to be looking out for some light
thing of the kind； though I had pretty well determined on
a curricle too； but I chanced to meet him on Magdalen Bridge；
as he was driving into Oxford； last term： 'Ah！ Thorpe；'
said he； 'do you happen to want such a little thing
as this？ It is a capital one of the kind； but I am
cursed tired of it。' 'Oh！ D；' said I； 'I am your man；
what do you ask？' And how much do you think he did；
Miss Morland？〃
〃I am sure I cannot guess at all。〃
〃Curricle…hung； you see； seat； trunk； sword…case；
splashing…board； lamps； silver moulding； all you
see complete； the iron…work as good as new； or better。
He asked fifty guineas； I closed with him directly；
threw down the money； and the carriage was mine。〃
〃And I am sure；〃 said Catherine； 〃I know so little
of such things that I cannot judge whether it was cheap
or dear。〃
〃Neither one nor t'other； I might have got it for less；
I dare say； but I hate haggling； and poor Freeman wanted cash。〃
〃That was very good…natured of you；〃 said Catherine；
quite pleased。
〃Oh！ D it； when one has the means of doing a kind
thing by a friend； I hate to be pitiful。〃
An inquiry now took place into the intended movements
of the young ladies； and； on finding whither they were going；
it was decided that the gentlemen should accompany them
to Edgar's Buildings； and pay their respects to Mrs。 Thorpe。
James and Isabella led the way； and so well satisfied
was the latter with her lot； so contentedly was she
endeavouring to ensure a pleasant walk to him who brought
the double recommendation of being her brother's friend；
and her friend's brother； so pure and uncoquettish
were her feelings； that； though they overtook and
passed the two offending young men in Milsom Street；
she was so far from seeking to attract their notice；
that she looked back at them only three times。
John Thorpe kept of course with Catherine； and；