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provided the weather were fair； the party should take
place on the following morning； and they were to set
off very early； in order to be at home in good time。
The affair thus determined； and Thorpe's approbation secured；
Catherine only remained to be apprised of it。 She had
left them for a few minutes to speak to Miss Tilney。
In that interval the plan was completed； and as soon as she
came again； her agreement was demanded； but instead of the gay
acquiescence expected by Isabella； Catherine looked grave；
was very sorry； but could not go。 The engagement which
ought to have kept her from joining in the former attempt
would make it impossible for her to accompany them now。
She had that moment settled with Miss Tilney to take
their proposed walk tomorrow； it was quite determined；
and she would not； upon any account； retract。 But that
she must and should retract was instantly the eager cry
of both the Thorpes； they must go to Clifton tomorrow；
they would not go without her； it would be nothing
to put off a mere walk for one day longer； and they
would not hear of a refusal。 Catherine was distressed；
but not subdued。 〃Do not urge me； Isabella。 I am engaged
to Miss Tilney。 I cannot go。〃 This availed nothing。
The same arguments assailed her again； she must go；
she should go； and they would not hear of a refusal。
〃It would be so easy to tell Miss Tilney that you had just
been reminded of a prior engagement； and must only beg to
put off the walk till Tuesday。〃
〃No； it would not be easy。 I could not do it。
There has been no prior engagement。〃 But Isabella became
only more and more urgent； calling on her in the most
affectionate manner； addressing her by the most endearing names。
She was sure her dearest； sweetest Catherine would not
seriously refuse such a trifling request to a friend
who loved her so dearly。 She knew her beloved Catherine
to have so feeling a heart； so sweet a temper； to be so
easily persuaded by those she loved。 But all in vain；
Catherine felt herself to be in the right； and though
pained by such tender； such flattering supplication；
could not allow it to influence her。 Isabella then
tried another method。 She reproached her with having
more affection for Miss Tilney； though she had known her
so little a while； than for her best and oldest friends；
with being grown cold and indifferent； in short；
towards herself。 〃I cannot help being jealous； Catherine；
when I see myself slighted for strangers； I； who love
you so excessively！ When once my affections are placed；
it is not in the power of anything to change them。
But I believe my feelings are stronger than anybody's；
I am sure they are too strong for my own peace； and to see
myself supplanted in your friendship by strangers does cut
me to the quick； I own。 These Tilneys seem to swallow up
everything else。〃
Catherine thought this reproach equally strange
and unkind。 Was it the part of a friend thus to expose her
feelings to the notice of others？ Isabella appeared to her
ungenerous and selfish； regardless of everything but her
own gratification。 These painful ideas crossed her mind；
though she said nothing。 Isabella； in the meanwhile；
had applied her handkerchief to her eyes； and Morland；
miserable at such a sight； could not help saying；
〃Nay； Catherine。 I think you cannot stand out any longer now。
The sacrifice is not much； and to oblige such a friendI
shall think you quite unkind； if you still refuse。〃
This was the first time of her brother's openly
siding against her； and anxious to avoid his displeasure；
she proposed a compromise。 If they would only put off
their scheme till Tuesday； which they might easily do；
as it depended only on themselves； she could go with them；
and everybody might then be satisfied。 But 〃No； no；
no！〃 was the immediate answer； 〃that could not be；
for Thorpe did not know that he might not go to town
on Tuesday。〃 Catherine was sorry； but could do no more；
and a short silence ensued； which was broken by Isabella；
who in a voice of cold resentment said； 〃Very well；
then there is an end of the party。 If Catherine
does not go； I cannot。 I cannot be the only woman。
I would not； upon any account in the world； do so improper
a thing。〃
〃Catherine； you must go；〃 said James。
〃But why cannot Mr。 Thorpe drive one of his other
sisters？ I dare say either of them would like to go。〃
〃Thank ye；〃 cried Thorpe； 〃but I did not come to Bath
to drive my sisters about； and look like a fool。 No； if you
do not go； d me if I do。 I only go for the sake of driving you。〃
〃That is a compliment which gives me no pleasure。〃
But her words were lost on Thorpe； who had turned
abruptly away。
The three others still continued together；
walking in a most uncomfortable manner to poor Catherine；
sometimes not a word was said； sometimes she was again attacked
with supplications or reproaches； and her arm was still
linked within Isabella's； though their hearts were at war。
At one moment she was softened； at another irritated；
always distressed； but always steady。
〃I did not think you had been so obstinate； Catherine；〃
said James； 〃you were not used to be so hard to persuade；
you once were the kindest； best…tempered of my sisters。〃
〃I hope I am not less so now；〃 she replied；
very feelingly； 〃but indeed I cannot go。 If I am wrong；
I am doing what I believe to be right。〃
〃I suspect；〃 said Isabella； in a low voice；
〃there is no great struggle。〃
Catherine's heart swelled； she drew away her arm；
and Isabella made no opposition。 Thus passed a long ten minutes；
till they were again joined by Thorpe； who； coming to them
with a gayer look； said； 〃Well； I have settled the matter；
and now we may all go tomorrow with a safe conscience。
I have been to Miss Tilney； and made your excuses。〃
〃You have not！〃 cried Catherine。
〃I have； upon my soul。 Left her this moment。 Told her
you had sent me to say that； having just recollected a prior
engagement of going to Clifton with us tomorrow； you could
not have the pleasure of walking with her till Tuesday。
She said very well； Tuesday was just as convenient to her；
so there is an end of all our difficulties。 A pretty
good thought of minehey？〃
Isabella's countenance was once more all smiles
and good humour； and James too look