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in his words which repaid her for the pain of confusion；
and that something occupied her mind so much that she drew
back for some time； forgetting to speak or to listen；
and almost forgetting where she was； till； roused by the
voice of Isabella； she looked up and saw her with Captain
Tilney preparing to give them hands across。
Isabella shrugged her shoulders and smiled； the only
explanation of this extraordinary change which could
at that time be given； but as it was not quite enough
for Catherine's comprehension； she spoke her astonishment
in very plain terms to her partner。
〃I cannot think how it could happen！ Isabella was
so determined not to dance。〃
〃And did Isabella never change her mind before？〃
〃Oh！ But； because And your brother！ After what you
told him from me； how could he think of going to ask her？〃
〃I cannot take surprise to myself on that head。
You bid me be surprised on your friend's account；
and therefore I am； but as for my brother； his conduct
in the business； I must own； has been no more than I
believed him perfectly equal to。 The fairness of your
friend was an open attraction； her firmness； you know；
could only be understood by yourself。〃
〃You are laughing； but； I assure you； Isabella is
very firm in general。〃
〃It is as much as should be said of anyone。 To be
always firm must be to be often obstinate。 When properly
to relax is the trial of judgment； and； without reference
to my brother； I really think Miss Thorpe has by no means
chosen ill in fixing on the present hour。〃
The friends were not able to get together for any
confidential discourse till all the dancing was over；
but then； as they walked about the room arm in arm；
Isabella thus explained herself： 〃I do not wonder at
your surprise； and I am really fatigued to death。 He is such
a rattle！ Amusing enough； if my mind had been disengaged；
but I would have given the world to sit still。〃
〃Then why did not you？〃
〃Oh！ My dear！ It would have looked so particular；
and you know how I abhor doing that。 I refused him as
long as I possibly could； but he would take no denial。
You have no idea how he pressed me。 I begged him to
excuse me； and get some other partnerbut no； not he；
after aspiring to my hand； there was nobody else in the
room he could bear to think of； and it was not that he
wanted merely to dance； he wanted to be with me。
Oh！ Such nonsense！ I told him he had taken a very unlikely
way to prevail upon me； for； of all things in the world；
I hated fine speeches and compliments； and soand so then
I found there would be no peace if I did not stand up。
Besides； I thought Mrs。 Hughes； who introduced him；
might take it ill if I did not： and your dear brother；
I am sure he would have been miserable if I had sat down
the whole evening。 I am so glad it is over！ My spirits
are quite jaded with listening to his nonsense： and then；
being such a smart young fellow； I saw every eye was
upon us。〃
〃He is very handsome indeed。〃
〃Handsome！ Yes； I suppose he may。 I dare say people
would admire him in general； but he is not at all in my
style of beauty。 I hate a florid complexion and dark eyes
in a man。 However； he is very well。 Amazingly conceited；
I am sure。 I took him down several times； you know；
in my way。〃
When the young ladies next met； they had a far
more interesting subject to discuss。 James Morland's
second letter was then received； and the kind intentions
of his father fully explained。 A living； of which
Mr。 Morland was himself patron and incumbent； of about
four hundred pounds yearly value； was to be resigned
to his son as soon as he should be old enough to take it；
no trifling deduction from the family income； no niggardly
assignment to one of ten children。 An estate of at least
equal value； moreover； was assured as his future inheritance。
James expressed himself on the occasion with
becoming gratitude； and the necessity of waiting between
two and three years before they could marry； being；
however unwelcome； no more than he had expected； was borne
by him without discontent。 Catherine； whose expectations
had been as unfixed as her ideas of her father's income；
and whose judgment was now entirely led by her brother；
felt equally well satisfied； and heartily congratulated
Isabella on having everything so pleasantly settled。
〃It is very charming indeed；〃 said Isabella；
with a grave face。 〃Mr。 Morland has behaved vastly
handsome indeed；〃 said the gentle Mrs。 Thorpe；
looking anxiously at her daughter。 〃I only wish I could
do as much。 One could not expect more from him； you know。
If he finds he can do more by and by； I dare say he will；
for I am sure he must be an excellent good…hearted man。
Four hundred is but a small income to begin on indeed；
but your wishes； my dear Isabella； are so moderate； you do
not consider how little you ever want； my dear。〃
〃It is not on my own account I wish for more； but I
cannot bear to be the means of injuring my dear Morland；
making him sit down upon an income hardly enough to find
one in the common necessaries of life。 For myself；
it is nothing； I never think of myself。〃
〃I know you never do； my dear； and you will always
find your reward in the affection it makes everybody
feel for you。 There never was a young woman so beloved
as you are by everybody that knows you； and I dare say
when Mr。 Morland sees you； my dear childbut do not let
us distress our dear Catherine by talking of such things。
Mr。 Morland has behaved so very handsome； you know。
I always heard he was a most excellent man； and you know；
my dear； we are not to suppose but what； if you had had a
suitable fortune； he would have come down with something more；
for I am sure he must be a most liberal…minded man。〃
〃Nobody can think better of Mr。 Morland than I do；
I am sure。 But everybody has their failing； you know；
and everybody has a right to do what they like with their
own money。〃 Catherine was hurt by these insinuations。
〃I am very sure；〃 said she； 〃that my father has promised
to do as much as he can afford。〃
Isabella recollected herself。 〃As to that；
my sweet Catherine； there cannot be a doubt； and you know
me well enough to be sure that a much smaller income would
satisfy me。 It i