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and if she moved from her seat she should miss her sisters；
she was expecting her sisters every moment； so that her dearest
Catherine must excuse her； and must sit quietly down again。
But Catherine could be stubborn too； and Mrs。 Allen just
then coming up to propose their returning home； 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 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。
CHAPTER 19
A few days passed away； and Catherine； though not
allowing 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 goodwill； and she thought with sincere compassion
of his approaching disappointment； for； in spite of what
she had believed herself to overbear 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 bad 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 everybody'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。〃
〃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