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of his eldest son； nor by the displeasure he expressed
at his laziness when Captain Tilney at last came down。
She was quite pained by the severity of his father's reproof；
which seemed disproportionate to the offence； and much
was her concern increased when she found herself the
principal cause of the lecture； and that his tardiness
was chiefly resented from being disrespectful to her。
This was placing her in a very uncomfortable situation；
and she felt great compassion for Captain Tilney；
without being able to hope for his goodwill。
He listened to his father in silence； and attempted
not any defence； which confirmed her in fearing that the
inquietude of his mind； on Isabella's account； might；
by keeping him long sleepless； have been the real cause
of his rising late。 It was the first time of her being
decidedly in his company； and she had hoped to be now
able to form her opinion of him； but she scarcely
heard his voice while his father remained in the room；
and even afterwards； so much were his spirits affected；
she could distinguish nothing but these words； in a whisper
to Eleanor； 〃How glad I shall be when you are all off。〃
The bustle of going was not pleasant。 The clock
struck ten while the trunks were carrying down； and the
general had fixed to be out of Milsom Street by that hour。
His greatcoat； instead of being brought for him to put
on directly； was spread out in the curricle in which he
was to accompany his son。 The middle seat of the chaise was
not drawn out； though there were three people to go in it；
and his daughter's maid had so crowded it with parcels
that Miss Morland would not have room to sit； and； so much
was he influenced by this apprehension when he handed
her in； that she had some difficulty in saving her own
new writing…desk from being thrown out into the street。
At last； however； the door was closed upon the three females；
and they set off at the sober pace in which the handsome；
highly fed four horses of a gentleman usually perform a
journey of thirty miles： such was the distance of Northanger
from Bath； to be now divided into two equal stages。
Catherine's spirits revived as they drove from the door；
for with Miss Tilney she felt no restraint； and； with the
interest of a road entirely new to her； of an abbey before；
and a curricle behind； she caught the last view of Bath
without any regret； and met with every milestone before
she expected it。 The tediousness of a two hours'
wait at Petty France； in which there was nothing to be done
but to eat without being hungry； and loiter about without
anything to see； next followedand her admiration of the
style in which they travelled； of the fashionable chaise
and fourpostilions handsomely liveried； rising so regularly
in their stirrups； and numerous outriders properly mounted；
sunk a little under this consequent inconvenience。
Had their party been perfectly agreeable； the delay would
have been nothing； but General Tilney； though so charming
a man； seemed always a check upon his children's spirits；
and scarcely anything was said but by himself；
the observation of which； with his discontent at whatever
the inn afforded； and his angry impatience at the waiters；
made Catherine grow every moment more in awe of him；
and appeared to lengthen the two hours into four。
At last； however； the order of release was given；
and much was Catherine then surprised by the general's
proposal of her taking his place in his son's curricle
for the rest of the journey： 〃the day was fine；
and he was anxious for her seeing as much of the country
as possible。〃
The remembrance of Mr。 Allen's opinion； respecting young
men's open carriages； made her blush at the mention
of such a plan； and her first thought was to decline it；
but her second was of greater deference for General
Tilney's judgment； he could not propose anything
improper for her； and； in the course of a few minutes；
she found herself with Henry in the curricle； as happy
a being as ever existed。 A very short trial convinced her
that a curricle was the prettiest equipage in the world；
the chaise and four wheeled off with some grandeur；
to be sure； but it was a heavy and troublesome business；
and she could not easily forget its having stopped two hours
at Petty France。 Half the time would have been enough
for the curricle； and so nimbly were the light horses
disposed to move； that； had not the general chosen to have
his own carriage lead the way； they could have passed it
with ease in half a minute。 But the merit of the curricle
did not all belong to the horses； Henry drove so wellso
quietlywithout making any disturbance； without parading
to her； or swearing at them： so different from the only
gentleman…coachman whom it was in her power to compare him
with！ And then his hat sat so well； and the innumerable
capes of his greatcoat looked so becomingly important！
To be driven by him； next to being dancing with him；
was certainly the greatest happiness in the world。
In addition to every other delight； she had now that of
listening to her own praise； of being thanked at least；
on his sister's account； for her kindness in thus becoming
her visitor； of hearing it ranked as real friendship；
and described as creating real gratitude。 His sister；
he said； was uncomfortably circumstancedshe had no female
companionand； in the frequent absence of her father；
was sometimes without any companion at all。
〃But how can that be？〃 said Catherine。 〃Are not you
with her？〃
〃Northanger is not more than half my home；
I have an establishment at my own house in Woodston；
which is nearly twenty miles from my father's； and some
of my time is necessarily spent there。〃
〃How sorry you must be for that！〃
〃I am always sorry to leave Eleanor。〃
〃Yes； but besides your affection for her； you must
be so fond of the abbey！ After being used to such a home as
the abbey； an ordinary parsonage…house must be very disagreeable。〃
He smiled； and said； 〃You have formed a very favourable
idea of the abbey。〃
〃To be sure； I have。 Is not it a fine old place；
just like what one reads about？〃
〃And are you prepared to encounter all the horrors
that a building such as 'what one reads about' may produce？
Have you a stout heart？ Nerves fit for sliding panels
and tapestry？〃
〃Oh！ yesI do not think I should be easily