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rising amidst a grove of ancient oaks； with the last beams
of the sun playing in beautiful splendour on its high
Gothic windows。 But so low did the building stand；
that she found herself passing through the great gates
of the lodge into the very grounds of Northanger；
without having discerned even an antique chimney。
She knew not that she had any right to be surprised；
but there was a something in this mode of approach
which she certainly had not expected。 To pass between
lodges of a modern appearance； to find herself with such
ease in the very precincts of the abbey； and driven
so rapidly along a smooth； level road of fine gravel；
without obstacle； alarm； or solemnity of any kind；
struck her as odd and inconsistent。 She was not
long at leisure； however； for such considerations。
A sudden scud of rain； driving full in her face； made it
impossible for her to observe anything further； and fixed
all her thoughts on the welfare of her new straw bonnet；
and she was actually under the abbey walls； was springing；
with Henry's assistance； from the carriage； was beneath the
shelter of the old porch； and had even passed on to the hall；
where her friend and the general were waiting to welcome her；
without feeling one awful foreboding of future misery
to herself； or one moment's suspicion of any past scenes
of horror being acted within the solemn edifice。 The breeze
had not seemed to waft the sighs of the murdered to her；
it had wafted nothing worse than a thick mizzling rain；
and having given a good shake to her habit； she was ready
to be shown into the common drawing…room； and capable
of considering where she was。
An abbey！ Yes； it was delightful to be really
in an abbey！ But she doubted； as she looked round
the room； whether anything within her observation would
have given her the consciousness。 The furniture was
in all the profusion and elegance of modern taste。
The fireplace； where she had expected the ample width
and ponderous carving of former times； was contracted
to a Rumford； with slabs of plain though handsome marble；
and ornaments over it of the prettiest English china。
The windows； to which she looked with peculiar dependence；
from having heard the general talk of his preserving them
in their Gothic form with reverential care； were yet less
what her fancy had portrayed。 To be sure； the pointed
arch was preservedthe form of them was Gothicthey
might be even casementsbut every pane was so large；
so clear； so light！ To an imagination which had hoped
for the smallest divisions； and the heaviest stone…work；
for painted glass； dirt； and cobwebs； the difference was
very distressing。
The general； perceiving how her eye was employed；
began to talk of the smallness of the room and simplicity
of the furniture； where everything； being for daily use；
pretended only to comfort； etc。； flattering himself； however；
that there were some apartments in the Abbey not unworthy
her noticeand was proceeding to mention the costly
gilding of one in particular； when； taking out his watch；
he stopped short to pronounce it with surprise within
twenty minutes of five！ This seemed the word of separation；
and Catherine found herself hurried away by Miss Tilney
in such a manner as convinced her that the strictest
punctuality to the family hours would be expected at Northanger。
Returning through the large and lofty hall；
they ascended a broad staircase of shining oak； which；
after many flights and many landing…places； brought them
upon a long； wide gallery。 On one side it had a range
of doors； and it was lighted on the other by windows
which Catherine had only time to discover looked
into a quadrangle； before Miss Tilney led the way
into a chamber； and scarcely staying to hope she would
find it comfortable； left her with an anxious entreaty
that she would make as little alteration as possible
in her dress。
CHAPTER 21
A moment's glance was enough to satisfy Catherine
that her apartment was very unlike the one which Henry
had endeavoured to alarm her by the description of。
It was by no means unreasonably large； and contained neither
tapestry nor velvet。 The walls were papered； the floor
was carpeted； the windows were neither less perfect nor more
dim than those of the drawing…room below； the furniture；
though not of the latest fashion； was handsome and comfortable；
and the air of the room altogether far from uncheerful。
Her heart instantaneously at ease on this point； she resolved
to lose no time in particular examination of anything；
as she greatly dreaded disobliging the general by any delay。
Her habit therefore was thrown off with all possible haste；
and she was preparing to unpin the linen package； which the
chaise…seat had conveyed for her immediate accommodation；
when her eye suddenly fell on a large high chest；
standing back in a deep recess on one side of the fireplace。
The sight of it made her start； and； forgetting everything
else； she stood gazing on it in motionless wonder；
while these thoughts crossed her：
〃This is strange indeed！ I did not expect such a sight
as this！ An immense heavy chest！ What can it hold？ Why
should it be placed here？ Pushed back too； as if meant to
be out of sight！ I will look into itcost me what it may；
I will look into itand directly tooby daylight。
If I stay till evening my candle may go out。〃
She advanced and examined it closely： it was of cedar；
curiously inlaid with some darker wood； and raised；
about a foot from the ground； on a carved stand of the same。
The lock was silver； though tarnished from age； at each
end were the imperfect remains of handles also of silver；
broken perhaps prematurely by some strange violence；
and； on the centre of the lid； was a mysterious cipher；
in the same metal。 Catherine bent over it intently；
but without being able to distinguish anything with certainty。
She could not； in whatever direction she took it；
believe the last letter to be a T； and yet that it should
be anything else in that house was a circumstance to raise
no common degree of astonishment。 If not originally theirs；
by what strange events could it have fallen into the Tilney
family？
Her fearful curiosity was every moment growing greater；
and seizing； with trembling hands； the hasp of the lock；
she resolved at all hazards to satisfy herself at least
as to its contents。 With dif