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What beautiful hyacinths！ I have just learnt to love
a hyacinth。〃
〃And how might you learn？ By accident or argument？〃
〃Your sister taught me； I cannot tell how。 Mrs。 Allen
used to take pains； year after year； to make me like them；
but I never could； till I saw them the other day in
Milsom Street； I am naturally indifferent about flowers。〃
〃But now you love a hyacinth。 So much the better。
You have gained a new source of enjoyment； and it is
well to have as many holds upon happiness as possible。
Besides； a taste for flowers is always desirable in your sex；
as a means of getting you out of doors； and tempting you
to more frequent exercise than you would otherwise take。
And though the love of a hyacinth may be rather domestic；
who can tell； the sentiment once raised； but you may in time
come to love a rose？〃
〃But I do not want any such pursuit to get me out
of doors。 The pleasure of walking and breathing fresh
air is enough for me； and in fine weather I am out more
than half my time。 Mamma says I am never within。〃
〃At any rate； however； I am pleased that you have
learnt to love a hyacinth。 The mere habit of learning
to love is the thing； and a teachableness of disposition
in a young lady is a great blessing。 Has my sister
a pleasant mode of instruction？〃
Catherine was saved the embarrassment of attempting
an answer by the entrance of the general； whose smiling
compliments announced a happy state of mind； but whose
gentle hint of sympathetic early rising did not advance
her composure。
The elegance of the breakfast set forced itself
on Catherine's notice when they were seated at table；
and； lucidly； it had been the general's choice。 He was
enchanted by her approbation of his taste； confessed it
to be neat and simple； thought it right to encourage
the manufacture of his country； and for his part； to his
uncritical palate； the tea was as well flavoured from the
clay of Staffordshire； as from that of Dresden or Save。
But this was quite an old set； purchased two years ago。
The manufacture was much improved since that time；
he had seen some beautiful specimens when last in town；
and had he not been perfectly without vanity of
that kind； might have been tempted to order a new set。
He trusted； however； that an opportunity might ere
long occur of selecting onethough not for himself。
Catherine was probably the only one of the party who did
not understand him。
Shortly after breakfast Henry left them for Woodston；
where business required and would keep him two or three days。
They all attended in the hall to see him mount his horse；
and immediately on re…entering the breakfast…room； Catherine
walked to a window in the hope of catching another glimpse
of his figure。 〃This is a somewhat heavy call upon your
brother's fortitude；〃 observed the general to Eleanor。
〃Woodston will make but a sombre appearance today。〃
〃Is it a pretty place？〃 asked Catherine。
〃What say you； Eleanor？ Speak your opinion；
for ladies can best tell the taste of ladies in regard
to places as well as men。 I think it would be acknowledged
by the most impartial eye to have many recommendations。
The house stands among fine meadows facing the south…east；
with an excellent kitchen…garden in the same aspect；
the walls surrounding which I built and stocked myself
about ten years ago； for the benefit of my son。 It is
a family living； Miss Morland； and the property in the
place being chiefly my own； you may believe I take care
that it shall not be a bad one。 Did Henry's income depend
solely on this living； he would not be ill…provided for。
Perhaps it may seem odd； that with only two younger children；
I should think any profession necessary for him；
and certainly there are moments when we could all wish him
disengaged from every tie of business。 But though I may
not exactly make converts of you young ladies； I am sure
your father； Miss Morland； would agree with me in thinking
it expedient to give every young man some employment。
The money is nothing； it is not an object； but employment
is the thing。 Even Frederick； my eldest son； you see；
who will perhaps inherit as considerable a landed property
as any private man in the county； has his profession。〃
The imposing effect of this last argument was
equal to his wishes。 The silence of the lady proved
it to be unanswerable。
Something had been said the evening before of her
being shown over the house； and he now offered himself
as her conductor； and though Catherine had hoped to explore
it accompanied only by his daughter； it was a proposal
of too much happiness in itself； under any circumstances；
not to be gladly accepted； for she had been already
eighteen hours in the abbey； and had seen only a few of
its rooms。 The netting…box； just leisurely drawn forth；
was closed with joyful haste； and she was ready to
attend him in a moment。 〃And when they had gone over
the house； he promised himself moreover the pleasure
of accompanying her into the shrubberies and garden。〃
She curtsied her acquiescence。 〃But perhaps it might be
more agreeable to her to make those her first object。
The weather was at present favourable； and at this time
of year the uncertainty was very great of its continuing so。
Which would she prefer？ He was equally at her service。
Which did his daughter think would most accord with her
fair friend's wishes？ But he thought he could discern。
Yes； he certainly read in Miss Morland's eyes a judicious
desire of making use of the present smiling weather。
But when did she judge amiss？ The abbey would be always
safe and dry。 He yielded implicitly； and would fetch
his hat and attend them in a moment。〃 He left the room；
and Catherine； with a disappointed； anxious face；
began to speak of her unwillingness that he should be
taking them out of doors against his own inclination；
under a mistaken idea of pleasing her； but she was stopped
by Miss Tilney's saying； with a little confusion； 〃I believe
it will be wisest to take the morning while it is so fine；
and do not be uneasy on my father's account； he always walks
out at this time of day。〃
Catherine did not exactly know how this was
to be understood。 Why was Miss Tilney embarrassed？
Could there be any unwillingness on the general's side
to show her over the abbey？ The proposal was his