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till she had； her leaving them was not even to be thought of。
In having this cause of uneasiness so pleasantly removed；
the force of the other was likewise weakened。 The kindness；
the earnestness of Eleanor's manner in pressing her to stay；
and Henry's gratified look on being told that her stay
was determined； were such sweet proofs of her importance
with them； as left her only just so much solicitude
as the human mind can never do comfortably without。
She didalmost alwaysbelieve that Henry loved her；
and quite always that his father and sister loved and
even wished her to belong to them； and believing so far；
her doubts and anxieties were merely sportive irritations。
Henry was not able to obey his father's injunction of
remaining wholly at Northanger in attendance on the ladies；
during his absence in London； the engagements of his curate
at Woodston obliging him to leave them on Saturday for a
couple of nights。 His loss was not now what it had been
while the general was at home； it lessened their gaiety；
but did not ruin their comfort； and the two girls agreeing
in occupation； and improving in intimacy； found themselves
so well sufficient for the time to themselves； that it was
eleven o'clock； rather a late hour at the abbey； before they
quitted the supper…room on the day of Henry's departure。
They had just reached the head of the stairs when it seemed；
as far as the thickness of the walls would allow them
to judge； that a carriage was driving up to the door；
and the next moment confirmed the idea by the loud noise
of the house…bell。 After the first perturbation of surprise
had passed away； in a 〃Good heaven！ What can be the matter？〃
it was quickly decided by Eleanor to be her eldest brother；
whose arrival was often as sudden； if not quite so unseasonable；
and accordingly she hurried down to welcome him。
Catherine walked on to her chamber； making up her
mind as well as she could； to a further acquaintance with
Captain Tilney； and comforting herself under the unpleasant
impression his conduct had given her； and the persuasion
of his being by far too fine a gentleman to approve of her；
that at least they should not meet under such circumstances
as would make their meeting materially painful。
She trusted he would never speak of Miss Thorpe；
and indeed； as he must by this time be ashamed of the
part he had acted； there could be no danger of it；
and as long as all mention of Bath scenes were avoided；
she thought she could behave to him very civilly。
In such considerations time passed away； and it was certainly
in his favour that Eleanor should be so glad to see him；
and have so much to say； for half an hour was almost
gone since his arrival； and Eleanor did not come up。
At that moment Catherine thought she heard her
step in the gallery； and listened for its continuance；
but all was silent。 Scarcely； however； had she convicted
her fancy of error； when the noise of something moving
close to her door made her start； it seemed as if someone
was touching the very doorwayand in another moment
a slight motion of the lock proved that some hand must
be on it。 She trembled a little at the idea of anyone's
approaching so cautiously； but resolving not to be again
overcome by trivial appearances of alarm； or misled
by a raised imagination； she stepped quietly forward；
and opened the door。 Eleanor； and only Eleanor； stood there。
Catherine's spirits； however； were tranquillized but for
an instant； for Eleanor's cheeks were pale； and her manner
greatly agitated。 Though evidently intending to come in；
it seemed an effort to enter the room； and a still
greater to speak when there。 Catherine； supposing some
uneasiness on Captain Tilney's account； could only
express her concern by silent attention； obliged her
to be seated； rubbed her temples with lavender…water；
and hung over her with affectionate solicitude。
〃My dear Catherine； you must notyou must not indeed〃
were Eleanor's first connected words。 〃I am quite well。
This kindness distracts meI cannot bear itI come
to you on such an errand！〃
〃Errand！ To me！〃
〃How shall I tell you！ Oh！ How shall I tell you！〃
A new idea now darted into Catherine's mind；
and turning as pale as her friend； she exclaimed；
〃'Tis a messenger from Woodston！〃
〃You are mistaken； indeed；〃 returned Eleanor； looking at
her most compassionately； 〃it is no one from Woodston。
It is my father himself。〃 Her voice faltered； and her eyes
were turned to the ground as she mentioned his name。
His unlooked…for return was enough in itself to make
Catherine's heart sink； and for a few moments she
hardly supposed there were anything worse to be told。
She said nothing； and Eleanor； endeavouring to collect
herself and speak with firmness； but with eyes still
cast down； soon went on。 〃You are too good； I am sure；
to think the worse of me for the part I am obliged
to perform。 I am indeed a most unwilling messenger。
After what has so lately passed； so lately been
settled between ushow joyfully； how thankfully on my
side！as to your continuing here as I hoped for many；
many weeks longer； how can I tell you that your kindness
is not to be acceptedand that the happiness your
company has hitherto given us is to be repaid by But
I must not trust myself with words。 My dear Catherine；
we are to part。 My father has recollected an engagement
that takes our whole family away on Monday。 We are going
to Lord Longtown's； near Hereford； for a fortnight。
Explanation and apology are equally impossible。 I cannot
attempt either。〃
〃My dear Eleanor；〃 cried Catherine； suppressing her
feelings as well as she could； 〃do not be so distressed。
A second engagement must give way to a first。 I am very；
very sorry we are to partso soon； and so suddenly too；
but I am not offended； indeed I am not。 I can finish my
visit here； you know； at any time； or I hope you will come
to me。 Can you； when you return from this lord's； come
to Fullerton？〃
〃It will not be in my power； Catherine。〃
〃Come when you can； then。〃
Eleanor made no answer； and Catherine's thoughts
recurring to something more directly interesting；
she added； thinkng aloud； 〃Mondayso soon as Monday；
and you all go。 Well； I am certain of I shall be able
to take leave； however。 I need not go till just before
you do； you know。 Do not be distress