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If； indeed； by any strange mischance his father should have
gained intelligence of what she had dared to think and look for；
of her causeless fancies and injurious examinations；
she could not wonder at any degree of his indignation。
If aware of her having viewed him as a murderer； she could
not wonder at his even turning her from his house。
But a justification so full of torture to herself；
she trusted； would not be in his power。
Anxious as were all her conjectures on this point；
it was not； however； the one on which she dwelt most。
There was a thought yet nearer； a more prevailing；
more impetuous concern。 How Henry would think； and feel；
and look； when he returned on the morrow to Northanger
and heard of her being gone； was a question of force and
interest to rise over every other； to be never ceasing；
alternately irritating and soothing； it sometimes suggested
the dread of his calm acquiescence； and at others was answered
by the sweetest confidence in his regret and resentment。
To the general； of course； he would not dare to speak；
but to Eleanorwhat might he not say to Eleanor about
her？
In this unceasing recurrence of doubts and inquiries；
on any one article of which her mind was incapable of more
than momentary repose； the hours passed away； and her journey
advanced much faster than she looked for。 The pressing
anxieties of thought； which prevented her from noticing
anything before her； when once beyond the neighbourhood
of Woodston； saved her at the same time from watching
her progress； and though no object on the road could engage
a moment's attention； she found no stage of it tedious。
From this； she was preserved too by another cause；
by feeling no eagerness for her journey's conclusion；
for to return in such a manner to Fullerton was almost
to destroy the pleasure of a meeting with those she
loved best； even after an absence such as hersan
eleven weeks' absence。 What had she to say that would
not humble herself and pain her family； that would not
increase her own grief by the confession of it； extend an
useless resentment； and perhaps involve the innocent
with the guilty in undistinguishing ill will？ She could
never do justice to Henry and Eleanor's merit； she felt it
too strongly for expression； and should a dislike be taken
against them； should they be thought of unfavourably；
on their father's account； it would cut her to the heart。
With these feelings； she rather dreaded than sought
for the first view of that well…known spire which would
announce her within twenty miles of home。 Salisbury she
had known to be her point on leaving Northanger； but after
the first stage she had been indebted to the post…masters
for the names of the places which were then to conduct
her to it； so great had been her ignorance of her route。
She met with nothing； however； to distress or frighten her。
Her youth； civil manners； and liberal pay procured her all
the attention that a traveller like herself could require；
and stopping only to change horses； she travelled
on for about eleven hours without accident or alarm；
and between six and seven o'clock in the evening found
herself entering Fullerton。
A heroine returning； at the close of her career；
to her native village； in all the triumph of recovered
reputation； and all the dignity of a countess； with a long
train of noble relations in their several phaetons；
and three waiting…maids in a travelling chaise and four；
behind her； is an event on which the pen of the contriver
may well delight to dwell； it gives credit to every
conclusion； and the author must share in the glory she
so liberally bestows。 But my affair is widely different；
I bring back my heroine to her home in solitude and disgrace；
and no sweet elation of spirits can lead me into minuteness。
A heroine in a hack post…chaise is such a blow upon sentiment；
as no attempt at grandeur or pathos can withstand。
Swiftly therefore shall her post…boy drive through
the village； amid the gaze of Sunday groups； and speedy
shall be her descent from it。
But； whatever might be the distress of Catherine's mind；
as she thus advanced towards the parsonage； and whatever
the humiliation of her biographer in relating it；
she was preparing enjoyment of no everyday nature
for those to whom she went； first； in the appearance
of her carriageand secondly； in herself。 The chaise
of a traveller being a rare sight in Fullerton； the whole
family were immediately at the window； and to have it
stop at the sweep…gate was a pleasure to brighten every
eye and occupy every fancya pleasure quite unlooked
for by all but the two youngest children； a boy and girl
of six and four years old； who expected a brother or
sister in every carriage。 Happy the glance that first
distinguished Catherine！ Happy the voice that proclaimed
the discovery！ But whether such happiness were the lawful
property of George or Harriet could never be exactly understood。
Her father； mother； Sarah； George； and Harriet；
all assembled at the door to welcome her with affectionate
eagerness； was a sight to awaken the best feelings
of Catherine's heart； and in the embrace of each； as she
stepped from the carriage； she found herself soothed beyond
anything that she had believed possible。 So surrounded；
so caressed； she was even happy！ In the joyfulness
of family love everything for a short time was subdued；
and the pleasure of seeing her； leaving them at first
little leisure for calm curiosity； they were all seated
round the tea…table； which Mrs。 Morland had hurried
for the comfort of the poor traveller； whose pale and
jaded looks soon caught her notice； before any inquiry
so direct as to demand a positive answer was addressed to her。
Reluctantly； and with much hesitation； did she then
begin what might perhaps； at the end of half an hour；
be termed； by the courtesy of her hearers； an explanation；
but scarcely； within that time； could they at all discover
the cause； or collect the particulars； of her sudden return。
They were far from being an irritable race； far from
any quickness in catching； or bitterness in resenting；
affronts： but here； when the whole was unfolded；
was an insult not to be overlooked； nor； for the first
half hour； to be easily pardoned。 Without suffering any
romantic alarm； in the consideration of their daughter's
long and lonely journey； Mr。 and Mrs。 Morland could
not b