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he set out the next day for the abbey； where his performances
have been seen。
I leave it to my reader's sagacity to determine how
much of all this it was possible for Henry to communicate
at this time to Catherine； how much of it he could have
learnt from his father； in what points his own conjectures
might assist him； and what portion must yet remain to be
told in a letter from James。 I have united for their case
what they must divide for mine。 Catherine； at any rate；
heard enough to feel that in suspecting General Tilney of
either murdering or shutting up his wife； she had scarcely
sinned against his character； or magnified his cruelty。
Henry； in having such things to relate of his father；
was almost as pitiable as in their first avowal to himself。
He blushed for the narrow…minded counsel which he
was obliged to expose。 The conversation between them
at Northanger had been of the most unfriendly kind。
Henry's indignation on hearing how Catherine had been treated；
on comprehending his father's views； and being ordered
to acquiesce in them； had been open and bold。 The general；
accustomed on every ordinary occasion to give the law
in his family； prepared for no reluctance but of feeling；
no opposing desire that should dare to clothe itself
in words； could in brook the opposition of his son；
steady as the sanction of reason and the dictate of
conscience could make it。 But； in such a cause； his anger；
though it must shock； could not intimidate Henry； who was
sustained in his purpose by a conviction of its justice。
He felt himself bound as much in honour as in affection
to Miss Morland； and believing that heart to be his own
which he had been directed to gain； no unworthy retraction
of a tacit consent； no reversing decree of unjustifiable anger；
could shake his fidelity； or influence the resolutions
it prompted。
He steadily refused to accompany his father
into Herefordshire； an engagement formed almost at the
moment to promote the dismissal of Catherine； and as
steadily declared his intention of offering her his hand。
The general was furious in his anger； and they parted
in dreadful disagreement。 Henry； in an agitation of mind
which many solitary hours were required to compose；
had returned almost instantly to Woodston； and； on the
afternoon of the following day； had begun his journey to Fullerton。
CHAPTER 31
Mr。 and Mrs。 Morland's surprise on being applied
to by Mr。 Tilney for their consent to his marrying their
daughter was； for a few minutes； considerable； it having
never entered their heads to suspect an attachment
on either side； but as nothing； after all； could be
more natural than Catherine's being beloved； they soon
learnt to consider it with only the happy agitation of
gratified pride； and； as far as they alone were concerned；
had not a single objection to start。 His pleasing
manners and good sense were self…evident recommendations；
and having never heard evil of him； it was not their way
to suppose any evil could be told。 Goodwill supplying the
place of experience； his character needed no attestation。
〃Catherine would make a sad； heedless young housekeeper
to be sure；〃 was her mother's foreboding remark； but quick
was the consolation of there being nothing like practice。
There was but one obstacle； in short； to be mentioned；
but till that one was removed； it must be impossible for
them to sanction the engagement。 Their tempers were mild；
but their principles were steady； and while his parent
so expressly forbade the connection； they could not allow
themselves to encourage it。 That the general should
come forward to solicit the alliance； or that he should
even very heartily approve it； they were not refined
enough to make any parading stipulation； but the decent
appearance of consent must be yielded； and that once
obtainedand their own hearts made them trust that it
could not be very long deniedtheir willing approbation
was instantly to follow。 His consent was all that they
wished for。 They were no more inclined than entitled
to demand his money。 Of a very considerable fortune；
his son was； by marriage settlements； eventually secure；
his present income was an income of independence and comfort；
and under every pecuniary view； it was a match beyond
the claims of their daughter。
The young people could not be surprised at a decision
like this。 They felt and they deploredbut they could
not resent it； and they parted； endeavouring to hope
that such a change in the general； as each believed
almost impossible； might speedily take place； to unite
them again in the fullness of privileged affection。
Henry returned to what was now his only home； to watch
over his young plantations； and extend his improvements
for her sake； to whose share in them he looked
anxiously forward； and Catherine remained at Fullerton
to cry。 Whether the torments of absence were softened
by a clandestine correspondence； let us not inquire。
Mr。 and Mrs。 Morland never didthey had been too kind
to exact any promise； and whenever Catherine received
a letter； as； at that time； happened pretty often；
they always looked another way。
The anxiety； which in this state of their attachment
must be the portion of Henry and Catherine； and of all
who loved either； as to its final event； can hardly extend；
I fear； to the bosom of my readers； who will see
in the tell…tale compression of the pages before them；
that we are all hastening together to perfect felicity。
The means by which their early marriage was effected can
be the only doubt： what probable circumstance could work
upon a temper like the general's？ The circumstance which
chiefly availed was the marriage of his daughter with a man
of fortune and consequence； which took place in the course
of the summeran accession of dignity that threw him
into a fit of good humour； from which he did not recover
till after Eleanor had obtained his forgiveness of Henry；
and his permission for him 〃to be a fool if he liked it！〃
The marriage of Eleanor Tilney； her removal from
all the evils of such a home as Northanger had been
made by Henry's banishment； to the home of her choice
and the man of her choice； is an event which I expect
to give general satisfaction among all her acquaintance。
My own joy on the occasion is very sincere。 I know no one
more entitled； by unpreten