Chapter 14 Chapter Twelve

Mrs Allen, said Catherine next morning, may I go and see Miss Tilney today?I can't be at ease without explaining things clearly. Go, my boy, of course you can.Don't wear a white cheongsam dress.Miss Tilney always wore white. Catherine happily agreed.After she was dressed properly, she was even more anxious to rush to the spa hall.Ask for General Tilney's address, for although she believes they live in Milsom Street, she is not sure which house it is, and Mrs Allen insists now on this and now on that, which makes her Getting more and more confused.She found out that it was in Milsom Street, and having ascertained the number, hurried off with a trembling heart to call on her friend, explain her conduct, and beg her pardon.As she passed the churchyard, she resolutely averted her eyes, and crept along, lest she should involuntarily see dear Isabella and the lovely members of her family, as she had reason to believe.They are in a shop nearby.She came to the house smoothly without encountering any obstacles, looked at the door plate, raised her hand and knocked on the door, begging to see Miss Tilney.The servant said he believed Miss Tilney was at home, but he was not quite sure, would he be allowed to report her name?Catherine handed over her business card.

In a few minutes the servant returned, and said with an air of insincerity that he had made a mistake, and that Miss Tilney had gone out.Catherine felt humiliated and walked away blushing.She was almost sure that Miss Tilney was at home, and was only angry with her not to see her.As she walked back down the street, she couldn't help glancing at the living room window, thinking she might see her, but the window was empty.But at the end of the street, she looked back again, and at this time, instead of the window, a person came out of the door, and she saw that it was Miss Tilney.She was followed by a man whom Catherine believed to be her father.The two turned and walked towards the Edgar Building.Catherine was deeply ashamed and walked on.She was almost annoyed that the other had neglected her so rudely out of anger.But remembering that she was simple-minded, she suppressed her breath.She did not know to what class this offense of hers might be classified by worldly decency, how unpardonable it was, properly speaking, and what severe insolence it deserved in her revenge.She felt depressed, ashamed, and even had the idea of ​​not going to the theater with others at night.

But it must be confessed that her thoughts did not last long, for she realized at once that, first, she had no excuse for staying at home;So they all came to the theater.The Tierneys did not appear, to save her annoyance or pleasure.She was worried that the Tilneys, for all their virtues, were not fond of the theatre, but perhaps that was because they were used to the best plays on the London stage, and she had heard Isabella say, Comparing any play with the one in London, it is really a mess. However, her own desire to relax is not in vain, and the comedy temporarily distracts her worries, and if you watch her carefully during the first four acts, you will not see that there is anything wrong with her heart.But, at the beginning of the fifth act, she became anxious again at the sudden discovery of Mr. Tilney and his father among friends in the box-room opposite.The stage no longer inspired real pleasure, no longer absorbed her.On average, every time she glanced at the stage, she had to glance at the opposite box.For the whole two plays, she watched Henry like this.Tierney, but never caught his eye.She could no longer suspect that he didn't like the theater, and he had been staring at the stage for two whole plays.

Finally, he finally glanced at her and nodded, but how did he nod!There was no smile, no other courtesy, and his eyes immediately returned to their original direction.Catherine felt a little restless, and she really wanted to run to his box and force him to listen to her explanation.An emotion which was natural rather than a heroine's had seized her.She didn't think it would hurt her dignity for them to arbitrarily add crimes to her, and she didn't want to pretend to be innocent, express indignation at his suspiciousness, and let him go to great lengths to seek explanations, not just by avoiding or asking Others are coquettish ways to let him know what happened in the past.Instead, she felt it was all her own fault, at least on the surface.So I just want to find an opportunity to explain the reason of the matter clearly.

The play was over and the curtain fell.Henry.Tilney was no longer in his place, but his father was, and he was perhaps on his way to their box.She was right: in a few minutes Mr. Tilney appeared.He came across the rows of seats that were being vacated, and greeted Mrs. Allen and her friend with poised civility.Catherine was less calm when she answered.Well, Mr. Tierney, I've been anxious to speak to you, and I apologize.You must think I'm rude, but it's really not my fault.You say yes, Mrs. Allen?Didn't they tell me that Mr. Tilney and his sister were going out in a hansom?In that case, what else can I do?However, I still have ten thousand hopes to go out with you.You say yes, Mrs. Allen?

Good boy, you messed up my cheongsam skirt.replied Mrs. Allen. Although Catherine's confession was isolated, it was not in vain.A more sincere and natural look appeared on Tierney's face.He replied, with only a touch of false indifference, in any case we want to thank you for wishing us a pleasant walk as we passed you in Argyll Street.Thank you for taking the time to look back. To be honest, I didn't wish you a pleasant walk, it never occurred to me.But I begged Mr. Thorpe to stop.I yell at him when I see you.Mrs. Allen, don't you!You are not here.But I do.If Mr. Thorpe had stopped his car, I'd jump out and run after you.

Is there any Henry in the world who can remain indifferent after hearing this?At least Henry.Tierney was not indifferent.With a still sweeter smile, he related at length his sister's apprehensions, his regrets, his confidence in Catherine's character.Oh, please don't say Miss Tilney isn't angry, cried Catherine, for I know she is.I called on her this morning, and she wouldn't even see me.As soon as I left the house, she came out of the house.I'm sad, but I don't hold grudges against her.Maybe you don't know that I've been to the house. I was not at home.But I heard from Eleanor that she wanted to see you afterward and explain the reason for such a faux pas.However, perhaps I can equally explain.That's just because of my dad.They were just getting ready to go for a walk, and my father, being late and unwilling to delay, insisted that Eleanor was not at home.I assure you, that's it.Eleanor is upset and ready to apologize to you as soon as possible.

When Catherine heard this, she was relieved a lot, but she still felt a little bit worried, so she suddenly asked a very naive but very difficult question: But, Mr. Tierney, why are you not as magnanimous as your sister? Spend?If she can trust my good intentions so much that it's just a misunderstanding, then why are you so angry? I!I'm angry? Yes, when you walked into the box, I could tell by the look on your face that you were angry. I'm angry!How can I have this right! Well, no one who sees your face will think that you have no such right. Tilney made no answer, but asked her to make room for him, and talked to her about the play.He sat with them for a while.He was so amiable that Catherine could not bear to let him go.But before they broke up, they agreed that they would realize their walking plan as soon as possible.When Tilney left their box, Catherine, apart from being somewhat sentimental about it, was on the whole the happiest creature in the world.

While they were talking, Catherine was surprised to find: John.Thorpe, who had never been able to remain in one place for ten minutes, was speaking to General Tierney.When she realized that she might be the object of their attention and talk, she was more than surprised.What could they possibly be talking about about her?She was worried that General Tilney would not like her appearance.It seemed to her that he preferred not to let his daughter see her than to postpone his walk for a few minutes.How did Mr. Thorpe know your father?asked Catherine eagerly, pointing them out to her companion.Tilney didn't know what it was, but his father, like all soldiers, was well connected.

When the play was over, Thorpe came to help them out.Catherine was the immediate object of his courtship.While they were waiting for the sedan chair in the lounge, Catherine had a question that almost came to her tongue, but was stopped by Thorpe, who asked triumphantly whether she had seen him talking to General Tierney.This old man is so proud!Strong and active, as young as his son.Honestly, I admire him a lot.What a nice gentleman. How did you know him? know him!There are not many people around Bath that I don't know.I used to meet him in the Bedford Café.Today, as soon as he entered the billiard room, I recognized his face again.After all, he's the best pinball player here.We fought a few times together, but I was almost afraid of him at first.Our odds were five to four against me.If I hadn't hit maybe the cleanest shot in the world I'd hit his ball—but I don't know without a table.I did beat him, however.What a talent, as rich as the Jew.I really want to have a meal with him, his meal must be very rich.But you know what we're talking about?Talk about you, really talk about you!The General thinks you are the prettiest girl in Bath.

Oh, nonsense!how can you say that you know what i said (lower voice).Well said, General, I say, I agree exactly with you. Catherine was far less pleased to hear Thorpe's compliments than General Tilney's, and she felt no regret at being called away by Mr. Allen.But Thorpe insisted on sending her to the sedan chair, and before getting into the sedan chair, he kept flattering her with sweet words, although the other party begged him to stop. General Tilney, instead of disliking her, admired her, which was very delightful.Catherine felt delighted that she need not be afraid to see anyone in their house.This night, she really did not expect such a big harvest.