Chapter 18 Chapter Sixteen

Catherine expected to be very happy to be a guest in Milsom Street, for expectations were too high to avoid disappointment.So, though she was received graciously by General Tilney, and friendly by his daughter, and though Henry was at the house and there were no other guests, she spent hours examining the I found out that she went to the appointment to be happy, but the trip did not bring happiness.She found from the conversation of the day that instead of improving her friendship with Miss Tilney, she seemed to be less intimate with her than before.Henry.Tierney, instead of appearing more lovable than ever at such a casual family gathering, was less reticent than ever, and had never been so unaccommodating.Although their father had been very attentive to her, thanking her, inviting her, and complimenting her, she felt relieved to be away from him.She was puzzled by all this.It will not be General Tierney's fault.He was very kind, very good-natured, and a very sweet man, no doubt about it, for he was tall, good-looking, and Henry's father.In front of him, his child couldn't cheer up, and she couldn't cheer up, he couldn't blame him for that.For the former, she finally hoped that it might be accidental, for the latter, she could only blame her own stupidity.After Isabella heard the details of the visit, she gave a different explanation.It's all about arrogance, arrogance.Intolerable arrogance.I have long suspected that the family is very arrogant, and now it is confirmed.I never heard of such insolence from Miss Tilney!Not showing the friendship of the host, not even ordinary manners!So arrogant to guests!Literally don't even talk to you.

But it's not so bad, Isabella.She was not arrogant, but quite polite. Oh, stop defending her!And that elder brother, he seemed to have fallen in love with you before!God!Alas, some people's feelings are really unpredictable.So he hasn't even looked at you all day? I didn't say that.He just seemed unhappy. How despicable!Of all the things in the world, I hate being indifferent to emotion the most.Dear Catherine, I beg you never to think of him again.Seriously, he's not good enough for you. Not worthy!I don't think he ever took me to heart. I mean exactly that.He never took you to heart.It's really chaotic!Oh, how different from your brother and mine!I am sure that John is the most steadfast.

But as far as General Tilney is concerned, I assure you that no one could have treated me with more kindness or consideration.It seemed the only thing he cared about was entertaining me and making me happy. oh!I know there's nothing wrong with him.I don't think he's arrogant.I believe he is a very gentlemanly person.John thinks highly of him, and John's eyesight Well, I want to see how they treat me tonight.We're going to meet them in the party hall. do i have to go too Don't you want to go?I thought it was all settled. Come on, since you must go, I can't refuse.But don't you make me cute, because you know my heart is forty miles away.As for dancing, I beg you, forget it.That is absolutely impossible.Dare I say it, Charles.Hodges is killing me.But I'm going to tell him to stop talking.Nine times out of ten he'll guess why, and that's what I'm trying to avoid.Therefore, I must not let him speak out his guesses.

Isabella's opinion of the Tierney family did not affect her friend.Catherine was sure that there was nothing haughty in the manner of the brother and sister, nor did she believe that there was anything in them.In the evening, her trust in them was rewarded.When they saw her, one was still polite and the other was still attentive.Miss Tilney tried to get her as close as possible, and Henry asked her to dance. Catherine had heard the previous day in Milsom Street that Captain Tierney, the eldest brother of the Tierneys, would be coming any moment.So when she saw a stylish, handsome young man whom she had never seen before, and who was obviously one of her friends, she knew his name instantly.She looked at him with admiration, and even thought that he might be thought more handsome than his brother, though he seemed to her to be somewhat vain.His face was not so attractive.

No doubt he had been of worse taste and manner, for, within earshot of her, he not only indicated that he did not want to dance, but even openly laughed at Henry for being able to dance.From this latter circumstance it may be concluded that, whatever our heroine may think of him, his affection for Catherine is not of a kind so dangerous as to make the brothers jealous.He couldn't possibly get three rogues in jockey's coats to put her into a four-horse station wagon and drive away at full speed.Catherine, meanwhile, was not disturbed by a presentiment of this misfortune, or any other, but only regretted that the dance was too short for her enjoyment.She enjoyed being with Henry as usual.Tierney had fun together, listening to his every word with piercing eyes.She found him very charming, and she became very charming herself.

After the first dance, Captain Tilney came up to them again, and, to Catherine's great displeasure, drew his brother away.The two whispered as they walked, and though her frail sensibilities were not at once alarmed by it, and did not conclude that Captain Tilney must have heard the malicious slander against her, and was now hastening to tell his brother that they should be parted forever, she Watching my dance partner being dragged away, I always feel very uncomfortable.She spent a full five minutes in agitation, feeling at first that it was almost a quarter of an hour, when the two of them came back again.Henry asked a question, and invisibly explained the matter: it turned out that he wanted to know whether Catherine thought his friend Miss Thorpe would like to dance, because his brother was very eager to be introduced to him.Catherine replied without hesitation that she believed Miss Thorpe would never dance.This relentless reply was passed on to the older brother, who walked away immediately.

I know your brother won't mind, said Catherine, because I've heard him say he hates dancing, but he's kind enough to think of dancing with Isabella.I think he saw Isabella sitting there and thought she wanted a partner.But he was quite mistaken, for Isabella could never dance. Henry smiled slightly and said: You can easily figure out other people's motives. Why?what do you mean? I never think about: How might individuals be affected by this?Given age, situation, and possibly lifestyle, what motives are most likely to affect his emotions?You just think about: how am I supposed to be affected?What is my motivation for doing this or that?

I don't understand you. That's so unequal because I totally see what you mean. I mean?Yes, my words are not good enough to be understood. OK!It's a brilliant satire on contemporary language. But please tell me what you mean. Do you really want me to say it?Do you really want to hear it?But you don't know the consequences, which will embarrass you greatly, and will certainly cause a quarrel between us. No, it won't, none of this will happen.I'm not afraid. Oh well.All I say is that you attribute my brother's desire to dance with Miss Thorpe only to his good heart, which leads me to believe that you really have a better heart than anyone else in the world.

Catherine blushed and quickly denied it, and Henry's prediction was confirmed.Still, there was something in his words that brought comfort to the pain she felt in her dismay.This connotation completely occupied her mind, making her temporarily silent, forgetting to speak, forgetting to confide, and almost forgetting where she was.She didn't look up until Isabella's voice woke her up, and she and Captain Tilney were just about to cross their hands (that is, about to dance). Isabella shrugged and smiled, which was the only explanation she could give for her unusual behavior at the time.It's a pity that Catherine still couldn't understand, so she directly expressed her surprise to her partner.

I can't imagine what's going on!Isabella was determined not to dance. Had she never changed her mind before? oh!But, because there is still your brother!Why did he ask her to dance after you told him what I said? I wouldn't be surprised at this point.You told me to be amazed at your friend, so I am amazed.But as far as my brother is concerned, I must admit that I think he is perfectly capable of acting in this matter.Your friend's beauty is an open seduction; her firmness, you know, is only for you to appreciate. You are mocking people.I'll tell you the truth, though, that Isabella is generally pretty determined.

This can be said to anyone.Always determined, must often be stubborn.When it is appropriate to be easy-going, it depends on each person's judgment.Leaving aside my brother, I do not think that Miss Thorpe's decision to be easy at the moment was well timed. It was not until all the dancing was over that the two friends were able to get together and talk.As they strolled arm in arm through the halls, Isabella herself explained: I don't wonder you're surprised.Really wears me out.He's always talking like that!It would be interesting if I had nothing else on my mind.However, I'd rather just sit there. Then why don't you sit down? oh!Honey, that would be too special, and you know I hate being special.I tried to push back, but he just wouldn't give up.You don't know how he forced me.I begged his forgiveness and asked him to find another partner.But no, he wouldn't do it.As long as he wanted to dance with me, he never wanted to dance with anyone else in the room.He didn't just want to dance, he wanted to be with me.Hey!It's boring, I told him, and he wouldn't succeed in trying to persuade me like that.Because I hate flattery and flattery the most.And so I found that if I danced in discord, I could have no peace.Besides, I thought Mrs. Hughes would be offended if I didn't dance now that she had introduced him.And your dear brother, he will be unhappy if I sit all evening.Great, it's finally over!I'm so sick of hearing his nonsense.He was a very handsome lad, though, and I saw everybody staring at us. He is indeed very beautiful. pretty!Yes, perhaps beautiful.Maybe the average person would admire him, but he definitely doesn't meet my beauty standards.I hate men with rosy skin and dark eyes.But he's also good looking.Of course it is very conceited.You know, I also have a way to overwhelm his arrogance several times. When the two ladies met again, they had a more interesting subject to discuss.By this time a second letter from James had arrived, detailing his father's kindness.Mr. Morland himself was patron and vicar of the parish, with a vicarage of about four hundred pounds a year, which was handed over to his son when he came of age.This is not a small reduction in family income. Ten children, one can get so much alone, which is not stingy.In addition, James can also inherit an asset of at least equal value in the future. James expressed his apt gratitude in the letter.The unpleasantness of having to wait two or three years before they could marry was not unexpected, and he endured it without complaint.Catherine, as unsure of her father's income, had no definite expectations in such matters, and her opinion was entirely influenced by her brother, was therefore quite satisfied, and I sincerely congratulate Isabella that all was so settled gratifying. Very well indeed, said Isabella grimly. Mr. Moran was indeed very generous.said the gentle Mrs. Thorpe, looking anxiously at her daughter.I wish I could take as much.You know we can't expect more from Mr. Moran.I dare say he would have done it if he could, for I am sure he is a benevolent and good man.To start out on an income of four hundred pounds is indeed too little.But, dear Isabella, your wishes are low.Good boy, don't even think about how low your requirements have always been. I myself would not have asked for more, but I could not bear to burden dear Moran with such an income, which was scarcely sufficient for a subsistence.It doesn't matter to me, I never think about myself. I know you never think about yourself, my boy.Your kindness will always be rewarded, making everyone love you.Never was a young girl so loved by every acquaintance as you are.I dare say, my dear boy, when Mr. Morland sees you; but let us not speak of such things, lest dear Catherine should be embarrassed.You know, Mr. Moran is very generous.I've always heard he was a nice guy.You know, my dear boy, we can't conceive that if you had a fair fortune, he'd give more, because I'm sure he's a very generous man. There is no doubt that no one thinks more highly of Mr. Moran than I do.But you know, everyone has their flaws, and everyone has the right to do what they want with their money. Catherine felt very uncomfortable at these insinuations.I was sure, she said, that my father had done his best with what he had promised. Isabella realized she had slipped her tongue.And of that, my dear Catherine, there is no doubt about it.You know me well enough to believe that I would be content with much less income.I'm a little unhappy right now, and it's not for lack of more money.I hate money.If we could get married now, for fifty pounds a year, I'd love to.well!My Catherine, you read my mind.I have a headache.It will be two and a half years before your brother takes over the priesthood. "Yes, yes, dear Isabella," said Mrs. Thorpe, we read your mind perfectly.You don't hide yourself.We fully understand your current distress.You have such lofty and sincere feelings.Everyone must love you more. Catherine's unhappiness began to lighten.She tried to convince herself that Isabella was only upset at not being able to marry right away.On the next meeting she found Isabella as cheerful and agreeable as ever, and she tried to forget the other thought she had once had. Not long after James's letter came, people came one after another, and were very cordially received.