Chapter 20 Chapter Eighteen

Catherine was so beaming that she hardly realized that two or three days had passed, and that she and Isabella had not seen each other more than a few minutes.One morning, when she was strolling with Mrs. Allen in the spa, when she could not find anything to say or hear Mrs. Allen, she became aware of the problem and longed to have a chat with Isabella.She had been longing for less than five minutes when the object of her desire appeared.Her friend asked her to discuss something in secret and led her to her seat.They sat down on a bench between the two doors, from where they could clearly see everyone who went through the two doors.Later, Isabella said: This is my favorite position, how secluded it is.

Catherine noticed that Isabella's eyes were always fixed on this door or that, as if eagerly waiting for someone.Catherine remembered that Isabella used to talk nonsense about her cunning, and thought why not take the opportunity to show her skills now, so she said cheerfully: "Don't worry, Isabella, James will be here soon." go!My darling, returned Isabella, don't think I'm a fool for trying to carry him on my arm all day long.How ugly it is to stick together all day long, it will really become a joke.So you're going to Northanger Abbey!That's great.I've heard it's one of the most beautiful monuments in England.I look forward to hearing your most detailed description.

I will definitely do my best to tell you in detail.But who are you waiting for?Is your sister coming? I wait for no one.People's eyes have to see something, you know, when my mind is a hundred miles away, my eyes are always fixed on a certain place.I'm so distracted.I think I'm the most absent-minded person in the world.Tierney said that there is a kind of human mind that is always like this. But I thought, Isabella, is there something you want to tell me? Oh yes!I have something to tell you.You see, what I said just now is not confirmed.My brain is so bad!Well, here's the thing: I just got a letter from John.You can guess what he wrote. .

No, I really can't guess. My darling, don't be so hypocritical to be annoying.What else would he write besides you?You know he has a crush on you. Crazy about me, dear Isabella? Come, my dear Catherine, this is too absurd.Being humble is fine in itself, but a little candor is sometimes necessary.I really didn't expect you to be too modest.You are flattering.John was so attentive, even a child could tell.Just half an hour before he left, you were clearly encouraging him.That's what he said in his letter.He said that he almost proposed to you, and you also accepted his pursuit sincerely.Now, he wants me to propose for him, and to say good things to you.Therefore, it is useless for you to pretend not to know.

Catherine expressed her astonishment at the accusation with all sincerity, and declared that she had no idea that Mr. Thorpe was in love with her, and that she could not have intended to encourage him to be courteous to me; I didn't notice it for a moment, only that he asked me to dance with him the first day he came.As for proposing to me, or something like that, there must have been some inexplicable misunderstanding.You know, I don't see things like that.I solemnly declare, and I hope you will believe me, that nothing of this nature was ever said between us.Half an hour before he left!It was all a misunderstanding, because I didn't see him once that morning.

You must have seen him, because you were in the Edgar Building all morning.It was the day your father wrote to say yes to our engagement, and I know very well that you and John were alone in the drawing-room for a while before you left. Yeah?Since you said so, I must be right.No, I can't remember anything.I just remember being with you at the time, seeing him and seeing others.Still, to say that we were alone for five minutes—but that is not up for debate, because whatever he is, you should believe me on the mere fact that I have no recollection, that I never considered it, never expected it. , and never expected him to propose to me.I was extremely disturbed that he should be interested in me, but I really did not care at all.I didn't even think about it.Please clear up the misunderstanding for him as soon as possible, and tell him that I ask his forgiveness.It means that I don't know how to say it but please let him understand what I mean in the most appropriate way.I really don't want to speak ill of your brother, Isabella, but you know very well that if I am particularly interested in any man, it is not him.Isabella was speechless.My dear friend, don't be angry with me.I can't imagine your brother looking at me like that.You know, we'll still be sister-in-law.

Yes, yes, (blushing), we can be sisters in several ways.But where did I go?Well, dear Catherine, it seems that you are determined to reject poor John, are you not? Of course I couldn't repay her love, and of course I never had the heart to encourage it. Now that's the case, I'm sure I won't taunt you anymore.John wanted me to talk to you about this, so I did.But to tell the truth, as soon as I read his letter, I thought it was a very foolish and rash thing to do, and it would do no good to either party.For, supposing you were united, what would you live on?Of course, you both have a little property.But these days one cannot support a family on a little money, and no matter what the legendary writers say, one cannot do without money.I just wonder how John can come up with this idea.He may not have received my latest letter.

So you do admit that I am not wrong?You're sure I never wanted to lie to your brother.I never knew he liked me before. oh!Speaking of this, Isabella replied with a smile, I don't want to pretend to judge what thoughts and intentions you had in the past.You know all this best.Sometimes a harmless flirting or something like that happens, and people often can't resist the temptation to encourage others and not want to admit it.But don't worry, I will never judge you harshly.This kind of thing is excusable for young and vigorous people.You know, a person who thinks so today will change his mind tomorrow.Circumstances have changed and perceptions have changed.

But my opinion of your brother has never changed, always the same.What you just did was never before. Dear Catherine, Isabella did not listen to her at all, and went on.I definitely don't want to urge you to book a marriage out of nowhere.I feel that I have no right to expect you to sacrifice all your happiness just to fulfill my brother.You know, he might end up being just as happy without you, because people, especially young people, rarely know what they're up to, they're too fickle, too fickle.What I said was: Why should I value my brother's happiness more than that of my friend?You know, I've always been a big fan of friendship.But above all, dear Catherine, do not rush.Believe me, if you rush too much, you will regret it later.Tierney said that people are most easily deceived by their own feelings, and I think he is right.ah!he came.But it doesn't matter, he can't see us.

Catherine looked up and saw Captain Tilney.Isabella fixed her eyes on him as she spoke, and immediately caught his attention.He immediately walked over and sat down on the seat indicated by Isabella.His first words startled Catherine.Although the voice was very low, Catherine could still hear clearly: What!There is always someone watching you, either by yourself or by someone else. Go, nonsense!Isabella replied, also in a low voice.Why are you telling me this?It's a pity that I don't believe you!You know, my heart is free. May your mind be free.That's enough for me. My heart, yes!What do you have to do with the heart?None of you men have hearts.

If we have no heart, we have eyes.These eyes have given us enough of sin. Yeah?I'm sorry.It's a pity that you find something unpleasant about me.I'm going to turn my face away, and I hope that pleases you. (Turns back to the ground) I hope your eyes don't suffer now. Never has it been more tormented than this, because your jade face and peach cheeks can still see that there are too many and too few sides. Catherine was so embarrassed by all this that she could hear no more.She wondered how Isabella could bear it, and feeling jealous for her brother, she got up, said she was going to Mrs. Allen, and suggested that Isabella walk with her.But Isabella didn't want to go.She was very tired, and walking in the spa hall was too boring.Besides, if she left her seat, she would not see her sisters, who were waiting for them, and they could come any moment, so her dear Catherine must forgive her, and sit down obediently again.Who would have thought Catherine would be stubborn.And just at that moment Mrs. Allen came up and suggested that they should go home now, and Catherine walked out of the spa-hall with her, leaving Ibera sitting with Captain Tilney.Catherine left them with such apprehension. It seemed to her that Captain Tilney was in love with Isabella, and that Isabella was inadvertently encouraging him.This must have been unconscious, for Isabella's affection for James was as certain and well known as her engagement.It was impossible to doubt her sincerity.Yet throughout their conversation, her attitude was odd.She wished Isabella would talk as she always did, and not be so full of money, and not so beaming at the sight of Captain Tilney.How strange that Isabella should not be aware that Captain Tilney was in love with her!Catherine would have liked to have given her a hint to watch out, lest her overly lively manner should cause pain to Captain Tilney and her brother. John's sentimentality could not make up for his sister's lack of understanding.She simply neither believed nor hoped that her brother was sincere, for she had not forgotten that John might have been mistaken.His statement of his proposal, and Catherine's instigation, convinced her that his mistakes had sometimes been astonishingly great.So her vanity is not gratified, and her main reward is surprise.It was astonishing that John should be able to imagine himself in love with Catherine.Isabella spoke of her brother's gallantry, but she, Catherine, never noticed it.Isabella said a great deal, which Catherine hoped she had said in haste, and never again.She thought of this if she wanted to, so that she could relax and have fun for a while.