Chapter 21 Chapter Nineteen

As the days passed, Catherine, though she dared not suspect her friend, was obliged to watch her closely.The results of her observations were not pleasant.Isabella seemed to be another person.When she saw that she was only among close friends in Edgar House or Pulteney Street, the change in her manner was so slight that it might have gone unnoticed had it gone so far.Now and then she was a little listless, aloof, or, as she boasted, a little absent-minded (something Catherine had never heard of before). But, if nothing worse comes up, the bug may only take on a new fascination and arouse greater interest.But in public, when Catherine saw Captain Tilney's courtesies, she accepted them with graciousness, and gave him almost the same gaze and face as she had for James.Then her change was too obvious to fail to attract attention.What this erratic behavior meant, what her friend was doing, was beyond Catherine's comprehension.Isabella may not have recognized the pain she caused others, but Catherine could not but be indignant at her wayward indiscretions.James is a victim.She saw that his face was gloomy and restless.

No matter how little the woman who had fallen in love with him cared about his present comfort, she cared at any time.She felt the same great concern for poor Captain Tilney.Although he didn't like her appearance, his surname won her favor.She thought with genuine sympathy of the disappointment that Captain Tilney was about to face, for, though she thought she had overheard their conversation in the spa hall, it seemed from Captain Tilney's manner that he knew that Mrs. Sabella was engaged, and Catherine thought it impossible for him to know the truth.He might be jealous of her brother, but if there was more to it, she must have misunderstood it.She hopes to remind Isabella to recognize her situation through tactful persuasion, and let her know that doing so is not good for both parties.However, to offer advice, she is always faced with rare opportunities and unreasonable problems.If she could hint a few words, Isabella would never catch them.

In the midst of these troubles, the deliberation of the Tilneys' departure from Bath was a great consolation to her.The family were going back to Gloucestershire in a few days, and the departure of Captain Tilney, at least for everyone but himself, who had no intention of leaving at the moment, would restore peace, Instead of going back to Northanger Abbey with my family, I want to stay in Bath.After Catherine learned of this situation, she immediately made up her mind.She and Henry.Tierney related the matter, and regretted his brother's apparent affection for Miss Thorpe, and begged him to tell his brother that Miss Thorpe was already betrothed.

My brother already knew about it.Henry replied. He knows?Then why is he still here? Henry didn't answer.He spoke of other things, but Catherine went on anxiously: "Why don't you persuade him to go away?"The longer he stays, the worse it ends up being for him.Please, for his sake, and for everyone else's, advise him to leave Bath at once.After leaving, he will then feel happy again.There is no hope for him here, and he will only ask for trouble if he stays any longer. Henry smiled and said: Of course my brother doesn't want to do that either. Then you have to persuade him to leave.

It is impossible to persuade me.Please forgive me if I don't even try to persuade him.I had told him myself that Miss Thorpe was engaged.He knew what he was doing, and it was up to him to decide. No, he doesn't know what he's doing, cried Catherine, he doesn't know the pain he's causing my brother.James didn't tell me that, but I'm sure he was in pain. Are you sure it's my brother's fault? Yes, quite sure. Was it my brother's courtesies, or Miss Thorpe's courtesies.What caused all this pain? Isn't that the same thing? I think Mr. Moran will admit that there is a difference.No man is annoyed by the fact that someone loves the woman he loves; only women can create pain.

Catherine blushed for her friend, and said: Isabella is at fault.But I'm sure she didn't mean to cause pain, because she loved my brother very much.She has been in love with my brother since she first visited him.When my father's consent was uncertain, she was almost ill.You know she must love James very much. I knew she was in love with James and flirting with Frederick. Oh no, not flirting!Once a woman falls in love with a man, it is impossible to flirt with someone else. Perhaps, whether she is in love or flirting, she will not be as successful as she is single.Both gentlemen had to make sacrifices.

After a short pause, Catherine continued.So you don't believe Isabella loves my brother? I dare not say that. But what does your brother mean?What could he mean by his behavior if he knew that Isabella was engaged? You can really get to the bottom of it. Yeah?I'm just asking what I want to know. But are you asking only questions you think I can answer? Yes, I think so, for you must know your brother's heart. To tell you the truth, at this moment I can only guess (as you say) about my brother. How about it? How about it!Well, if it's a guess, let's make our own guesses.It is pitiful to be at the mercy of other people's guesswork.These premises are all before you.My brother is a lively, perhaps sometimes flippant young man who has known your friend for about a week, and has known her engagement almost as long as he has known her.

Yes, said Catherine, after a moment's thought, you may be able to deduce from all this what your brother's intentions are, but I cannot.Isn't your father upset by this?Did he not want Captain Tierney to leave Bath?Of course, if your father came to persuade him, he would go away. "My dear Miss Moran," said Henry, "is it not possible that something may go awry in your concern for your brother's well-being?"Have you gone too far?Do you think that Miss Thorpe can guarantee affection for your brother, or at least good behavior, only if she is out of sight of Captain Tilney? Will your brother thank you for the assumption, either for himself or for Miss Thorpe? ?Is your brother only safe in isolation?Or, was Miss Thorpe's fidelity to your brother only so long as she was not tempted by others?He can't think that way, and you can bet he won't let you think that way either.I don't want to say; please don't worry because I know you are worrying right now, but please worry as little as possible.You believe that your brother and your friend are in love with each other, so please rest assured that there will be no serious rivalry between them.Rest assured, their rift was short-lived.Their hearts are closely connected, which is impossible for you.They know exactly what their requirements are and how far they can tolerate them.Believe it or not, their jokes will never be off-putting.

Noticing that Catherine was still skeptical, he went on to say: Although Frederick will not leave Bath with us, he may only stay for a short time, perhaps only a few days after us.His vacation is coming to an end soon, and he must return to the army.What will happen to their friendship then?The officers in the mess hall will serve Isabella.Thorpe will drink for a fortnight, and Isabella and your brother will laugh for a month at the infatuation of poor wretch Tierney. Catherine was no longer troubled.She had been feeling uneasy throughout the whole conversation, but now she finally let go of her heart.Henry.Tierney must know best.She blamed herself for being so frightened, and resolved not to take the matter so seriously.

On the parting side, Isabella's actions further strengthened Catherine's determination.The Thorpes had spent the evening before Catherine's departure in Pulteney Street, and nothing had happened between the two lovers to arouse Catherine's anxiety, or cause her to leave them with apprehension.James was beaming, and Isabella was calm and charming.It seems that her affection for her friend Yiyi occupies the first place in her heart.But at this moment it is allowable.Once, she categorically snatched away her lover.Another time, she withdrew her hand.But Catherine remembered Henry's teachings and attributed all this to prudence and affection.Readers can imagine how the two beautiful ladies embraced, shed tears, and made wishes when they parted.