Chapter 26 Chapter Twenty-Four

Catherine wanted to see the mysterious rooms, but did not get the chance the next day.It was Sunday, and the time between morning and evening prayers was taken up by the general, first out for a walk and then at home for dinner.Although Catherine was curious, she didn't have the guts to let her look at those rooms in the fading light of the sky between six and seven o'clock after dinner. Places are limited and unreliable, so don't look by light.Therefore, there was nothing that interested her that day. She only saw a very delicate monument to Mrs. Tilney in front of the family banquet in the church.She saw the monument at a glance and stared at it for a long time.Reading the unnaturally written inscription, she was even moved to tears.The husband must have somehow ruined his wife, by affixing all virtue to her because there was no consolation.

It may not be very strange that the general erected such a monument, and could face it, and yet he could sit before it with such composure, with such sanctimonious air, and look at it without fear. Not only that, but he even dared to enter this church, which seemed unusual to Catherine.However, it is not uncommon for such crimes to be indifferent.She could recall dozens of people who had committed such crimes, who committed crime after crime, killed whomever they wanted, without any sense of humanity or remorse, and ended up dying or going into hiding. A life of evil.She doubted that Mrs. Tilney was really dead, and the erection of such a monument did nothing to dispel her suspicions.What was the use of going down into the crypt where Mrs. Tilney's ashes were supposed to be kept, and seeing with her own eyes the coffin which was said to contain her body?Catherine had read many books and fully understood how easy it was to put a wax figure in a coffin and have a fake funeral.

Things got a little more promising the next morning.The General's morning walk, though inappropriate in other respects, was advantageous in this respect.When Catherine learned that the General was away from home, she immediately asked Miss Tilney to keep her promise.Elinor immediately agreed to her request.As they set off, Catherine reminded her of another promise, and they decided to go first to see the portrait in Miss Tilney's room.It showed a very lovely woman with a quiet and melancholy face, which confirmed the expectations of the first-timer.However, the portrait did not match her expectations in every way.For she had hoped to see a woman whose countenance, countenance, and countenance should be exactly like Eleanor's, if not Henry's.The few portraits that often came to her mind always showed a strong resemblance between mother and child.Once a face is drawn, it can reveal the characteristics of generations.But here, she had to look carefully, think carefully, and look for some similarities.In spite of this deficiency, however, she gazed at the portrait with an affection which, if it were not for something more interesting, she would have been reluctant to part with.

Catherine was too excited to speak as they entered the great corridor, and could only look silently at her companion.Elinor looked sad and calm.This composure showed that she had grown used to the miserable sights with which they were approaching.She went through the folding door again, twice grabbing the big lock.Catherine was so nervous that she could hardly breathe, she turned and closed the folding door tremblingly and carefully. Just at this moment, a figure, the terrifying figure of the general, appeared at the end of the corridor, standing in front of her!At the same time, the general called Eleanor hoarsely, and the sound resounded through the whole building.His daughter did not know her father's arrival until she heard the cry, and Catherine was terrified.When she saw the general, she instinctively wanted to hide, but she knew she couldn't hide from his eyes.When her friend hurried past her with an apologetic expression, and disappeared with the general, she hurried back to her room, locked the door and hid, thinking that she would never have the courage to go downstairs again .She remained in the room an hour at least, in the utmost uneasiness and deep pity for her poor friend.Not knowing her situation, she waited for the furious general to summon her to his room.However, no one called her.

At last, seeing a carriage approaching the monastery, she plucked up the courage to go downstairs, under the cover of her guests, to meet the general.As soon as the guests arrived, the breakfast room became lively.The general introduced his visitor to Miss Morland as a friend of his daughter's, and concealed his indignation so well in a respectful air that Catherine felt that her life was, at least for the present, safe.In order to maintain her father's personality, Eleanor tried her best to keep calm.As soon as she got a chance, she said to Catherine: My father just called me back to answer a note.Now Catherine began to hope that either the general hadn't seen her, or that some sort of strategy had allowed her to think so.Based on this belief, after the guests left, she still dared to stay in front of the general, and there was no further incident.

This morning, after consideration, Catherine decided to go through the forbidden door alone next time.In all respects the matter was best kept from Eleanor's knowledge.To involve her in the danger of being rediscovered, to lure her into a room where her heart aches, was not enough of a friend.No matter how angry the general was with her, it was not like he was with his daughter.Besides, it would be more satisfying to investigate if no one was with me.It was impossible for her to explain her suspicion to Elinor, because the other party might have been lucky enough not to have such a thought until today.Besides, she could not search for evidence of the general's cruelty in her presence, which might not have been discovered yet, but which she had every confidence in finding somewhere a diary in which she wrote intermittently to the end of her life. moment.She knew the way to that house now.She knew that Henry would be back tomorrow, and she wanted to finish the matter before Henry came back, so there was no further delay.The weather is fine today, and she is full of courage.It was four o'clock, two hours before sunset.If she leaves now, people will think that she just went to change clothes half an hour earlier than usual.

She did what she said, and came to the corridor alone before the clock had finished striking.Now was not the time to think, and she hurried forward, trying not to move as she passed through the folding doors.Then, without stopping to take a look or take a breath, he rushed towards the door.With a twist of her hand, the lock opened, and fortunately, there was no terrifying sound that could startle people.She walked in on tiptoe, and the whole room appeared before her.But for some time she could not take a step.What she saw froze her, and her whole face was stunned.She saw a large and well-proportioned room, a gorgeous bed with jacquard drapes and jacquard quilts, carefully made by the maid as if no one had used it, and a shiny Bath Stoves, mahogany armoires, and brightly painted chairs, on which the warm rays of the setting sun streamed in through the two windows and fell cheerfully on them.Catherine had expected to be excited, and now she was.She was surprised and suspicious at first, and then, after thinking about it as usual, she felt a bit bitter and ashamed.She couldn't have gone into the wrong room, but everything else was terribly wrong, both a misunderstanding and a miscalculation of Miss Tilney!She had thought that this house was so old and had been through such terrible experiences, but it turned out to be one end of the house that the general's father had built.There were two other doors in the room, which presumably led to the dressing room, but she didn't want to open either door.Would the veil Mrs Tilney wore on her last walk, or the last book she read, remain to give a clue, now that all other channels were blocked?No, no matter what crimes the general has committed, he will never show his cunning.

Catherine was tired of exploring and just wanted to stay safe in her room, and only she knew about the stupid things she was doing.She was just about to go out as lightly as when she came in, when there was a sound of footsteps coming from nowhere.She was so frightened that she stopped tremblingly.It would be no fun to be seen here, even by a servant.And it would be worse if the general saw it (he was always there when he was least needed).She listened attentively, and the footsteps stopped.Deciding not to delay for a moment, she went out and closed the door behind her. Just at this moment, there was the sound of the door being opened hastily from downstairs, and someone seemed to be walking up the stairs quickly, and Catherine had to go through this staircase to reach the corridor.She couldn't move forward, and with an indescribable fear, she stared straight at the stairs.Not long after, Henry appeared in front of her.Mr Tierney?She exclaimed, in a tone of extraordinary surprise: Mr. Tilney looked surprised too.God!Catherine continued, not paying attention to the other party greeting her, why are you here?How did you go up this staircase?

How do I get up from this staircase?Henry replied in amazement: Because this is the shortest road from the stall to my room.Why don't I come up here? Catherine collected herself for a moment, blushed with shame, and was speechless.Henry seemed to be watching her, trying to find in her face the explanation she refused to offer.Catherine walked down the corridor.Is it my turn now, Henry said, pushing open the folding door.How did you come here?It is at least an extraordinary passage from the breakfast-room to your room, as is the staircase from the barn to mine. I am coming, said Catherine, lowering her eyes, to see your mother's room.

my mother's room!Is there anything out of the ordinary to look at there? No, nothing.I thought you wouldn't be back until tomorrow. When I left, I didn't expect to come back sooner.But three hours ago, I was glad to find that it was all right, and I didn't have to linger.You are pale.I'm afraid I startled you by running upstairs too fast.Maybe you don't know you don't know that this staircase leads up from the common lower room? Yes, I don't know.You are riding a horse today, the weather is fine, isn't it? is very good.Eleanor doesn't care about you, let you go to each room to see for yourself!

Oh no!She took me through most of the houses on Saturday, and we were walking up to them, except, (lowering his voice), your father was with us. So get in your way, said Henry, looking earnestly at her, have you seen all the houses in this passage? No.I'm just getting late, right?I have to go get changed. It's only a quarter past four, (shows her watch) You're not in Bath now.You don't have to dress up like you're going to the theater or a party hall.At Northanger Abbey, half an hour is enough. Catherine couldn't refute, so she had no choice but to bite the bullet and not leave.However, because she was afraid of Henry's further questioning, she wanted to leave him for the first time since they became friends.They walked slowly down the corridor.Have you heard from Bass since I left? No.I feel very strange.Isabella had faithfully promised to write immediately. Faithfully promise!Faithful promise!This puzzled me.I have heard of faithful deeds, but not of faithful promises faithful promises!It's an ability not worth knowing about, though, because it can fool you and cause you pain.My mother's room is very spacious, isn't it?It looked large and cozy, and the powder room was very well furnished.I always feel that this is the most comfortable room in the whole building.I wonder why Eleanor doesn't stay in it.I think she asked you to come and see it? No. Is this all your own idea?Catherine said nothing.After a short silence, Henry examined her carefully, and then continued: Since there is nothing in the room to arouse curiosity, your behavior must be out of admiration for my mother's virtue.It is admirable to recall that Eleanor has told you of her virtues.I believe that the world has never seen a more virtuous woman than her.But virtue does not always arouse this interest.It is not often that an obscure woman exhibits some simple virtue in her home, to excite such passionate admiration as to prompt others to look at her house as you do.I suppose Eleanor talked a lot about my mother? Yes, talked about a lot.That is no, not a lot.But the things she talked about were interesting.She died so suddenly, (this is said very slowly and somewhat falteringly) None of you are at home.I think your father may not like your mother very much. From these circumstances, replied Henry, looking keenly into her eyes, you may infer, perhaps, some fault (Catherine shook her head involuntarily), or perhaps a more unforgivable sin.Catherine raised her eyes to him more wide than ever.My mother's illness, continued Henry, the one that killed her, was indeed sudden.The disease itself was a disease she often suffers from: gallbladder fever.Therefore, the cause of disease is related to constitution.To put it simply, on the third day, after convincing her, a doctor was invited to take care of her.He was a very respectable man, and my mother had always had great confidence in him.In keeping with his view of the dangers of my mother's condition, two more men were called in the next day, and they nursed her almost round the clock, and on the fifth day she died.During her illness, Frederick and I were at home and visited her constantly.From what we have seen, it can be attested that my mother was cared for with great affection by those around her, or with all the caring her social position afforded her.Poor Elinor was not at home, she was so far away that when she got back her mother was already in the coffin. But your father, said Catherine, does he grieve? For a time he was very sad.You mistakenly thought he didn't love my mother.I believe he loved my mother as much as he could.You know, human nature is not all that gentle and considerate, and I dare not pretend that my mother didn't have to swallow her anger so often while she was alive.But though my father's temper annoyed her, he never wronged her.He really valued her.He did mourn her death, though not for long. I'm glad to hear that, Catherine said, otherwise it would be terrible. If I understand you correctly, you conjecture an unspeakable horror.Dear Miss Moran, please consider how dreadfully suspicious you are.What do you base your judgment on?Remember the nation and the times in which we live.Remember we are British and Christian.Please analyze it with your brain, think about whether it is possible, and look at the actual situation around you.Are we brought up to allow us to commit such atrocities?Can our laws tolerate such brutality?In our country where social and cultural exchanges are so developed, everyone is surrounded by people who are automatically watching him, plus there are roads and newspapers to deliver news, and anything can be announced to the public.How can such atrocities not be publicized?My dear Miss Morland, what are you thinking of? They came to the end of the corridor, and Catherine ran back to her room with tears of shame.