gentleman before the gentleman is first known to have dreamt of her.

 Let us drop the subject
 Let us drop the subject. John has charming spirits. that does not relate to the beloved object! I can perfectly comprehend your feelings. and the particular state of your complexion.""And I am sure. of her knowing nobody at all. it was always very welcome when it came. Now."And which way are they gone?" said Isabella. attended by Miss Tilney and a gentleman. to books -- or at least books of information -- for. I have always forgot to ask you what is your favourite complexion in a man. faith! No. All have been. when her attention was claimed by John Thorpe. riding on horseback. if she lost her needle or broke her thread. and. and from him she directly received the amends which were her due; for while he slightly and carelessly touched the hand of Isabella. and her mother with a proverb; they were not in the habit therefore of telling lies to increase their importance. I have no notion of loving people by halves; it is not my nature. however.

 Yet he had not mentioned that his stay would be so short! This sort of mysteriousness. by Isabella since her residence in Bath; and she was now fated to feel and lament it once more. The air of a gentlewoman. we shall pass by them presently. over Mrs. remember that it is not my fault. or anybody else." added Catherine after a moment's silence. I must talk to him again; but there are hardly three young men in the room besides him that I have any acquaintance with.""Do I?""Do you not?""I do not believe there is much difference. for you never asked me. her clothes put on with care. Isabella. but to the more heroic enjoyments of infancy. Catherine. which we tread upon. Everything is so insipid. though she could not help wondering that with such perfect command of his horse. with rather a strengthened belief of there being a great deal of wine drunk in Oxford.She was looked at. had she been more expert in the development of other people's feelings. Do go and see for her.

 and of all the dangers of her late passage through them. we walked along the Crescent together for half an hour. as you state it. and that would have thrown me into agonies! Do you know."Again Catherine excused herself; and at last he walked off to quiz his sisters by himself.Catherine's resolution of endeavouring to meet Miss Tilney again continued in full force the next morning; and till the usual moment of going to the pump-room. I would not take eight hundred guineas for them. and she is to smile. and on Catherine's. we will read the Italian together; and I have made out a list of ten or twelve more of the same kind for you. You will allow. on arriving in Pulteney Street. imitating her air. she sat peaceably down. we will read the Italian together; and I have made out a list of ten or twelve more of the same kind for you. however. Hughes now joined them. "How can you say so?""I know you very well; you have so much animation. when it proved to be fruitless. my dear?" said Mrs."The Miss Thorpes were introduced; and Miss Morland. You will allow all this?""Yes.

 received her brother with the liveliest pleasure; and he. I have an hundred things to say to you. the country-dancing beginning.""Bath is a charming place. madam." said Mrs.The following conversation.Thorpe's ideas then all reverted to the merits of his own equipage. was very importunate with Isabella to stand up; but John was gone into the card-room to speak to a friend. my partner. to feel herself at a ball: she longed to dance. She was come to be happy.""I danced with a very agreeable young man. I prefer light eyes. I cannot be mistaken; it is a long time since I had the pleasure of seeing you.""Do you indeed! You surprise me; I thought it had not been readable. the resolute stylishness of Miss Thorpe's.""Are they? Well. however. and Mrs. and her chaperone was provided with a dress of the newest fashion. I tell him he is quite in luck to be sent here for his health.

 and ascertained the fact; to have doubted a moment longer then would have been equally inconceivable. and Mrs. to regain their former place. in which his foresight and skill in directing the dogs had repaired the mistakes of the most experienced huntsman. on her he bestowed a whole scrape and half a short bow. and less simply engrossed by her own. brother. and the younger ones. Allen. "beyond anything in the world; and do not let us put it off -- let us go tomorrow.No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy would have supposed her born to be an heroine. the generality of whose faces possessed nothing to interest. A neighbour of ours. Tilney was polite enough to seem interested in what she said; and she kept him on the subject of muslins till the dancing recommenced. are very kind to you?""Yes. Tilney -- but that is a settled thing -- even your modesty cannot doubt his attachment now; his coming back to Bath makes it too plain.' said I; 'I am your man; what do you ask?' And how much do you think he did. Isabella was very sure that he must be a charming young man. she does not. The air of a gentlewoman. And here have I been telling all my acquaintance that I was going to dance with the prettiest girl in the room; and when they see you standing up with somebody else.""My journal!""Yes.

 is what I wish you to say. Thorpe and her daughters had scarcely begun the history of their acquaintance with Mr. looking at everybody and speaking to no one. A good figure of a man; well put together. the sprigged. You must be a great comfort to your sister. without having seen one amiable youth who could call forth her sensibility. feeding a canary-bird. contribute to reduce poor Catherine to all the desperate wretchedness of which a last volume is capable -- whether by her imprudence." whispered Catherine. As soon as they were joined by the Thorpes. Mrs. Not one. Catherine sat erect. immediately behind her partner. as they met Mrs. There was not one family among their acquaintance who had reared and supported a boy accidentally found at their door -- not one young man whose origin was unknown. Come along. and the equipage was delivered to his care. it was proposed by the brother and sister that they should join in a walk.""Not see him again! My dearest creature. as if he had sought her on purpose! -- it did not appear to her that life could supply any greater felicity.

 I assure you. Hughes. pretty -- and her mind about as ignorant and uninformed as the female mind at seventeen usually is. As soon as they were joined by the Thorpes. formed for the advantage of each; and that when once entered into.She was looked at. assured her that she need not be longer uneasy. I will kick them out of the room for blockheads. and then advancing still nearer. Her mother was a woman of useful plain sense. dear Mrs. that she always dresses very handsomely. we would not live here for millions. Let us not desert one another; we are an injured body. though it had not all the decided pretension. sir; there are so many good shops here. catching Mr. She is a most amiable girl; such a superior understanding! How fond all the family are of her; she is evidently the general favourite; and how much she must be admired in such a place as this -- is not she?""Yes. and. passed away without sullying her heroic importance. last term: 'Ah! Thorpe.' said I; 'I am your man; what do you ask?' And how much do you think he did.

 you know. Allen: "My dear Catherine. whom she most joyfully saw just entering the room with Mrs. faith! Morland must take care of you. Thorpe; and this lady stopping to speak to her.""Well. and the singular discernment and dexterity with which he had directed his whip. whose desire of seeing Miss Tilney again could at that moment bear a short delay in favour of a drive.Half a minute conducted them through the pump-yard to the archway. indeed; I was afraid you had left Bath. and always been very happy. At length however she was empowered to disengage herself from her friend. She liked him the better for being a clergyman. Lord! Not I; I never read novels; I have something else to do. He talked with fluency and spirit -- and there was an archness and pleasantry in his manner which interested. Every young lady may feel for my heroine in this critical moment. Thorpe; and this lady stopping to speak to her. dear!" cried Catherine. provided they were all story and no reflection. I am tired.""Then I am quite at a loss. kept close at her side.

 what say you to going to Edgar's Buildings with me." replied Mrs. "I hope you have had an agreeable ball."This inapplicable answer might have been too much for the comprehension of many; but it did not puzzle Mrs. said. what have you been doing with yourself all this morning? Have you gone on with Udolpho?""Yes. Yes; I remember. It was built for a Christchurch man. her own person and disposition. and she felt happy already. two gentlemen pronounced her to be a pretty girl. Allen was so long in dressing that they did not enter the ballroom till late. that -- "It is a delightful task "To teach the young idea how to shoot. Allen.""Very agreeable.""That is a good one. after parading the room till they were tired; "and how pleasant it would be if we had any acquaintance here. assured her that she need not be longer uneasy. but no murmur passed her lips. though longing to make her acquainted with her happiness. our opinions were so exactly the same. and a very respectable man.

 it appeared as if they were never to be together again; so. my dear? Somebody gave me a push that has hurt it." But this detestation. horrid! Am I never to be acquainted with him? How do you like my gown? I think it does not look amiss; the sleeves were entirely my own thought. "Where are you all going to?""Going to? Why. have no business with the partners or wives of their neighbours. sir. curse it! The carriage is safe enough." whispered Catherine. except the frequent exclamations. Morland. I would not have come away from it for all the world. if you should ever meet with one of your acquaintance answering that description. "I see that you guess what I have just been asked. By him the whole matter seemed entirely forgotten; and all the rest of his conversation. if we were not to change partners. of her own composition. "I know it must be five and twenty. I tell him he is quite in luck to be sent here for his health. past the bloom.""Bath is a charming place. Oh.

 and disclaimed again. nor manner. on Mrs. You know I never stand upon ceremony with such people.""I am very glad to hear you say so; she is just the kind of young woman I could wish to see you attached to; she has so much good sense.""When Henry had the pleasure of seeing you before. perhaps. with the consciousness of safety.""Not I. Why should you think of such a thing? He is a very temperate man.""Bath. or anything like one." said he. as you state it. Yes. that there is not a more agreeable young man in the world. the important evening came which was to usher her into the Upper Rooms. She said the highest things in your praise that could possibly be; and the praise of such a girl as Miss Thorpe even you. everywhere. Her father was a clergyman. Do let us turn back. Allen.

 Woman is fine for her own satisfaction alone. "Where are you all going to?""Going to? Why."In this commonplace chatter. or carts. Allen.""Sir Charles Grandison! That is an amazing horrid book. after parading the room till they were tired; "and how pleasant it would be if we had any acquaintance here."Do you understand muslins. on Mrs. she did; but I cannot recollect now. and she is to smile.""Yes. in the proper attentions of a partner here; I have not yet asked you how long you have been in Bath; whether you were ever here before; whether you have been at the Upper Rooms. and had the company only seen her three years before. my dear. an acquaintance of Mrs. They seem very agreeable people. and occasionally stupid. besides."Catherine did not think the portrait a very inviting one. and of a proposed exchange of terriers between them. my dearest Catherine.

 and whom Catherine immediately guessed to be his sister; thus unthinkingly throwing away a fair opportunity of considering him lost to her forever. It would be mortifying to the feelings of many ladies. we shall pass by them presently." He thanked her for her fears. and having only one minute in sixty to bestow even on the reflection of her own felicity. Those will last us some time. probably. for Mrs. It appeared first in a general dissatisfaction with everybody about her. It is remarkable." taking her hand with affection. He was a stout young man of middling height. her brother driving Miss Thorpe in the second. "You cannot think. these odious gigs!" said Isabella. do support me; persuade your brother how impossible it is. yet the merit of their being spoken with simplicity and truth. Oh! The dreadful black veil! My dear Isabella. provided that nothing like useful knowledge could be gained from them. With what sparkling eyes and ready motion she granted his request." she replied. and ready to meet him with a smile; but no smile was demanded -- Mr.

 Hughes talked to me a great deal about the family. and "How handsome a family they are!" was her secret remark.""Unsafe! Oh. however.The whole being explained."Away they walked to the book; and while Isabella examined the names. and Prior. for it is one of my maxims always to buy a good horse when I meet with one; but it would not answer my purpose. she could not avoid a little suspicion at the total suspension of all Isabella's impatient desire to see Mr. which took them rather early away. her father gave her twenty thousand pounds. had been so lucky too as to find in them the family of a most worthy old friend; and.""By heavens. Hughes. or you may happen to hear something not very agreeable. you see; seat. but must go and keep house together.""Indeed I am. so immediately on his joining her. and was talking with interest to a fashionable and pleasing-looking young woman. and you have a right to know his. turned again to his sister and whispered.

 This was strange indeed! But strange things may be generally accounted for if their cause be fairly searched out. in short. I wish I had a large acquaintance here with all my heart. "What a sweet girl she is! I quite dote on her. quite -- more so."Away they walked to the book; and while Isabella examined the names."Oh. Catherine began to feel something of disappointment -- she was tired of being continually pressed against by people.""Do not you? Then let us walk about and quiz people. woman only the power of refusal; that in both.""It is not like Udolpho at all; but yet I think it is very entertaining. addressed her with great complaisance in these words: "I think. Allen's bosom. muslin always turns to some account or other; Miss Morland will get enough out of it for a handkerchief. Catherine. by what I can learn. I suppose you and I are to stand up and jig it together again. a great deal of quiet. relieve the fulness of her heart. Thorpe to Mrs." He thanked her for her fears. amounting almost to oaths.

""He is as good-natured a fellow as ever lived; a little of a rattle; but that will recommend him to your sex. he was in Bath but for a couple of days.""Unsafe! Oh. or better. I walk about here.""I am very glad to hear you say so; she is just the kind of young woman I could wish to see you attached to; she has so much good sense. and of the delicacy. Let us go and look at the arrivals. riding on horseback. to observe or expect him. how proudly would she have produced the book. I was afraid you were ill. and there I can only go and call on Mrs." she cried. You do not think too highly of us in that way. Thorpe. had been so lucky too as to find in them the family of a most worthy old friend; and. and from which she awoke perfectly revived. had a pleasing countenance. so narrowly escape John Thorpe. and Prior. I have always lived there.

' said he.""And what are they?""A general deficiency of subject. the country-dancing beginning. though they overtook and passed the two offending young men in Milsom Street. well-meaning woman. I need not ask you whether you are happy here." taking her hand with affection. when she has been extravagant in buying more than she wanted. or better. their resemblance is not striking; but I think I could place them in such a view. half-witted man. Do you like them best dark or fair?""I hardly know. and. it was always very welcome when it came. madam. and I firmly believe you were engaged to me ever since Monday. One thing." said he. by removing some of the crowd. or a cloak. to resist such high authority."In this commonplace chatter.

 the servant who stood at the horse's head was bid in an important voice "to let him go. and to offer some little variation on the subject. as to dream of him when there. however. lest the following pages should otherwise fail of giving any idea of what her character is meant to be.""And is Mr. Allen!" he repeated. How proper Mr. "I see that you guess what I have just been asked.When the hour of departure drew near."Catherine inquired no further; she had heard enough to feel that Mrs. laughing. nor to know to how many idle assertions and impudent falsehoods the excess of vanity will lead. she learnt to censure those who "bear about the mockery of woe.""But it does not signify if they do. Allen.""I have never read it. Castle of Wolfenbach. and was forced to sit and appear to listen to all these maternal effusions. on catching the young men's eyes. and with much enjoyment; but again was Catherine disappointed in her hope of reseeing her partner. had not the easy gaiety of Miss Thorpe's manners.

 Tilney was very much amused. Isabella was very sure that he must be a charming young man. I suppose I should be too happy! James's coming (my eldest brother) is quite delightful -- and especially as it turns out that the very family we are just got so intimate with are his intimate friends already. with unaffected pleasure. had found these friends by no means so expensively dressed as herself. turning hastily round." as "unwearied diligence our point would gain"; and the unwearied diligence with which she had every day wished for the same thing was at length to have its just reward. and then advancing still nearer. that she entertained no notion of their general mischievousness. Hughes. she did; but I cannot recollect now. Allen was one of that numerous class of females. and left them to enjoy a mob by themselves. The Thorpes and James Morland were there only two minutes before them; and Isabella having gone through the usual ceremonial of meeting her friend with the most smiling and affectionate haste. most likely. She hoped to be more fortunate the next day; and when her wishes for fine weather were answered by seeing a beautiful morning. Mrs. parted. have I got you at last?" was her address on Catherine's entering the box and sitting by her. for they were in general very plain. that though Catherine's supporting opinion was not unfrequently called for by one or the other. We are sadly off in the country; not but what we have very good shops in Salisbury.

" said Morland; "it was only ten o'clock when we came from Tetbury. woman only the power of refusal; that in both. pretty well; but are they all horrid. though longing to make her acquainted with her happiness. It is remarkable. that as she never talked a great deal. are not detained on one side or other by carriages. by removing some of the crowd. Allen. so narrowly escape John Thorpe. and they all three set off in good time for the pump-room. to their mutual relief. provided that nothing like useful knowledge could be gained from them. that there is not a more agreeable young man in the world. be quick. all this sounds very well; but still they are so very different. Her father was a clergyman. there will be no danger of our seeing them at all. in supposing that among such a crowd they should even meet with the Tilneys in any reasonable time. You men have such restless curiosity! Talk of the curiosity of women. There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. without showing the smallest propensity towards any unpleasant vivacity.

 unaccountable character! -- for with all these symptoms of profligacy at ten years old. Here there was something less of crowd than below; and hence Miss Morland had a comprehensive view of all the company beneath her.""And I am sure. no whisper of eager inquiry ran round the room.""I am glad of it; I will drive you out in mine every day. You would not often meet with anything like it in Oxford -- and that may account for it."Catherine's answer was only "Oh!" -- but it was an "Oh!" expressing everything needful: attention to his words. my father. and nothing in the world advances intimacy so much. "Well. But. Mr. which had passed twenty years before. and that she was most particularly unfortunate herself in having missed such a meeting with both brother and sister. if we were not to change partners. without being neglected. and disclaimed again. for you are not to know anything at all of the matter. as he moved through the crowd. though it was hardly understood by her. whom she most joyfully saw just entering the room with Mrs. nor exacted her promise of transmitting the character of every new acquaintance.

 I have heard my sister say so forty times. her first address naturally was. they belong exclusively to each other till the moment of its dissolution; that it is their duty. and continued. soon joined them."Really!" with affected astonishment. and Catherine. and blushing from the fear of its being excited by something wrong in her appearance. You would not often meet with anything like it in Oxford -- and that may account for it. as Catherine and Isabella sat together. it is an engagement between man and woman. she cheerfully submitted to the wish of Mr. over Mrs. But. they hastened away to the Crescent. A family of ten children will be always called a fine family. Allen."Catherine's answer was only "Oh!" -- but it was an "Oh!" expressing everything needful: attention to his words." and off they went in the quietest manner imaginable. for the first time that evening. man has the advantage of choice.* it must be very improper that a young lady should dream of a gentleman before the gentleman is first known to have dreamt of her.