Her suspense was of full five minutes' duration; and she was beginning to think it a very long quarter of an hour, when they both returned, and an explanation was given, by Henry's requesting to know if she thought her friend, Miss Thorpe, would have any objection to dancing, as his brother would be most happy to be introduced to her. Catherine, without hesitation, replied that she was very sure Miss Thorpe did not mean to dance at all.
The cruel reply was passed on to the other, and he immediately walked away.
"Your brother will not mind it, I know," said she, "because I heard him say before that he hated dancing;but it was very good-natured in him to think of it.
I suppose he saw Isabella sitting down, and fancied she might wish for a partner; but he is quite mistaken, for she would not dance upon any account in the world."Henry smiled, and said, "How very little trouble it can give you to understand the motive of other people's actions.""Why? What do you mean?"
"With you, it is not, How is such a one likely to be influenced, What is the inducement most likely to act upon such a person's feelings, age, situation, and probable habits of life considered--but, How should I be influenced, What would be my inducement in acting so and so?""I do not understand you."
"Then we are on very unequal terms, for I understand you perfectly well.""Me? Yes; I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible.""Bravo! An excellent satire on modern language.""But pray tell me what you mean."
"Shall I indeed? Do you really desire it? But you are not aware of the consequences; it will involve you in a very cruel embarrassment, and certainly bring on a disagreement between us.
"No, no; it shall not do either; I am not afraid.""Well, then, I only meant that your attributing my brother's wish of dancing with Miss Thorpe to good nature alone convinced me of your being superior in good nature yourself to all the rest of the world."Catherine blushed and disclaimed, and the gentleman's predictions were verified. There was a something, however, in his words which repaid her for the pain of confusion;and that something occupied her mind so much that she drew back for some time, forgetting to speak or to listen, and almost forgetting where she was; till, roused by the voice of Isabella, she looked up and saw her with Captain Tilney preparing to give them hands across.
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"I cannot think how it could happen! Isabella was so determined not to dance.""And did Isabella never change her mind before?""Oh! But, because-- And your brother! After what you told him from me, how could he think of going to ask her?""I cannot take surprise to myself on that head.
You bid me be surprised on your friend's account, and therefore I am; but as for my brother, his conduct in the business, I must own, has been no more than Ibelieved him perfectly equal to. The fairness of your friend was an open attraction; her firmness, you know, could only be understood by yourself.""You are laughing; but, I assure you, Isabella is very firm in general.""It is as much as should be said of anyone. To be always firm must be to be often obstinate. When properly to relax is the trial of judgment; and, without reference to my brother, I really think Miss Thorpe has by no means chosen ill in fixing on the present hour."The friends were not able to get together for any confidential discourse till all the dancing was over;but then, as they walked about the room arm in arm, Isabella thus explained herself: "I do not wonder at your surprise; and I am really fatigued to death. He is such a rattle! Amusing enough, if my mind had been disengaged;but I would have given the world to sit still.""Then why did not you?"
"Oh! My dear! It would have looked so particular;and you know how I abhor doing that. I refused him as long as I possibly could, but he would take no denial.
You have no idea how he pressed me. I begged him to excuse me, and get some other partner--but no, not he;after aspiring to my hand, there was nobody else in the room he could bear to think of; and it was not that he wanted merely to dance, he wanted to be with me.
Oh! Such nonsense! I told him he had taken a very unlikely way to prevail upon me; for, of all things in the world, I hated fine speeches and compliments; and so--and so then I found there would be no peace if I did not stand up.
