To such anxious attention was the general's civility carried, that not aware of her extraordinary swiftness in entering the house, he was quite angry with the servant whose neglect had reduced her to open the door of the apartment herself.
"What did William mean by it? He should make a point of inquiring into the matter." And if Catherine had not most warmly asserted his innocence, it seemed likely that William would lose the favour of his master forever, if not his place, by her rapidity.
After sitting with them a quarter of an hour, she rose to take leave, and was then most agreeably surprised by General Tilney's asking her if she would do his daughter the honour of dining and spending the rest of the day with her. Miss Tilney added her own wishes.
Catherine was greatly obliged; but it was quite out of her power. Mr. and Mrs. Allen would expect her back every moment. The general declared he could say no more;the claims of Mr. and Mrs. Allen were not to be superseded;but on some other day he trusted, when longer notice could be given, they would not refuse to spare her to her friend.
"Oh, no; Catherine was sure they would not have the least objection, and she should have great pleasure in coming."The general attended her himself to the street-door, saying everything gallant as they went downstairs, admiring the elasticity of her walk, which corresponded exactly with the spirit of her dancing, and making her one of the most graceful bows she had ever beheld, when they parted.
Catherine, delighted by all that had passed, proceeded gaily to Pulteney Street, walking, as she concluded, with great elasticity, though she had never thought of it before. She reached home without seeing anything more of the offended party; and now that she had been triumphant throughout, had carried her point, and was secure of her walk, she began (as the flutter of her spirits subsided) to doubt whether she had been perfectly right. A sacrifice was always noble; and if she had given way to their entreaties, she should have been spared the distressing idea of a friend displeased, a brother angry, and a scheme of great happiness to both destroyed, perhaps through her means. To ease her mind, and ascertain by the opinion of an unprejudiced person what her own conduct had really been, she took occasion to mention before Mr. Allen the half-settled scheme of her brother and the Thorpes for the following day.
Mr. Allen caught at it directly. "Well," said he, "and do you think of going too?""No; I had just engaged myself to walk with Miss Tilney before they told me of it; and therefore you know I could not go with them, could I?""No, certainly not; and I am glad you do not think of it. These schemes are not at all the thing.
Young men and women driving about the country in open carriages! Now and then it is very well; but going to inns and public places together! It is not right; and I wonder Mrs. Thorpe should allow it. I am glad you do not think of going; I am sure Mrs. Morland would not be pleased.
Mrs. Allen, are not you of my way of thinking? Do not you think these kind of projects objectionable?""Yes, very much so indeed. Open carriages are nasty things. A clean gown is not five minutes' wear in them.
You are splashed getting in and getting out; and the wind takes your hair and your bonnet in every direction.
I hate an open carriage myself."
"I know you do; but that is not the question.
Do not you think it has an odd appearance, if young ladies are frequently driven about in them by young men, to whom they are not even related?""Yes, my dear, a very odd appearance indeed.
I cannot bear to see it."
"Dear madam," cried Catherine, "then why did not you tell me so before? I am sure if I had known it to be improper, I would not have gone with Mr. Thorpe at all;but I always hoped you would tell me, if you thought Iwas doing wrong."
"And so I should, my dear, you may depend on it; for as Itold Mrs. Morland at parting, I would always do the best for you in my power. But one must not be over particular.
Young people will be young people, as your good mother says herself. You know I wanted you, when we first came, not to buy that sprigged muslin, but you would.
Young people do not like to be always thwarted.""But this was something of real consequence; and Ido not think you would have found me hard to persuade.""As far as it has gone hitherto, there is no harm done,"said Mr. Allen; "and I would only advise you, my dear, not to go out with Mr. Thorpe any more.""That is just what I was going to say," added his wife.
Catherine, relieved for herself, felt uneasy for Isabella, and after a moment's thought, asked Mr. Allen whether it would not be both proper and kind in her to write to Miss Thorpe, and explain the indecorum of which she must be as insensible as herself; for she considered that Isabella might otherwise perhaps be going to Clifton the next day, in spite of what had passed.
Mr. Allen, however, discouraged her from doing any such thing. "You had better leave her alone, my dear;she is old enough to know what she is about, and if not, has a mother to advise her. Mrs. Thorpe is too indulgent beyond a doubt; but, however, you had better not interfere.
She and your brother choose to go, and you will be only getting ill will."Catherine submitted, and though sorry to think that Isabella should be doing wrong, felt greatly relieved by Mr. Allen's approbation of her own conduct, and truly rejoiced to be preserved by his advice from the danger of falling into such an error herself. Her escape from being one of the party to Clifton was now an escape indeed;for what would the Tilneys have thought of her, if she had broken her promise to them in order to do what was wrong in itself, if she had been guilty of one breach of propriety, only to enable her to be guilty of another?