Northanger Abbey. Soulmate

Catherine was delighted with this extension of her Bath ac-

quaintance, and almost forgot Mr. Tilney while she talked

to Miss Thorpe. Friendship is certainly the finest balm for

the pangs of disappointed love.

Their conversation turned upon those subjects, of which

the free discussion has generally much to do in perfecting a

sudden intimacy between two young ladies: such as dress,

balls, flirtations, and quizzes.

 

Miss Thorpe, however, being

four years older than Miss Morland, and at least four years

better informed, had a very decided advantage in discuss-

ing such points; she could compare the balls of Bath with

those of Tunbridge, its fashions with the fashions of Lon-

don; could rectify the opinions of her new friend in many

articles of tasteful attire; could discover a flirtation between

any gentleman and lady who only smiled on each other; and

point out a quiz through the thickness of a crowd.

 

These powers received due admiration from Catherine, to whom

they were entirely new; and the respect which they naturally inspired

might have been too great for familiarity, had not the easy gaiety

of Miss Thorpe’s manners, and her fre-

quent expressions of delight on this acquaintance with her,

softened down every feeling of awe, and left nothing but

tender affection.

 

Their increasing attachment was not to be

satisfied with half a dozen turns in the pump-room, but re-

quired, when they all quitted it together, that Miss Thorpe

should accompany Miss Morland to the very door of Mr.

Allen’s house; and that they should there part with a most

affectionate and lengthened shake of hands, after learning,

to their mutual relief, that they should see each other across

the theatre at night, and say their prayers in the same cha-

pel the next morning.

 

Catherine then ran directly upstairs,

and watched Miss Thorpe’s progress down the street from

the drawing-room window; admired the graceful spirit of

her walk, the fashionable air of her figure and dress; and felt

grateful, as well she might, for the chance which had pro-

cured her such a friend.

 

Mrs. Thorpe was a widow, and not a very rich one; she

was a good-humoured, well-meaning woman, and a very

indulgent mother. Her eldest daughter had great personal

beauty, and the younger ones, by pretending to be as hand-

some as their sister, imitating her air, and dressing in the

same style, did very well.

 

To be continued

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