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relate to the beloved object! I can perfectly comprehend your
feelings."

"But you should not persuade me that I think so very much about
Mr. Tilney, for perhaps I may never see him again."

"Not see him again! My dearest creature, do not talk of it. I am
sure you would be miserable if you thought so!"

"No, indeed, I should not. I do not pretend to say that I was
not very much pleased with him; but while I have Udolpho to read,
I feel as if nobody could make me miserable. Oh! The dreadful
black veil! My dear Isabella, I am sure there must be Laurentina's
skeleton behind it."

"It is so odd to me, that you should never have read Udolpho before;
but I suppose Mrs. Morland objects to novels."

"No, she does not. She very often reads Sir Charles Grandison
herself; but new books do not fall in our way."

"Sir Charles Grandison! That is an amazing horrid book, is it not?
I remember Miss Andrews could not get through the first volume."

"It is not like Udolpho at all; but yet I think it is very
entertaining."

"Do you indeed! You surprise me; I thought it had not been readable.
But, my dearest Catherine, have you settled what to wear on your
head tonight? I am determined at all events to be dressed exactly
like you. The men take notice of that sometimes, you know."

"But it does not signify if they do," said Catherine, very innocently.

"Signify! Oh, heavens! I make it a rule never to mind what they
say. They are very often amazingly impertinent if you do not treat
them with spirit, and make them keep their distance."

"Are they? Well, I never observed that. They always behave very
well to me."

"Oh! They give themselves such airs. They are the most conceited
creatures in the world, and think themselves of so much importance!
By the by, though I have thought of it a hundred times, I have always
forgot to ask you what is your favourite complexion in a man. Do
you like them best dark or fair?"

"I hardly know. I never much thought about it. Something between
both, I think. Brown -- not fair, and -- and not very dark."

"Very well, Catherine. That is exactly he. I have not forgot
your description of Mr. Tilney -- 'a brown skin, with dark eyes,
and rather dark hair.' Well, my taste is different. I prefer
light eyes, and as to complexion -- do you know -- I like a sallow
better than any other. You must not betray me, if you should ever
meet with one of your acquaintance answering that description."

"Betray you! What do you mean?"

"Nay, do not distress me. I believe I have said too much. Let us
drop the subject."

Catherine, in some amazement, complied, and after remaining a few
moments silent, was on the point of reverting to what interested
her at that time rather more than anything else in the world,
Laurentina's skeleton, when her friend prevented her, by saying,
"For heaven's sake! Let us move away from this end of the room.
Do you know, there are two odious young men who have been staring

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