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off very early, in order to be at home in good time. The affair
thus determined, and Thorpe's approbation secured, Catherine only
remained to be apprised of it. She had left them for a few minutes
to speak to Miss Tilney. In that interval the plan was completed,
and as soon as she came again, her agreement was demanded; but
instead of the gay acquiescence expected by Isabella, Catherine
looked grave, was very sorry, but could not go. The engagement
which ought to have kept her from joining in the former attempt
would make it impossible for her to accompany them now. She had
that moment settled with Miss Tilney to take their proposed walk
tomorrow; it was quite determined, and she would not, upon any
account, retract. But that she must and should retract was instantly
the eager cry of both the Thorpes; they must go to Clifton tomorrow,
they would not go without her, it would be nothing to put off a
mere walk for one day longer, and they would not hear of a refusal.
Catherine was distressed, but not subdued. "Do not urge me, Isabella.
I am engaged to Miss Tilney. I cannot go." This availed nothing.
The same arguments assailed her again; she must go, she should go,
and they would not hear of a refusal. "It would be so easy to tell
Miss Tilney that you had just been reminded of a prior engagement,
and must only beg to put off the walk till Tuesday."
"No, it would not be easy. I could not do it. There has been no
prior engagement." But Isabella became only more and more urgent,
calling on her in the most affectionate manner, addressing her
by the most endearing names. She was sure her dearest, sweetest
Catherine would not seriously refuse such a trifling request to
a friend who loved her so dearly. She knew her beloved Catherine
to have so feeling a heart, so sweet a temper, to be so easily
persuaded by those she loved. But all in vain; Catherine felt
herself to be in the right, and though pained by such tender,
such flattering supplication, could not allow it to influence her.
Isabella then tried another method. She reproached her with having
more affection for Miss Tilney, though she had known her so little
a while, than for her best and oldest friends, with being grown
cold and indifferent, in short, towards herself. "I cannot help
being jealous, Catherine, when I see myself slighted for strangers,
I, who love you so excessively! When once my affections are placed,
it is not in the power of anything to change them. But I believe
my feelings are stronger than anybody's; I am sure they are too strong
for my own peace; and to see myself supplanted in your friendship
by strangers does cut me to the quick, I own. These Tilneys seem
to swallow up everything else."
Catherine thought this reproach equally strange and unkind. Was
it the part of a friend thus to expose her feelings to the notice
of others? Isabella appeared to her ungenerous and selfish,
regardless of everything but her own gratification.
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