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commendation of being one of the finest fellows in the world, but
swore off many sentences in his praise.
The letter, whence sprang all this felicity, was short, containing
little more than this assurance of success; and every particular
was deferred till James could write again. But for particulars
Isabella could well afford to wait. The needful was comprised in
Mr. Morland's promise; his honour was pledged to make everything
easy; and by what means their income was to be formed, whether
landed property were to be resigned, or funded money made over, was
a matter in which her disinterested spirit took no concern. She
knew enough to feel secure of an honourable and speedy establishment,
and her imagination took a rapid flight over its attendant felicities.
She saw herself at the end of a few weeks, the gaze and admiration
of every new acquaintance at Fullerton, the envy of every valued
old friend in Putney, with a carriage at her command, a new name on
her tickets, and a brilliant exhibition of hoop rings on her finger.
When the contents of the letter were ascertained, John Thorpe, who
had only waited its arrival to begin his journey to London, prepared
to set off. "Well, Miss Morland," said he, on finding her alone
in the parlour, "I am come to bid you good-bye." Catherine wished
him a good journey. Without appearing to hear her, he walked to the
window, fidgeted about, hummed a tune, and seemed wholly self-occupied.
"Shall not you be late at Devizes?" said Catherine. He made
no answer; but after a minute's silence burst out with, "A famous
good thing this marrying scheme, upon my soul! A clever fancy of
Morland's and Belle's. What do you think of it, Miss Morland? I
say it is no bad notion."
"I am sure I think it a very good one."
"Do you? That's honest, by heavens! I am glad you are no enemy
to matrimony, however. Did you ever hear the old song 'Going to
One Wedding Brings on Another?' I say, you will come to Belle's
wedding, I hope."
"Yes; I have promised your sister to be with her, if possible."
"And then you know" -- twisting himself about and forcing a foolish
laugh -- "I say, then you know, we may try the truth of this same
old song."
"May we? But I never sing. Well, I wish you a good journey. I
dine with Miss Tilney today, and must now be going home."
"Nay, but there is no such confounded hurry. Who knows when we
may be together again? Not but that I shall be down again by the
end of a fortnight, and a devilish long fortnight it will appear
to me."
"Then why do you stay away so long?" replied Catherine -- finding
that he waited for an answer.
"That is kind of you, however -- kind and good-natured. I shall
not forget it in a hurry. But you have more good nature and all
that, than anybody living, I believe. A monstrous deal of good
nature, and it is not only good nature, but you have so much, so
much of everything; and then you have such -- upon my soul, I do
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