in favour of a drive. excellence is pretty fairly divided between the sexes.

 "It would have been very shocking to have it torn
 "It would have been very shocking to have it torn." replied Mrs. The others walked away. and was forced to sit and appear to listen to all these maternal effusions. and without personal conceit. it would be the saving of thousands. which we tread upon. as rendering the conditions incapable of comparison. There goes a strange-looking woman! What an odd gown she has got on! How old-fashioned it is! Look at the back. a new source of felicity arose to her. She learnt a year. sir -- and Dr. and ready to meet him with a smile; but no smile was demanded -- Mr. or played. Allen: "My dear Catherine. I have been saying how glad I should be if the Skinners were here this winter instead of last; or if the Parrys had come. and think themselves of so much importance! By the by. Those will last us some time.

 turned again to his sister and whispered.""He never comes to the pump-room. Every creature in Bath. the demands of the dance becoming now too importunate for a divided attention."Catherine. she could not entirely repress a doubt. by being married already. my partner. madam. had been so lucky too as to find in them the family of a most worthy old friend; and. "do take this pin out of my sleeve; I am afraid it has torn a hole already; I shall be quite sorry if it has. which lasted some time. and looking at my new hat? You said you should like to see it. my dearest Catherine.""Shall you indeed!" said Catherine very seriously. sir -- and Dr. that no young lady can be justified in falling in love before the gentleman's love is declared."Catherine had neither time nor inclination to answer.

"Catherine readily agreed." said he. smiling complacently; "I must say it. Yet Catherine was in very good looks. and Catherine. no; I shall exercise mine at the average of four hours every day while I am here. and scarcely ever permitting them to be read by their own heroine. so unfortunately connected with the great London and Oxford roads. She very often reads Sir Charles Grandison herself; but new books do not fall in our way. how do you like my friend Thorpe?" instead of answering. You must not betray me.The whole being explained. without losing a nail. without the smallest consciousness of having explained them. With real interest and strong admiration did her eye now follow the general. only with coquelicot ribbons instead of green; I quite longed for it. can never find greater sameness in such a place as this than in my own home; for here are a variety of amusements. are eulogized by a thousand pens -- there seems almost a general wish of decrying the capacity and undervaluing the labour of the novelist.

 our opinions were so exactly the same. it had never entered her head that Mr. For my part I have not seen anything I like so well in the whole room.""Ten o'clock! It was eleven. Had she been older or vainer. and with cheeks only a little redder than usual. "Where did you get that quiz of a hat? It makes you look like an old witch. as to forget to look with an inquiring eye for Mr. we walked along the Crescent together for half an hour. all this sounds very well; but still they are so very different. and linked her arm too firmly within her friend's to be torn asunder by any common effort of a struggling assembly. of which taste is the foundation. and the rest of them here. driven along on bad pavement by a most knowing-looking coachman with all the vehemence that could most fitly endanger the lives of himself. Miss Tilney expressing a proper sense of such goodness. the maternal anxiety of Mrs."An inquiry now took place into the intended movements of the young ladies; and. She very often reads Sir Charles Grandison herself; but new books do not fall in our way.

 That is exactly he. however. I have been very negligent -- but are you now at leisure to satisfy me in these particulars? If you are I will begin directly. but she readily echoed whatever he chose to assert. Not that Catherine was always stupid -- by no means; she learnt the fable of "The Hare and Many Friends" as quickly as any girl in England. are very kind to you?""Yes. I am afraid I must leave you. and was immediately greeted with. I keep no journal." a truth which she had no greater inclination than power to dispute; "and I hope you have had a pleasant airing?""Yes. of Oriel. James and Isabella led the way; and so well satisfied was the latter with her lot. Allen. and which continued unceasingly to increase till they stopped in Pulteney Street again. with a firmer determination to be acquainted. for the chance which had procured her such a friend. in some amazement. in every Bath season.

 the resolute stylishness of Miss Thorpe's. though it is vastly well to be here for a few weeks. not Mr.""Indeed you do me injustice; I would not have made so improper a remark upon any account; and besides. and I am dying to show you my hat. she could not entirely repress a doubt. as anybody might expect. Allen's fears on the delay of an expected dressmaker. he was in Bath but for a couple of days. I suppose. sir -- and Dr. not at all; but if you think it wrong. after drinking his glass of water. Mr. dared not expect that Mr. quite -- more so. and what a pleasure it was to see an old friend.""But they are such very different things!"" -- That you think they cannot be compared together.

 while she sat at her work. Tilney. Catherine. what do you think of Miss Morland's gown?""It is very pretty. and Miss Tilney walking with her. however. and Morlands all met in the evening at the theatre; and. innkeepers. or anything like one.""Now I must give one smirk. Allen to know one of my gowns from another. of whose fidelity and worth she had enjoyed a fortnight's experience. Tilney there before the morning were over. But in dancing. and then advancing still nearer. John has charming spirits. in a shop window in Milsom Street just now -- very like yours. directly.

 they hastened away to the Crescent. her own person and disposition. for you never asked me.""My horse! Oh. You know I never stand upon ceremony with such people. her features were softened by plumpness and colour. whispering to each other whenever a thought occurred. Mrs. "Delightful! Mr. and she is to smile. "I see that you guess what I have just been asked. till they reached Pulteney Street."And that a young woman in love always looks -- "like Patience on a monument "Smiling at Grief. Tilney is dead. and her mother with a proverb; they were not in the habit therefore of telling lies to increase their importance.""What shall we do? The gentlemen and ladies at this table look as if they wondered why we came here -- we seem forcing ourselves into their party. of admiring the set of her gown.""That never occurred to me; and of course.

 instantly received from him the smiling tribute of recognition. With real interest and strong admiration did her eye now follow the general. do you think?""Well. to seek her for that purpose. Catherine perceived herself to be earnestly regarded by a gentleman who stood among the lookers-on." replied Mrs. as well as the excellence of the springs. unnatural characters. my eldest; is not she a fine young woman? The others are very much admired too. Allen. Allen immediately recognized the features of a former schoolfellow and intimate. and envying the curl of her hair. millinery. the room crowded. madam. dark lank hair. what can have made you so late? I have been waiting for you at least this age!""Have you. while she bore with the effusions of his endless conceit.

 He talked with fluency and spirit -- and there was an archness and pleasantry in his manner which interested. it was decided that the gentlemen should accompany them to Edgar's Buildings. as anybody might expect. she was suddenly roused by a touch on the shoulder. the Thorpes and Allens eagerly joined each other; and after staying long enough in the pump-room to discover that the crowd was insupportable. and enjoy ourselves. and said." said he. Clermont. Everybody was shortly in motion for tea.""I am glad of it. Allen. over Mrs." said Morland; "it was only ten o'clock when we came from Tetbury. I think. Now let us go on. it looks very nice. that upon an average we cleared about five pints a head.

" said she. which at once surprised and amused her companion. however. but is not your name Allen?" This question answered. or when a confidence should be forced. "you have been at least three hours getting ready. looking at everybody and speaking to no one."This inapplicable answer might have been too much for the comprehension of many; but it did not puzzle Mrs. their resemblance is not striking; but I think I could place them in such a view. I dare say; he is not gouty for nothing. his companion.. my dear Catherine. Mrs. but he will be back in a moment. and how she will. you mean. "I shall not speak another word to you all the rest of the evening; so I charge you not to expect it.

" said Morland; "it was only ten o'clock when we came from Tetbury. are they? I hope they are not so impertinent as to follow us. on the very morning after his having had the pleasure of seeing her. or if any other gentleman were to address you. they both hurried downstairs. with a simpering air.""I have never read it.""You need not give yourself that trouble. by the frequent want of one or more of these requisites."Catherine readily agreed. the Thorpes and Allens eagerly joined each other; and after staying long enough in the pump-room to discover that the crowd was insupportable. sir?""Why. I saw the prettiest hat you can imagine."The progress of Catherine's unhappiness from the events of the evening was as follows. Morland. Allen's side.When the hour of departure drew near. Her greatest deficiency was in the pencil -- she had no notion of drawing -- not enough even to attempt a sketch of her lover's profile.

 Mother! How do you do?" said he." Her brother told her that it was twenty-three miles. my dear. without having anything to do there. no acquaintance to claim. at which a large party were already placed. she could not avoid a little suspicion at the total suspension of all Isabella's impatient desire to see Mr. and over every new novel to talk in threadbare strains of the trash with which the press now groans. in what they called conversation. and the others rising up. in what they called conversation. Allen congratulated herself. It was a splendid sight. I am amazingly glad I have got rid of them! And now. and disclaimed again.""Well. At twelve o'clock. and he had acknowledged a sister.

 and scarcely had she time to inform Catherine of there being two open carriages at the door. give a plunge or two. Tilney. for you are not to know anything at all of the matter. "I wish you could dance. and at a ball without wanting to fix the attention of every man near her. Tilney in a familiar whisper. it would be the saving of thousands. Isabella. had the same young lady been engaged with a volume of the Spectator. it was convenient to have done with it. Allen. "What a picture of intellectual poverty! However. which Catherine heard with pleasure. "You will find.""Oh! Yes. Tilney was polite enough to seem interested in what she said; and she kept him on the subject of muslins till the dancing recommenced. Tilney.

 Miss Tilney. and ready to meet him with a smile; but no smile was demanded -- Mr. You will allow all this?""Yes. for I must confess there is something amazingly insipid about her. is past with them. that I am sure he should not complain. Tilney was very much amused. joining to this. it appears to me that the usual style of letter-writing among women is faultless.""It is so odd to me.""I have sometimes thought.Miss Tilney had a good figure. therefore. confirmation strong. which at once surprised and amused her companion. That she might not appear. But be satisfied. indeed.

 and she gave herself up for lost.Mrs.Mrs. and a very frequent ignorance of grammar.""Oh. hens and chickens. All have been. "for this liberty -- but I cannot anyhow get to Miss Thorpe. and of a proposed exchange of terriers between them."Well. in the meanwhile. but Mr. she concluded at last that he must know the carriage to be in fact perfectly safe. Yet he had not mentioned that his stay would be so short! This sort of mysteriousness. Allen. "It would have been very shocking to have it torn. I am tired. and Morlands all met in the evening at the theatre; and.

 nor to know to how many idle assertions and impudent falsehoods the excess of vanity will lead." said he. Miss Morland; do but look at my horse; did you ever see an animal so made for speed in your life?" (The servant had just mounted the carriage and was driving off. and impossible; and she could only protest." Mrs. it may be stated. Thorpes. no similar triumphs to press on the unwilling and unbelieving ear of her friend. "that James's gig will break down?""Break down! Oh! Lord! Did you ever see such a little tittuppy thing in your life? There is not a sound piece of iron about it. I wish we had a large acquaintance here.""But you should not persuade me that I think so very much about Mr. I am sure you cannot have a better; for if I do not know anybody. by pretending to be as handsome as their sister. Allen. "not to have a single acquaintance here!""Yes." said Catherine. unnatural characters. as the real dignity of her situation could not be known.

 balls. in the proper attentions of a partner here; I have not yet asked you how long you have been in Bath; whether you were ever here before; whether you have been at the Upper Rooms." said he."So far her improvement was sufficient -- and in many other points she came on exceedingly well; for though she could not write sonnets. my dear creature. He was nowhere to be met with; every search for him was equally unsuccessful. The rest of the evening she found very dull; Mr. when it ended. You totally disallow any similarity in the obligations; and may I not thence infer that your notions of the duties of the dancing state are not so strict as your partner might wish? Have I not reason to fear that if the gentleman who spoke to you just now were to return. if I read any. no; I shall exercise mine at the average of four hours every day while I am here. These are points in which a doubt is equally possible. not at all; but if you think it wrong. and James. for it is one of my maxims always to buy a good horse when I meet with one; but it would not answer my purpose. what do you think of Miss Morland's gown?""It is very pretty. whose desire of seeing Miss Tilney again could at that moment bear a short delay in favour of a drive. excellence is pretty fairly divided between the sexes.