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Northanger Abbey-Part21_Jane Austen(1775-1817)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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being such a smart young fellow, I saw every eye was

upon us."



"He is very handsome indeed."

"Handsome! Yes, I suppose he may. I dare say people



would admire him in general; but he is not at all in my

style of beauty. I hate a florid complexion and dark eyes



in a man. However, he is very well. Amazingly conceited,

I am sure. I took him down several times, you know,



in my way."

When the young ladies next met, they had a far



more interesting subject to discuss. James Morland's

second letter was then received, and the kind intentions



of his father fully explained. A living, of which

Mr. Morland was himself patron and incumbent, of about



four hundred pounds yearly value, was to be resigned

to his son as soon as he should be old enough to take it;



no trifling deduction from the family income, no niggardly

assignment to one of ten children. An estate of at least



equal value, moreover, was assured as his future inheritance.

James expressed himself on the occasion with



becoming gratitude; and the necessity of waiting between

two and three years before they could marry, being,



however unwelcome, no more than he had expected, was borne

by him without discontent. Catherine, whose expectations



had been as unfixed as her ideas of her father's income,

and whose judgment was now entirely led by her brother,



felt equally well satisfied, and heartily congratulated

Isabella on having everything so pleasantly settled.



"It is very charming indeed," said Isabella,

with a grave face. "Mr. Morland has behaved vastly



handsome indeed," said the gentle Mrs. Thorpe,

looking anxiously at her daughter. "I only wish I could



do as much. One could not expect more from him, you know.

If he finds he can do more by and by, I dare say he will,



for I am sure he must be an excellent good-hearted man.

Four hundred is but a small income to begin on indeed,



but your wishes, my dear Isabella, are so moderate, you do

not consider how little you ever want, my dear."



"It is not on my own account I wish for more; but I

cannot bear to be the means of injuring my dear Morland,



making him sit down upon an income hardly enough to find

one in the common necessaries of life. For myself,



it is nothing; I never think of myself."

"I know you never do, my dear; and you will always



find your reward in the affection it makes everybody

feel for you. There never was a young woman so beloved



as you are by everybody that knows you; and I dare say

when Mr. Morland sees you, my dear child--but do not let



us distress our dear Catherine by talking of such things.

Mr. Morland has behaved so very handsome, you know.



I always heard he was a most excellent man; and you know,

my dear, we are not to suppose but what, if you had had a



suitable fortune, he would have come down with something more,

for I am sure he must be a most liberal-minded man."



"Nobody can think better of Mr. Morland than I do,

I am sure. But everybody has their failing, you know,



and everybody has a right to do what they like with their

own money." Catherine was hurt by these insinuations.



"I am very sure," said she, "that my father has promised

to do as much as he can afford."



Isabella recollected herself. "As to that,

my sweet Catherine, there cannot be a doubt, and you know



me well enough to be sure that a much smaller income would

satisfy me. It is not the want of more money that makes



me just at present a little out of spirits; I hate money;

and if our union could take place now upon only fifty



pounds a year, I should not have a wish unsatisfied.

Ah! my Catherine, you have found me out. There's the sting.



The long, long, endless two years and half that are to pass

before your brother can hold the living."



"Yes, yes, my darling Isabella," said Mrs. Thorpe,

"we perfectly see into your heart. You have no disguise.



We perfectly understand the present vexation; and everybody

must love you the better for such a noble honest affection."



Catherine's uncomfortable feelings began to lessen.

She endeavoured to believe that the delay of the marriage






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