Northanger Abbey - Chapter 16

Catherine's expectations of pleasure from her visit in Milsom Street were so very high that disappointment was inevitable ¹; and accordingly, though she was most politely received by General Tilney, and kindly ² welcomed by his daughter, though Henry was at home, and no one else of the party, she found, on her return, without spending many hours in the examination of her feelings, that she had gone to her appointment preparing for happiness which it had not afforded. Instead of finding herself improved in acquaintance with Miss Tilney, from the intercourse ³ of the day, she seemed hardly so intimate with her as before; instead of seeing Henry Tilney to greater advantage than ever, in the ease of a family party, he had never said so little, nor been so little agreeable; and, in spite of their father's great civilities to her—in spite of his thanks, invitations, and compliments—it had been a release to get away from him. It puzzled her to account for all this. It could not be General Tilney's fault. That he was perfectly ⁴ agreeable and good-natured, and altogether a very charming man, did not admit of a doubt, for he was tall and handsome, and Henry's father. He could not be accountable for his children's want of spirits, or for her want of enjoyment ⁵ in his company. The former she hoped at last might have been accidental, and the latter she could only attribute to her own stupidity. Isabella, on hearing the particulars of the visit, gave a different explanation: "It was all pride, pride, insufferable haughtiness ⁶ and pride! She had long suspected the family to be very high, and this made it certain. Such insolence ⁷ of behaviour as Miss Tilney's she had never heard of in her life! Not to do the honours of her house with common good breeding! To behave to her guest with such superciliousness ⁸! Hardly even to speak to her!", ,"But it was not so bad as that, Isabella; there was no superciliousness; she was very civil.", ,"Oh! Don't defend her! And then the brother, he, who had appeared so attached to you! Good heavens! Well, some people's feelings are incomprehensible. And so he hardly looked once at you the whole day?", , ,"How contemptible ⁹! Of all things in the world inconstancy is my aversion. Let me entreat ¹⁰ you never to think of him again, my dear Catherine; indeed he is unworthy of you.", ,"Unworthy! I do not suppose he ever thinks of me.", ,The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响 。,Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲 、热情好客
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