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before the tempest subsided or she unknowingly fell
fast asleep。
CHAPTER 22
The housemaid's folding back her window…shutters
at eight o'clock the next day was the sound which
first roused Catherine； and she opened her eyes；
wondering that they could ever have been closed；
on objects of cheerfulness； her fire was already burning；
and a bright morning had succeeded the tempest of the night。
Instantaneously； with the consciousness of existence；
returned her recollection of the manuscript； and springing
from the bed in the very moment of the maid's going away；
she eagerly collected every scattered sheet which had
burst from the roll on its falling to the ground； and flew
back to enjoy the luxury of their perusal on her pillow。
She now plainly saw that she must not expect a manuscript
of equal length with the generality of what she had
shuddered over in books； for the roll； seeming to consist
entirely of small disjointed sheets； was altogether but
of trifling size； and much less than she had supposed
it to be at first。
Her greedy eye glanced rapidly over a page。
She started at its import。 Could it be possible； or did
not her senses play her false？ An inventory of linen；
in coarse and modern characters； seemed all that was before
her！ If the evidence of sight might be trusted； she held
a washing…bill in her hand。 She seized another sheet；
and saw the same articles with little variation；
a third； a fourth； and a fifth presented nothing new。
Shirts； stockings； cravats； and waistcoats faced
her in each。 Two others； penned by the same hand；
marked an expenditure scarcely more interesting；
in letters； hair…powder； shoe…string； and breeches…ball。
And the larger sheet； which had enclosed the rest；
seemed by its first cramp line； 〃To poultice chestnut
mare〃a farrier's bill！ Such was the collection of papers
（left perhaps； as she could then suppose； by the negligence
of a servant in the place whence she had taken them）
which had filled her with expectation and alarm； and robbed
her of half her night's rest！ She felt humbled to the dust。
Could not the adventure of the chest have taught her
wisdom？ A corner of it； catching her eye as she lay；
seemed to rise up in judgment against her。 Nothing could
now be clearer than the absurdity of her recent fancies。
To suppose that a manuscript of many generations back
could have remained undiscovered in a room such as that；
so modern； so habitable！Or that she should be the first
to possess the skill of unlocking a cabinet； the key
of which was open to all！
How could she have so imposed on herself？ Heaven
forbid that Henry Tilney should ever know her folly！ And
it was in a great measure his own doing； for had not the
cabinet appeared so exactly to agree with his description
of her adventures； she should never have felt the smallest
curiosity about it。 This was the only comfort that occurred。
Impatient to get rid of those hateful evidences of her folly；
those detestable papers then scattered over the bed；
she rose directly； and folding them up as nearly as possible
in the same shape as before； returned them to the same
spot within the cabinet； with a very hearty wish that no
untoward accident might ever bring them forward again；
to disgrace her even with herself。
Why the locks should have been so difficult
to open； however； was still something remarkable；
for she could now manage them with perfect ease。 In this
there was surely something mysterious； and she indulged
in the flattering suggestion for half a minute； till the
possibility of the door's having been at first unlocked；
and of being herself its fastener； darted into her head；
and cost her another blush。
She got away as soon as she could from a room in
which her conduct produced such unpleasant reflections；
and found her way with all speed to the breakfast…parlour；
as it had been pointed out to her by Miss Tilney the
evening before。 Henry was alone in it； and his immediate
hope of her having been undisturbed by the tempest；
with an arch reference to the character of the building
they inhabited； was rather distressing。 For the world
would she not have her weakness suspected； and yet；
unequal to an absolute falsehood； was constrained to
acknowledge that the wind had kept her awake a little。
〃But we have a charming morning after it；〃 she added；
desiring to get rid of the subject； 〃and storms
and sleeplessness are nothing when they are over。
What beautiful hyacinths！ I have just learnt to love
a hyacinth。〃
〃And how might you learn？ By accident or argument？〃
〃Your sister taught me； I cannot tell how。 Mrs。 Allen
used to take pains； year after year； to make me like them；
but I never could； till I saw them the other day in
Milsom Street； I am naturally indifferent about flowers。〃
〃But now you love a hyacinth。 So much the better。
You have gained a new source of enjoyment； and it is
well to have as many holds upon happiness as possible。
Besides； a taste for flowers is always desirable in your sex；
as a means of getting you out of doors； and tempting you
to more frequent exercise than you would otherwise take。
And though the love of a hyacinth may be rather domestic；
who can tell； the sentiment once raised； but you may in time
come to love a rose？〃
〃But I do not want any such pursuit to get me out
of doors。 The pleasure of walking and breathing fresh
air is enough for me； and in fine weather I am out more
than half my time。 Mamma says I am never within。〃
〃At any rate； however； I am pleased that you have
learnt to love a hyacinth。 The mere habit of learning
to love is the thing； and a teachableness of disposition
in a young lady is a great blessing。 Has my sister
a pleasant mode of instruction？〃
Catherine was saved the embarrassment of attempting
an answer by the entrance of the general； whose smiling
compliments announced a happy state of mind； but whose
gentle hint of sympathetic early rising did not advance
her composure。
The elegance of the breakfast set forced itself
on Catherine's notice when they were seated at table；
and； lucidly； it had been the general's choice。 He was
enchanted by her approbation of his taste； confessed it
to be neat and simple； thought it right to encourage
the manufacture of his country； and for his part； to his
uncritical palate； the tea was as well flavoured from the
clay of Staffordshire； as from that of Dresden or Save。
But this was quite an old set； purchased two years ago。
The manufacture was much improved since that time；
he had seen some beautiful specimens when last in town；
and had he not been perfectly without vanity of
that kind； might have been tempted to order a new set。
He trusted； however； that an opportunity might ere
long occur of selecting onethough not for himself。
Catherine was probably the only one of the party who did
not understand him。
Shortly after breakfast Henry left them for Woodston；
where business required and would keep him two or three days。
They all attended in the hall to see him mount his horse；
and immediately on re…entering the breakfast…room； Catherine
walked to a window in the hope of catching another glimpse
of his figure。 〃This is a somewhat heavy call upon your
brother's fortitude；〃 observed the general to Eleanor。
〃Woodston will make but a sombre appearance today。〃
〃Is it a pretty place？〃 asked Catherine。
〃What say you； Eleanor？ Speak your opinion；
for ladies can best tell the taste of ladies in regard
to places as well as men。 I think it would be acknowledged
by the most impartial eye to have many recommendations。
The house stands among fine meadows facing the south…east；
with an excellent kitchen…garden in the same aspect；
the walls surrounding which I built and stocked myself
about ten years ago； for the benefit of my son。 It is
a family living； Miss Morland； and the property in the
place being chiefly my own； you may believe I take care
that it shall not be a bad one。 Did Henry's income depend
solely on this living； he would not be ill…provided for。
Perhaps it may seem odd； that