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1They were not long able, however, to enjoy the repose of the eminence they had so laboriously gained. Everybody was
2shortly in motion for tea, and they must squeeze out like the rest. Catherine began to feel something of
3disappointment--she was tired of being continually pressed against by people, the generality of whose faces possessed
4nothing to interest, and with all of whom she was so wholly unacquainted that she could not relieve the irksomeness of
5imprisonment by the exchange of a syllable with any of her fellow captives; and when at last arrived in the tea-room,
6she felt yet more the awkwardness of having no party to join, no acquaintance to claim, no gentleman to assist them.
7They saw nothing of Mr. Allen; and after looking about them in vain for a more eligible situation, were obliged to sit
8down at the end of a table, at which a large party were already placed, without having anything to do there, or anybody
9to speak to, except each other. Mrs. Allen congratulated herself, as soon as they were seated, on having preserved her
10gown from injury. "It would have been very shocking to have it torn," said she, "would not it? It is such a delicate
11muslin. For my part I have not seen anything I like so well in the whole room, I assure you." "How uncomfortable it is,"
12whispered Catherine, "not to have a single acquaintance here!" "Yes, my dear," replied Mrs. Allen, with perfect
13serenity, "it is very uncomfortable indeed." "What shall we do? The gentlemen and ladies at this table look as if they
14wondered why we came here--we seem forcing ourselves into their party." "Aye, so we do. That is very disagreeable. I
15wish we had a large acquaintance here." "I wish we had any;--it would be somebody to go to." "Very true, my dear; and if
16we knew anybody we would join them directly. The Skinners were here last year--I wish they were here now." "Had not we
17better go away as it is? Here are no tea-things for us, you see." "No more there are, indeed. How very provoking! but I
18think we had better sit still, for one gets so tumbled in such a crowd! how is my head, my dear? Somebody gave me a push
19that has hurt it, I am afraid." "No, indeed, it looks very nice. But, dear Mrs. Allen, are you sure there is nobody you
20know in all this multitude of people? I think you must know somebody." "I don't, upon my word--I wish I did. I wish I
21had a large acquaintance here with all my heart, and then I should get you a partner. I should be so glad to have you
22dance. There goes a strange-looking woman! what an odd gown she has got on! how old-fashioned it is! look at the back."
23After some time they received an offer of tea from one of their neighbours; it was thankfully accepted, and this
24introduced a light conversation with the gentleman who offered it, which was the only time that anybody spoke to them
25during the evening, till they were discovered and joined by Mr. Allen when the dance was over. "Well, Miss Morland,"
26said he, directly, "I hope you have had an agreeable ball." "Very agreeable indeed," she replied, vainly endeavouring to
27hide a great yawn. "I wish she had been able to dance," said his wife; "I wish we could have got a partner for her. I
28have been saying how glad I should be if the Skinners were here this winter instead of last; or if the Parrys had come,
29as they talked of once, she might have danced with George Parry. I am so sorry she has not had a partner!" "We shall do
30better another evening I hope," was Mr. Allen's consolation. The company began to disperse when the dancing was
31over--enough to leave space for the remainder to walk about in some comfort; and now was the time for a heroine, who had
32not yet played a very distinguished part in the events of the evening, to be noticed and admired. Every five minutes, by
33removing some of the crowd, gave greater openings for her charms. She was now seen by many young men who had not been
34near her before. Not one, however, started with rapturous wonder on beholding her, no whisper of eager inquiry ran round
35the room, nor was she once called a divinity by anybody. Yet Catherine was in very good looks, and had the company only
36seen her three years before, they would now have thought her exceedingly handsome. She was looked at, however, and with
37some admiration; for, in her own hearing, two gentlemen pronounced her to be a pretty girl. Such words had their due
38effect; she immediately thought the evening pleasanter than she had found it before--her humble vanity was
39contented--she felt more obliged to the two young men for this simple praise than a true quality heroine would have been
40for fifteen sonnets in celebration of her charms, and went to her chair in good humour with everybody, and perfectly
41satisfied with her share of public attention. CHAPTER 3 Every morning now brought its regular duties--shops were to be
42visited; some new part of the town to be looked at; and the Pump-room to be attended, where they paraded up and down for
43an hour, looking at everybody and speaking to no one. The wish of a numerous acquaintance in Bath was still uppermost
44with Mrs. Allen, and she repeated it after every fresh proof, which every morning brought, of her knowing nobody at all.
45They made their appearance in the Lower Rooms; and here fortune was more favourable to our heroine. The master of the
46ceremonies introduced to her a very gentleman-like young man as a partner; his name was Tilney. He seemed to be about
47four or five and twenty, was rather tall, had a pleasing countenance, a very intelligent and lively eye, and, if not
48quite handsome, was very near it. His address was good, and Catherine felt herself in high luck. There was little
49leisure for speaking while they danced; but when they were seated at tea, she found him as agreeable as she had already
50given him credit for being. He talked with fluency and spirit--and there was an archness and pleasantry in his manner
51which interested, though it was hardly understood by her. After chatting some time on such matters as naturally arose
52from the objects around them, he suddenly addressed her with--"I have hitherto been very remiss, madam, in the proper
53attentions of a partner here; I have not yet asked you how long you have been in Bath; whether you were ever here
54before; whether you have been at the Upper Rooms, the theatre, and the concert; and how you like the place altogether. I
55have been very negligent--but are you now at leisure to satisfy me in these particulars? If you are I will begin
56directly." "You need not give yourself that trouble, sir." "No trouble, I assure you, madam." Then forming his features
57into a set smile, and affectedly softening his voice, he added, with a simpering air, "Have you been long in Bath,
58madam?" "About a week, sir," replied Catherine, trying not to laugh. "Really!" with affected astonishment. "Why should
59you be surprised, sir?" "Why, indeed!" said he, in his natural tone. "But some emotion must appear to be raised by your
60reply, and surprise is more easily assumed, and not less reasonable than any other. Now let us go on. Were you never
61here before, madam?" "Never, sir." "Indeed! have you yet honoured the Upper Rooms?" "Yes, sir, I was there last Monday."
62"Have you been to the theatre?" "Yes, sir, I was at the play on Tuesday." "To the concert?" "Yes, sir, on Wednesday."
63"And are you altogether pleased with Bath?" "Yes--I like it very well." "Now I must give one smirk, and then we may be
64rational again." Catherine turned away her head, not knowing whether she might venture to laugh. "I see what you think
65of me," said he gravely--"I shall make but a poor figure in your journal to-morrow." "My journal!" "Yes, I know exactly
66what you will say: Friday, went to the Lower Rooms; wore my sprigged muslin robe with blue trimmings--plain black
67shoes--appeared to much advantage; but was strangely harassed by a queer, half-witted man, who would make me dance with
68him, and distressed me by his nonsense." "Indeed I shall say no such thing." "Shall I tell you what you ought to say?"
69"If you please." "I danced with a very agreeable young man, introduced by Mr. King; had a great deal of conversation
70with him--seems a most extraordinary genius--hope I may know more of him. That, madam, is what I wish you to say." "But,
71perhaps, I keep no journal."
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