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Austen, Jane

"Northanger Abbey"

Ah! Here he comes; never mind, he will not see us, I am sure."


? ? ? ? Catherine, looking up, perceived Captain Tilney; and Isabella, earnestly fixing her eye on him as she spoke, soon caught his notice. He approached immediately, and took the seat to which her movements invited him. His first address made Catherine start. Though spoken low, she could distinguish, "What! Always to be watched, in person or by proxy!"


? ? ? ? "Psha, nonsense!" was Isabella's answer in the same half whisper. "Why do you put such things into my head? If I could believe it--my spirit, you know, is pretty independent."


? ? ? ? "I wish your heart were independent. That would be enough for me."


? ? ? ? "My heart, indeed! What can you have to do with hearts? You men have none of you any hearts."


? ? ? ? "If we have not hearts, we have eyes; and they give us torment enough."


? ? ? ? "Do they? I am sorry for it; I am sorry they find anything so disagreeable in me. I will look another way. I hope this pleases you" (turning her back on him); "I hope your eyes are not tormented now."


? ? ? ? "Never more so; for the edge of a blooming cheek is still in view--at once too much and too little."


? ? ? ? Catherine heard all this, and quite out of countenance, could listen no longer.


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