Northanger Abbey Page #4

to spare you?.

I'm sure they'd be happy to spare me, sir,

and I'd have great pleasure in coming.

Excellent.

I shall look forward to making

your better acquaintance, Miss Morland.

Ooh!

What do you think, Catherine?.

- It's wonderful.

It reminds me of the South of France.

The Languedoc, you know?.

ELEANOR:
Yes!

Have you travelled much in France?.

No.

Not at all, I've never been there.

But I've seen pictures. And it's just

as Mrs Radcliffe describes it in Udolpho.

Ah! Mrs Radcliffe.

But I suppose

you don't read novels?.

I read Udolpho straight through

in two days,

with my hair standing up

on end the whole time.

I often think

there's more life,

and truth,

and feeling in a good novel

than in a hundred dull sermons.

Do you really believe that?.

Oh, go on, don't wait for me.

Why should you think

I don't believe it?.

Because I think you

like to tease me.

And because the real world is

different from the world in stories.

Is it?.

Of course it is!

I love to read Mrs Radcliffe,

but I don't think the real world's

full of murders and abductions

and ghosts with clanking chains

and seductions and everything.

Well, not in Fullerton, anyway.

Perhaps not quite so many murders

and abductions.

But broken hearts?. Betrayals?.

Long-held grudges?.

Schemes of revenge?.

Fear?.

And hatred?. And despair?.

Are they not part of all of our lives?.

Even in Fullerton?.

I don't know.

I would like to think not.

Well, then, I hope your experience of life

is the exception that proves the rule.

Tilney!

Forgive me, T:
ilney, for interrupting

your walk. I've no time to lose.

Of course. You were expected.

Ma'am.

Come, let's walk on a little.

That gentleman is a close acquaintance

of ours, a very good friend.

He is obliged to leave

the country at short notice.

He was able to make his

farewells to me last evening,

but was no doubt anxious

to say goodbye to my sister, too,

before he left.

I see.

There is no reason

why the matter should come up.

But my sister and I would be very grateful

if you did not mention to my father

that we saw that gentleman here today.

No, of course.

Thank you.

The Monk reeled from

the unholy sight.

"Receive this talisman, "

she replied.

"While you bear this, every door will

fly open and walls will melt away.

It will procure you access tomorrow night

to Antonia 's bed chamber."

Miss Morland.

Nothing to be ashamed of.

It's all God's creation.

Come.

Catherine!

Catherine!

I absolutely knew the second you

came to the house. I could tell.

And the way you spoke to my mother,

I could just...It was almost like fate.

Catherine?.

No, no, sit down.

Can you guess?.

Your brother has made me

the happiest girl on Earth!

You mean, you and James...

Are in love!

He confessed as much

to me this afternoon.

And you know my nature,I could never

trifle with a man's affections.

In short, I told him

his love was returned.

Catherine!

He's waiting downstairs.

I know I needn't ask

whether you approve, Catherine.

No, indeed!

Though I am surprised.

It has all happened so quickly.

Not so. I believe I have been in love with

your friend since the first time I set eyes on her.

And l.

The very first day he came to us last Christmas,

the very first moment!

I remember I wore this yellow gown.

- My hair was up in braids.

- I am come to say goodbye, Catherine.

I am going straight to Fullerton

to seek our parents' consent.

Ah, Morland, there you are.

Miss Morland,

I, too, must take my leave for the present,

just for the present.

I'm going to accompany James to Fullerton,

and then onto town to help him choose a ring.

Perhaps I might look for one for myself

while I'm there. Do you think I should?.

A famous good thing, this marrying scheme.

What do you think of it?.

I think it's a very good thing, too.

I'm so pleased to hear you say that.

Did you ever hear the old song,

"going to one wedding brings on another"?.

Perhaps you and I might try the truth of that?.

I shall think of you, when I'm in town!

Come on, James, we must

tear ourselves away!

Go.

Go, perhaps, forever.

Isabella! Whatever do you mean?.

Your mother and father,

what will they say?.

I'm sure they'll be

very happy for James.

But my fortune will be so small.

How could they consent to it?.

Your brother, who might marry anybody.

I wouldn't think the difference in

fortune would be anything to signify.

Oh! My sweetest Catherine, in your generous

heart, I'm sure it would not matter at all.

But I mustn't expect everyone to think the same.

I only wish our situations

were reversed.

If I had the command of millions,

if I were mistress of the whole world...

..your brother would still

be my only choice.

Now, Catherine,you know I'm

only here for your sake.

You know my heart is 40 miles away.

And as for dancing,

don't mention it, I beg you.

It is quite out of the question.

I dare say Charles Hodge will plague me

to death about it.

But I shall cut him very short,

I can tell you.

I wonder where he is.

-It's General Tilney.

-I do believe he's coming to talk to you.

Miss Morland.

Delightful.

You will excuse me now.

Excellent.

Miss Morland,

allow me to introduce my brother,

Captain T:
ilney.

Charmed.

Don't let my brother's ill manners

offend you.That's how he is, I'm afraid.

He was ill-mannered as a baby.

I'm surprised at you being so

disrespectful to your older brother.

How could you know

what he was like as a baby?.

When he was a baby,

you were not yet born.

True enough.

My mother told me of it.

I hope you're not already engaged

for the next dance?.

No, indeed.

- My rival having left Bath.

- lndeed he is not...

You mustn't tease me.

So do you not know Mr Thorpe at all?.

No, not at all.

That's strange. He seems to know

a great deal about your family.

And none of it to our credit?.

Well, I have always found

that ignorance and prejudice hold no bar

to forming the strongest of opinions.

You think him ignorant and prejudiced?.

I know he doesn't always tell the truth,

but he has been very kind to me.

You think he isn't to be trusted?.

Dear Miss Morland,

has it not occurred to you

that I might not be the best person

to consult on the matter of Mr Thorpe?.

My lords, ladies and gentlemen,

the next dance will be On A Summer's Day.

Good God, Henry. You're not going

to stand up in that maul, are you?.

I certainly am.

That being so...

..do you think your friend might dance with me?.

No! I am sorry. I know for certain that she has

a very particular reason not to dance tonight.

Is that so?.

Pity.

(Music starts)

- Why are you smiling?.

- Look there.

I don't wonder at your surprise.

I refused him for as long as I possibly could,

but he would not take no for an answer.

He's the eldest son, you know,

the heir to Northanger Abbey.

Not that that weighs anything with me.

I am in love with the best man

in the whole world.

Did you think him handsome?.

- Who?.

- Captain Tilney, silly!

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