Northanger Abbey Page #5

Oh.

Yes, very handsome.

But didn't your brother say he was very bad?.

As bad as Lord Byron?.

Oh, John will say anything

that comes into his head.

I hardly ever take any notice of him!

But then, how is one to

know what to believe?.

One thing you can be certain of - my affection.

For you and your dear,

dear brother.

Catherine! Catherine, help me,

for God's sake!

You have heard from James?.

And my parents have consented?.

Yes, your father has been very good.

James is to have

a living worth 400 a year

as soon as he is

old enough to take it.

But that won't be for another two years,

so we must wait that long before we marry.

It seems it wasn't possible for your father

to do anything for us immediately.

I'm sure Mr Morland has behaved

vastly handsome.

If he finds he can do more, by and by,

I dare say he will.

And lsabella's wishes are so moderate.

For myself, it's nothing.

I never think of myself.

But poor James!

400 a year is hardly enough

for the common necessaries of life!

But I suppose everybody has the right

to do what they like with their own money.

I am very sure that my father has promised

as much as he can afford.

But Mr Allen, I was sure,

would do something for James.

Perhaps he does not approve

of his choice of bride.

Why should Mr Allen

do anything for James?.

Or for any of us?.

It was very kind of Mr and Mrs Allen

to bring me to Bath,

but none of us has any expectations

from Mr Allen.

My dear, sweet Catherine,

you know I care nothing for money.

If we could only be married tomorrow,

I would be happy to live on 50 a year.

But that's the sting.

That's why you find me so cast down.

The two years we must wait

before dear Morland can have the living!

Catherine...

How will I endure it?.

I can well understand how she feels.

Two years is a long time.

But at least she can marry the man she loves.

Not everyone is so fortunate.

No, I suppose not.

How sad that is.

Yes, it is.

But how many couples marry for love?.

I believe my mother and father love each other

even more than they love us,

and they love us very much.

When I was a little girl,

I used to think it was like that for everyone.

It was only when I started to read novels

that I realised it was not.

I shouldn't have thought

one would have to read novels to find that out.

I think you have had

quite a dangerous upbringing.

- Dangerous?. How?.

- Well, it's as Henry says.

You've been brought up to believe

that everyone is as pure in heart as you.

I don't think

I'm very pure in heart.

Really?. Why?.

I have the most terrible

dreams sometimes.

What's the joke?.

Nothing to concern you.

I love our walks.

I think I should like to stay in Bath

forever and go walking with you every day!

Unfortunately, that won't be possible.

Oh?.

Our father told us this morning he's determined

on quitting Bath by the end of the week.

Oh.

Miss Morland!

Capital!

Excellent.

Can you, Miss Morland,

be prevailed on

to quit this scene

of public triumph

and oblige us with your company

at Northanger Abbey?.

Northanger Abbey?.

Well, Miss Morland...

..what do you say?.

I am very honoured, sir.

If Mr and Mrs Allen agree,

I should be delighted to accept.

Northanger Abbey!

Aren't you frightened to

go there on your own?.

I confess I am, a little.

Well, I dare say, it will

be very thrilling for you.

But I do hope you don't

forget me, Catherine.

Or our dearest John.

No, indeed.

No need to be coy.

I heard from him today that you

and he are as good as engaged.

Indeed we are not!

Useless to dissemble, my dear.

Your secret's out.

He says in his letter, not half an hour before he

left Bath, you gave him positive encouragement.

He says he as good as made you an offer.

No!

No, there must be some mistake.

Your brother must have

misunderstood me, and...

I certainly had no idea

he thought he was making me an offer.

Please, undeceive him, and beg his pardon.

Oh.

Well, I dare say we should all be allowed

a little harmless flirtation.

But there was no flirtation, not on my side.

And if no-one were allowed

to change their minds, where would we all be?.

Perhaps it's for the best, after all.

Isabella,

please understand me, once and for all...

Sh! Here he comes!

- Who?.

- Tilney, of course!

Oh, I wouldn't have this

happen for the world.

Look away, perhaps he's not seen us.

What, always to be watched?.

In person or...

..by proxy?.

Nonsense.

My spirit, you know,

is pretty independent.

I wish your heart were independent.

That would be enough for me.

My heart?.

What can you have to do with hearts?.

None of you men have hearts.

But we have eyes.

And they give us torment enough.

I think Mrs Allen and your mother

are expecting us.

Will you come, lsabella?.

You go.

And tell them I'll follow.

And if I shouldn't see you, write and

tell me all your news from Northanger.

Do take a care, sir!

Whoa, there!

Whoa!

Come along now. Four minutes late

already coming from Milsom Street.

I'm sure Miss Morland

won't keep you waiting, Father.

Oh, Catherine, my dear, quickly,

they are here!

How grand!

A chaise and four!

You never aspired to that, Mr Allen!

No, indeed.

Well, Catherine, we shall miss you.

Thank you for all your kindness.

It has been such a happy time.

There, there, my dear.

I should be sharp about it.

These great folks don't

like to be kept waiting.

Miss Morland,a thousand pardons

for our late arrival.

My eldest son must bear the blame.

He stays on in Bath.

Now, my dear Miss Morland,

I have a proposal.

As it is a fine day,

how should you like to travel in

the curricle with my son,Henry?.

You will enjoy the air and be

better able to see the country.

It is, of course, entirely up to you.

I should like that very much.

Did your father say

that Captain T:
ilney stays on in Bath?.

- Yes.

- Oh.

You're disappointed?. You were hoping for

my brother's company at Northanger, perhaps?.

No!

No, not at all!

That is, I should have

no objection to his company...

Then what is it?. Come.

I am anxious

about your brother and Miss Thorpe.

I think he cannot know

that she is engaged to my brother.

I suppose he thinks he

has a chance with her.

But doesn't he realise how wrong it is of him

and what pain it must give to my brother?.

I don't think you should distress yourself

too much, Miss Morland.

Your brother shall be returning to Bath

very soon.

And my brother should be leaving

to rejoin his regiment.

And that will be the end of that.

Now, look there.

It's exactly as I imagined.

It'sjust like what

one reads about.

Are you prepared to encounter

all of its horrors?.

Horrors?.

Is Northanger haunted, then?.

Oh, that's just the least of it.

Dungeons and sliding panels,

skeletons, strange unearthly cries in

the night that pierce your very soul.

And vampires?.

Don't say vampires!

I could bear anything,

but not vampires.

Miss Morland,I do believe

you're teasing me now.

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