Austen Said:

“Are you? Well, if you say it, it was so, I dare say — but for the life of me, I cannot recollect it. I do remember now being with you, and seeing him as well as the rest — but that we were ever alone for five minutes — However, it is not worth arguing about, for whatever might pass on his side, you must be convinced, by my having no recollection of it, that I never thought, nor expected, nor wished for anything of the kind from him. I am excessively concerned that he should have any regard for me — but indeed it has been quite unintentional on my side; I never had the smallest idea of it. Pray undeceive him as soon as you can, and tell him I beg his pardon — that is — I do not know what I ought to say — but make him understand what I mean, in the properest way. I would not speak disrespectfully of a brother of yours, Isabella, I am sure; but you know very well that if I could think of one man more than another — he is not the person.”

“My dear friend, you must not be angry with me. I cannot suppose your brother cares so very much about me. And, you know, we shall still be sisters.”

“I certainly cannot return his affection, and as certainly never meant to encourage it.”

“You do acquit me, then, of anything wrong? — You are convinced that I never meant to deceive your brother, never suspected him of liking me till this moment?”

“But my opinion of your brother never did alter; it was always the same. You are describing what never happened.”

she should join Mrs. Allen,

their walking.

Captain Tilney was falling in love with Isabella, and Isabella unconsciously encouraging him; unconsciously it must be, for Isabella’s attachment to James was as certain and well acknowledged as her engagement. To doubt her truth or good intentions was impossible; and yet, during the whole of their conversation her manner had been odd.

Isabella had talked more like her usual self, and not so much about money, and had not looked so well pleased at the sight of Captain Tilney. How strange that she should not perceive his admiration!

give her a hint of it,

put her on her guard, and prevent all the pain which her too lively behaviour might otherwise create both for him and her brother.

That he should think it worth his while to fancy himself in love with her

Isabella talked of his attentions; she had never been sensible of any; but Isabella had said many things which she hoped had been spoken in haste, and would never be said again;

Isabella could not be aware of the pain she was inflicting;

He might be jealous of her brother as a rival, but if more had seemed implied, the fault must have been in her misapprehension.

his brother’s evident partiality for Miss Thorpe,

him to make known her prior engagement.

“Does he? Then why does he stay here?”

“Why do not you persuade him to go away? The longer he stays, the worse it will be for him at last. Pray advise him for his own sake, and for everybody’s sake, to leave Bath directly. Absence will in time make him comfortable again; but he can have no hope here, and it is only staying to be miserable.”

“Then you will persuade him to go away?”

“No, he does not know what he is about,”

“he does not know the pain he is giving my brother. Not that James has ever told me so, but I am sure he is very uncomfortable.”

“Yes, very sure.”

“Is not it the same thing?”

“Isabella is wrong. But I am sure she cannot mean to torment, for she is very much attached to my brother. She has been in love with him ever since they first met, and while my father’s consent was uncertain, she fretted herself almost into a fever. You know she must be attached to him.”

“Oh! no, not flirts. A woman in love with one man cannot flirt with another.”

“Then you do not believe Isabella so very much attached to my brother?”

“But what can your brother mean? If he knows her engagement, what can he mean by his behaviour?”

“Am I? I only ask what I want to be told.”

“Yes, I think so; for you must know your brother’s heart.”

Well?”

“Well,”

“you may be able to guess at your brother’s intentions from all this; but I am sure I cannot. But is not your father uncomfortable about it? Does not he want Captain Tilney to go away? Sure, if your father were to speak to him, he would go.”

Henry Tilney must know best.

never to think so seriously on the subject again.

the inquietude of his mind, on Isabella’s account, might, by keeping him long sleepless, have been the real cause of his rising late.

he could not propose anything improper for her;

a curricle was the prettiest equipage in the world; the chaise and four wheeled off with some grandeur, to be sure, but it was a heavy and troublesome business,

Henry drove so well — so quietly — without making any disturbance, without parading to her, or swearing at them:

so different from the only gentleman-coachman whom it was in her power to compare him with!

And then his hat sat so well, and the innumerable capes of his greatcoat looked so becomingly important! To be driven by him, next to being dancing with him, was certainly the greatest happiness in the world.

“But how can that be?”

“Are not you with her?”

“Yes; but besides your affection for her, you must be so fond of the abbey! After being used to such a home as the abbey, an ordinary parsonage-house must be very disagreeable.”

“To be sure, I have. Is not it a fine old place, just like what one reads about?”

“Oh! yes — I do not think I should be easily frightened, because there would be so many people in the house — and besides, it has never been uninhabited and left deserted for years, and then the family come back to it unawares, without giving any notice, as generally happens.”

“Oh! But this will not happen to me, I am sure.”

“Oh! Mr. Tilney, how frightful! This is just like a book! But it cannot really happen to me. I am sure your housekeeper is not really Dorothy. Well, what then?”

“No, indeed; I should be too much frightened to do any such thing.”

“Oh! No, no — do not say so. Well, go on.”