“It is very pretty,” said Catherine, recalling that she had never given a thought to the poor-basket and determining to start directly she got home.

“When you get to know me you will learn that I am very vain and like pretty things. Am not I, Mr. Tilney?” she said, interrupting his conversation with her mother.

“You hardly can expect me to answer such a question,” said Henry. “Whether I agree or disagree, I will be ungentlemanlike; either I call you vain, or accuse you of dissembling. Determining how I might appear to the best advantage in such a situation will take more time than a morning-call provides.”

Miss Beauclerk burst into a musical trill of laughter. “How you must enjoy being married to him!” she said to Catherine. “How I should enjoy dining every day with such a charming rattle!”

“Henry is not a rattle,” said Catherine. “His conversation is always very amusing, and often instructive.”

“I dare say it is,” said Miss Beauclerk, smiling at Henry in what Catherine considered a very familiar way.



Some of the visitors took their leave, and General Tilney had a whispered conversation with his son that ended with Henry saying to Catherine, “I am sorry, my sweet, but I must postpone our walk. My father requires me to attend him to Milsom-street.”