Chapter 14

           Thenextmorningwasfair,andCatherinealmostexpectedanotherattackfromtheassembledparty.WithMr.Allentosupporther,shefeltnodreadoftheevent:butshewouldgladlybesparedacontest,wherevictoryitselfwaspainful,andwasheartilyrejoicedthereforeatneitherseeingnorhearinganythingofthem.TheTilneyscalledforherattheappointedtime;andnonewdifficultyarising,nosuddenrecollection,nounexpectedsummons,noimpertinentintrusiontodisconcerttheirmeasures,myheroinewasmostunnaturallyabletofulfilherengagement,thoughitwasmadewiththeherohimself.TheydeterminedonwalkingroundBeechenCliff,thatnoblehillwhosebeautifulverdureandhangingcoppicerenderitsostrikinganobjectfromalmosteveryopeninginBath.

           “Ineverlookatit,”saidCatherine,astheywalkedalongthesideoftheriver,“withoutthinkingofthesouthofFrance.”

           “Youhavebeenabroadthen?”saidHenry,alittlesurprised.

           “Oh!No,IonlymeanwhatIhavereadabout.ItalwaysputsmeinmindofthecountrythatEmilyandherfathertravelledthrough,inTheMysteriesofUdolpho.Butyouneverreadnovels,Idaresay?”

           “Whynot?”

           “Becausetheyarenotcleverenoughforyou—gentlemenreadbetterbooks.”

           “Theperson,beitgentlemanorlady,whohasnotpleasureinagoodnovel,mustbeintolerablystupid.IhavereadallMrs.Radcliffe’sworks,andmostofthemwithgreatpleasure.TheMysteriesofUdolpho,whenIhadoncebegunit,Icouldnotlaydownagain;Irememberfinishingitintwodays—myhairstandingonendthewholetime.