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The business, however, though not perfectly elucidated by this speech, soon ceased to be a puzzle Catherine found that John Thorpe had given the reatly surprised by it But whether her brother had still exceeded her in resenth she instinctively addressed herself as much to one as to the other in her vindication, had no ht have been felt before her arrival, her eager declarations immediately made every look and sentence as friendly as she could desire

The affair thus happily settled, she was introduced by Miss Tilney to her father, and received by him with such ready, such solicitous politeness as recalled Thorpe's information to her ht be soeneral's civility carried, that not aware of her extraordinary swiftness in entering the house, he was quite angry with the servant whose neglect had reduced her to open the door of the apartment herself "What did Willia into the matter" And if Catherine had not most warmly asserted his innocence, it seemed likely that William would lose the favour of his master forever, if not his place, by her rapidity

After sitting with them a quarter of an hour, she rose to take leave, and was thenher if she would do his daughter the honour of dining and spending the rest of the day with her Miss Tilney added her oishes Catherine was greatly obliged; but it was quite out of her power Mr and Mrs Allen would expect her back every eneral declared he could say no more; the claims of Mr and Mrs Allen were not to be superseded; but on soiven, they would not refuse to spare her to her friend "Oh, no; Catherine was sure they would not have the least objection, and she should have great pleasure in coeneral attended her hiallant as they went downstairs, ad the elasticity of her walk, which corresponded exactly with the spirit of her dancing, and raceful bows she had ever beheld, when they parted

Catherine, delighted by all that had passed, proceeded gaily to Pulteney Street, walking, as she concluded, with great elasticity, though she had never thought of it before She reached ho more of the offended party; and now that she had been triuhout, had carried her point, and was secure of her walk, she began (as the flutter of her spirits subsided) to doubt whether she had been perfectly right A sacrifice was always noble; and if she had given way to their entreaties, she should have been spared the distressing idea of a friend displeased, a brother angry, and a scheh her means To ease her mind, and ascertain by the opinion of an unprejudiced person what her own conduct had really been, she took occasion to mention before Mr Allen the half-settled sche day Mr