The elegance of the breakfast set forced itself on Catherine’s notice when they were seated at table; and, lucidly, it had been the general’s choice.  He was enchanted by her approbation of his taste, confessed it to be neat and simple, thought it right to encourage the manufacture of his country; and for his part, to his uncritical palate, the tea was as well flavoured from the clay of Staffordshire, as from that of Dresden or Save.  But this was quite an old set, purchased two years ago.  The manufacture was much improved since that time; he had seen some beautiful specimens when last in town, and had he not been perfectly without vanity of that kind, might have been tempted to order a new set.  He trusted, however, that an opportunity might ere long occur of selecting one —­ though not for himself.  Catherine was probably the only one of the party who did not understand him.

Shortly after breakfast Henry left them for Woodston, where business required and would keep him two or three days.  They all attended in the hall to see him mount his horse, and immediately on re-entering the breakfast-room, Catherine walked to a window in the hope of catching another glimpse of his figure.  “This is a somewhat heavy call upon your brother’s fortitude,” observed the general to Eleanor.  “Woodston will make but a sombre appearance today.”

“Is it a pretty place?” asked Catherine.

“What say you, Eleanor?  Speak your opinion, for ladies can best tell the taste of ladies in regard to places as well as men.  I think it would be acknowledged by the most impartial eye to have many recommendations.  The house stands among fine meadows facing the south-east, with an excellent kitchen-garden in the same aspect; the walls surrounding which I built and stocked myself about ten years ago, for the benefit of my son.  It is a family living, Miss Morland; and the property in the place being chiefly my own, you may believe I take care that it shall not be a bad one.  Did Henry’s income depend solely on this living, he would not be ill-provided for.  Perhaps it may seem odd, that with only two younger children, I should think any profession necessary for him; and certainly there are moments when we could all wish him disengaged from every tie of business.  But though I may not exactly make converts of you young ladies, I am sure your father, Miss Morland, would agree with me in thinking it expedient to give every young man some employment.  The money is nothing, it is not an object, but employment is the thing.  Even Frederick, my eldest son, you see, who will perhaps inherit as considerable a landed property as any private man in the county, has his profession.”

The imposing effect of this last argument was equal to his wishes.  The silence of the lady proved it to be unanswerable.