The agitation which she had herself experienced on first learning her brother’s engagement made her expect to raise no inconsiderable emotion in Mr. and Mrs. Allen, by the communication of the wonderful event.  How great was her disappointment!  The important affair, which many words of preparation ushered in, had been foreseen by them both ever since her brother’s arrival; and all that they felt on the occasion was comprehended in a wish for the young people’s happiness, with a remark, on the gentleman’s side, in favour of Isabella’s beauty, and on the lady’s, of her great good luck.  It was to Catherine the most surprising insensibility.  The disclosure, however, of the great secret of James’s going to Fullerton the day before, did raise some emotion in Mrs. Allen.  She could not listen to that with perfect calmness, but repeatedly regretted the necessity of its concealment, wished she could have known his intention, wished she could have seen him before he went, as she should certainly have troubled him with her best regards to his father and mother, and her kind compliments to all the Skinners.

CHAPTER 16

Catherine’s expectations of pleasure from her visit in Milsom Street were so very high that disappointment was inevitable; and accordingly, though she was most politely received by General Tilney, and kindly welcomed by his daughter, though Henry was at home, and no one else of the party, she found, on her return, without spending many hours in the examination of her feelings, that she had gone to her appointment preparing for happiness which it had not afforded.  Instead of finding herself improved in acquaintance with Miss Tilney, from the intercourse of the day, she seemed hardly so intimate with her as before; instead of seeing Henry Tilney to greater advantage than ever, in the ease of a family party, he had never said so little, nor been so little agreeable; and, in spite of their father’s great civilities to her —­ in spite of his thanks, invitations, and compliments —­ it had been a release to get away from him.  It puzzled her to account for all this.  It could not be General Tilney’s fault.  That he was perfectly agreeable and good-natured, and altogether a very charming man, did not admit of a doubt, for he was tall and handsome, and Henry’s father.  He could not be accountable for his children’s want of spirits, or for her want of enjoyment in his company.  The former she hoped at last might have been accidental, and the latter she could only attribute to her own stupidity.  Isabella, on hearing the particulars of the visit, gave a different explanation:  “It was all pride, pride, insufferable haughtiness and pride!  She had long suspected the family to be very high, and this made it certain.  Such insolence of behaviour as Miss Tilney’s she had never heard of in her life!  Not to do the honours of her house with common good breeding!  To behave to her guest with such superciliousness!  Hardly even to speak to her!”