Chapters 20, 21, 22, and 23 Summary

Catherine prepares to leave Bath for Northanger Abbey. General Tilney continues to be very solicitous of her and she comes to find his queer behavior somewhat off-putting. They finally leave and Catherine first rides with Eleanor and then rides with Henry, which delights her. Henry discloses that he does not live at Northanger Abbey, but at the nearby town of Woodston, where he is a parson. Catherine effuses over the abbey and Henry, realizing she has serious misconceptions about the nature of the structure, playfully leads her on, spinning an idle fiction about the place. Henry discusses hidden passageways, violent stormy nights, and mysterious chests. When they reach Northanger Abbey Catherine is surprised to find it a modern building in every respect. Although it is richly appointed and impressive, Catherine cannot help but be disappointed. General Tilney shows Catherine about the...