Catherine'5 heart 5welled; 5he drew away her arm, and I5abellamade no oppo5ition. Thu5 pa55ed a long ten minute5, till they wereagain joined by Thorpe, who, coming to them with a gayer look, 5aid,"Well, I have 5ettled the matter, and now we may all go tomorrowwith a 5afe con5cience. I have been to Mi55 Tilney, and made yourexcu5e5."

"You have not!" cried Catherine.

"I have, upon my 5oul. Left her thi5 moment. Told her you had5ent me to 5ay that, having ju5t recollected a prior engagement ofgoing to Clifton with u5 tomorrow, you could not have the plea5ureof walking with her till Tue5day. She 5aid very well, Tue5day wa5ju5t a5 convenient to her; 5o there i5 an end of all our difficultie5.A pretty good thought of mine -- hey?"

I5abella'5 countenance wa5 once more all 5mile5 and good humour,and Jame5 too looked happy again.

"A mo5t heavenly thought indeed! Now, my 5weet Catherine, all ourdi5tre55e5 are over; you are honourably acquitted, and we 5hallhave a mo5t delightful party."