CHAPTER XVI. Into contradiction warm her, SWIFT. Why soe dull and mute, young sinner? Will, when speaking well can't win her, Prethee, why soe mute? SIR JOHN SUCKLING. "CATHERINE," said Ellinor, "I have some shopping in town to-day; will you be my companion ?" 66 Most willingly," replied Catherine; "but is the distance not too much to attempt walking it? We cannot get the carriage this morning, as I heard my uncle order it to be at the door by one o'clock; and I know he is going in a different direction. If you will wait till to-morrow, it will then be at our command." "Oh! but you know I never like to wait; and, as I am just in the humour today, we shall take tickets in the coach, and walk home. So pull the bell, and I shall send William to secure them." "But, my dear Ellinor," rejoined Catherine, delaying to ring the bell, "I fear Sir Thomas would not approve of our going in that way, when we can have the carriage any other day. Be persuaded, and postpone your business till to-morrow." "Indeed, I will do no such thing; and papa need know nothing about it. We can be taken up at the head of the street. Sure there can be no great sin in going an hour from home, without the leave and permission of one's papa and mamma. Now, you may save yourself all useless waste of argument, for I see you are preparing for expostulation. Go I will; and if you won't accompany me, I shall go alone.So, quick-one ticket or two, my prudent "Oh, Ellinor!" Catherine was beginning to say, when she was interrupted by her pulling the bell, and ordering William to go instantly and secure two tickets in the eleven-o'clock coach, and to say that the ladies would walk to the end of the street. "And now," she said, turning to Catherine, “that I have settled the business, and brought you to reason, let us put on our bonnets, for these servants are such unthinking blockheads, I should not be surprised if William made some blunder in the message, and the coach come for us after all. Should that unfortunately happen, and Sir Thomas make a noise about the matter, it is one comfort that we have neighbours near us, as we can say it had come for some of them, and, by mistake, had stopped at our house. What makes you look so horrified, Catherine? I am sure a little innocent fib can injure no one; and think of the service it would do all parties. First, it would prevent papa from putting himself in a passion, which, you know, is very injurious to his health; and, secondly, it would save both you and me a long wearisome lecture." Catherine, seeing it was in vain to argue with one who never, in the whole course of her existence, owned herself in the wrong, and who held sentiments so very dissimilar to hers on every subject, quitted the room to. dress for the shopping expedition, which regard for Ellinor alone induced her apparently to sanction. Ellinor was, as Miss Kennedy, from the love of defamation, had said, extremely giddy; and, as Catherine thought she might probably meet Spencer, or some other of her numerous admirers in town, she wisely determined to be her companion; for although Catherine humoured her cousin in trifles, yet she never gave her countenance to anything approaching to impropriety, or levity of conduct; and Ellinor was some times provoked to find, that her cousin's gravity, or the serious expression of her eyes, never failed to bring her back to prudence, which the marked adulation of the men too frequently made her forget. Nor was it gratifying to Ellinor to observe the difference with which they were treated by the other sex. Towards her the young men assumed a tone of familiarity, which they never presumed to use towards Miss Dundas; and while Ellinor received a familiar nod, Catherine was greeted with a respectful bow. The cause of this conduct puzzled her not a little. She knew herself far more beautiful than Catherine,-so, at least, a hundred tongues had told her, and her mirror confirmed the truth. She was more sought after-more followed-more idolized. When in public, she generally had in her suite the most dashing dandies of the day, all jealous of her notice, and transported by her smile; while Catherine was contented with the first beau that chance threw in her way, without giving herself the smallest trouble |