I tell him he is quite in luck to be sent here for his health." "And I hope, madam, that Mr.Allen will be obliged to like the place, from finding it of service to him." "Thank you, sir.

I have no doubt that he will.

A neighbour of ours, Dr.Skinner, was here for his health last winter, and came away quite stout." "That circumstance must give great encouragement." "Yes, sir--and Dr.Skinner and his family were here three months; so I tell Mr.Allen he must not be in a hurry to get away." Here they were interrupted by a request from Mrs.Thorpe to Mrs.Allen, that she would move a little to accommodate Mrs.Hughes and Miss Tilney with seats, as they had agreed to join their party.

This was accordingly done, Mr.Tilney still continuing standing before them; and after a few minutes' consideration, he asked Catherine to dance with him.

This compliment, delightful as it was, produced severe mortification to the lady; and in giving her denial, she expressed her sorrow on the occasion so very much as if she really felt it that had Thorpe, who joined her just afterwards, been half a minute earlier, he might have thought her sufferings rather too acute.