Woodston: A Sequel to Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey by Kate Westwood

Author:Kate Westwood [Westwood, Kate]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen, Sequel - Canon Compliant
ISBN: 9780645049435
Goodreads: 59706874
Publisher: Indigoskies Press
Published: 2021-10-22T04:00:00+00:00

Thirteen

General Tilney looked over the dinner table with a critical eye as they entered the dining room. Catherine had been nervous, lest he should find fault with the decorations — perhaps they were too effusive — or the plate not elegant enough — but he seemed to find nothing amiss, and Catherine sighed her relief.

The dining room was large, commodious, and handsomely fitted up, the General himself having done over the room for Henry’s sake when he had japanned. ‘Although we are not calling it a splendid room,’ he remarked. ‘It cannot be compared to Northanger, naturally. But still, I believe it is one of the better-sized dining rooms in the country. But Mrs Tilney, I have seen no sign of your improving hand at Woodston; you must be quite eager to mould it to your own refined taste.’ As Catherine began her embarrassed protests, he added, ‘I think you must see that the room waits only for a lady’s discerning taste — indeed you must choose some new papers and hangings, for I am sure you have only restrained yourself from affecting such a change due to a modest disinclination for exercising your own discerning tastes. It would not do, I agree, to display that elegance of living which might make a mockery of your husband’s profession, but remember that the Tilney family is certainly expected — there is a certain style of living — in short, I think you may make some changes here without incurring any disgust.’

Captain Tilney said drily, ‘Or perhaps Mrs Tilney fears giving offence to your taste, Sir, by expressing a desire of changing anything.’

Catherine, who had thought no such things, hardly knew what to reply to such gallantry without offending the General. But the dishes were just now being bought in and the wine set upon the side table. Emily and Jane had begun to go around the table with it, and Catherine now leaned toward Eleanor who was seated on her left and said in a low voice, ‘I must confess, Eleanor, that I am in a great anxiety to have everyone like the white soup!’

Eleanor gave her an enquiring glance. ‘I am sure it is excellent. Henry’s cook is a very decent one, equal to any dish, I collect! You ought not be in so much anxiety about it, dearest!’

‘Oh, no, but you see, I have made it myself, with Mama’s receipt — to prove to Henry, and your father, that I am not such a sad housekeeper as you all must think me!’

The General, overhearing these remarks, expressed his astonishment. ‘Sad housekeeper! Make the soup yourself! Vastly commendable, indeed, Mrs Tilney, but there was no need on my own account — I own myself indifferent as to food, you know — it is all the same to me, although I am obliged to you for the thought.’

‘Indifferent!’ laughed Captain Tilney in his lazy way. ‘I shall not scruple to pain your modesty with a rebuttal, Sir; you are as conscientious an epicure as I have known! I have met with you forever in town, at the oyster house in St.

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