Page:Austen - Northanger Abbey. Persuasion, vol. I, 1818.djvu/224

 such a counterpoise of good, as might console her for almost any thing.

They passed briskly down Pulteney-street, and through Laura-place, without the exchange of many words. Thorpe talked to his horse, and she meditated, by turns, on broken promises and broken arches, phaetons and false hangings, Tilneys and trap-doors. As they entered Argyle-buildings, however, she was roused by this address from her companion, "Who is that girl who looked at you so hard as she went by?"

"Who?—where?"

"On the right-hand pavement—she must be almost out of sight now."

Catherine looked round and saw Miss Tilney leaning on her brother's arm, walking slowly down the street. She saw