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room； she felt yet more the awkwardness of having no party to
join； no acquaintance to claim； no gentleman to assist them。—
They saw nothing of Mr。 Allen； and after looking about them in
vain for a more eligible situation； were obliged to sit down at the
end of a table； at which a large party were already placed； without
having any thing to do there； or any body to speak to； except each
other。
Mrs。 Allen congratulated herself； as soon as they were seated；
on having preserved her gown from injury。 “It would have been
very shocking to have it torn；” said she； “would not it？—It is such
a delicate muslin。—For my part I have not seen anything I like so
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well in the whole room； I assure you。”
“How uncomfortable it is；” whispered Catherine； “not to have a
single acquaintance here！”
“Yes； my dear；” replied Mrs。 Allen； with perfect serenity； “it is
very uncomfortable indeed。”
“What shall we do？—The gentlemen and ladies at this table
look as if they wondered why we came here—we seem forcing
ourselves into their party。”
“Aye； so we do。—That is very disagreeable。 I wish we had a
large acquaintance here。”
“I wish we had any；—it would be somebody to go to。”
“Very true； my dear； and if we knew anybody we would join
them directly。 The Skinners were here last year—I wish they were
here now。”
“Had not we better go away as it is？—Here are no tea…things for
us； you see。”
“No more there are； indeed。—How very provoking！ But I think
we had better sit still； for one gets so tumbled in such a crowd！
How is my head； my dear？—Somebody gave me a push that has
hurt it； I am afraid。”
“No； indeed； it looks very nice。—But； dear Mrs。 Allen； are you
sure there is nobody you know in all this multitude of people？ I
think you must know somebody。”
“I don’t； upon my word—I wish I did。 I wish I had a large
acquaintance here with all my heart； and then I should get you a
partner。—I should be so glad to have you dance。 There goes a
strange…looking woman！ What an odd gown she has got on！—How
old…fashioned it is！ Look at the back。”
After some time they received an offer of tea from one of their
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neighbours； it was thankfully accepted； and this introduced a light
conversation with the gentleman who offered it； which was the
only time that any body spoke to them during the evening； till they
were discovered and joined by Mr。 Allen when the dance was over。
“Well； Miss Morland；” said he； directly； “I hope you have had an
agreeable ball。”
“Very agreeable indeed；” she replied； vainly endeavouring to
hide a great yawn。
“I wish she had been able to dance；” said his wife； “I wish we
could have got a partner for her。—I have been saying how glad I
should be if the Skinners were here this winter instead of last； or if
the Parrys had come； as they talked of once； she might have
danced with George Parry。 I am so sorry she has not had a
partner！”
“We shall do better another evening I hope；” was Mr。 Allen’s
consolation。
The company began to disperse when the dancing was over—
enough to leave space for the remainder to walk about in some
comfort； and now was the time for a heroine； who had not yet
played a very distinguished part in the events of the evening； to be
noticed and admired。 Every five minutes； by removing some of the
crowd； gave greater openings for her charms。 She was now seen
by many young men who had not been near her before。 Not one；
however； started with rapturous wonder on beholding her； no
whisper of eager inquiry ran round the room； nor was she once
called a divinity by anybody。 Yet Catherine was in very good looks；
and had the company only seen her three years before； they would
now have thought her exceedingly handsome。
She was looked at； however； and with some admiration； for； in
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her own hearing； two gentlemen pronounced her to be a pretty
girl。 Such words had their due effect； she immediately thought the
evening pleasanter than she had found it before—her humble
vanity was contented—she felt more obliged to the two young men
for this simple praise than a true…quality heroine would have been
for fifteen sonnets in celebration of her charms； and went to her
chair in good humour with every body； and perfectly satisfied with
her share of public attention。
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CHAPTER III
very morning now brought its regular duties；—shops were
Eto be visited； some new part of the town to be looked at；
and the Pump…room to be attended； where they paraded
up and down for an hour； looking at every body and speaking to
no one。 The wish of a numerous acquaintance in Bath was still
uppermost with Mrs。 Allen； and she repeated it after every fresh
proof； which every morning brought； of her knowing nobody at all。
They made their appearance in the Lower Rooms； and here
fortune was more favourable to our heroine。 The master of the
ceremonies introduced to her a very gentlemanlike young man as
a partner；—his name was Tilney。 He seemed to be about four or
five and twenty； was rather tall； had a pleasing countenance； a
very intelligent and lively eye； and； if not quite handsome； was
very near it。 His address was good； and Catherine felt herself in
high luck。 There was little leisure for speaking while they danced；
but when