Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey – Duologue

£4.49

by Jane Austen

CATHERINE Morland, a tomboy as a child and now an unworldly but charming seventeen year old, has been brought to Bath to be introduced into the elegant society of the early nineteenth century. She meets the sophisticated ISABELLA and they become firm friends in spite of the differences in their upbringing. This scene highlights the contrast in their attitude to the opposite sex.

Northanger Abbey

by Jane Austen

CATHERINE: He must love you very much Isabella, because he hasn’t got an umbrella and it’s going to pour in a minute.

ISABELLA: That will cool his ardour.

CATHERINE: Don’t you like him a little bit?

ISABELLA: My dear, Catherine, if I conceived a liking for every young man that followed me, I should have no time for myself. Haven’t you found the same thing?

CATHERINE: I’ve never been followed by a young gentleman.

ISABELLA: Oh you poor child.

CATHERINE: Last night was the first time I’d ever danced with a young man at all, and I think he only asked me because he thought I looked forlorn. I liked him so much, too. His name was Mr Tilney.