They met some women of Eleanor’s acquaintance, and stood comfortably chatting when a familiar voice behind her gave Catherine a start.

“Mrs. Tilney,” Sir Philip Beauclerk murmured in a low, confidential voice meant only for her ear. “It is not often that I find you without your keeper.”

“I am sure I do not understand you, sir.”

“Fear not, madam; your husband is across the room, and engaged. Your sister is occupied; you can slip away very easily.”

Catherine had no notion of “slipping away” with Sir Philip, but she knew, with a sinking feeling, that he must be told of his misapprehension, and this was the best opportunity she was likely to have. Eleanor looked at her at that moment, looked at Sir Philip, and then back at Catherine, her brow creased in concern. Catherine nodded and smiled to send a message that all was well, and Eleanor returned the nod, though not the smile.

Sir Philip took her elbow and steered her away from the chattering ladies. “Your sister approves, then? She in your confidence?”

He would have steered her toward the door, but Catherine said, “I would stay in the pump-room, sir.”

He glanced over to the part of the room where Henry stood, and said, “If you insist, madam; but I had hoped for a private audience.”

“We do not need privacy, sir, for what I have to say.” He gazed at her steadily, and Catherine discovered that her carefully prepared speech from Mrs. Radcliffe had abandoned her. “I — that is — ”

Sir Philip’s eyes flicked somewhere behind her, and she knew, without looking, that Henry was there; and the knowledge of that was like a burst of warmth within her.

“Too late,” said Sir Philip, confirming her guess. “Your watchdog has sniffed us out, and stands ready to interfere, as always.”

Catherine turned then, and met Henry’s eye. She smiled, and he smiled in return, and nodded to her encouragingly, but did not approach. He knew that Catherine wished to address the problem herself, but he was there if she needed him. Henry was so kind, and sensible, and dependable! That thought cheered her and at the same time made her angry. How could Sir Philip think that — ? She turned back to him, and found she no longer needed to borrow Mrs. Radcliffe’s words; her own would do.


“My husband only has ‘interfered,’ as you put it, because I asked him to; because I could see that you had formed certain ideas — I know little of the world or of flirtation, sir, and I believe you have misunderstood what only was meant as civility. I have hinted, but I see now that only plain speaking will do. Thus I say to you as plainly as I can, sir, that I have no intention of being your latest amusement. I am a married woman, and I shall keep my vows.”