[birds chirping] [woman 1 voiceover] Why do you tremble so?

Are we not welcome in this desolate place?

[woman 2 voiceover] Only too welcome, Mademoiselle.

We must escape this frightful castle an d the power of its master.

[woman 1 voiceover] What wild fancy is this?

[woman 2 voiceover] No fancy, dear lady.

Ah, Mademoiselle, you are so young.

Pray God you may escape the horrors of that evil chamber.

[percussive tense music] [dramatic vocal music] [boy] Where are you?

Cathy!

Cathy!

Mother wants you.

Mrs. Allen's here.

[sighs] You do realize, Edward, you've interrupted a vital part of my education?

Literature and solitude are as necessary to a young woman's development as sunshine is to ripe fruit.

-Do I look tidy?

-Not very.

[whimsical music] [laughter] Can you imagine my joy this morning when Mr. Allen informed me that he is so afflicted with the gout that he's been ordered to Bath immediately.

I see I am rebuked.

But at my age a little adventure makes such a pleasant change.

And at your age, my dear Catherine, I think everyone agrees that if adventure does not find a young lady at home then she must look for it abroad.

[Cathy scoffs] I am invited to Bath!?

Quite so.

[boy] Emma, Charlotte, Cathy's going to Bath!

[Catherine] Shall we go to the shops and to the balls?

Nothing shall keep us from them.

Then, I shall dance.

And shall I have a room of my own?

Naturally, but in Bath, there is no time for sleep, nor solitude.

[happy orchestral music] [soft piano notes] [dramatic orchestral music] [dramatic choral music] [choral song echoes] Tom, Tom, what's that place over there?

[Tom] That, Miss, that's Northanger Abbey.

[Tom] Whoa, whoa, there.

[Catherine] Are these our lodgings?

Oh, Mrs. Allen, are we really here?

[tenor plays] I hope you'll be comfortable, my dear.

Dear Mrs. Allen, can we not go out now?

The evening is so beautiful.

Out, like this?

My dear child, I thank God we've arrived under the cover of darkness.

For we are shockingly ill-clothed and we will go nowhere, until we have been provided with the very latest of fashion.

Come Friday, Miss Morland will be ready to make her entrée into the world.

[orchestra plays] Now I believe all our exertions are rewarded and dear Catherine looks quite as she should.

-Mr. Allen?

-Oh, quite as she should.

You too, my dear, most charming.

I've never been able to get Mr. Allen to know one of my gowns from another.

I should know this one, my dear.

This gown I could not mistake.

No, I fear my evening at billiards could no way rival your brilliance at the ball.

[light classical dancing music] There are no tea things here.

How very provoking.

And no one to fetch them for us.

I think we'd better go upstairs.

One gets so tumbled in such a crowd.

I wish you could dance, my dear.

But I fear I haven't a single acquaintance in the room.

[orchestral music plays] [indistinct conversation] Oh.

I do declare my muslin is torn.

I think not, Madam, you have merely lost a ribbon from your sleeve.

I should have been so sorry to have torn this gown, for it is a favorite of mine.

Though it cost only nine shillings a yard.

That is exactly what I would have guessed, Madam.

And do you understand muslins?

Particularly well.

My sister has often entrusted me in the choice of a gown.

I bought one for her just the other day.

It was pronounced a prodigious bargain by every lady who saw it.

You must be a great comfort to your sister, Sir.

I hope I am, Madam.

And pray, what do you think of Miss Moorland's gown?

It is very pretty, Madam.

But, I do not think it will wash well.

-[laughs] -[butler] Excuse me, Mr. Tilney?

Excuse me.

Would have been very shocking, if I had torn my muslin, would it not?

For my part I haven't seen anything, that I like as well in the whole of the room, I assure you.

Oh, I do wish for your sake we had a large acquaintance in Bath.

I wish we had any.

The Government has lost all reason.

How is that, my dear?

That little shoemaker has been charged with High Treason, for leading a harmless reform movement.

Soon, it will be enough merely to call oneself a Whig to be charged with plotting to behead the King.

Well, so it will my dear, the Government has lost all reason.

[Catherine] Can we still not go out?

In this rain?

Perhaps, it may hold off soon.

Perhaps, it may, my dear.

But, then it'll be so dirty.

Oh, that won't matter, I never mind dirt.

No, I know you never mind dirt.

[clock chimes] Now there are four umbrellas up.

How I hate the sight of an umbrella.

They're very disagreeable things to carry.

[clock ticking] [Catherine] Good heavens, it's James!

James is here!

It's Catherine's brother, dear, James.

James, I know you should still be in Oxford, but, oh, how good of you to come and see me.

Indeed, Catherine, I love you dearly.

-And then-- -[bugle blows loudly] [John laughs] -Mrs. Allen, good day.

-James.

Forgive my intrusion, but what a happy chance brings us together in Bath.

Most happy, James.

Mrs. Allen, allow me to introduce my good friend, -John Thorpe.

-How do you do, Mrs. Allen?

A capital place you have here, if I may say so.

Miss Moreland.

[James] You'll find him a frightful rattle, -but that recommends him to your sex, I believe.

-[men chuckle] However, I'm here not only to introduce new friends, Mrs. Allen, but to reunite old ones, for I believe that you and John's mother were once dear school friends.

[James] Do you not remember Mrs. Thorpe?

Mrs. Thorpe?

Mrs. Thorpe.

Nay, Williams, why yes!

I am her guest in Bath.

And to think that only last night I told Catherine we had not a single acquaintance in Bath.

-With dear old mater, the case is quite the opposite.

-[men laugh] And my dear Catherine, John's sister, Isabella, is just the kind of young woman I could wish to see you attached to.

She has so much good sense, so thoroughly unaffected and amiable.

Why even you, Catherine, could be proud of the friendship of such a girl.

What are we waiting for?

Make haste, Catherine.

Put on your hat.

Let James take us to this paragon.

Why Miss Morland, I should have known you anywhere for James' sister.

-You are excessively like him.

-[in unison] Oh, excessively like.

And I cannot help but consider us friends already, Miss Morland through the friendship of our dear brothers.

And I'd have you notice, Miss Morland, that my sister and I always agree.

Good day, Mother.

Where did you get that quiz of a hat?

-It makes you look like an old witch.

-[laughter] And how does this morning find you two dear little things?

-As ugly as ever, it seems.

-[laughter] What a pretty coincidence, Mrs. Thorpe.

It is true, I should never have known you after all these years, but how glad I am to see you.

We must make sure to attend our next ball together, Miss Morland.

And I'm determined, at all events we should be dressed exactly alike.

Men take notice of that sometimes, you know?

My chief pleasure in life is shopping, for I have no children to introduce into the world.

Then you have no children to worry about, neither.

Damn it, I did not come to Bath to drive my sisters about and look like a fool.

I make it a rule never to mind what they think.

I have no intention of treating them with such respect.

That's the way to spoil them, you know?

You're fond of an open carriage, Miss Morland?

Yes, very.

Though, I've hardly ever been in one.

What say you then, to a drive in my new gig?

You'll do no such thing.

A drive indeed.

Oh, come, Miss Morland, it is true Bath is unworthy of you.

If there were any natural justice, you should find yourself in Brighton but scorn pleasure till you have sufficient reason for it and you may wait a long time.

Now that your dear sister and I have met, we would not be separated for all the world.

Tomorrow then, at noon?

-[people talking] -[horses trotting] What say you to my gig, Miss Morland?

Neat, is it not?

Curricle-hung, you see.

Fanned, splashboard, swung body, dished wheels, bucket steps, swan neck shaft.

I've not had it a month.

I chanced on a friend on Magdalan Bridge last term.

"Ah, Thorpe," says he.

"Do you happen to want such a little thing as this?

It's a capital one of its kind, but I'm cursed tired of it."

"Oh, damn it, says I. I'm your man.

What do you ask?"

Walk on, Samson.

And how much do you think he did, Miss Morland?

[Catherine] Oh, I know so little of such things.

[James] Only asked 50 guineas, Miss Morland, and I closed with him directly.

I could have got it for less, I dare say, but I hate haggling and poor Freeman wanted cash.

That was very good-natured of you.

Oh, damn it.

When one has the means of doing a kind thing by a friend, I hate to be pitiful.

He's a rich old devil, isn't he?

The old man you're with.

Rich as a Duke, isn't he?

Oh, Mr. Allen you mean?

Why yes, I believe he is very rich.

-And no children?

-No.

Hm, a famous thing for his next heirs.

And you're his godchild, I believe?

I, Mr. Allen's godchild?

-[chuckling] No.

-But you are very much with them.

Yes, I am.

I think, sometimes I take the place of the child they never had.

How prettily you put it, Miss Morland.

So, money still comes to Bath.

Right then, Miss Thorpe, we'll give them a race.

Come on now, come on.

-[exciting music] -[James] Yes, yes, come on.

Where are you, John?

[Isabelle] Mr. Morland, take care.

[James] No, no, never fear, Miss Thorpe, you're in safe hands.

-[laughter] -[exciting music] [John] Look to your wheels, man.

[men urging horses] But where is my brother going?

Don't fret, Miss Morland, we shall join up later.

I'm glad you are fond of an open carriage, for I have determined to drive you out in mine every day.

But I met young Thorpe at billiards, where I respect his skill with the ball as little as I respect his word.

Ah, there you are, my dear.

We thought you'd come by an accident.

No, not at all.

I'm certainly glad to see you safely back.

Indeed, I could have wished that this scheme had never been undertaken.

Mrs. Allen, are you not of my way of thinking?

Do you not think these kind of projects objectionable?

Yes, very much so indeed.

Open carriages are nasty things.

A clean gown has not five minutes wear in them.

I hate an open carriage myself.

I know you do, but that is not the question.

Do you not think it has a very odd appearance?

For young ladies to be driven about in open gigs alone by young men who are not even their relatives?

A very odd appearance, indeed.

I cannot bear to see it.

Dear Madam, then why didn't you say so?

I'm sure, if I'd known it was improper, I wouldn't have gone.

[Mrs. Allen] One must not be over particular.

Young people don't want to be always thwarted.

But, Mrs. Allen, this was something important.

And you wouldn't have found me hard to persuade for.

I really cannot think Mr. Thorpe is entirely agreeable.

But, did you have a pleasant walk home, Mrs. Allen?

Very pleasant.

Did you meet anyone of interest?

[Mrs. Allen] Why, yes.

When you passed us on the crescent, we met a Mrs. Hughes.

Curious woman, all nose, and in a remarkable hurry.

She introduced us to Mr. Tilney and his sister.

The young lady we saw with Mr. Tilney at the Upper Rooms.

-I believe you noticed her.

-Why, yes.

And she is Mr. Tilney's sister?

[Mrs. Allen] She is.

[mysterious music] Hey-day, Miss Morland.

I thought you and I were going for a ride.

[Isabella gasps in her sleep] [cries out] [strange ghostly chorus sings] My only acquaintance -has torn my gown.

-[distant cries] My dearest Catherine.

I may call you Catherine, mayn't I?

I couldn't wait a moment longer.

Only you who saw into my heart the moment we met.

Only you could guess my present happiness.

But what's the matter?

You're not ill, my sweet?

[giggling] Ah, you've been losing your sleep over Mrs. Radcliffe?

-[giggling] -Isn't it amazing horrid?

Have you got to the black veil, yet?

Oh.

Oh, that dreadful dungeon.

Can the poor girl ever escape?

-I wouldn't tell you he r fate for all the world.

-[laughter] But I can see by your expression you've guessed my secret, you sly creature.

Oh, do sit down, Isabella, and catch your breath.

Your brother is the most charming of men.

Oh, if only I were worthy of him.

Good heavens, you mean?

I can't believe it!

You're in love with James.

-Yes!

-[laughter] In love.

And he with me.

All that remains is to have your parents' permission to marry and James has ridden -off to Fullerton this morning to ask for it.

-Oh, Isabella.

Oh, but I'm so afraid they'll refuse.

How could they refuse James his heart's desire?

Why should they refuse a girl like you?

Why not?

What am I?

My fortune will be almost nothing, whereas James could marry anyone.

Indeed, Isabella, you are too humble.

A difference in fortune isn't important.

What's important is that you love one another.

James and I both think to marry for money the wickedest thing in the world.

Oh, Isabella, I had no idea.

And, you, my sweet girl, you'll be dearer to me than my own family.

You're so like your darling brother -and from the moment I saw him, my heart was gone.

-[squeals of joy] He's vanished?

Still, mystery is awful becoming in a hero.

[Catherine] But, Isabella, how shall I find him?

[dreamy vocal music] -[music continues] -[water swirls] [light laughter] [men chanting softly in Latin] Isabella is so sensitive to the heat.

Is she, my dear?

I notice, she wears as little as possible.

[water swirls] [ladies] Good day.

-Miss Morland.

-[Catherine] I'm so pleased to meet you, Miss Tilney.

-But have we not met before?

-[Catherine] Not quite.

But I had to pleasure of meeting your brother in the Upper Rooms last week.

Though, we never danced.

How very amusing Mr. Tilney is.

Henry?

Yes, he is amusing.

I find that a very important consideration, don't you?

That a person could be amusing.

Very important.

And what do you make of all this, Miss Morland?

I suspect the only argument against fresh air, is that it's free.

-Have you explored the walks in the bath, yet?

-No.

Well, perhaps we could do so together.

Oh, yes.

Thank you.

What's this, Pussy?

Are we to be supplanted?

I am not slighting you, Isabella.

'd made the arrangement to walk with Miss Tilney, before you told me about the drive.

You say I must retract, but I cannot do what I think is wrong.

I suspect, there is no great struggle.

[James] Hey-day, Miss Morland.

Miss Morland, we may make our outing after all.

I have just run after Miss Tilney and told her you cannot go with her.

-[Catherine] You have not.

-[James] I have, upon my soul.

She said, "Very well."

And "Tomorrow is just as convenient."

So, there's an end to our difficulties.

We shall still make Clifton, before dark.

[This will not do.

Let me go, Mr. Thorpe.

I'm glad to see you not entirely agreeable, Miss Morland, for when a person is entirely agreeable, one feels obliged to be the same.

Do let her go, John, if go she must.

If I could not be persuaded into doing wrong, I will never be tricked into it.

I must go to Miss Tilney di rectly, and set her right.

Oh, but, Isabella, do please come to me tomorrow to wait for James' letter.

[upbeat, light-hearted music] I like a girl with spirit, Belle.

I must speak to Miss Tilney, this moment.

[indistinct conversation] I'm so sorry, forgive me.

I am come in a great hurry.

It was all a mistake Miss Tilney, I never promised to go.

I told him from the first, I could not go.

Indeed, I did not want to go and I never asked Mr. Thorpe to bring a message to you, never.

And I've run away in a great hurry to explain.

I didn't care what you might think of me, I just ran and I wouldn't stay for your servant and-- Oh, dear.

Miss Morland, allow me to present you to my father, General Tilney.

Delighted, Miss Morland.

-I'm so sorry.

-I cannot believe that you have anything to be sorry for, Miss Morland.

Mr. Thorpe did not come to you with a message, Miss Tilney?

Yes, he did.

And I admit, I was much surprised, but now all is well.

You were very much surprised, Eleanor, and Henry and I are very much perplexed.

[Eleanor] It's quite simple.

Miss Morland and I were going to go for a walk, then we were not going to go for a walk, -and now we are going to go for a walk.

-[laughter] Ah.

How foolish of me not to have guessed immediately.

The afternoon was made for walking and I own that, were I invited I should accept, immediately.

You are invited.

-I accept, immediately.

-[giggles] Do you find Bath agreeable, Miss Morland?

[Catherine] Thoroughly agreeable.

Take care, or you may forget to be tired of it at the proper time.

How can anyone ever get tired of Bath?

Not those who bring such freshness to it as you do, Miss Morland.

But you ought to be tired of it at the end of six weeks.

I'm told so by people who've extended their six weeks to ten or twelve, and then go away because they can afford to stay here no longer.

Well, others must judge for themselves.

But I live in a very small country village, and there I can only go and call on Mrs. Allen.

Only go and call on Mrs. Allen.

What a picture of intellectual riches.

Now, Henry, don't go exhausting this young lady walking her up hill and down dale.

Though I can see by the charming elasticity of your walk that there's no great danger of that, Miss Morland.

[romantic vocal music] [romantic saxophone music] How this makes me think of Italy or the South of France.

[Mr. Tilney] You've been abroad, then?

Oh, no, I only mean, what I've read about.

And this puts me in mind of the Country Emily traveled through in The Mysteries of Udolpho.

You never read novels, I dare say.

-Gentlemen read better books.

-Do they?

In my opinion, anyone, lady or gentleman, who has no pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid.

I've read all Mrs. Radcliffe's works, and The Mysteries of Udolpho.

Once begun, I couldn't put it down.

I remember completing it in two days with my hair standing on end from start to finish.

Yes, in fact, you ran off with my copy, when I'd left the room for five minutes, and I had to wait until you'd finished it.

What else do you read, Miss Morland?

-To tell the truth, nothing very much.

-Really?

Well, I read poetry and plays and that sort of thing.

But history for instance, real solemn history, I just can't be interested in.

-Can you?

-Yes, I'm fond of history.

Oh, dear.

I wish I were, too.

[soft vocal and saxophone music] [Mr. Tilney] It's not so much a question of what we read, Miss Morland, but of how we read.

We must exercise our own judgement after all, and not mistake fantasy for reality.

-But-- -You may argue that the art of art lies in its power to deceive, but that is a dangerous course.

Look there.

The work of man an d nature brought together to make a perfect picture.

The elements of air and water moving harmoniously.

But art is as different from reality, as water is from air, and if you mistake water for air, you drown.

Of course, if you are a fish, then the danger lies in the air.

[soft vocal and saxophone music] -[water splashes] -[Eleanor] Oh, how I should like to return one day to draw this scene.

Would you take in the temple and the sweep of the lawn, Eleanor?

No, just the lake.

There, where it curves away between the trees and the rushes.

[Mr. Tilney] Nature, not artifice.

How very modern of you.

But, will it not lack perspective?

What do you say, Miss Morland?

Oh, I know nothing drawing, Mr. Tilney.

My only talent lies in writing, and even there-- No, I'm heartily ashamed of my ignorance.

Shamed?

The advantages of natural folly in a pretty girl are well known, are they not?

And you, Miss Morland, strike me as nothing, if not natural.

Henry, do you want Miss Morland to think you a brute in your opinion -of women?

-A brute?

My dear sister, to the larger part of my sex, imbecility in females is a great enhancement of their charms.

Come now, own it, you know it's true.

Whereas, I am far too reasonable to demand anything more than ignorance.

And now, Henry, I think you should add a little something in case Miss Morland misunderstands you.

She's not used to your odd ways.

I shall be most happy to make her better acquainted with them.

I meant only to say that Miss Morland's not one of those romantic heroines she so enjoys reading about.

She tells us frankly, she is not accomplished in music, nor in drawing.

She does not go in for exaggerated displays of feeling and worst of all, I do believe she says what she means.

I'm afraid, she really will not do.

Henry, you're very impertinent.

Miss Morland, he treats you exactly like his sister.

To conclude, Miss Morland is so natural as to be a disgrace to her sex, but it's a quality I shall be sad to see her lose.

As lose it, she must.

[soft saxophone and vocal music] [water lapping on boat] And shall you be going to the Cotillion Ball tomorrow, Miss Tilney?

I don't think so.

-[music changes tone] -[dramatic music] [General Tilney] Good day, Sir.

Miss Morland, we are too late to join you, it seems.

Magnificent spot.

Miss Morland, allow me to present you to my brother.

Captain Tilney, -Miss Morland.

-Delighted, Miss Morland.

[General Tilney] My daughter is mistaken, Miss Morland.

We are of course going to the Cotillion Ball.

Why otherwise would a young lady come to Bath?

And may I say, we look forward to seeing you dance, Miss Morland.

[dramatic vocal music] [Catherine reading] "The previous evening, Emily had entered the forbidden chamber.

Looking round, she perceived a black veil.

which descending from ceiling to floor was drawn along the whole side of the chamber.

Suddenly conjecturing."

Isabella, -What is it?

-It's four o'clock.

-I know it's four o'clock.

-The last post comes by four o'clock.

[sighs] "Suddenly conjecturing that it concealed the body of her murdered aunt, she seized the curtain and drew it aside.

Oh, I can't bear it.

Beyond appeared a corpse stretched on a kind of low couch which was crimsoned with human blood, as was the floor beneath it.

The features deformed by death were ghastly and horrible.

Emily bent over the body."

[Mrs. Allen] Here it is.

Here it is, my darling, James' letter.

[Isabella gasps] -Ah, success!

-[giggling] We have their consent!

-What did I say?

-I cannot pretend that I am surprised.

What does surprise me is that James should have gone to Fullerton without letting me know, for I would certainly have troubled him with my best regards and my compliments to the Skinners.

And Isabella, and?

He says we must wait two years.

"In two years' time a living of about four hundred a year will be mine, no small sum for one of ten children.

And in due course an estate of at least the same value."

£400?

I'm sure, if he finds he can do more by and by, he will.

£400 is a low income to begin on, but you, my dearest girl, are so very moderate in your wishes.

For myself, it's nothing.

I never think of myself.

I know you never do, my dear.

Of course, Mr. Morland has every right to do as he chooses with his own money.

I'm sure my father has promised as much as he can afford.

[Isabella] Oh, Catherine.

It's not the want of money, but the wait that it entails.

Come, now.

Put on a happy face!

Tonight is the Cottilion Ball, and do we not all have new gowns?

I couldn't possibly go without James.

Not go?

How can I enjoy myself without you, Isabella?

And this time you would meet Mr. Tilney.

[Isabella] Nay, since you make such a point of it.

Until tonight, then.

[kiss] [light dancing music] [light dancing music continues] Hey-day, Miss Morland.

What's the meaning of this?

I thought, you and I were going to dance together.

I wonder, you should think so for you never asked me.

This is a cursed shabby trick.

-What chap have you there?

-Why, it's Mr. Tilney.

[James] Yes, so it is.

Good figure of a man.

Does he want a horse, do you know?

[James] Your servant, Sir.

I have some interesting information concerning Miss Morland.

Did you know that I consider a dance to be like a marriage?

Fidelity and politeness are the principal duties in both.

And those who do not marry, or dance, have no business with their neighbors' wives.

[laughs] But, they're such very different things.

But you must allow that in both matrimony and dancing, man has the advantage of choice, woman, only the power of refusal.

Mr. Tilney, I think you should not underestimate the power of refusal.

[light dancing music continues] Forgive me, Miss Thorpe, if I disturb your peace.

We've not been formally introduced.

Yet, there exists a strong connection between us which emboldens me to ask you to dance, [music ends and people talking] [new dancing music begins] [Catherine] I suppose, your brother saw Isabella sitting down and fancied she must wish for a partner.

How little trouble it costs you to understand other people's motives.

What do you mean?

Well, with you, it isn't "What would make so and so behave in such a way?

", it's "What would make me behave in such a way?"

I don't understand you.

Then we are on very unequal terms, for I understand you perfectly.

Me?

Yes, well, I can't speak well enough to be unintelligible.

Bravo.

An excellent satire on modern language.

[relaxed dancing music] I certainly did not look for attention, Captain Tilney.

My spirit, you know, is pretty independent.

I wish your heart were independent that'd be enough for me.

[Isabella] My heart, indeed.

What can you have to do with hearts?

-None of you men have any hearts.

-[Captain Tilney laughs] If we have not hearts, we have eyes.

And they give us torment enough.

[Isabella] I hope this may please you, then.

I hope, your eyes are not tormented now.

[sighs deeply] Never more so.

For the edge of a blooming cheek is still in view, at once too much and too little.

I can't think how this could happen and Isabella was so determined not to dance.

And did Isabella never change her mind before?

Well, I assure you, she's very firm in general.

[Catherine] Miss Tilney does not care to dance?

[Henry] No.

That is, I believe there's no one here she chooses to dance with.

It vexes our father.

[Catherine] Who is that lady?

[Henry] The Marchioness de Thierry.

She's a friend of my father's.

His confidant.

She keeps him in touch with all the latest gossip, and such.

When she was 16, she ran off with a French nobleman.

Twenty years later, with the revolution, he was kind enough to marry her.

Last year, he was guillotined.

-How terrible.

-Terrible.

Yes, it is terrible.

But, at least it clears her from any suspicion of Jacobean sympathies.

We live in curious times, Miss Morland.

On the one hand barbarity, and on the other, greater civilization.

I see you look doubtful, but in my father's youth every man in the room would be drunk by now, and half the women would be losing fortunes at the gambling tables.

But, I forget, -you are not fond of history.

-I do entreat you, Mr. Tilney, to make Isabella's engagement known to your brother.

Frederick does know of it.

Well, then why does he persist in pursuing her?

-Why do you not stop him?

-I repeat, Frederick knows what he is about.

-He must be his own master.

-No, he does not know what he is a bout.

[soft string dance music] [Henry] Is it my brother's attentions to Miss Thorp, or Miss Thorp's admission of them that gives the pain?

Isn't it the same thing?

I think, your brother would acknowledge a difference.

And what of the woman's power of refusal?

[music continues] I could have predicted your every move this evening, Frederick.

I should hope so, little brother, since I have misspent [inhales] so much of my youth in teaching you the same tricks.

[sniffs] I don't wonder at your surprise, my dear.

And really, I'm tired to death.

He's such a rattle.

Amusing enough, but I would've given the world to sit down.

Then why ever didn't you?

Because it would have looked so awful particular, and besides, you know how it is with men.

They take no denial.

Amazingly conceited, I'm sure.

I took him down several times, you know.

In my own way.

Goodness, is that his father?

-How like his son he is.

-[giggles] And how he stares at you, my sweet.

[horse hooves clopping] -[Father?

-Yes.

Since we shall be leaving Bath so soon, and since I shall find myself so often alone at home, I-- Well, I wondered, if I might ask Miss Morland to be my guest?

-You may.

-[laughs] As a matter of fact, I was going to suggest it myself.

This evening, all my hopes concerning Miss Morland have been confirmed.

I shall call on Mrs. Allen in the morning.

Poor, gentleman.

I do hope he does not regret it.

You must try to be tidy, Catherine.

And at all times, decent.

But you're not listening to me.

Yes, I am.

Truly, Mrs. Allen.

General Tilney has just called and he has most kindly, most gratifyingly asked you to be his daughter's guest at Northanger Abbey.

Northanger Abbey?

Have I mistook the place?

Northanger Abbey!

-[squeals of delight] -[laughter] Father's temper's beyond all reason.

He knows I join the regiment in a few days.

The Mess Room will drink Isabella Thorpe for a fortnight and there's an end to it.

Come, stupid boy, ah.

Damned late start.

Frederick, chasing after every damn-- Father!

And good riddance to Bath, Miss Morland.

What do you say?

Oh, yes.

Good riddance to Bath.

[tapping] Good luck, little brother.

[Henry] When did I ever need luck, Frederick?

[Frederick laughs] The devil take you, then.

[marching music] [dramatic vocal music] How right my father was, Miss Morland, to insist on your riding the rest of the way with me.

Your first view of Northanger will be so much the better.

And, I must thank you for your kindness in becoming my sister's visitor.

It is an act of real friendship, for Eleanor has no female companion and with Father and I often away, she is sometimes without any companion at all.

-[Catherine] How sorry you must be for that.

-[Henry] Yes, I am always sorry to leave Eleanor.

And then you must be sad to leave the Abbey, too.

Not so very much.

I have my own estate just a few miles away where my present passion is a pinery.

But I see you've formed a very favorable idea of the Abbey.

Oh, to be sure, I have.

You can't imagine, Mr. Tilney, what a passion I have for ancient buildings.

Then I hope you're not disappointed.

Of course, one cannot be surprised that anyone's taking a fancy to Catherine.

Still, to be blunt, we are surprised [laughs] Dear Mrs. Allen.

Such a fine family, and the General known to be most particular for his children.

Oh, here it is.

This is what I wanted to read you, Richard.

"I believe Mrs. Tilney is dead.

Indeed, I am certain, for I remember now that Miss Tilney has got a beautiful set of pearls that were put by for her when her mother died."

Richard, I know Mrs. Allen rattles on like it's partly to impress us, -but-- -Mrs. Allen rattles because she can't help it.

If there is no Mrs. Tilney, was it wise, I wonder, to give our permission so readily?

[dramatic vocal music] [Henry] Trot on there, trot on.

[General Tilney] Drive on past them there.

[Henry] Trot on there, trot on, trot on.

Father always likes to arrive first.

[dramatic fanfare music] [makes kissing sound] [vocal chanting in Latin] [peafowl calling] [vocal chanting in Latin] [vocal chanting in Latin] [General Tilney] Do you see how simply we live, Miss Morland?

Nothing in this room pretends to more than comfort and convenience.

But, it is within 20 minutes of six.

Allow me to show you to your room, Miss Morland.

[dramatic vocal singing] Oh, how pretty.

We eat at six, Miss Morland.

Do please make as little alteration to your dress as possible.

[dramatic vocal music] [dramatic music intensifies] [tapping] [steps pace] [deep sighs] -[flapping and fluttering of wings] -[screaming] [snaps fingers] [high-pitched chirping] What is it?

It's a canary.

Did you never see one before?

[chirps] Poor thing.

-Shut up like this.

-[chirp] -He knows no other way of life.

-[chirp] Do you think you have a heart stout enough to bear the horrors of this place, Miss Morland?

-Horrors?

-How does your novel put it?

A young girl, alone in a strange dwelling full of gloomy passages, mysterious stairways.

-Go on.

-Are you not afraid?

Why should I be?

But, come, Miss Morland.

I am here to rescue you and bring you to dinner.

[Catherine] I'm so very sorry.

Miss Morland was lost.

[General Tilney] Eleanor, your fair friend is quite out of breath.

You should not plague your guests with such an excess of punctuality.

There was not the least occasion for hurry, after all.

[glasses clink] I suppose, Miss Morland, you are used to much better sized apartments at, uh, Mr. Allen's?

No, indeed.

Mr. Allen's dining parlor isn't half this size.

I never saw such a large room in my life.

Oh.

As you see, our way of life is unassuming.

But we shall spare no pains to make Northanger Abbey agreeable to you.

We are fortunate to have Henry here with us.

His commitments so often take him away from us.

But then, all young men should be employed.

Even Frederick, my eldest son, who will perhaps inherit as considerable a landed property as any private man in the kingdom, even he has his profession.

[slurps soup] How very elegant your dinner service is, General Tilney.

You flatter me, Miss Morland.

Well, for it was my choice, but I confess for my part, soup or even tea tastes as well from Staffordshire clay, as from Dresden.

And I think it only right to encourage the manufacture of my own country.

And, I trust the opportunity may soon arise for me to choose another service.

Though, not for myself.

Some more soup for my father.

[spoon taps] I don't want any more soup, thank you.

Take it away.

[mysterious music] [Henry] Eleanor.

Eleanor.

[Eleanor crying] -[gasping] -[Eleanor] I can't bear it any longer.

[Henry] Don't let him upset you.

[Eleanor] How long must I go on living in this house?

-[sobs] -It won't last forever.

You'll see.

-[heavy breathing] -[eerie music] [lid creaking] [dramatic music] [screams] [footsteps in the hall] -[gasps] -[candle clatters to the floor] [mysterious vocal and chime music] [footsteps pacing] [clock chimes] [clock chimes] [woman] Mademoiselle!

My lady!

Do please come inside, Mademoiselle.

The banditti are closing in on us.

You are not safe out here, and if you come with me now, I will show you the picture.

The picture?

-Yes, ma'am.

-[chanting in Latin] The picture of the late lady of this place.

[percussive and vocal music] [water pouring] [curtains parting] [woman] Well, here's a right old mess.

What have you been up to, Miss?

What are you doing?

No, no, don't take those, Alice.

Only a lot of old laundry bills, Miss.

Oh.

[door squeaks, closes] "The same day at three, "you and I beside the Unknown Woman."

[enchanting vocal music] [birds chirping] Good morning, Miss Morland.

-Thank you.

-[bird chirping] Must you really be gone all day, Mr. Tilney?

[Henry] I'm afraid so.

After four weeks neglect, my estate claims some attention.

But, Eleanor will keep you happily occupied.

-Oh, Eleanor I-- -[General Tilney] Ah.

Henry's duties must lie heavy on him this morning, Miss Morland.

Depriving him, as they do, of your company.

I hope the storm last night did not disturb you?

Only a very little, thank you.

Father, I thought to show Miss Morland over the house this morning.

She's very keen to see it.

Most gratifying, but I insist that you delay that pleasure until I am free to accompany you.

Besides, I believe I see in Miss Morland's eye an all together judicious desire to make use of the present fine weather.

You see, I'm right.

What say you, Miss Morland, to allow my daughter to show you the gardens?

-[soft pensive music] -[cat meows] [Catherine] Oh, what a deliciously secret spot this is.

[Eleanor] Yes, it is.

Part of my fondness for it is that it was my mother's favorite walk.

You were with her, I suppose, to the last?

No, I was unfortunately away from home.

Away from home?

Her illness was sudden and short and before I arrived it was all over.

Her death was so sudden.

But I suppose you saw the corpse?

How did it appear?

Looked as if my mother had fallen asleep.

Forgotten us, in a fit of absent-mindedness, that's all.

Would you like to see her chamber?

Oh, very much.

[jovial mysterious music] [General Tilney] Eleanor, where are you going?

There's nothing worthy of Miss Morland's attention there.

Come, I need your help, Eleanor.

Miss Morland, we are expecting guests at four.

And may I hope you will join us?

[Catherine voiceover] My dearest Isabella, you cannot imagine how I long to talk to you.

Northanger Abbey is everything and more than I had imagined, and Mr. Tilney, Mr. Tilney must be the most agreeable man alive.

But he is much preoccupied with concerns of his own.

[singing in Latin] Yet, something is happening at Northanger to make the blood run cold.

The General has done everything possible to prevent me from looking over the Abbey and one room in particular is forbidden me.

I am convinced that Eleanor is very much afraid of her father, possibly with good reason.

For he shows every symptom of an uneasy conscience.

I must wait for an opportunity to unravel this mystery alone.

[sings in Latin] Very amusing, Sir.

But your sister's fair guest may not have the taste for such satirical entertainment.

And her pleasure is our responsibility.

You know, we stole Miss Morland away from Bath.

The place of her public triumph.

And I greatly fear that the monotony of our days here may disgust her.

Oh, but there is nowhere in the world I would rather be.

Miss Morland's youth allows her to be transparent.

A pretty license my dogs also indulge in.

Perhaps we might go riding tomorrow to keep Miss Morland from boredom.

But I have no habit.

That is no obstacle we will find you a habit, Miss Morland.

Then it is settled.

Have you no duets there, Henry?

I'm sure we do.

[General Tilney] And now my dear Emily, you must give me all the gossip from Bath.

Tell me, how did you find Lord Sumpter's new mistress?

[laughs] Just as silly, just as cross and just as extravagant -as any of us could've hoped.

-[laughter] [singing continues in Latin] [inaudible conversation] [singing continues] [singing continues] [muffled singing continues] [muffled singing fades] [dramatic choral singing] [dramatic choral singing fades] Help me Alice, do, now, I can't even do these buttons.

[Alice] You're in a fine old dither this morning.

Why, this was a habit of the late mistress.

Poor Mrs. Tilney.

Why do you say "Poor Mrs. Tilney"?

Oh, well, I was only in the kitchens then, but my mother, she was the Mistress' favorite, and she used to say that the General made his wife's life a perfect misery.

She never would say why, not exactly.

Then 'er dyin' so sudden, like she did.

Why, whatever is it, Miss?

Are you ill?

I feel a little sick, I-- Alice, be kind enough to tell the General I will not go riding today.

Oh, dear, not go ridin'?

I was talking a long ago, Miss, and a man does quiet down with the years.

Worst luck.

I ought to know, I married an old one, didn't I?

Alice, please go and tell the General I am not well.

I cannot go riding today.

[distant hooves clopping] [mysterious music] [deep sigh] [eerie chanting playing] [dramatic chanting playing] Mr. Tilney!

-How came you up that staircase?

-How?

Because it's the quickest way from the stable yard.

I decided not to go with the others, after all.

I was concerned about you and may I not ask how you come to be here?

-I came to see your mother's room.

-So it seems.

And is there anything extraordinary to be seen here?

-No, nothing at all.

-You know, my father does not like -this room to be entered.

-No.

-That is, I-- -[Henry] Eleanor sent you to look.

No.

It has been your own doing entirely?

But then, Eleanor has spoken a great deal about our mother, I suppose?

Yes, a very great deal.

Well, that is not so very much, but what she did say was interesting.

Her dying so suddenly, and none of you being at home, and your father-- I thought perhaps he had not been so very fond of her.

And from the circumstances, you infer perhaps some negligence, or could it be something still less pardonable?

The seizure that killed my mother was sudden, it is true, but her illness was constitutional and she often suffered from it.

Besides, during her last illness both Frederick and I were here, as was my father.

Poor Eleanor, it is true, was far away but we were both here.

And you father?

-Did he suffer?

-For a while, very much so.

He loved her, I'm sure.

Insofar as he was able.

We are not all equally tender, you know?

And I cannot pretend that while she lived, she did not have much to put up with from him, but he was greatly distressed by her death.

Why did he never marry again?

[Henry] Why?

A widower is not obliged to marry again, you know?

Besides, I am quite sure there is no one my father wished to marry.

I'm so glad.

It would have been very shocking otherwise.

Shocking?

If I am to understand you, you've been imagining things of such horror I've hardly the words to-- My dear Miss Morland, what have you been judging from?

Remember the age and the country in which we live.

Consult your own sense of the probable.

Your own understanding.

Could such atrocities be perpetrated in a land such as this?

Where roads and newspapers lay everything open?

My father has his faults, God only knows, and Mother used to joke that he only married her for her money, but murder?

My dear Miss Morland, has reading one silly novel unbalanced your judgement so completely?

[flurry of dramatic music] [fire crackles] [crying] [dramatic vocal music] Catherine?

Catherine?

Forgive me for waking you, but you've been asleep for hours, and there's a letter for you.

-Perhaps, it's from Isabella at last.

-Thank you.

-Where is everyone?

-Our guests have all left for London.

-And Henry?

-Henry's been called away on business and must stay overnight.

So you see how glad I am of your company, Catherine.

No, this isn't Isabella's hand.

This is from James.

[James voiceover] Dear Catherine, I think it is my duty to tell you that everything is at an end between Isabella and me.

I suffered her flirtation, because she swore her heart was mine, but all the while she deceived me, and I'm ashamed to think how long I bore with it.

[Catherine voiceover] I can only hope that before Captain Frederick Tilney makes their engagement known, you may be removed from Northanger.

Her cruelty has all but killed me.

Dearest Catherine, beware how you give your heart.

Your loving brother, James.

How can this be?

James writes to tell me that Isabella has deserted him, and that he expects her engagement to Captain Tilney to be made known at any hour.

Can any heart be so fickle?

Not everyone is ruled by their heart, Catherine.

And as of Frederick marrying Isabella, no, that's impossible.

My brother would never think of such a thing.

-Why do you say that?

-Why?

Because Isabella is as poor as a church mouse.

That will not signify with your family.

Well, only the other day the General was saying, you were there, Eleanor, he said he values money only as it allows him to promote the happiness of his children.

Oh, have I misunderstood the General in so many ways?

[Eleanor] I know that we appear to be rich and fortunate, but things are not as they seem.

Father is an inveterate gambler and loses vastly.

In all of which the Marchioness only encourages him with schemes of setting everything to rights, by making dazzling matches for us children.

But if the General is so very concerned with money, what does he want with me?

Oh, Catherine, don't let him ruin your happiness.

And your happiness?

On my 14th birthday, at my first ball, I fell in love with Thomas, a young officer in Frederick's regiment.

Until three years ago, our happiness was perfect.

Then Thomas' family was ruined and my father forbade me ever to see or communicate -with him again.

-[birds chirping] Although we do, of course, still meet in secret.

And do you meet here, beside the statue of the Unknown Woman?

-Yes, we do.

-[laughter] Alice told me that you'd found some of our old notes.

Now you must both keep my secret.

And you know that I shall do nothing foolish.

I value good sense above all things.

Even in love?

Most of all in love.

The General asked to see you, Miss, in the library.

I never seen him half so mad.

[dramatic vocal music] [boy] Cathy!

Cathy's home!

Cathy's home.

[dramatic vocal music] Your behavior surprises me, Sir.

My behavior, damn you.

It's Miss Morland's behavior surprises me.

The Marchioness arrived from Bath with rumors that persuaded me to make more careful inquiries.

And I discovered Miss Morland to be what you probably have always known her, a common little fortune seeker.

As you may well imagine, Thorpe's deceit has given Bath some pretty amusement at my expense.

Thorpe, John Thorpe misled you?

Yes, Thorpe, damn it.

[bells jingling] Thorpe, his vulgar sister and Miss Morland colluded to ruin the Tilney family and they attempted it at our weakest point, Frederick and yourself.

On Miss Morland's part there was none of that.

Oh, did she not pretend herself an heiress from the start?

No, indeed she did not, Father.

You all too readily believed her to be one.

The truth is, Miss Morland is not an heiress, nor is she by any means a pauper.

So, you've been making inquiries on your own, have you?

You amaze me.

[whistles] [bells jingling] [General Tilney] Pray, be good enough to tell me, how much the young lady may expect.

Four hundred a year.

Four hundred.

Have you any notion how much it costs to keep this place?

This morning, I have formed a notion, yes.

And I believe it costs too dear.

Perhaps, you should look to your own weakness, Father?

Have you forgot yourself, Sir?

On the contrary.

Good God, and I believed Catherine's picture of you to be too black.

Too black, you say?

Damn nonsense.

I always had a bark that was worse than my bite.

Perhaps the young lady should occupy her imagination writing novels.

-[bell jingling on bird] -[light music] [Mrs. Allen] One cannot imagine a better bred man than General Tilney.

And very particular for his children, of course, but then, dear Catherine is agreeable in both dress and manners.

[Mr. Allen] My dear, whatever the General's reasons may be, he's certainly not acted honorably.

Neither as a gentleman, nor as a parent.

It's a strange business.

Indeed, it is and I cannot think that the General has acted honorably.

You may depend upon it, Mrs. Allen, the General's behavior is something not worth understanding.

We are only happy to have Catherine safely back with us again.

I'm sure you are.

Besides, it is a great comfort to know, she is not the sad little shatter-brained creature we all thought her, but can shift very well for herself.

-It is the Tilneys' loss.

-Catherine.

Catherine.

-[birds chirping] -[children talking] Bath was a nice place, was it not?

My dear, do you not think these gloves wear well?

I put them on you the first time we visited the Upper Rooms.

Do you remember that night?

Do I?

Oh, perfectly.

[Mrs. Allen] We met Mr. Tilney there.

I always thought him a great addition.

I have a notion you danced with him, Catherine.

But I'm not quite sure.

No, really, I have no patience with him.

Though, I shall never forget his last words to me.

[Mrs. Allen] "Mrs.

Allen."

Such a commanding voice he had.

"Mrs. Allen, it has been a pleasure to meet you."

Well, One lives and learns.

[children giggling] [pensive syncopated vocal music] [dramatic percussive music] Miss Morland?

Don't be afraid.

I promise not to oppress you with too much remorse, or too much passion.

Though, since you left us, the white rose bush has died of grief.

Catherine, are you still a disgrace to your sex?

Does your face express all that your heart feels, or may I hope that it holds a secret?

You know that I do not need my father's permission to marry.

But he knows you are here?

Yes.

[pulsing, passionate music] [boy] Cathy, Catherine.

Cath-- [pulsing, syncopated vocal music]