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delighther eyes were here； there； everywhere； as they
approached its fine and striking environs； and afterwards drove
through those streets which conducted them to the hotel。
She was come to be happy； and she felt happy already。
They were soon settled in comfortable lodgings
in Pulteney Street。
It is now expedient to give some description of
Mrs。 Allen； that the reader may be able to judge in what
manner her actions will hereafter tend to promote the
general distress of the work； and how she will； probably；
contribute to reduce poor Catherine to all the desperate
wretchedness of which a last volume is capablewhether by
her imprudence； vulgarity； or jealousywhether by intercepting
her letters； ruining her character； or turning her out of doors。
Mrs。 Allen was one of that numerous class of females；
whose society can raise no other emotion than surprise
at there being any men in the world who could like them
well enough to marry them。 She had neither beauty；
genius； accomplishment； nor manner。 The air of a gentlewoman；
a great deal of quiet； inactive good temper； and a trifling
turn of mind were all that could account for her being
the choice of a sensible； intelligent man like Mr。 Allen。
In one respect she was admirably fitted to introduce a
young lady into public； being as fond of going everywhere
and seeing everything herself as any young lady could be。
Dress was her passion。 She had a most harmless delight
in being fine； and our heroine's entree into life could
not take place till after three or four days had been
spent in learning what was mostly worn； and her chaperone
was provided with a dress of the newest fashion。
Catherine too made some purchases herself； and when all
these matters were arranged； the important evening came
which was to usher her into the Upper Rooms。 Her hair
was cut and dressed by the best hand； her clothes put on
with care； and both Mrs。 Allen and her maid declared she
looked quite as she should do。 With such encouragement；
Catherine hoped at least to pass uncensured through the crowd。
As for admiration； it was always very welcome when it came；
but she did not depend on it。
Mrs。 Allen was so long in dressing that they did not enter
the ballroom till late。 The season was full； the room crowded；
and the two ladies squeezed in as well as they could。
As for Mr。 Allen； he repaired directly to the card…room；
and left them to enjoy a mob by themselves。 With more
care for the safety of her new gown than for the comfort
of her protegee； Mrs。 Allen made her way through the throng
of men by the door； as swiftly as the necessary caution
would allow； Catherine； however； kept close at her side；
and linked her arm too firmly within her friend's to be torn
asunder by any common effort of a struggling assembly。
But to her utter amazement she found that to proceed
along the room was by no means the way to disengage
themselves from the crowd； it seemed rather to increase
as they went on； whereas she had imagined that when once
fairly within the door； they should easily find seats
and be able to watch the dances with perfect convenience。
But this was far from being the case； and though by
unwearied diligence they gained even the top of the room；
their situation was just the same； they saw nothing of
the dancers but the high feathers of some of the ladies。
Still they moved onsomething better was yet in view；
and by a continued exertion of strength and ingenuity
they found themselves at last in the passage behind
the highest bench。 Here there was something less
of crowd than below； and hence Miss Morland had a
comprehensive view of all the company beneath her；
and of all the dangers of her late passage through them。
It was a splendid sight； and she began； for the first
time that evening； to feel herself at a ball： she longed
to dance； but she had not an acquaintance in the room。
Mrs。 Allen did all that she could do in such a case
by saying very placidly； every now and then； 〃I wish you
could dance； my dearI wish you could get a partner。〃
For some time her young friend felt obliged to her for
these wishes； but they were repeated so often； and proved
so totally ineffectual； that Catherine grew tired at last；
and would thank her no more。
They were not long able； however； to enjoy the
repose of the eminence they had so laboriously gained。
Everybody was shortly in motion for tea； and they must
squeeze out like the rest。 Catherine began to feel
something of disappointmentshe was tired of being
continually pressed against by people； the generality
of whose faces possessed nothing to interest； and with
all of whom she was so wholly unacquainted that she
could not relieve the irksomeness of imprisonment by the
exchange of a syllable with any of her fellow captives；
and when at last arrived in the tea…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 anything to do there；
or anybody 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 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 herewe 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 anyit 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 yearI
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 si