Northanger Abbey: Volume 2, Chapter 4 Summary & Analysis

Catherine watches Isabella’s behavior over the next few days. Isabella gives just as much attention to Captain Tilney as to James when they are all in public together. Catherine resents this behavior, although she thinks Isabella is unaware of the suffering she is causing James. Catherine also pities Captain Tilney, whom she believes must be unaware of Isabella’s engagement and bound to be disappointed when he learns of it. She hints to Isabella that her behavior is causing pain, but Isabella does not react to her hints. Catherine is dismayed to learn that Captain Tilney will not accompany his family when they leave Bath.

Catherine speaks to Henry Tilney and asks him to tell Captain Tilney that Isabella is engaged to James. Henry says that his brother knows of the engagement, and then tries to change the subject. Catherine persists, saying he should advise his brother to leave Bath, because he is only making the inevitable sorrow of losing Isabella to James more painful for himself by staying. Henry says that his brother knows what he is doing, but Catherine counters that he could not know that he is hurting James. Henry says that “no man is offended by another man’s admiration of the woman he loves; it is the woman only who can make it a torment.” Catherine is embarrassed for Isabella.

Catherine agrees that Isabella’s behavior has been bad, but insists that Isabella loves James very much. Henry will not explain explicitly what he thinks his brother’s aims are, only saying that he “is a lively, and perhaps sometime a thoughtless young man.” Catherine persists, asking if perhaps General Tilney should intercede to force Captain Tilney to leave. Henry comments that she is perhaps pressing too far, noting that James could not possibly want Isabella’s love if it is only his when no one else is nearby. Henry says that perhaps Isabella’s flirtation with Frederick is well-understood by James and fits into their relationship’s dynamic. His final comfort to Catherine is to say that his brother will likely leave Bath only a few days after him, and Isabella and James may laugh over the episode together after that. Catherine finally allows herself to be comforted.

Catherine is also comforted by her last meeting with Isabella before she leaves. Isabella seems to express more affection towards Catherine than she does towards James, but Catherine thinks of what Henry Tilney said, and decides that perhaps this is just how James and Isabella’s relationship operates.