Part 6: Friendship's Progress

Two days' experience, while not lessening the pleasures received by the Thorpe and Allen parties in meeting, had temporarily exhausted the Pump Room's virtues. After sitting through plays and sermons together, the ladies determined on the more industrious activity of visiting shops.

Miss Thorpe most particularly sought Miss Morland's opinion regarding the wares admired. "What say you to this hat? Should I try it on?"

"If you like, it is a very pleasant colour."

"As to that, I could not say; I have never thought it looked well on me, and is far out of style."

After a moment's reflection, and some other canny hints, Miss Morland was bound to agree. This error in judgement was blamed on familial prejudice. Her eldest brother always complimented purple; so she—with no opinion on the subject—had adopted his.

"Oh! perhaps I misjudged; it may suit, especially with matching gloves, and as a novelty. There now, look at those pretty baubles across the street, I am sure something will do for you as handsomely."

As it turned out, nothing did; but Miss Morland was not disappointed. To learn of taste while also serving, however meekly, as its arbiter, was pleasure enough for the present.

Title from Chapter 5 of Northanger Abbey: "The progress of the friendship between Catherine and Isabella was quick as its beginning had been warm...."