Problematic Circumstances

I've found myself growing tired of the Thorpes over the past few days as they have seemingly dashed my chances of any kind of romance with Mr. Tilney and have become annoyances. The same day that Isabella and I went for a walk, we encountered our brothers and we were both quite happy. My brother, James Morland, was a friend of Isabella's brother, John, and he came to Bath to visit me, though Isabella seemed to be quite happy as well for an inexplicable reason. John, a very disagreeable man, attempted to impress me with his carriage and claims not to read gothic novels. At the time, he seemed like good company and was quite a convenient pre-arranged dance partner. Unfortunately, as soon as our next ball began, he went to the card room and spent his time ignoring me. It was not too long after that that Mr. Tilney and his sister greeted me. Like Isabella and I, Ms. Tilney and I had quite a bit in common. James urged me to dance with him afterwards and I was stolen away from the Tilneys. The next day, that disagreeable liar, John, suggests that I ride with him in his carriage. He claimed that his own carriage was superior to James' one moment and inferior the next. Upon our return, the Allens told us that they had met the Tilneys while we were out and that Henry Tilney's father, the General, was in Bath. John really has been ruining all of my plans. After a trip to the theater the same day, I spent more time with my brother and Isabella. They seem to be enjoying each other's company much more than the day out, how odd. I spent the rest of the night, before the ball of course, speaking to Eleanor Tilney about her brother Henry and she seemed to have realized something, but I'm not quite sure exactly what she had realized. At the ball on the same night, Mr. Tilney asked me to dance, and John began acting very annoyed when he found me, though that was a minor nuisance. The conversation that Mr. Tilney and I had was as amazing as the first ball and he even pointed out his father afterwards. What a nice gentleman! The next day, my chance to have a walk was ruined when James would not turn the carriage around and we stayed at the Thorpes' house.

Only a few days in Bath and I have already found a gentleman.

When the Allens and I arrived in Bath, Mrs. Allen and I began attending balls almost immediately, which must mean that Mr. and Mrs. Allen know the residents of Bath quite well. They are both very well to do and  Mrs. Allen was pleasant company, though we both wished that we had other company during our first ball. During our second ball in the Lower Rooms, I was introduced to a man by the name of Henry Tilney. Mr. Tilney was quite a charming man and he seemed to know how to flatter a lady. We spoke about the differences between the letter-writing style of men and women and the sights of Bath. Mr. Allen noted that he had quite a good character and was a clergyman from Gloucester. I arrived at our residence in Bath thinking of nothing, but handsome Mr. Tilney. The next morning, I looked all around the social meeting places for Mr. Tilney and I could not find him at all. Mrs. Allen and I ran into one of her friends, Mrs. Thorpe shortly after I finished my search and we had a short conversation with her about her family. She introduced her daughters to us and Isabella and I seemed to have an immediate connection. Both she and I enjoy Gothic fiction, which does not seem to be very popular in this age. Isabella recommended a book to me called The Mysteries of Udolpho, which I took great interest in and stayed up late at night reading it. It was a few days after our first meeting that I confessed my infatuation with Mr. Tilney to her and she urged me to pursue him. Shortly after my confession, Isabella introduced me to her friend, Ms. Andrews, whom she claimed to be one of the prettiest women in the land. She thought otherwise and was praised for it. Isabella confided in me as well and we became the best of friends. Bath is slowly becoming quite an enjoyable place.

A picture of Isabella and I

Of loss of hope and happily ever after.

It was not long before the gloominess of Northanger Abbey had increased my suspiscion of the General's murder of his wife. After some investigation, the possibility of the murder was clearer to me than ever before. Henry reassured me that the possibility was of my own delusion, but I received little relief from that fact. I received news that Isabella and James had broken off their engagement and I admitted that it is not a negative feeling to lose a friend that had betrayed my brother. I lived at the Abbey for about a month before Eleanor informed me that they were leaving the Abbey and that the General was sending me home. I did nothing wrong, yet I was sent away. I was confused. The romance between Henry and I was not doing well. I felt depressed as my family welcomed me back and I found out that John Thorpe had told the General that my family was poor, ruining my chances for a marriage to Mr. Tilney. Henry understood that this was not the case, therefore, he took me back and defended me. He is definitely a very good man. Henry proposed to me we received permission from the General after Eleanor was married. We are going to be married soon and I am glad that this first trip to Bath went as well as it did.

Henry and I

My life has become increasingly like a Gothic novel

There seems to be an odd behavior between Isabella and Frederick, Henry Tilney's older brother. They have shown much affections towards one another, although they are both aware that Isabella is engages to my brother, which displeases me greatly. I asked Henry to ask his brother to stop this ridiculous relationship, but he has a very high opinion of his brother and doesn't seem to want to do anything. I let this problem go as I prepared for our journey to Northanger Abbey, which is said to be quite a beautiful place. Henry and I are becoming much closer, despite the fact that he found out that John wished to ask me to marry him. I looked forward to my new life with the Tilneys.I've been told that Northanger Abbey has many mysteries and that apeals to me as a fan of Gothic novels. We arrived and I immediately began to learn many things about the General and he treats me much better than he does his own family and welcomed me.After reading Udolpho, I became more afraid of the increasingly odd happenings of the mansion at night. There were some important papers that I had found, but they were unreadable.

Frederick Tilney



F

Time with the Tilneys

I received a note from Isabella telling me to see her urgently and I was surprised to learn that she and James are currently engaged. My parents shall definitely approve of this marriage. It was a pleasurable feeling to have helped a friend, although she has changed during this vacation as well and becoming increasingly attached to my brother and less of a friend with me. I also met with John who told me that he was going to Fullerton and I told him to visit my parents house while he was there and then I bid him farewell. My time with the Tilneys has created a more welcoming atmosphere and I came to know the Tilneys more and more. Isabella had heard from my brother that they must wait three years for marriage in order for my brother to receive his dowry.. In the meantime, the  Tilneys had announced that they were leaving for their residence called Northanger Abbey and have asked me if I would come with them and I was delighted to hear this. There is still a chance for me to be engaged to Henry! My parents and the Allens agree that this will be a good opportunity. Mr. Tilney is getting closer to my heart and now I have become much more optimistic of my future with him.