The Sudden Dismissal — Northanger Abbey

With General Tilney in London, Catherine, Eleanor, and Henry enjoy voluntary walks, easy meals, and laughter without his restraining presence. Catherine worries she has overstayed in the fourth week; Eleanor begs her to remain, and Henry's pleased look settles the question for weeks longer. Henry must leave for Woodston for two nights, and the sisters pass a late companionable evening in the supper-room.

A carriage arrives at eleven; Eleanor expects Captain Tilney, but her father returns unexpectedly from London. Eleanor comes to Catherine's room pale and distressed: the family must leave Monday for Lord Longtown's, and Catherine must go tomorrow at seven in a hired chaise, alone, without even a servant or civil farewell from the General himself.

Catherine is stunned by the insult after such hospitality; Eleanor grieves as unwilling messenger and lends money when Catherine's purse proves empty for a long post journey home alone. They part at dawn with a promise to write under cover to Alice; Henry is away at Woodston and never told goodbye, unable even to bid him farewell or leave kind remembrance except in a quivering phrase. Real loss replaces Gothic fear, and Catherine leaves the abbey in tears at seven o'clock without understanding what offence provoked the General.