Return to Northanger Abbey

by Klamath61

Catherine and Henry have become man and wife. Henry has gone off to do missionary work. They receive news regarding Henry's father Colonel Tilney. Father and son are still not on speaking terms. Yet the dark and dreary Abbey calls them back.

1. Chapter 1

© Copyright by Jane Austen

The characters I do not own

Catherine Morland nee Tilney

James Morland (Catherine's brother)

Henry Tilney (Catherine's husband)

Capt Frederick Tilney

Isabella Thorpe

Colonel Tilney

Little Thomas Tilney (son of Catherine and Henry)

Catherine held the letter in her hand for a long time after reading its contents. It was not the Colonel who had sent the letter but an acquaintance. Seeing as the Colonel was not a man who treasured the closeness of others. Henry had been away in Ireland doing missionary work however; he would be back in a weeks time. She did dread having to tell him the news of his father's condition. She decided to let her parents know of what had taken place and seek their advice.

She dressed in a hurry and gathered their five year old son, Thomas and headed to her parent's home. Once there she welcomed their warmth and was grateful they had such devotion to their children. Her mother noticed right away that Catherine had something on her mind. Her father had bid her sit by the fire so they could discuss further why she had come to them in the middle of the night.

She said wearily, "You see, I have received a letter this morning from a mere acquaintance, a Mr. and Mrs. Whitehall that the Colonel is in poor health and needs Henry and my assistance. Unfortunately; Henry has neither spoken or seen his father as long as little Thomas has been alive." Her mother said to her soothingly, "Cat, regardless of how Henry feels about his father, the Colonel, we must remember what the bible teaches, and that we must, honor thy mother and father, also that we must learn to forgive one another." It was then that Catherine decided to write Henry a letter, urging him that he must return home immediately.

She was tired from their journey and helped take Thomas to bed. "Mother, I must tell you that the last time Henry saw his father he vowed they would never speak again after what he had done to me." Her mother, put her arms around her shoulders, "No I daresay it will not be easy but Cat life is not meant to be that way."