In Chapter 15, Catherine's mother noticed her listlessness. When she commented on her inability to keep to a task, Catherine tried harder. "Catherine said no more, and , with an endeavor to do right, applied to her work; but, after a few minutes, sunk again; without knowing it herself, into languor and listlessness, moving herself in her chair from the irritation of weariness, much oftener than she moved her needle" (Austen 203).
While her mother went on a search for a book she felt Catherine should read, the Morland's received an unexpected visitor – Mr. Henry Tilney.
He was very embarrassed, and said that the only reason he came was to ensure Catherine arrived home safely, that she was well, and that she wasn't too upset at him for what occurred in his absence at the Abbey.
"On his return from Woodston, two days before, he had been met near the Abbey by his impatient father, hastily informed in angry terms of Miss Morland's departure, and ordered to think of her no more. Such was the permission upon which he had now offered her his hand" (Austen 205).
Henry told Catherine that the reason she was turned from the house so suddenly was that the General had discovered in London that she came from a family with no wealth, as he had at first assumed.
"Henry's indignation on hearing how Catherine had been treated, on comprehending his father's views, and being ordered to acquiesce in them, had been open and bold. Usually not one to anger the General on purpose, or even argue with what he said or insisted, Henry Tilney stood up for his feelings for Catherine.
"He felt himself bound as much in honor as in affection to Miss Morland, and believing that heart to be his own which he had been directed to gain, no unworthy retraction of a tacit consent, no reversing decree of unjustifiable anger, could shake his fidelity, or influence the resolutions it prompted" (Austen 208).
Thus being said, he proposed.
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