Chapters 7 and 8 Summary

Catherine protests that Isabella's route must surely bring them into contact with the two insolent young men whom Isabella claims she is determined to avoid. Isabella ignores Catherine's observations, falsely insisting she is fleeing from the men, and continues to pursue them down the street in a socially improper manner. Their momentary meeting is avoided when the two women meet by happenstance their two brothers—James Morland and John Thorpe. It develops that James and John are fast friends from school and that James and Isabella are in love and nearly engaged, though Catherine does not yet know this. Catherine is amazed at their circumstantial meeting and overjoyed with meeting her beloved older brother whom she supposes has come to Bath to visit her. The four young people spend much time in conversation, though the infatuated James and Isabella are...