Detached from reality Written by Ann2 (3/30/2003 12:17 p.m.) in consequence of the missive, GR: John Thorpe gives me a headache!!, penned by Irene M

...

] The one passage that sticks out in my mind about Mr. Thorpe is from Ch 7:

] "Curricle-hung, you see; seat, trunk, sword-case, splashing-board, lamps, silver moulding, all you see complete; the iron-work as good as new, or better. He asked fifty guineas; I closed with him directly, threw down the money, and the carriage was mine."

] At first, I didn't understand why he was making such a big deal about it, but after further thought, it struck me, he was describing his ride as someone would a sportscar nowadays. When I realized that, I couldn't stop laughing! JA's brilliant =D

That's so good, yes, and what struck me this time is that he doesn't care a jot what he is saying. Pretending to be an expert but just blabbering. Early on even Catherine notices this when she comments on his horse looking hot when Moreland and Thorpe are just arrived in Bath. Thorpe will not hear of it and offers to drive her to Lansdown Hill on the following day. Catherine asks if his horse doesn't want rest.
But Thorpe insists that rest is no good for a horse and brags about how he will put this one to four hours a day exercise.

Catherine does not respond as Isabella would with some flimsy remark and fluttering lashes but says very seriously!

"Shall you indeed! That will be forty miles aday."

Which I am sure comes as a complete surprise to Thorpe, who has no interest in accuracy whatsoever, but is just trying to make an impression.
She's got some sense, our Cathy Moreland!