] "But now you love a hyacinth. So much the better. You have gained a new source of enjoyment, and it is well to have as many holds upon happiness as possible. ... I am pleased that you have learnt to love a hyacinth. The mere habit of learning to love is the thing; and a teachableness of disposition in a young lady is a great blessing. Has my sister a pleasant mode of instruction?"

] Catherine was saved the embarrassment of attempting an answer by the entrance of the general...

] why is she embarrassed at Henry's inquiry?

I think the embarassment is all in the attempt to answer, not the inquiry itself. If you look at Henry's passage, how would one respond to such a thing? I'm sure Catherine's head was spinning with this exchange. Even formulating an unintelligible response would be difficult. I think Catherine's embarassment was a matter of her inability to answer.