General Tilney is obliged to go to London for a week. This allows Eleanor, Catherine, and Henry to have the abbey to themselves. Before he leaves, the general apologizes for having to leave Catherine and orders his children to ensure her comfort. The three of them are not saddened by the departure of General Tilney; on the contrary, they rejoice. They laugh more, relax more, and walk when and where they want to without having the general to order them about. Each person feels a sense of release in his absence.

The only slight unhappiness for Catherine is the realization that she has been at Northanger for almost four weeks. Staying any longer will seem an imposition, she thinks, so she raises the issue with Eleanor. Without any hesitation, Eleanor wants to know if Catherine is needed at home. Catherine assures her that she is not. Eleanor confesses that she would miss Catherine if she went away and implores her to stay longer. Feeling she has had her invitation officially extended, Catherine agrees. Through this gesture of welcome, Catherine believes Eleanor loves her. She also allows herself to think that Henry loves her too. In addition, the general has given every sign that he approves of her.

Henry announces that he must return to Woodston on business. Although Catherine is saddened by his departure, with the general out of the house, she knows that she and Eleanor will enjoy themselves. This proves to be true. Hours slip away without the general constantly reminding them to be prompt to one meal or another or to go for an excursion outside at an arranged time.

Without a prior announcement of his arrival, Frederick shows up at the abbey. Eleanor goes to greet him while Catherine, not anxious to see him, goes upstairs to her room. She waits to be called, but no one comes to get her. Time passes and finally she hears footsteps in the hall and sees that someone is hesitantly turning the door handle. She goes to the door and opens it. Eleanor is outside and looks as if she is in a state of shock. Her face is pale and she has trouble speaking. Finally she is able to convey some terrible news. Her father has announced that he is taking the family away in a couple of days. Not only is Catherine excluded from his plans, he has ordered that she must be gone by early the next morning. A carriage has been ordered for her, Eleanor tells her, but she must travel without a chaperone.

Eleanor does not explain her father’s orders. Catherine is not certain if she does not know why he is making Catherine leave or if she has been told not to share the reason. Catherine is confused by the change in the general’s attitude about her. Before he left, he was concerned about her welfare, but with the appearance of Frederick, the general is suddenly sending Catherine away without money and without anyone to protect her through the long journey.