No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy would havesupposed her born to be an heroine.

Her situation in life, the character of her fatherand mother, her own person and disposition, were all equally against her.

Herfather was a clergyman, without being neglected, or poor, and a very respectableman, though his name was Richard-and he had never been handsome.

He had aconsiderable independence besides two good livings-and he was not in the leastaddicted to locking up his daughters.

Her mother was a woman of useful plainsense, with a good temper, and, what is more remarkable, with a good constitution.She had three sons before Catherine was born; and instead of dying in bringing thelatter into the world, as anybody might expect, she still lived on-lived to have sixchildren more-to see them growing up around her, and to enjoy excellent healthherself.

A family of ten children will be always called a fine family, where there areheads and arms and legs enough for the number; but the Morlands had little otherright to the word, for they were in general very plain, and Catherine, for many yearsof her life, as plain as any.

She had a thin awkward figure, a sallow skin withoutcolour, dark lank hair, and strong features-so much for her person; and not lessunpropitious for heroism seemed her mind.