Who is Mr. and Mrs. Allen from Northanger Abbey and what is their importance?

Mr. and Mrs. Allen are a childless couple living in Fullerton. They are friends with the Morlands and invite Catherine to accompany them to Bath on holiday—this invitation initiates the rising action of the novel. They prove to be generous and capable wards of Catherine, allowing her to explore her new surroundings while simultaneously providing gentle advice, which ultimately proves of sound judgment.