CHAPTER1。
DURINGAPORTIONofthefirsthalfofthepresentcentury，andmoreparticularlyduringthelatterpartofit，thereflourishedandpracticedinthecityofNewYorkaphysicianwhoenjoyedperhapsanexceptionalshareoftheconsiderationwhich，intheUnitedStates，hasalwaysbeenbestowedupondistinguishedmembersofthemedicalprofession。ThisprofessioninAmericahasconstantlybeenheldinhonor，andmoresuccessfullythanelsewherehasputforwardaclaimtotheepithetof\"liberal。\"Inacountryinwhich，toplayasocialpart，youmusteitherearnyourincomeormakebelievethatyouearnit，thehealingarthasappearedinahighdegreetocombinetworecognizedsourcesofcredit。Itbelongstotherealmofthepractical，whichintheUnitedStatesisagreatrecommendation；anditistouchedbythelightofscience-ameritappreciatedinacommunityinwhichtheloveofknowledgehasnotalwaysbeenaccompaniedbyleisureandopportunity。
ItwasanelementinDoctorSloper\'sreputationthathislearningandhisskillwereveryevenlybalanced；hewaswhatyoumightcallascholarlydoctor，andyettherewasnothingabstractinhisremedies-healwaysorderedyoutotakesomething。Thoughhewasfelttobeextremelythorough，hewasnotuncomfortablytheoretic；andifhesometimesexplainedmattersrathermoreminutelythanmightseemofusetothepatient，heneverwentsofar（likesomepractitionersonehadheardof）astotrusttotheexplanationalone，butalwaysleftbehindhimaninscrutableprescription。Thereweresomedoctorsthatlefttheprescriptionwithoutofferinganyexplanationatall；
andhedidnotbelongtothatclasseither，whichwasafterallthemostvulgar。ItwillbeseenthatIamdescribingacleverman；andthisisreallythereasonwhyDoctorSloperhadbecomealocalcelebrity。
Atthetimeatwhichwearechieflyconcernedwithhimhewassomefiftyyearsofage，andhispopularitywasatitsheight。Hewasverywitty，andhepassedinthebestsocietyofNewYorkforamanoftheworld-which，indeed，hewas，inaverysufficientdegree。I
hastentoadd，toanticipatepossiblemisconception，thathewasnottheleastofacharlatan。Hewasathoroughlyhonestman-honestinadegreeofwhichhehadperhapslackedtheopportunitytogivethecompletemeasure；and，puttingasidethegreatgoodnatureofthecircleinwhichhepracticed，whichwasratherfondofboastingthatitpossessedthe\"brightest\"doctorinthecountry，hedailyjustifiedhisclaimtothetalentsattributedtohimbythepopularvoice。Hewasanobserver，evenaphilosopher，andtobebrightwassonaturaltohim，and（asthepopularvoicesaid）camesoeasily，thatheneveraimedatmereeffect，andhadnoneofthelittletricksandpretensionsofsecond-ratereputations。Itmustbeconfessedthatfortunehadfavoredhim，andthathehadfoundthepathtoprosperityverysofttohistread。Hehadmarried，attheageoftwenty-seven，forlove，averycharminggirl，MissCatherineHarrington，ofNewYork，who，inadditiontohercharms，hadbroughthimasoliddowry。Mrs。Sloperwasamiable，graceful，accomplished，elegant，andin1820shehadbeenoneoftheprettygirlsofthesmallbutpromisingcapitalwhichclusteredabouttheBatteryandoverlookedtheBay，andofwhichtheuppermostboundarywasindicatedbythegrassywaysidesofCanalStreet。Evenattheageoftwenty-sevenAustinSloperhadmadehismarksufficientlytomitigatetheanomalyofhishavingbeenchosenamongadozensuitorsbyayoungwomanofhighfashion，whohadtenthousanddollarsofincomeandthemostcharmingeyesintheislandofManhattan。Theseeyes，andsomeoftheiraccompaniments，wereforaboutfiveyearsasourceofextremesatisfactiontotheyoungphysician，whowasbothadevotedandaveryhappyhusband。
Thefactofhishavingmarriedarichwomanmadenodifferenceinthelinehehadtracedforhimself，andhecultivatedhisprofessionwithasdefiniteapurposeasifhestillhadnootherresourcesthanhisfractionofthemodestpatrimonywhich，onhisfather\'sdeath，hehadsharedwithhisbrothersandsisters。Thispurposehadnotbeenpreponderantlytomakemoney-ithadbeenrathertolearnsomethingandtodosomething。Tolearnsomethinginteresting，andtodosomethinguseful-thiswas，roughlyspeaking，theprogramhehadsketched，andofwhichtheaccidentofhiswifehavinganincomeappearedtohiminnodegreetomodifythevalidity。Hewasfondofhispractice，andofexercisingaskillofwhichhewasagreeablyconscious，anditwassopatentatruththatifhewerenotadoctortherewasnothingelsehecouldbe，thatadoctorhepersistedinbeing，inthebestpossibleconditions。Ofcoursehiseasydomesticsituationsavedhimagooddealofdrudgery，andhiswife\'saffiliationtothe\"bestpeople\"broughthimagoodmanyofthosepatientswhosesymptomsare，ifnotmoreinterestinginthemselvesthanthoseofthelowerorders，atleastmoreconsistentlydisplayed。Hedesiredexperience，andinthecourseoftwentyyearshegotagreatdeal。Itmustbeaddedthatitcametohiminsomeformswhich，whatevermighthavebeentheirintrinsicvalue，madeitthereverseofwelcome。Hisfirstchild，alittleboyofextraordinarypromise，asthedoctor，whowasnotaddictedtoeasyenthusiasm，firmlybelieved，diedatthreeyearsofage，inspiteofeverythingthatthemother\'stendernessandthefather\'ssciencecouldinventtosavehim。TwoyearslaterMrs。Slopergavebirthtoasecondinfant-aninfantofasexwhichrenderedthepoorchild，tothedoctor\'ssense，aninadequatesubstituteforhislamentedfirstborn，ofwhomhehadpromisedhimselftomakeanadmirableman。
Thelittlegirlwasadisappointment；butthiswasnottheworst。A
weekafterherbirththeyoungmother，who，asthephraseis，hadbeendoingwell，suddenlybetrayedalarmingsymptoms，andbeforeanotherweekhadelapsedAustinSloperwasawidower。
Foramanwhosetradewastokeeppeoplealivehehadcertainlydonepoorlyinhisownfamily；andabrightdoctorwhowithinthreeyearsloseshiswifeandhislittleboyshouldperhapsbepreparedtoseeeitherhisskillorhisaffectionimpugned。Ourfriend，however，escapedcriticism；thatis，heescapedallcriticismbuthisown，whichwasmuchthemostcompetentandmostformidable。Hewalkedundertheweightofthisveryprivatecensurefortherestofhisdays，andboreforeverthescarsofacastigationtowhichthestrongesthandheknewhadtreatedhimonthenightthatfollowedhiswife\'sdeath。Theworld，which，asIhavesaid，appreciatedhim，pitiedhimtoomuchtobeironical；hismisfortunemadehimmoreinteresting，andevenhelpedhimtobethefashion。Itwasobservedthatevenmedicalfamiliescannotescapethemoreinsidiousformsofdisease，andthat，afterall，DoctorSloperhadlostotherpatientsbesidesthetwoIhavementioned；whichconstitutedanhonorableprecedent。Hislittlegirlremainedtohim；andthoughshewasnotwhathehaddesired，heproposedtohimselftomakethebestofher。Hehadonhandastockofunexpendedauthority，bywhichthechild，initsearlyyears，profitedlargely。Shehadbeennamed，asamatterofcourse，afterherpoormother，andeveninhermostdiminutivebabyhoodthedoctornevercalledheranythingbutCatherine。Shegrewupaveryrobustandhealthychild，andherfather，ashelookedather，oftensaidtohimselfthat，suchasshewas，heatleastneedhavenofearoflosingher。Isay\"suchasshewas，\"because，totellthetruth-ButthisisatruthofwhichIwilldeferthetelling。
CHAPTER2。
WHENTHECHILDwasabouttenyearsold，heinvitedhissister，Mrs。Penniman，tocomeandstaywithhim。TheMissSlopershadbeenbuttwoinnumber，andbothofthemhadmarriedearlyinlife。Theyounger，Mrs。Almondbyname，wasthewifeofaprosperousmerchantandthemotherofabloomingfamily。Shebloomedherself，indeed，andwasacomely，comfortable，reasonablewoman，andafavoritewithhercleverbrother，who，inthematterofwomen，evenwhentheywerenearlyrelatedtohim，wasamanofdistinctpreferences。HepreferredMrs。AlmondtohissisterLavinia，whohadmarriedapoorclergyman，ofasicklyconstitutionandaflowerystyleofeloquence，andthen，attheageofthirty-three，hadbeenleftawidow-withoutchildren，withoutfortune-withnothingbutthememoryofMr。Penniman\'sflowersofspeech，acertainvaguearomaofwhichhoveredaboutherownconversation。Nevertheless，hehadofferedherahomeunderhisownroof，whichLaviniaacceptedwiththealacrityofawomanwhohadspentthetenyearsofhermarriedlifeinthetownofPoughkeepsie。
ThedoctorhadnotproposedtoMrs。Pennimantocomeandlivewithhimindefinitely；hehadsuggestedthatsheshouldmakeanasylumofhishousewhileshelookedaboutforunfurnishedlodgings。ItisuncertainwhetherMrs。Pennimaneverinstitutedasearchforunfurnishedlodgings，butitisbeyonddisputethatsheneverfoundthem。Shesettledherselfwithherbrotherandneverwentaway，and，whenCatherinewastwentyyearsold，herAuntLaviniawasstilloneofthemoststrikingfeaturesofherimmediateentourage。Mrs。Penniman\'sownaccountofthematterwasthatshehadremainedtotakechargeofherniece\'seducation。Shehadgiventhisaccount，atleast，toeveryonebutthedoctor，whoneveraskedforexplanationswhichhecouldentertainhimselfanydaywithinventing。Mrs。Penniman，moreover，thoughshehadagooddealofacertainsortofartificialassurance，shrunk，forindefinablereasons，frompresentingherselftoherbrotherasafountainofinstruction。Shehadnotahighsenseofhumor，butshehadenoughtopreventherfrommakingthismistake；andherbrother，onhisside，hadenoughtoexcuseher，inhersituation，forlayinghimundercontributionduringaconsiderablepartofalifetime。HethereforeassentedtacitlytothepropositionwhichMrs。Pennimanhadtacitlylaiddown，thatitwasofimportancethatthepoormotherlessgirlshouldhaveabrilliantwomannearher。Hisassentcouldonlybetacit，forhehadneverbeendazzledbyhissister\'sintellectualluster。SavewhenhefellinlovewithCatherineHarrington，hehadneverbeendazzled，indeed，byanyfemininecharacteristicswhatever；andthoughhewastoacertainextentwhatiscalledaladies\'doctor，hisprivateopinionofthemorecomplicatedsexwasnotexalted。Heregardeditscomplicationsasmorecuriousthanedifying，andhehadanideaofthebeautyofreason，whichwas，onthewhole，meagerlygratifiedbywhatheobservedinhisfemalepatients。Hiswifehadbeenareasonablewoman，butshewasabrightexception；amongseveralthingsthathewassureof，thiswasperhapstheprincipal。Suchaconviction，ofcourse，didlittleeithertomitigateortoabbreviatehiswidowhood；anditsetalimittohisrecognition，atthebest，ofCatherine\'spossibilitiesandofMrs。Penniman\'sministrations。Henevertheless，attheendofsixmonths，acceptedhissister\'spermanentpresenceasanaccomplishedfact，andasCatherinegrewolder，perceivedthattherewereineffectgoodreasonswhysheshouldhaveacompanionofherownimperfectsex。HewasextremelypolitetoLavinia，scrupulously，formallypolite；andshehadneverseenhiminangerbutonceinherlife，whenhelosthistemperinatheologicaldiscussionwithherlatehusband。Withherheneverdiscussedtheology，nor，indeed，discussedanything；hecontentedhimselfwithmakingknown，verydistinctly，intheformofalucidultimatum，hiswisheswithregardtoCatherine。
Once，whenthegirlwasabouttwelveyearsold，hehadsaidtoher：
\"Tryandmakeacleverwomanofher，Lavinia；Ishouldlikehertobeacleverwoman。\"
Mrs。Penniman，atthis，lookedthoughtfulamoment。\"MydearAustin，\"shetheninquired，\"doyouthinkitisbettertobecleverthantobegood？\"
\"Goodforwhat？\"askedthedoctor。\"Youaregoodfornothingunlessyouareclever。\"
FromthisassertionMrs。Pennimansawnoreasontodissent；shepossiblyreflectedthatherowngreatuseintheworldwasowingtoheraptitudeformanythings。
\"OfcourseIwishCatherinetobegood，\"thedoctorsaidnextday，\"butshewon\'tbeanythelessvirtuousfornotbeingafool。Iamnotafraidofherbeingwicked；shewillneverhavethesaltofmaliceinhercharacter。Sheis\'asgoodasgoodbread，\'astheFrenchsay；
butsixyearshenceIdon\'twanttohavetocomparehertogoodbreadandbutter。\"
\"Areyouafraidshewillbeinsipid？Mydearbrother，itisIwhosupplythebutter；soyouneedn\'tfear！\"saidMrs。Penniman，whohadtakeninhandthechild\'s\"accomplishments，\"overlookingheratthepiano，whereCatherinedisplayedacertaintalent，andgoingwithhertothedancingclass，whereitmustbeconfessedthatshemadebutamodestfigure。
Mrs。Pennimanwasatall，thin，fair，ratherfadedwoman，withaperfectlyamiabledisposition，ahighstandardofgentility，atasteforlightliterature，andacertainfoolishindirectnessandobliquityofcharacter。Shewasromantic；shewassentimental；shehadapassionforlittlesecretsandmysteries-averyinnocentpassion，forhersecretshadhithertoalwaysbeenasunpracticalasaddledeggs。Shewasnotabsolutelyveracious；butthisdefectwasofnogreatconsequence，forshehadneverhadanythingtoconceal。Shewouldhavelikedtohavealover，andtocorrespondwithhimunderanassumedname，inlettersleftatashop。Iamboundtosaythatherimaginationnevercarriedtheintimacyfurtherthanthis。Mrs。
Pennimanhadneverhadalover，butherbrother，whowasveryshrewd，understoodherturnofmind。\"WhenCatherineisaboutseventeen，\"hesaidtohimself，\"Laviniawilltryandpersuadeherthatsomeyoungmanwithamoustacheisinlovewithher。Itwillbequiteuntrue；noyoungman，withamoustacheorwithout，willeverbeinlovewithCatherine。ButLaviniawilltakeitup，andtalktoheraboutit；perhaps，even，ifhertasteforclandestineoperationsdoesn\'tprevailwithher，shewilltalktomeaboutit。Catherinewon\'tseeit，andwon\'tbelieveit，fortunatelyforherpeaceofmind；
poorCatherineisn\'tromantic。\"
Shewasahealthy，well-grownchild，withoutatraceofhermother\'sbeauty。Shewasnotugly；shehadsimplyaplain，dull，gentlecountenance。Themostthathadeverbeensaidforherwasthatshehada\"nice\"face；and，thoughshewasanheiress，noonehadeverthoughtofregardingherasabelle。Herfather\'sopinionofhermoralpuritywasabundantlyjustified；shewasexcellently，imperturbablygood；affectionate，docile，obedient，andmuchaddictedtospeakingthetruth。Inheryoungeryearsshewasagooddealofaromp，and，thoughitisanawkwardconfessiontomakeaboutone\'sheroine，Imustaddthatshewassomethingofaglutton。Shenever，thatIknowof，stoleraisinsoutofthepantry；butshedevotedherpocketmoneytothepurchaseofcreamcakes。Asregardsthis，however，acriticalattitudewouldbeinconsistentwithacandidreferencetotheearlyannalsofanybiographer。Catherinewasdecidedlynotclever；shewasnotquickwithherbook，nor，indeed，withanythingelse。Shewasnotabnormallydeficient，andshemusteredlearningenoughtoacquitherselfrespectablyinconversationwithhercontemporaries-
amongwhomitmustbeavowed，however，thatsheoccupiedasecondaryplace。ItiswellknownthatinNewYorkitispossibleforayounggirltooccupyaprimaryone。Catherine，whowasextremelymodest，hadnodesiretoshine，andonmostsocialoccasions，astheyarecalled，youwouldhavefoundherlurkinginthebackground。Shewasextremelyfondofherfather，andverymuchafraidofhim；shethoughthimthecleverestandhandsomestandmostcelebratedofmen。Thepoorgirlfoundheraccountsocompletelyintheexerciseofheraffectionsthatthelittletremoroffearthatmixeditselfwithherfilialpassiongavethethinganextrarelishratherthanblunteditsedge。Herdeepestdesirewastopleasehim，andherconceptionofhappinesswastoknowthatshehadsucceededinpleasinghim。Shehadneversucceededbeyondacertainpoint。Though，onthewhole，hewasverykindtoher，shewasperfectlyawareofthis，andtogobeyondthepointinquestionseemedtoherreallysomethingtolivefor。Whatshecouldnotknow，ofcourse，wasthatshedisappointedhim，thoughonthreeorfouroccasionsthedoctorhadbeenalmostfrankaboutit。Shegrewuppeacefullyandprosperously；butattheageofeighteen，Mrs。Pennimanhadnotmadeacleverwomanofher。
DoctorSloperwouldhavelikedtobeproudofhisdaughter；buttherewasnothingtobeproudofinpoorCatherine。Therewasnothing，ofcourse，tobeashamedof；butthiswasnotenoughforthedoctor，whowasaproudman，andwouldhaveenjoyedbeingabletothinkofhisdaughterasanunusualgirl。Therewouldhavebeenafitnessinherbeingprettyandgraceful，intelligentanddistinguished-forhermotherhadbeenthemostcharmingwomanofherlittleday-andasregardsherfather，ofcourseheknewhisownvalue。Hehadmomentsofirritationathavingproducedacommonplacechild，andheevenwentsofarattimesastotakeacertainsatisfactioninthethoughtthathiswifehadnotlivedtofindherout。Hewasnaturallyslowinmakingthisdiscoveryhimself，anditwasnottillCatherinehadbecomeayoungladygrownthatheregardedthematterassettled。Hegaveherthebenefitofagreatmanydoubts；hewasinnohastetoconclude。
Mrs。Pennimanfrequentlyassuredhimthathisdaughterhadadelightfulnature；butheknewhowtointerpretthisassurance。Itmeant，tohissense，thatCatherinewasnotwiseenoughtodiscoverthatherauntwasagoose-alimitationofmindthatcouldnotfailtobeagreeabletoMrs。Penniman。Bothsheandherbrother，however，exaggeratedtheyounggirl\'slimitations；forCatherine，thoughshewasveryfondofheraunt，andconsciousofthegratitudesheowedher，regardedherwithoutaparticleofthatgentledreadwhichgaveitsstamptoheradmirationofherfather。TohermindtherewasnothingoftheinfiniteaboutMrs。Penniman；Catherinesawherallatonce，asitwere，andwasnotdazzledbytheapparition；whereasherfather\'sgreatfacultiesseemed，astheystretchedaway，tolosethemselvesinasortofluminousvagueness，whichindicated，notthattheystopped，butthatCatherine\'sownmindceasedtofollowthem。
ItmustnotbesupposedthatDoctorSlopervisitedhisdisappointmentuponthepoorgirl，oreverlethersuspectthatshehadplayedhimatrick。Onthecontrary，forfearofbeingunjusttoher，hedidhisdutywithexemplaryzeal，andrecognizedthatshewasafaithfulandaffectionatechild。Besides，hewasaphilosopher：Hesmokedagoodmanycigarsoverhisdisappointment，andinthefullnessoftimehegotusedtoit。Hesatisfiedhimselfthathehadexpectednothing，though，indeed，withacertainoddityofreasoning。\"Iexpectnothing，\"hesaidtohimself，\"sothat，ifshegivesmeasurprise，itwillbeallcleargain。Ifshedoesn\'t，itwillbenoloss。\"ThiswasaboutthetimeCatherinehadreachedhereighteenthyear；sothatitwillbeseenherfatherhadnotbeenprecipitate。Atthistimesheseemednotonlyincapableofgivingsurprises；itwasalmostaquestionwhethershecouldhavereceivedone-shewassoquietandirresponsive。Peoplewhoexpressedthemselvesroughlycalledherstolid。Butshewasirresponsivebecauseshewasshy，uncomfortably，painfullyshy。Thiswasnotalwaysunderstood，andshesometimesproducedanimpressionofinsensibility。
Inreality，shewasthesoftestcreatureintheworld。
CHAPTER3。
ASACHILDshehadpromisedtobetall；butwhenshewassixteensheceasedtogrow，andherstature，likemostotherpointsinhercomposition，wasnotunusual。Shewasstrong，however，andproperlymade，and，fortunately，herhealthwasexcellent。Ithasbeennotedthatthedoctorwasaphilosopher，butIwouldnothaveansweredforhisphilosophyifthepoorgirlhadprovedasicklyandsufferingperson。Herappearanceofhealthconstitutedherprincipalclaimtobeauty；andherclear，freshcomplexion，inwhichwhiteandredwereveryequallydistributed，was，indeed，anexcellentthingtosee。
Hereyewassmallandquiet，herfeatureswereratherthick，hertressesbrownandsmooth。Adull，plaingirlshewascalledbyrigorouscritics-aquiet，ladylikegirl，bythoseofthemoreimaginativesort；butbyneitherclasswassheveryelaboratelydiscussed。Whenithadbeendulyimpresseduponherthatshewasayounglady-itwasagoodwhilebeforeshecouldbelieveit-shesuddenlydevelopedalivelytastefordress。Alivelytasteisquitetheexpressiontouse。IfeelasifIoughttowriteitverysmall，herjudgmentinthismatterwasbynomeansinfallible；itwasliabletoconfusionsandembarrassments。Hergreatindulgenceofitwasreallythedesireofaratherinarticulatenaturetomanifestitself；shesoughttobeeloquentinhergarments，andtomakeupforherdiffidenceofspeechbyafinefranknessofcostume。Butifsheexpressedherselfinherclothes，itiscertainthatpeoplewerenottoblamefornotthinkingherawittyperson。Itmustbeaddedthat，thoughshehadtheexpectationofafortune-DoctorSloperforalongtimehadbeenmakingtwentythousanddollarsayearbyhisprofession，andlayingasidethehalfofit-theamountofmoneyatherdisposalwasnotgreaterthantheallowancemadetomanypoorergirls。Inthosedays，inNewYork，therewerestillafewaltarfiresflickeringinthetempleofrepublicansimplicity，andDoctorSloperwouldhavebeengladtoseehisdaughterpresentherself，withaclassicgrace，asapriestessofthismildfaith。Itmadehimfairlygrimace，inprivate，tothinkthatachildofhisshouldbebothuglyandoverdressed。Forhimself，hewasfondofthegoodthingsoflife，andhemadeaconsiderableuseofthem；buthehadadreadofvulgarity，andevenatheorythatitwasincreasinginthesocietythatsurroundedhim。Moreover，thestandardofluxuryintheUnitedStatesthirtyyearsagowascarriedbynomeanssohighasatpresent，andCatherine\'scleverfathertooktheold-fashionedviewoftheeducationofyoungpersons。Hehadnoparticulartheoryonthesubject；ithadscarcelyasyetbecomeanecessityofself-defensetohaveacollectionoftheories。Itsimplyappearedtohimproperandreasonablethatawell-bredyoungwomanshouldnotcarryhalfherfortuneonherback。Catherine\'sbackwasabroadone，andwouldhavecarriedagooddeal；buttotheweightofthepaternaldispleasuresheneverventuredtoexposeit，andourheroinewastwentyyearsoldbeforeshetreatedherself，foreveningwear，toaredsatingowntrimmedwithgoldfringe，thoughthiswasanarticlewhich，formanyyears，shehadcovetedinsecret。Itmadeherlook，whenshesportedit，likeawomanofthirty；butoddlyenough，inspiteofhertasteforfineclothes，shehadnotagrainofcoquetry，andheranxietywhensheputthemonwasastowhetherthey，andnotshe，wouldlookwell。Itisapointonwhichhistoryhasnotbeenexplicit，buttheassumptioniswarrantable；itwasintheroyalraimentjustmentionedthatshepresentedherselfatalittleentertainmentgivenbyheraunt，Mrs。Almond。Thegirlwasatthistimeinhertwenty-firstyear，andMrs。Almond\'spartywasthebeginningofsomethingveryimportant。
Somethreeorfouryearsbeforethis，DoctorSloperhadmovedhishouseholdgodsuptown，astheysayinNewYork。Hehadbeenlivingeversincehismarriageinanedificeofredbrick，withgranitecopingsandanenormousfanlightoverthedoor，standinginastreetwithinfiveminutes\'walkoftheCityHall，whichsawitsbestdays（fromthesocialpointofview）about1820。Afterthis，thetideoffashionbegantosetsteadilynorthward，as，indeed，inNewYork，thankstothenarrowchannelinwhichitflows，itisobligedtodo，andthegreathumoftrafficrolledfarthertotherightandleftofBroadway。Bythetimethedoctorchangedhisresidence，themurmuroftradehadbecomeamightyuproar，whichwasmusicintheearsofallgoodcitizensinterestedinthecommercialdevelopment，astheydelightedtocallit，oftheirfortunateisle。DoctorSloper\'sinterestinthisphenomenonwasonlyindirect-though，seeingthat，astheyearswenton，halfhispatientscametobeoverworkedmenofbusiness，itmighthavebeenmoreimmediate-andwhenmostofhisneighbors\'dwellings（alsoornamentedwithgranitecopingsandlargefanlights）hadbeenconvertedintooffices，warehouses，andshippingagencies，andotherwiseappliedtothebaseusesofcommerce，hedeterminedtolookoutforaquieterhome。Theidealofquietandofgenteelretirement，in1835，wasfoundinWashingtonSquare，wherethedoctorbuilthimselfahandsome，modern，wide-frontedhouse，withabigbalconybeforethedrawing-roomwindows，andaflightofwhitemarblestepsascendingtoaportalwhichwasalsofacedwithwhitemarble。Thisstructure，andmanyofitsneighbors，whichitexactlyresembled，weresupposed，fortyyearsago，toembodythelastresultsofarchitecturalscience，andtheyremaintothisdayverysolidandhonorabledwellings。InfrontofthemwastheSquare，containingaconsiderablequantityofinexpensivevegetation，enclosedbyawoodenpaling，whichincreaseditsruralandaccessibleappearance；androundthecornerwasthemoreaugustprecinctoftheFifthAvenue，takingitsoriginatthispointwithaspaciousandconfidentairwhichalreadymarkeditforhighdestinies。Iknownotwhetheritisowingtothetendernessofearlyassociations，butthisportionofNewYorkappearstomanypersonsthemostdelectable。Ithasakindofestablishedreposewhichisnotoffrequentoccurrenceinotherquartersofthelong，shrillcity；ithasariper，richer，morehonorablelookthananyoftheupperramificationsofthegreatlongitudinalthoroughfare-thelookofhavinghadsomethingofasocialhistory。Itwashere，asyoumighthavebeeninformedongoodauthority，thatyouhadcomeintoaworldwhichappearedtoofferavarietyofsourcesofinterest；itwasherethatyourgrandmotherlived，invenerablesolitude，anddispensedahospitalitywhichcommendeditselfaliketotheinfantimaginationandtheinfantpalate；itwasherethatyoutookyourfirstwalksabroad，followingthenurserymaidwithunequalstep，andsniffingupthestrangeodoroftheailanthustreeswhichatthattimeformedtheprincipalumbrageoftheSquare，anddiffusedanaromathatyouwerenotyetcriticalenoughtodislikeasitdeserved；itwashere，finally，thatyourfirstschool，keptbyabroad-bosomed，broad-basedoldladywithaferule，whowasalwayshavingteainabluecup，withasaucerthatdidn\'tmatch，enlargedthecirclebothofyourobservationsandyoursensations。Itwashere，atanyrate，thatmyheroinespentmanyyearsofherlife；whichismyexcuseforthistopographicalparenthesis。
Mrs。Almondlivedmuchfartheruptown，inanembryonicstreet，withahighnumber-aregionwheretheextensionofthecitybegantoassumeatheoreticair，wherepoplarsgrewbesidethepavement（whentherewasone），andmingledtheirshadewiththesteeproofsofdesultoryDutchhouses，andwherepigsandchickensdisportedthemselvesinthegutter。TheseelementsofruralpicturesquenesshavenowwhollydepartedfromNewYorkstreetscenery；buttheyweretobefoundwithinthememoryofmiddle-agedpersonsinquarterswhichnowwouldblushtoberemindedofthem。Catherinehadagreatmanycousins，andwithherAuntAlmond\'schildren，whoendedbybeingnineinnumber，shelivedontermsofconsiderableintimacy。Whenshewasyoungertheyhadbeenratherafraidofher；shewasbelieved，asthephraseis，tobehighlyeducated，andapersonwholivedintheintimacyoftheirAuntPennimanhadsomethingofreflectedgrandeur。Mrs。Penniman，amongthelittleAlmonds，wasanobjectofmoreadmirationthansympathy。Hermannerswerestrangeandformidable，andhermourningrobes-shedressedinblackfortwentyyearsafterherhusband\'sdeath，andthensuddenlyappeared，onemorning，withpinkrosesinhercap-werecomplicatedinodd，unexpectedplaceswithbuckles，bugles，andpins，whichdiscouragedfamiliarity。Shetookchildrentoohard，bothforgoodandforevil，andhadanoppressiveairofexpectingsubtlethingsofthem；sothatgoingtoseeherwasagooddeallikebeingtakentochurchandmadetositinafrontpew。Itwasdiscoveredafterawhile，however，thatAuntPennimanwasbutanaccidentinCatherine\'sexistence，andnotapartofitsessence，andthatwhenthegirlcametospendaSaturdaywithhercousins，shewasavailableforfollow-my-master，andevenforleapfrog。Onthisbasisanunderstandingwaseasilyarrivedat，andforseveralyearsCatherinefraternizedwithheryoungkinsmen。Isayyoungkinsmen，becausesevenofthelittleAlmondswereboys，andCatherinehadapreferenceforthosegameswhicharemostconvenientlyplayedintrousers。Bydegrees，however，thelittleAlmonds\'trousersbegantolengthen，andthewearerstodisperseandsettlethemselvesinlife。TheelderchildrenwereolderthanCatherine，andtheboysweresenttocollegeorplacedincountingrooms。Ofthegirls，onemarriedverypunctually，andtheotheraspunctuallybecameengaged。ItwastocelebratethislattereventthatMrs。AlmondgavethelittlepartyIhavementioned。Herdaughterwastomarryastoutyoungstockbroker，aboyoftwenty：itwasthoughtaverygoodthing。
CHAPTER4。
MRS。PENNIMAN，withmorebucklesandbanglesthanever，came，ofcourse，totheentertainment，accompaniedbyherniece；thedoctor，too，hadpromisedtolookinlaterintheevening。Therewastobeagooddealofdancing，andbeforeithadgoneveryfarMarianAlmondcameuptoCatherine，incompanywithatallyoungman。Sheintroducedtheyoungmanasapersonwhohadagreatdesiretomakeyourheroine\'sacquaintance，andasacousinofArthurTownsend，herownintended。
MarianAlmondwasaprettylittlepersonofseventeen，withaverysmallfigureandaverybigsash，totheeleganceofwhosemannersmatrimonyhadnothingtoadd。Shealreadyhadalltheairsofahostess，receivingthecompany，shakingherfan，sayingthatwithsomanypeopletoattendtosheshouldhavenotimetodance。ShemadealongspeechaboutMr。Townsend\'scousin，towhomsheadministeredatapwithherfanbeforeturningawaytoothercares。Catherinehadnotunderstoodallthatshesaid；herattentionwasgiventoenjoyingMarian\'seaseofmannerandflowofideas，andtolookingattheyoungman，whowasremarkablyhandsome。Shehadsucceeded，however，assheoftenfailedtodowhenpeoplewerepresentedtoher，incatchinghisname，whichappearedtobethesameasthatofMarian\'slittlestockbroker。Catherinewasalwaysagitatedbyanintroduction；itseemedadifficultmoment，andshewonderedthatsomepeople-hernewacquaintanceatthismoment，forinstance-shouldminditsolittle。Shewonderedwhatsheoughttosay，andwhatwouldbetheconsequencesofhersayingnothing。Theconsequencesatpresentwereveryagreeable。Mr。Townsend，leavinghernotimeforembarrassment，begantotalktoherwithaneasysmile，asifhehadknownherforayear。
\"Whatadelightfulparty！Whatacharminghouse！Whataninterestingfamily！Whataprettygirlyourcousinis！\"
Theseobservations，inthemselvesofnogreatprofundity，Mr。
Townsendseemedtoofferforwhattheywereworth，andasacontributiontoanacquaintance。HelookedstraightintoCatherine\'seyes。Sheanswerednothing；sheonlylistened，andlookedathim；
andhe，asifheexpectednoparticularreply，wentontosaymanyotherthingsinthesamecomfortableandnaturalmanner。Catherine，thoughshefelttongue-tied，wasconsciousofnoembarrassment；itseemedproperthatheshouldtalk，andthatsheshouldsimplylookathim。Whatmadeitnaturalwasthathewassohandsome，or，rather，asshephrasedittoherself，sobeautiful。Themusichadbeensilentforawhile，butitsuddenlybeganagain；andthenheaskedher，withadeeper，intensersmile，ifshewoulddohimthehonorofdancingwithhim。Eventothisinquiryshegavenoaudibleassent；shesimplylethimputhisarmroundherwaist-asshedidso，itoccurredtohermorevividlythanithadeverdonebeforethatthiswasasingularplaceforagentleman\'sarmtobe-andinamomenthewasguidingherroundtheroomintheharmoniousrotationofthepolka。
Whentheypaused，shefeltthatshewasred；andthen，forsomemoments，shestoppedlookingathim。Shefannedherself，andlookedattheflowersthatwerepaintedonherfan。Heaskedherifshewouldbeginagain，andshehesitatedtoanswer，stilllookingattheflowers。
\"Doesitmakeyoudizzy？\"heasked，inatoneofgreatkindness。
ThenCatherinelookedupathim；hewascertainlybeautiful，andnotatallred。\"Yes，\"shesaid；shehardlyknewwhy，fordancinghadnevermadeherdizzy。
\"Ah，well，inthatcase，\"saidMr。Townsend，\"wewillsitstillandtalk。Iwillfindagoodplacetosit。\"
Hefoundagoodplace-acharmingplace，alittlesofathatseemedmeantonlyfortwopersons。Theroomsbythistimewereveryfull；thedancersincreasedinnumber，andpeoplestoodcloseinfrontofthem，turningtheirbacks，sothatCatherineandhercompanionseemedsecludedandunobserved。\"Wewilltalk，\"theyoungmanhadsaid，buthestilldidallthetalking。Catherineleanedbackinherplace，withhereyesfixeduponhim，smiling，andthinkinghimveryclever。Hehadfeatureslikeyoungmeninpictures；Catherinehadneverseensuchfeatures-sodelicate，sochiseledandfinished-amongtheyoungNewYorkerswhomshepassedinthestreetsandmetatdancingparties。Hewastallandslim，buthelookedextremelystrong。
Catherinethoughthelookedlikeastatue。Butastatuewouldnottalklikethat，and，aboveall，wouldnothaveeyesofsorareacolor。
HehadneverbeenatMrs。Almond\'sbefore；hefeltverymuchlikeastranger；anditwasverykindofCatherinetotakepityonhim。HewasArthurTownsend\'scousin-notverynear，severaltimesremoved-
andArthurhadbroughthimtopresenthimtothefamily。Infact，hewasagreatstrangerinNewYork。Itwashisnativeplace；buthehadnotbeenthereformanyyears。Hehadbeenknockingabouttheworld，andlivinginqueercorners；hehadonlycomebackamonthortwobefore。NewYorkwasverypleasant，onlyhefeltlonely。
\"Yousee，peopleforgetyou，\"hesaid，smilingatCatherinewithhisdelightfulgaze，whileheleanedforwardobliquely，turningtowardher，withhiselbowsonhisknees。
ItseemedtoCatherinethatnoonewhohadonceseenhimwouldeverforgethim；butthoughshemadethisreflectionshekeptittoherself；almostasyouwouldkeepsomethingprecious。
Theysatthereforsometime。Hewasveryamusing。Heaskedheraboutthepeoplethatwerenearthem；hetriedtoguesswhosomeofthemwere，andhemadethemostlaughablemistakes。Hecriticizedthemveryfreely，inapositive，offhandway。Catherinehadneverheardanyone-especiallyanyyoungman-talkjustlikethat。Itwasthewayayoungmanmighttalkinanovel，or，betterstill，inaplay，onthestage，closebeforethefootlights，lookingattheaudience，andwitheveryonelookingathim，sothatyouwonderedathispresenceofmind。AndyetMr。Townsendwasnotlikeanactor；heseemedsosincere，sonatural。Thiswasveryinteresting；butinthemidstofitMarianAlmondcamepushingthroughthecrowd，withalittleironicalcry，whenshefoundtheseyoungpeoplestilltogether，whichmadeeveryoneturnround，andcostCatherineaconsciousblush。Marianbrokeuptheirtalk，andtoldMr。Townsend-whomshetreatedasifshewerealreadymarried，andhehadbecomehercousin-torunawaytohermother，whohadbeenwishingforthelasthalfhourtointroducehimtoMr。Almond。
\"Weshallmeetagain，\"hesaidtoCatherineashelefther，andCatherinethoughtitaveryoriginalspeech。
Hercousintookherbythearm，andmadeherwalkabout。\"I
needn\'taskyouwhatyouthinkofMorris，\"theyounggirlexclaimed。
\"Isthathisname？\"
\"Idon\'taskyouwhatyouthinkofhisname，butwhatyouthinkofhimself，\"saidMarian。
\"Oh，nothingparticular，\"Catherineanswered，dissemblingforthefirsttimeinherlife。
\"Ihavehalfamindtotellhimthat！\"criedMarian。\"Itwilldohimgood；he\'ssoterriblyconceited。\"
\"Conceited？\"saidCatherine，staring。
\"SoArthursays，andArthurknowsabouthim。\"
\"Oh，don\'ttellhim！\"Catherinemurmured，imploringly。
\"Don\'ttellhimhe\'sconceited！Ihavetoldhimsoadozentimes。\"
AtthisprofessionofaudacityCatherinelookeddownatherlittlecompanioninamazement。ShesupposeditwasbecauseMarianwasgoingtobemarriedthatshetooksomuchonherself；butshewonderedtoo，whether，whensheherselfshouldbecomeengaged，suchexploitswouldbeexpectedofher。
HalfanhourlatershesawherAuntPennimansittingintheembrasureofawindow，withherheadalittleononeside，andhergoldeyeglassraisedtohereyes，whichwerewanderingabouttheroom。
Infrontofherwasagentleman，bendingforwardalittle，withhisbackturnedtoCatherine。Sheknewhisbackimmediately，thoughshehadneverseenit；forwhenhelefther，atMarian\'sinstigation，hehadretreatedinthebestorder，withoutturninground。MorrisTownsend-thenamehadalreadybecomeveryfamiliartoher，asifsomeonehadbeenrepeatingitinherearforthelasthalfhour-
MorrisTownsendwasgivinghisimpressionsofthecompanytoheraunt，ashehaddonetoherself；hewassayingcleverthings，andMrs。
Pennimanwassmiling，asifsheapprovedofthem。AssoonasCatherinehadperceivedthisshemovedaway；shewouldnothavelikedhimtoturnroundandseeher。Butitgaveherpleasure-thewholething。
ThatheshouldtalkwithMrs。Penniman，withwhomshelivedandwhomshesawandtalkedwitheveryday-thatseemedtokeephimnearher，andtomakehimeveneasiertocontemplatethanifsheherselfhadbeentheobjectofhiscivilities；andthatAuntLaviniashouldlikehim，shouldnotbeshockedorstartledbywhathesaid，thisalsoappearedtothegirlapersonalgain；forAuntLavinia\'sstandardwasextremelyhigh，plantedasitwasoverthegraveofherlatehusband，inwhich，asshehadconvincedeveryone，theverygeniusofconversationwasburied。OneoftheAlmondboys，asCatherinecalledthem，invitedourheroinetodanceaquadrille，andforaquarterofanhourherfeetatleastwereoccupied。Thistimeshewasnotdizzy；herheadwasveryclear。Justwhenthedancewasover，shefoundherselfinthecrowdfacetofacewithherfather。DoctorSloperhadusuallyalittlesmile，neveraverybigone，andwiththislittlesmileplayinginhiscleareyesandonhisneatlyshavedlips，helookedathisdaughter\'scrimsongown。
\"Isitpossiblethatthismagnificentpersonismychild？\"hesaid。
Youwouldhavesurprisedhimifyouhadtoldhimso，butitisaliteralfactthathealmostneveraddressedhisdaughtersaveintheironicalform。Wheneverheaddressedherhegaveherpleasure；butshehadtocutherpleasureoutofthepieces，asitwere。Therewereportionsleftover，lightremnantsandsnippetsofirony，whichsheneverknewwhattodowith，whichseemedtoodelicateforherownuse；
andyetCatherine，lamentingthelimitationsofherunderstanding，feltthattheyweretoovaluabletowaste，andhadabeliefthatiftheypassedoverherheadtheyyetcontributedtothegeneralsumofhumanwisdom。
\"Iamnotmagnificent，\"shesaid，mildly，wishingthatshehadputonanotherdress。
\"Youaresumptuous，opulent，expensive，\"herfatherrejoined。\"Youlookasifyouhadeightythousandayear。\"
\"Well，solongasIhaven\'t，-\"saidCatherine，illogically。Herconceptionofherprospectivewealthwasasyetveryindefinite。
\"Solongasyouhaven\'tyoushouldn\'tlookasifyouhad。Haveyouenjoyedyourparty！\"
Catherinehesitatedamoment；andthen，lookingaway，\"Iamrathertired，\"shemurmured。Ihavesaidthatthisentertainmentwas，thebeginningofsomethingimportantforCatherine。Forthesecondtimeinherlifeshemadeanindirectanswer；andthebeginningofaperiodofdissimulationiscertainlyasignificantdate。Catherinewasnotsoeasilytiredasthat。
Nevertheless，inthecarriage，astheydrovehome，shewasasquietasiffatiguehadbeenherportion。DoctorSloper\'smannerofaddressinghissisterLaviniahadagooddealofresemblancetothetonehehadadoptedtowardCatherine。
\"Whowastheyoungmanthatwasmakinglovetoyou？\"hepresentlyasked。
\"Oh，mygoodbrother！\"murmuredMrs。Penniman，indeprecation。
\"Heseemeduncommonlytender。WheneverIlookedatyouforhalfanhour，hehadthemostdevotedair。\"
\"Thedevotionwasnottome，\"saidMrs。Penniman。\"ItwastoCatherine；hetalkedtomeofher。\"
Catherinehadbeenlisteningwithallherears。\"Oh，AuntPenniman！\"
sheexclaimed，faintly。
\"Heisveryhandsome；heisveryclever；heexpressedhimselfwithagreatdeal-agreatdealoffelicity，\"herauntwenton。
\"Heisinlovewiththisregalcreature，then？\"thedoctorinquired，humorously。
\"Oh，Father！\"criedthegirl，stillmorefaintly，devoutlythankfulthecarriagewasdark。
\"Idon\'tknowthat；butheadmiredherdress。\"
Catherinedidnotsaytoherselfinthedark，\"Mydressonly？\"
Mrs。Penniman\'sannouncementstruckherbyitsrichness，notbyitsmeagerness。
\"Yousee，\"saidherfather，\"hethinksyouhaveeightythousandayear。\"
\"Idon\'tbelievehethinksofthat，\"saidMrs。Penniman。\"Heistoorefined。\"
\"Hemustbetremendouslyrefinednottothinkofthat！\"
\"Well，heis！\"Catherineexclaimed，beforesheknewit。
\"Ithoughtyouhadgonetosleep，\"herfatheranswered。\"Thehourhascome！\"headdedtohimself。\"LaviniaisgoingtogetuparomanceforCatherine。It\'sashametoplaysuchtricksonthegirl。
Whatisthegentleman\'sname？\"hewenton，aloud。
\"Ididn\'tcatchit，andIdidn\'tliketoaskhim。Heaskedtobeintroducedtome，\"saidMrs。Penniman，withacertaingrandeur，\"butyouknowhowindistinctlyJeffersonspeaks。\"JeffersonwasMr。Almond。
\"Catherine，dear，whatwasthegentleman\'sname？\"
Foraminute，ifithadnotbeenfortherumblingofthecarriage，youmighthaveheardapindrop。
\"Idon\'tknow，AuntLavinia，\"saidCatherine，verysoftly。And，withallhisirony，herfatherbelievedher。
CHAPTER5。
HELEARNEDwhathehadaskedsomethreeorfourdayslater，afterMorrisTownsend，withhiscousin，hadcalledinWashingtonSquare。
Mrs。Pennimandidnottellherbrother，onthedrivehome，thatshehadintimatedtothisagreeableyoungman，whosenameshedidnotknow，that，withherniece，sheshouldbeverygladtoseehim；butshewasgreatlypleased，andevenalittleflattered，when，lateonaSundayafternoon，thetwogentlemenmadetheirappearance。HiscomingwithArthurTownsendmadeitmorenaturalandeasy；thelatteryoungmanwasonthepointofbecomingconnectedwiththefamily，andMrs。PennimanhadremarkedtoCatherinethat，ashewasgoingtomarryMarian，itwouldbepoliteinhimtocall。Theseeventscametopasslateintheautumn，andCatherineandheraunthadbeensittingtogetherintheclosingdusk，bythefirelight，inthehighbackparlor。
ArthurTownsendfelltoCatherine\'sportion，whilehiscompanionplacedhimselfonthesofabesideMrs。Penniman。Catherinehadhithertonotbeenaharshcritic；shewaseasytoplease-shelikedtotalkwithyoungmen。ButMarian\'sbetrothed，thisevening，madeherfeelvaguelyfastidious；hesatlookingatthefireandrubbinghiskneeswithhishands。AsforCatherine，shescarcelyevenpretendedtokeepuptheconversation；herattentionhadfixeditselfontheothersideoftheroom；shewaslisteningtowhatwentonbetweentheotherMr。Townsendandheraunt。EverynowandthenhelookedoveratCatherineherselfandsmiled，asiftoshowthatwhathesaidwasforherbenefittoo。Catherinewouldhavelikedtochangeherplace，togoandsitnearthem，whereshemightseeandhearhimbetter。
Butshewasafraidofseemingbold-oflookingeager；and，besides，itwouldnothavebeenpolitetoMarian\'slittlesuitor。Shewonderedwhytheothergentlemanhadpickedoutheraunt-howhecametohavesomuchtosaytoMrs。Penniman，towhom，usually，youngmenwerenotespeciallydevoted。ShewasnotatalljealousofAuntLavinia，butshewasalittleenvious，and，aboveall，shewondered；forMorrisTownsendwasanobjectonwhichshefoundthatherimaginationcouldexerciseitselfindefinitely。HiscousinhadbeendescribingahousethathehadtakeninviewofhisunionwithMarian，andthedomesticconvenienceshemeanttointroduceintoit；howMarianwantedalargerone，andMrs。Almondrecommendedasmallerone，andhowhehimselfwasconvincedthathehadgottheneatesthouseinNewYork。
\"Itdoesn\'tmatter，\"hesaid。\"It\'sonlyforthreeorfouryears。Attheendofthreeorfouryearswe\'llmove。That\'sthewaytoliveinNewYork-tomoveeverythreeorfouryears。Thenyoualwaysgetthelastthing。It\'sbecausethecity\'sgrowingsoquick-you\'vegottokeepupwithit。It\'sgoingstraightuptown-that\'swhereNewYork\'sgoing。IfIwasn\'tafraidMarianwouldbelonely，I\'dgoupthere-
rightuptothetop-andwaitforit。Onlyhavetowaittenyears-
they\'llallcomeupafteryou。ButMariansaysshewantssomeneighbors-shedoesn\'twanttobeapioneer。Shesaysthatifshe\'sgottobethefirstsettlershehadbettergoouttoMinnesota。I
guesswe\'llmoveuplittlebylittle；whenwegettiredofonestreetwe\'llgohigher。Soyouseewe\'llalwayshaveanewhouse；it\'sagreatadvantagetohaveanewhouse；yougetallthelatestimprovements。Theyinventeverythingalloveragainabouteveryfiveyears，andit\'sagreatthingtokeepupwiththenewthings。Ialwaystryandkeepupwiththenewthingsofeverykind。Don\'tyouthinkthat\'sagoodmottoforayoungcouple-tokeep\'goinghigher\'？What\'sthenameofthatpieceofpoetry-whatdotheycallit？-\'Excelsior！\'\"
CatherinebestowedonherjuniorvisitoronlyjustenoughattentiontofeelthatthiswasnotthewayMr。MorrisTownsendhadtalkedtheothernight，orthathewastalkingnowtoherfortunateaunt。Butsuddenlyhisaspiringkinsmanbecamemoreinteresting。Heseemedtohavebecomeconsciousthatshewasaffectedbyhiscompanion\'spresence，andhethoughtitpropertoexplainit。
\"Mycousinaskedmetobringhim，orIshouldn\'thavetakentheliberty。Heseemedtowantverymuchtocome；youknowhe\'sawfullysociable。ItoldhimIwantedtoaskyoufirst，buthesaidMrs。
Pennimanhadinvitedhim。Heisn\'tparticularwhathesayswhenhewantstocomesomewhere。ButMrs。Pennimanseemstothinkit\'sallright。\"
\"Weareverygladtoseehim，\"saidCatherine。Andshewishedtotalkmoreabouthim，butshehardlyknewwhattosay。\"Ineversawhimbefore，\"shewenton，presently。
ArthurTownsendstared。
\"Why，hetoldmehetalkedwithyouforoverhalfanhourtheothernight。\"
\"Imeanbeforetheothernight。Thatwasthefirsttime。\"
\"Oh，hehasbeenawayfromNewYork-hehasbeenallroundtheworld。Hedoesn\'tknowmanypeoplehere，buthe\'sverysociable，andhewantstoknoweveryone。\"
\"Everyone？\"saidCatherine。
