\"Well，Imeanallthegoodones。Alltheprettyyoungladies-likeMrs。Penniman！\"AndArthurTownsendgaveaprivatelaugh。
\"Myauntlikeshimverymuch，\"saidCatherine。
\"Mostpeoplelikehim-he\'ssobrilliant。\"
\"He\'smorelikeaforeigner，\"Catherinesuggested。
\"Well，Ineverknewaforeigner，\"saidyoungTownsend，inatonewhichseemedtoindicatethathisignorancehadbeenoptional。
\"NeitherhaveI，\"Catherineconfessed，withmorehumility。\"Theysaytheyaregenerallybrilliant，\"sheadded，vaguely。
\"Well，thepeopleofthiscityarecleverenoughforme。Iknowsomeofthemthatthinktheyaretoocleverforme；buttheyain\'t。\"
\"Isupposeyoucan\'tbetooclever，\"saidCatherine，stillwithhumility。
\"Idon\'tknow。Iknowsomepeoplethatcallmycousintooclever。\"
Catherinelistenedtothisstatementwithextremeinterest，andafeelingthatifMorrisTownsendhadafaultitwouldnaturallybethatone。Butshedidnotcommitherself，andinamomentsheasked，\"Nowthathehascomeback，willhestayherealways？\"
\"Ah，\"saidArthur，\"ifhecangetsomethingtodo。\"
\"Somethingtodo？\"
\"Someplaceorother；somebusiness。\"
\"Hasn\'thegotany？\"saidCatherine，whohadneverheardofayoungman-oftheupperclass-inthissituation。
\"No，he\'slookinground。Buthecan\'tfindanything。\"
\"Iamverysorry，\"Catherinepermittedherselftoobserve。
\"Oh，hedoesn\'tmind，\"saidyoungTownsend。\"Hetakesiteasy-heisn\'tinahurry。Heisveryparticular。\"
Catherinethoughthenaturallywouldbe，andgaveherselfupforsomemomentstothecontemplationofthisidea，inseveralofitsbearings。
\"Won\'thisfathertakehimintohisbusiness-hisoffice？\"sheatlastinquired。
\"Hehasn\'tgotanyfather-hehasonlygotasister。Yoursistercan\'thelpyoumuch。\"
ItseemedtoCatherinethatifshewerehissistershewoulddisprovethisaxiom。\"Ifshe-isshepleasant？\"sheaskedinamoment。
\"Idon\'tknow-Ibelieveshe\'sveryrespectable，\"saidyoungTownsend。Andthenhelookedacrosstohiscousinandbegantolaugh。\"Isay，wearetalkingaboutyou，\"headded。
MorrisTownsendpausedinhisconversationwithMrs。Penniman，andstared，withalittlesmile。Thenhegotup，asifheweregoing。
\"Asfarasyouareconcerned，Ican\'treturnthecompliment，\"hesaidtoCatherine\'scompanion。\"ButasregardsMissSloper，it\'sanotheraffair。\"
Catherinethoughtthislittlespeechwonderfullywellturned；butshewasembarrassedbyit，andshealsogotup。MorrisTownsendstoodlookingatherandsmiling；heputouthishandforfarewell。Hewasgoing，withouthavingsaidanythingtoher；butevenonthesetermsshewasgladtohaveseenhim。
\"Iwilltellherwhatyouhavesaid-whenyougo！\"saidMrs。
Penniman，withalittlesignificantlaugh。
Catherineblushed，forshefeltalmostasiftheyweremakingsportofher。Whatintheworldcouldthisbeautifulyoungmanhavesaid？Helookedatherstill，inspiteofherblush，butverykindlyandrespectfully。
\"Ihavehadnotalkwithyou，\"hesaid，\"andthatwaswhatIcamefor。Butitwillbeagoodreasonforcominganothertime，alittlepretext-ifIamobligedtogiveone。IamnotafraidofwhatyourauntwillsaywhenIgo。\"
Withthisthetwoyoungmentooktheirdeparture；afterwhichCatherine，withherblushstilllingering，directedaseriousandinterrogativeeyetoMrs。Penniman。Shewasincapableofelaborateartifice，andsheresortedtonojoculardevice-tonoaffectationofthebeliefthatshehadbeenmaligned-tolearnwhatshedesired。
\"Whatdidyousayyouwouldtellme？\"sheasked。
Mrs。Pennimancameuptoher，smilingandnoddingalittle，lookedatherallover，andgaveatwisttotheknotofribboninherneck。
\"It\'sagreatsecret，mydearchild，butheiscominga-courting！\"
Catherinewasseriousstill。\"Isthatwhathetoldyou？\"
\"Hedidn\'tsaysoexactly，butheleftmetoguessit。I\'magoodguesser。\"
\"Doyoumeana-courtingme？\"
\"Notme，certainly，miss；thoughImustsayheisahundredtimesmorepolitetoapersonwhohasnolongerextremeyouthtorecommendherthanmostoftheyoungmen。Heisthinkingofsomeoneelse。\"AndMrs。Pennimangavehernieceadelicatelittlekiss。\"Youmustbeverygracioustohim。\"
Catherinestared-shewasbewildered。\"Idon\'tunderstandyou，\"
shesaid。\"Hedoesn\'tknowme。\"
\"Ohyes，hedoes；morethanyouthink。Ihavetoldhimallaboutyou。\"
\"Oh，AuntPenniman！\"murmuredCatherine，asifthishadbeenabreachoftrust。\"Heisaperfectstranger-wedon\'tknowhim。\"
Therewasinfinitemodestyinthepoorgirl\'s\"we。\"
AuntPenniman，however，tooknoaccountofit；shespokeevenwithatouchofacrimony。\"MydearCatherine，youknowverywellthatyouadmirehim。\"
\"Oh，AuntPenniman！\"Catherinecouldonlymurmuragain。Itmightverywellbethatsheadmiredhim-thoughthisdidnotseemtoherathingtotalkabout。Butthatthisbrilliantstranger-thissuddenapparition，whohadbarelyheardthesoundofhervoice-tookthatsortofinterestinherthatwasexpressedbytheromanticphraseofwhichMrs。Pennimanhadjustmadeuse-thiscouldonlybeafigmentoftherestlessbrainofAuntLavinia，whomeveryoneknewtobeawomanofpowerfulimagination。
CHAPTER6。
MRS。PENNIMANeventookforgrantedattimesthatotherpeoplehadasmuchimaginationasherself；sothatwhen，halfanhourlater，herbrothercamein，sheaddressedhimquiteonthisprinciple。
\"Hehasjustbeenhere，Austin；it\'ssuchapityyoumissedhim。\"
\"WhomintheworldhaveImissed？\"askedthedoctor。
\"Mr。MorrisTownsend；hehasmadeussuchadelightfulvisit。\"
\"AndwhointheworldisMr。MorrisTownsend？\"
\"AuntPennimanmeansthegentleman-thegentlemanwhosenameI
couldn\'tremember，\"saidCatherine。
\"ThegentlemanatElizabeth\'spartywhowassostruckwithCatherine，\"Mrs。Pennimanadded。
\"Oh，hisnameisMorrisTownsend，isit？Anddidhecomeheretoproposetoyou？\"
\"Oh，Father！\"murmuredthegirlforananswer，turningawaytothewindow，wheretheduskhaddeepenedtodarkness。
\"Ihopehewon\'tdothatwithoutyourpermission，\"saidMrs。
Penniman，verygraciously。
\"Afterall，mydear，heseemstohaveyours，\"herbrotheranswered。
Laviniasimpered，asifthismightnotbequiteenough，andCatherine，withherforeheadtouchingthewindowpanes，listenedtothisexchangeofepigramsasreservedlyasiftheyhadnoteachbeenapinprickinherowndestiny。
\"Thenexttimehecomes，\"thedoctoradded，\"youhadbettercallme。
Hemightliketoseeme。\"
MorrisTownsendcameagainsomefivedaysafterward；butDoctorSloperwasnotcalled，ashewasabsentfromhomeatthetime。
Catherinewaswithherauntwhentheyoungman\'snamewasbroughtin，andMrs。Penniman，effacingherselfandprotesting，madeagreatpointofherniece\'sgoingintothedrawingroomalone。
\"Thistimeit\'sforyou-foryouonly，\"shesaid。\"Before，whenhetalkedtome，itwasonlypreliminary-itwastogainmyconfidence。
Literally，mydear，Ishouldnothavethecouragetoshowmyselftoday。\"
Andthiswasperfectlytrue。Mrs。Pennimanwasnotabravewoman，andMorrisTownsendhadstruckherasayoungmanofgreatforceofcharacter，andofremarkablepowersofsatire-akeen，resolute，brilliantnature，withwhichonemustexerciseagreatdealoftact。
Shesaidtoherselfthathewas\"imperious，\"andshelikedthewordandtheidea。Shewasnottheleastjealousofherniece，andshehadbeenperfectlyhappywithMr。Penniman，butinthebottomofherheartshepermittedherselftheobservation，\"That\'sthesortofhusbandIshouldhavehad！\"Hewascertainlymuchmoreimperious-
sheendedbycallingitimperial-thanMr。Penniman。
SoCatherinesawMr。Townsendalone，andherauntdidnotcomeinevenattheendofthevisit。Thevisitwasalongone；hesatthere，inthefrontparlor，inthebiggestarmchair，formorethananhour。Heseemedmoreathomethistime-morefamiliar，loungingalittleinthechair，slappingacushionthatwasnearhimwithhisstick，andlookingroundtheroomagooddeal，andattheobjectsitcontained，aswellasatCatherine，whom，however，healsocontemplatedfreely。TherewasasmileofrespectfuldevotioninhishandsomeeyeswhichseemedtoCatherinealmostsolemnlybeautiful；
itmadeherthinkofayoungknightinapoem。Histalk，however，wasnotparticularlyknightly；itwaslightandeasyandfriendly；
ittookapracticalturn，andheaskedanumberofquestionsaboutherself-whatwerehertastes-ifshelikedthisandthat-whatwereherhabits。Hesaidtoher，withhischarmingsmile，\"Tellmeaboutyourself；givemealittlesketch。\"Catherinehadverylittletotell，andshehadnotalentforsketching；butbeforehewentshehadconfidedtohimthatshehadasecretpassionforthetheater，whichhadbeenbutscantilygratified，andatasteforoperaticmusic-
thatofBelliniandDonizetti，inespecial（itmustberemembered，inextenuationofthisprimitiveyoungwoman，thatsheheldtheseopinionsinanageofgeneraldarkness）-whichsherarelyhadanoccasiontohear，exceptonthehandorgan。Sheconfessedthatshewasnotparticularlyfondofliterature。MorrisTownsendagreedwithherthatbooksweretiresomethings；only，ashesaid，youhadtoreadagoodmanybeforeyoufounditout。Hehadbeentoplacesthatpeoplehadwrittenbooksabout，andtheywerenotabitlikethedescriptions。Toseeforyourself-thatwasthegreatthing；healwaystriedtoseeforhimself。Hehadseenalltheprincipalactors-hehadbeentoallthebesttheatersinLondonandParis。Buttheactorswerealwaysliketheauthors-theyalwaysexaggerated。Helikedeverythingtobenatural。Suddenlyhestopped，lookingatCatherinewithhissmile。
\"That\'swhatIlikeyoufor；youaresonatural。Excuseme，\"headded，\"youseeIamnaturalmyself。\"
Andbeforeshehadtimetothinkwhethersheexcusedhimornot-
whichafterward，atleisure，shebecameconsciousthatshedid-hebegantotalkaboutmusic，andtosaythatitwashisgreatestpleasureinlife。HehadheardallthegreatsingersinParisandLondon-PastaandRubiniandLablache-andwhenyouhaddonethat，youcouldsaythatyouknewwhatsingingwas。
\"Isingalittlemyself，\"hesaid。\"SomedayIwillshowyou。Nottoday，butsomeothertime。\"
Andthenhegotuptogo。Hehadomitted，byaccident，tosaythathewouldsingtoherifshewouldplaytohim。Hethoughtofthisafterhegotintothestreet；buthemighthavesparedhiscompunction，forCatherinehadnotnoticedthelapse。Shewasthinkingonlythat\"someothertime\"hadadelightfulsound；itseemedtospreaditselfoverthefuture。
Thiswasallthemorereason，however，thoughshewasashamedanduncomfortable，whysheshouldtellherfatherthatMr。Townsendhadcalledagain。Sheannouncedthefactabruptly，almostviolently，assoonasthedoctorcameintothehouse；andhavingdoneso-itwasherduty-shetookmeasurestoleavetheroom。Butshecouldnotleaveitfastenough；herfatherstoppedherjustasshereachedthedoor。
\"Well，mydear，didheproposetoyoutoday？\"thedoctorasked。
Thiswasjustwhatshehadbeenafraidhewouldsay；andyetshehadnoanswerready。Ofcourseshewouldhavelikedtotakeitasajoke-asherfathermusthavemeantit；andyetshewouldhavelikedalso，indenyingit，tobealittlepositive，alittlesharp，sothathewouldperhapsnotaskthequestionagain。Shedidn\'tlikeit-itmadeherunhappy。ButCatherinecouldneverbesharp；andforamomentsheonlystood，withherhandonthedoorknob，lookingathersatiricparent，andgivingalittlelaugh。
\"Decidedly，\"saidthedoctortohimself，\"mydaughterisnotbrilliant！\"
ButhehadnosoonermadethisreflectionthanCatherinefoundsomething；shehaddecided，onthewhole，totakethethingasajoke。
\"Perhapshewilldoitthenexttime，\"sheexclaimed，witharepetitionofherlaugh；andshequicklygotoutoftheroom。
Thedoctorstoodstaring；hewonderedwhetherhisdaughterwereserious。Catherinewentstraighttoherownroom，andbythetimeshereacheditshebethoughtherselfthattherewassomethingelse-
somethingbetter-shemighthavesaid。Shealmostwished，now，thatherfatherwouldaskhisquestionagain，sothatshemightreply，\"Ohyes，Mr。MorrisTownsendproposedtome，andIrefusedhim。\"
Thedoctor，however，begantoputhisquestionselsewhere；itnaturallyhavingoccurredtohimthatheoughttoinformhimselfproperlyaboutthishandsomeyoungman，whohadformedthehabitofrunninginandoutofhishouse。Headdressedhimselftotheelderofhissisters，Mrs。Almond-notgoingtoherforthepurpose；therewasnosuchhurryasthat；buthavingmadeanoteofthematterforthefirstopportunity。Thedoctorwasnevereager，neverimpatientornervous；buthemadenotesofeverything，andheregularlyconsultedhisnotes。AmongthemtheinformationheobtainedfromMrs。AlmondaboutMorrisTownsendtookitsplace。
\"Laviniahasalreadybeentoaskme，\"shesaid。\"Laviniaismostexcited；Idon\'tunderstandit。It\'snot，afterall，Laviniathattheyoungmanissupposedtohavedesignsupon。Sheisverypeculiar。\"
\"Ah，mydear，\"thedoctorreplied，\"shehasnotlivedwithmethesetwelveyearswithoutmyfindingitout。\"
\"Shehasgotsuchanartificialmind，\"saidMrs。Almond，whoalwaysenjoyedanopportunitytodiscussLavinia\'speculiaritieswithherbrother。\"Shedidn\'twantmetotellyouthatshehadaskedmeaboutMr。Townsend；butItoldherIwould。Shealwayswantstoconcealeverything。\"
\"Andyetatmomentsnooneblurtsthingsoutwithsuchcrudity。
Sheislikearevolvinglighthouse-pitchdarknessalternatingwithadazzlingbrilliancy！Butwhatdidyoutellher？\"thedoctorasked。
\"WhatItellyou-thatIknowverylittleofhim。\"
\"Laviniamusthavebeendisappointedatthat，\"saidthedoctor。\"Shewouldpreferhimtohavebeenguiltyofsomeromanticcrime。
However，wemustmakethebestofpeople。Theytellmeourgentlemanisthecousinofthelittleboytowhomyouareabouttoentrustthefutureofyourlittlegirl。\"
\"Arthurisnotalittleboy；heisaveryoldman；youandIwillneverbesoold！HeisadistantrelationofLavinia\'sprotege。Thenameisthesame，butIamgiventounderstandthatthereareTownsendsandTownsends。SoArthur\'smothertellsme；shetalkedabout\'branches\'-youngerbranches，elderbranches，inferiorbranches-asifitwerearoyalhouse。Arthur，itappears，isofthereigningline，butpoorLavinia\'syoungmanisnot。Beyondthis，Arthur\'smotherknowsverylittleabouthim；shehasonlyavaguestorythathehasbeen\'wild。\'ButIknowhissisteralittle，andsheisaverynicewoman。HernameisMrs。Montgomery；sheisawidow，withalittlepropertyandfivechildren。ShelivesintheSecondAvenue。\"
\"WhatdoesMrs。Montgomerysayabouthim？\"
\"Thathehastalentsbywhichhemightdistinguishhimself。\"
\"Onlyheislazy，eh？\"
\"Shedoesn\'tsayso。\"
\"That\'sfamilypride，\"saidthedoctor。\"Whatishisprofession？\"
\"Hehasn\'tgotany；heislookingforsomething。Ibelievehewasonceinthenavy。\"
\"Once？Whatishisage？\"
\"Isupposeheisupwardofthirty。Hemusthavegoneintothenavyveryyoung。IthinkArthurtoldmethatheinheritedasmallproperty-
whichwasperhapsthecauseofhisleavingthenavy-andthathespentitallinafewyears。Hetraveledallovertheworld，livedabroad，amusedhimself。Ibelieveitwasakindofsystem，atheoryhehad。HehaslatelycomebacktoAmericawiththeintention，ashetellsArthur，ofbeginninglifeinearnest。\"
\"IsheinearnestaboutCatherine，then？\"
\"Idon\'tseewhyyoushouldbeincredulous，\"saidMrs。Almond。\"ItseemstomethatyouhaveneverdoneCatherinejustice。Youmustrememberthatshehastheprospectofthirtythousandayear。\"
Thedoctorlookedathissisteramoment，andthen，withlightesttouchofbitterness，\"Youatleastappreciateher，\"hesaid。
Mrs。Almondblushed。
\"Idon\'tmeanthatisheronlymerit；Isimplymeanthatitisagreatone。Agreatmanyyoungmenthinkso；andyouappeartomenevertohavebeenproperlyawareofthat。Youhavealwayshadalittlewayofalludingtoherasanunmarriageablegirl。\"
\"Myallusionsareaskindasyours，Elizabeth，\"saidthedoctor，frankly。\"HowmanysuitorshasCatherinehad，withallherexpectations-howmuchattentionhassheeverreceived？Catherineisnotunmarriageable，butsheisabsolutelyunattractive。WhatotherreasonisthereforLaviniabeingsocharmedwiththeideathatthereisaloverinthehouse？Therehasneverbeenonebefore，andLavinia，withhersensitive，sympatheticnature，isnotusedtotheidea。Itaffectsherimagination。ImustdotheyoungmenofNewYorkthejusticetosaythattheystrikemeasverydisinterested。
Theypreferprettygirls-livelygirls-girlslikeyourown。Catherineisneitherprettynorlively。\"
\"Catherinedoesverywell；shehasastyleofherown-whichismorethanmypoorMarianhas，whohasnostyleatall，\"saidMrs。Almond。
\"ThereasonCatherinehasreceivedsolittleattention，isthatsheseemstoalltheyoungmentobeolderthanthemselves。Sheissolarge，andshedressessorichly。Theyareratherafraidofher，I
think；shelooksasifshehadbeenmarriedalready，andyouknowtheydon\'tlikemarriedwomen。Andifouryoungmenappeardisinterested，\"thedoctor\'swisersisterwenton，\"itisbecausetheymarry，asageneralthing，soyoung-beforetwenty-five，attheageofinnocenceandsincerity-beforetheageofcalculation。Iftheyonlywaitedalittle，Catherinewouldfarebetter。\"
\"Asacalculation？Thankyouverymuch，\"saidthedoctor。
\"Waittillsomeintelligentmanoffortycomesalong，andhewillbedelightedwithCatherine，\"Mrs。Almondcontinued。
\"Mr。Townsendisnotoldenough，then？Hismotivesmaybepure。\"
\"Itisverypossiblethathismotivesarepure；Ishouldbeverysorrytotakethecontraryforgranted。Laviniaissureofit；and，asheisaveryprepossessingyouth，youmightgivehimthebenefitofthedoubt。\"
DoctorSloperreflectedamoment。
\"Whatarehispresentmeansofsubsistence？\"
\"Ihavenoidea。Helives，asIsay，withhissister。\"
\"Awidow，withfivechildren？Doyoumeanhelivesuponher？\"
Mrs。Almondgotup，andwithacertainimpatience，\"HadyounotbetteraskMrs。Montgomeryherself？\"sheinquired。
\"PerhapsImaycometothat，\"saidthedoctor。\"DidyousaytheSecondAvenue？\"HemadeanoteoftheSecondAvenue。
CHAPTER7。
HEWAS，however，bynomeanssomuchinearnestasthismightseemtoindicate；and，indeed，hewasmorethananythingelseamusedwiththewholesituation。HewasnotintheleastinastateoftensionorofvigilancewithregardtoCatherine\'sprospects；hewasevenonhisguardagainsttheridiculethatmightattachitselftothespectacleofahousethrownintoagitationbyitsdaughterandheiressreceivingattentionsunprecedentedinitsannals。Morethanthis，hewentsofarastopromisehimselfsomeentertainmentfromthelittledrama-ifdramaitwas-ofwhichMrs。PennimandesiredtorepresenttheingeniousMr。Townsendasthehero。Hehadnointention，asyet，ofregulatingthedenouement。Hewasperfectlywilling，asElizabethhadsuggested，togivetheyoungmanthebenefitofeverydoubt。Therewasnogreatdangerinit；forCatherine，attheageoftwenty-two，was，afterall，arathermatureblossom，suchascouldbepluckedfromthestemonlybyavigorousjerk。ThefactthatMorrisTownsendwaspoor，wasnotofnecessityagainsthim；thedoctorhadnevermadeuphismindthathisdaughtershouldmarryarichman。Thefortuneshewouldinheritstruckhimasaverysufficientprovisionfortworeasonablepersons，andifapennilessswainwhocouldgiveagoodaccountofhimselfshouldenterthelists，heshouldbejudgedquiteuponhispersonalmerits。Therewereotherthingsbesides。Thedoctorthoughtitveryvulgartobeprecipitateinaccusingpeopleofmercenarymotives，inasmuchashisdoorhadasyetnotbeenintheleastbesiegedbyfortunehunters；and，lastly，hewasverycurioustoseewhetherCatherinemightreallybelovedforhermoralworth。HesmiledashereflectedthatpoorMr。Townsendhadbeenonlytwicetothehouse，andhesaidtoMrs。Pennimanthatthenexttimeheshouldcomeshemustaskhimtodinner。
Hecameverysoonagain，andMrs。Pennimanhadofcoursegreatpleasureinexecutingthismission。MorrisTownsendacceptedherinvitationwithequalgoodgrace，andthedinnertookplaceafewdayslater。Thedoctorhadsaidtohimself，justlyenough，thattheymustnothavetheyoungmanalone；thiswouldpartaketoomuchofthenatureofencouragement。Sotwoorthreeotherpersonswereinvited；
butMorrisTownsend，thoughhewasbynomeanstheostensible，wastherealoccasionofthefeast。Thereiseveryreasontosupposethathedesiredtomakeagoodimpression；andifhefellshortofthisresult，itwasnotforwantofagooddealofintelligenteffort。
Thedoctortalkedtohimverylittleduringdinner；butheobservedhimattentively，andaftertheladieshadgoneouthepushedhimthewineandaskedhimseveralquestions。Morriswasnotayoungmanwhoneededtobepressed，andhefoundquiteenoughencouragementinthesuperiorqualityoftheclaret。Thedoctor\'swinewasadmirable，anditmaybecommunicatedtothereaderthatwhilehesippeditMorrisreflectedthatacellarfulofgoodliquor-therewasevidentlyacellarfulhere-wouldbeamostattractiveidiosyncrasyinafather-in-law。Thedoctorwasstruckwithhisappreciativeguest；hesawthathewasnotacommonplaceyoungman。\"Hehasability，\"saidCatherine\'sfather，\"decidedability；hehasaverygoodheadifhechoosestouseit。Andheisuncommonlywellturnedout；quitethesortoffigurethatpleasestheladies；butIdon\'tthinkIlikehim。\"
Thedoctor，however，kepthisreflectionstohimself，andtalkedtohisvisitoraboutforeignlands，concerningwhichMorrisofferedhimmoreinformationthanhewasready，ashementallyphrasedit，toswallow。DoctorSloperhadtraveledbutlittle，andhetookthelibertyofnotbelievingeverythingthathistalkativeguestnarrated。
Hepridedhimselfonbeingsomethingofaphysiognomist；andwhiletheyoungman，chattingwitheasyassurance，puffedhiscigarandfilledhisglassagain，thedoctorsatwithhiseyesquietlyfixedonhisbright，expressiveface。\"Hehastheassuranceofthedevilhimself！\"saidMorris\'shost。\"Idon\'tthinkIeversawsuchassurance。Andhispowersofinventionaremostremarkable。Heisveryknowing；theywerenotsoknowingasthatinmytime。Andagoodhead，didIsay？Ishouldthinkso-afterabottleofMadeira，andabottleandahalfofclaret！\"
AfterdinnerMorrisTownsendwentandstoodbeforeCatherine，whowasstandingbeforethefireinherredsatingown。
\"Hedoesn\'tlikeme-hedoesn\'tlikemeatall，\"saidtheyoungman。
\"Whodoesn\'tlikeyou？\"askedCatherine。
\"Yourfather；extraordinaryman！\"
\"Idon\'tseehowyouknow，\"saidCatherine，blushing。
\"Ifeel；Iamveryquicktofeel。\"
\"Perhapsyouaremistaken。\"
\"Ah，well，youaskhim，andyouwillsee。\"
\"Iwouldrathernotaskhim，ifthereisanydangerofhissayingwhatyouthink。\"
Morrislookedatherwithanairofmockmelancholy。
\"Itwouldn\'tgiveyouanypleasuretocontradicthim？\"
\"Inevercontradicthim，\"saidCatherine。
\"Willyouhearmeabusedwithoutopeningyourlipsinmydefense？\"
\"Myfatherwon\'tabuseyou。Hedoesn\'tknowyouenough。\"
MorrisTownsendgavealoudlaugh，andCatherinebegantoblushagain。
\"Ishallnevermentionyou，\"shesaid，totakerefugefromherconfusion。
\"Thatisverywell，butitisnotquitewhatIshouldhavelikedyoutosay。Ishouldhavelikedyoutosay，\'Ifmyfatherdoesn\'tthinkwellofyou，whatdoesitmatter？\'\"
\"Ah，butitwouldmatter；Icouldn\'tsaythat！\"thegirlexclaimed。
Helookedatherforamoment，smilingalittle；andthedoctor，ifhehadbeenwatchinghimjustthen，wouldhaveseenagleamoffineimpatienceinthesociablesoftnessofhiseye。Buttherewasnoimpatienceinhisrejoinder-none，atleast，savewhatwasexpressedinalittleappealingsigh。\"Ah，well，thenImustnotgiveupthehopeofbringinghimround。\"
HeexpresseditmorefranklytoMrs。Pennimanlaterintheevening。ButbeforethathesangtwoorthreesongsatCatherine\'stimidrequest；notthatheflatteredhimselfthatthiswouldhelptobringherfatherround。Hehadasweetlighttenorvoice，and，whenhehadfinished，everyonemadesomeexclamation-everyone，thatis，saveCatherine，whoremainedintenselysilent。Mrs。Pennimandeclaredthathismannerofsingingwas\"mostartistic，\"andDoctorSlopersaiditwas\"verytaking-verytaking，indeed，\"speakingloudlyanddistinctly，butwithacertaindryness。
\"Hedoesn\'tlikeme-hedoesn\'tlikemeatall，\"saidMorrisTownsend，addressingtheauntinthesamemannerashehaddonetheniece。\"HethinksIamallwrong。\"
Unlikeherniece，Mrs。Pennimanaskedfornoexplanation。Sheonlysmiledverysweetly，asifsheunderstoodeverything；and，unlikeCatherinetoo，shemadenoattempttocontradicthim。\"Pray，whatdoesitmatter？\"shemurmured，softly。
\"Ah，yousaytherightthing！\"saidMorris，greatlytothegratificationofMrs。Penniman，whopridedherselfonalwayssayingtherightthing。
Thedoctor，thenexttimehesawhissisterElizabeth，letherknowthathehadmadetheacquaintanceofLavinia\'sprotege。
\"Physically，\"hesaid，\"he\'suncommonlywellsetup。Asananatomist，itisreallyapleasuretometoseesuchabeautifulstructure；although，ifpeoplewerealllikehim，Isupposetherewouldbeverylittleneedfordoctors。\"
\"Don\'tyouseeanythinginpeoplebuttheirbones？\"Mrs。Almondrejoined。\"Whatdoyouthinkofhimasafather？\"
\"Asafather？Thankheaven，Iamnothisfather！\"
\"No；butyouareCatherine\'s。Laviniatellsmesheisinlove。\"
\"Shemustgetoverit。Heisnotagentleman。\"
\"Ah，takecare！RememberthatheisabranchoftheTownsends。\"
\"HeisnotwhatIcallagentleman；hehasnotthesoulofone。Heisextremelyinsinuating；butit\'savulgarnature。Isawthroughitinaminute。Heisaltogethertoofamiliar-Ihatefamiliarity。Heisaplausiblecoxcomb。\"
\"Ah，well，\"saidMrs。Almond，\"ifyoumakeupyourmindsoeasily，it\'sagreatadvantage。\"
\"Idon\'tmakeupmymindeasily。WhatItellyouistheresultofthirtyyearsofobservation；andinordertobeabletoformthatjudgmentinasingleevening，Ihavehadtospendalifetimeinstudy。\"
\"Verypossiblyyouareright。ButthethingisforCatherinetoseeit。\"
\"Iwillpresentherwithapairofspectacles！\"saidthedoctor。
CHAPTER8。
IFITWERETRUEthatshewasinlove，shewascertainlyveryquietaboutit；butthedoctorwasofcoursepreparedtoadmitthatherquietnessmightmeanvolumes。ShehadtoldMorrisTownsendthatshewouldnotmentionhimtoherfather，andshesawnoreasontoretractthisvowofdiscretion。Itwasnomorethandecentlycivil，ofcourse，that，afterhavingdinedinWashingtonSquare，Morrisshouldcallthereagain；anditwasnomorethannaturalthat，havingbeenkindlyreceivedonthisoccasion，heshouldcontinuetopresenthimself。Hehadhadplentyofleisureonhishands；andthirtyyearsago，inNewYork，ayoungmanofleisurehadreasontobethankfulforaidstoself-oblivion。Catherinesaidnothingtoherfatheraboutthesevisits，thoughtheyhadrapidlybecomethemostimportant，themostabsorbingthinginherlife。Thegirlwashappy。Sheknewnotasyetwhatwouldcomeofit；butthepresenthadsuddenlygrownrichandsolemn。Ifshehadbeentoldshewasinlove，shewouldhavebeenagooddealsurprised；forshehadanideathatlovewasaneagerandexactingpassion，andherownheartwasfilledinthesedayswiththeimpulseofself-effacementandsacrifice。WheneverMorrisTownsendhadleftthehouse，herimaginationprojecteditself，withallitsstrength，intotheideaofhissooncomingback；butifshehadbeentoldatsuchamomentthathewouldnotreturnforayear，oreventhathewouldneverreturn，shewouldnothavecomplainednorrebelled，butwouldhavehumblyacceptedthedecree，andsoughtforconsolationinthinkingoverthetimesshehadalreadyseenhim，thewordshehadspoken，thesoundofhisvoice，ofhistread，theexpressionofhisface。Lovedemandscertainthingsasaright；butCatherinehadnosenseofherrights；shehadonlyaconsciousnessofimmenseandunexpectedfavors。Herverygratitudeforthesethingshadhusheditself；foritseemedtoherthattherewouldbesomethingofimpudenceinmakingafestivalofhersecret。HerfathersuspectedMorrisTownsend\'svisits，andnotedherreserve。Sheseemedtobegpardonforit；shelookedathimconstantlyinsilence，asifshemeanttosaythatshesaidnothingbecauseshewasafraidofirritatinghim。Butthepoorgirl\'sdumbeloquenceirritatedhimmorethananythingelsewouldhavedone，andhecaughthimselfmurmuringmorethanoncethatitwasagrievouspityhisonlychildwasasimpleton。Hismurmurs，however，wereinaudible；
andforawhilehesaidnothingtoanyone。HewouldhavelikedtoknowexactlyhowoftenyoungTownsendcame；buthehaddeterminedtoasknoquestionsofthegirlherself-tosaynothingmoretoherthatwouldshowthathewatchedher。Thedoctorhadagreatideaofbeinglargelyjust：Hewishedtoleavehisdaughterherliberty，andinterfereonlywhenthedangershouldbeproved。Itwasnotinhismannertoobtaininformationbyindirectmethods，anditneverevenoccurredtohimtoquestiontheservants。AsforLavinia，hehatedtotalktoheraboutthematter；sheannoyedhimwithhermockromanticism。Buthehadtocometothis。Mrs。Penniman\'sconvictionsasregardstherelationsofhernieceandthecleveryoungvisitor，whosavedappearancesbycomingostensiblyforboththeladies-Mrs。
Penniman\'sconvictionshadpassedintoariperandricherphase。TherewastobenocrudityinMrs。Penniman\'streatmentofthesituation；
shehadbecomeasuncommunicativeasCatherineherself。Shewastastingofthesweetsofconcealment；shehadtakenupthelineofmystery。\"Shewouldbeenchantedtobeabletoprovetoherselfthatsheispersecuted，\"saidthedoctor；andwhenatlasthequestionedher，hewassureshewouldcontrivetoextractfromhiswordsapretextforthisbelief。
\"Besogoodastoletmeknowwhatisgoingoninthehouse，\"hesaidtoher，inatonewhich，underthecircumstances，hehimselfdeemedgenial。
\"Goingon，Austin？\"Mrs。Pennimanexclaimed。\"Why，IamsureIdon\'tknow。Ibelievethatlastnighttheoldgraycathadkittens。\"
\"Atherage？\"saidthedoctor。\"Theideaisstartling-almostshocking。Besogoodastoseethattheyarealldrowned。Butwhatelsehashappened？\"
\"Ah，thedearlittlekittens！\"criedMrs。Penniman。\"Iwouldn\'thavethemdrownedfortheworld！\"
Herbrotherpuffedhiscigarafewmomentsinsilence。\"Yoursympathywithkittens，Lavinia，\"hepresentlyresumed，\"arisesfromafelineelementinyourowncharacter。\"
\"Catsareverygraceful，andveryclean，\"saidMrs。Penniman，smiling。
\"Andverystealthy。Youaretheembodimentbothofgraceandofneatness；butyouarewantinginfrankness。\"
\"Youcertainlyarenot，dearbrother。\"
\"Idon\'tpretendtobegraceful，thoughItrytobeneat。Whyhaven\'tyouletmeknowthatMr。MorrisTownsendiscomingtothehousefourtimesaweek？\"
Mrs。Pennimanliftedhereyebrows。\"Fourtimesaweek！\"
\"Threetimes，then，orfivetimes，ifyoupreferit。Iamawayallday，andIseenothing。Butwhensuchthingshappen，youshouldletmeknow。\"
Mrs。Penniman，withhereyebrowsstillraised，reflectedintently。
\"DearAustin，\"shesaidatlast，\"Iamincapableofbetrayingaconfidence。Iwouldrathersufferanything。\"
\"Neverfear；youshallnotsuffer。Towhoseconfidenceisityouallude？HasCatherinemadeyoutakeavowofeternalsecrecy？\"
\"Bynomeans。Catherinehasnottoldmeasmuchasshemight。Shehasnotbeenverytrustful。\"
\"Itistheyoungman，then，whohasmadeyouhisconfidant？Allowmetosaythatitisextremelyindiscreetofyoutoformsecretallianceswithyoungmen；youdon\'tknowwheretheymayleadyou。\"
\"Idon\'tknowwhatyoumeanbyanalliance，\"saidMrs。Penniman。
\"ItakeagreatinterestinMr。Townsend；Iwon\'tconcealthat。Butthat\'sall。\"
\"Underthecircumstances，thatisquiteenough。WhatisthesourceofyourinterestinMr。Townsend？\"
\"Why，\"saidMrs。Penniman，musing，andthenbreakingintohersmile，\"thatheissointeresting！\"
Thedoctorfeltthathehadneedofhispatience。\"Andwhatmakeshiminteresting？Hisgoodlooks？\"
\"Hismisfortunes，Austin。\"
\"Ah，hehashadmisfortunes？That，ofcourse，isalwaysinteresting。
AreyouatlibertytomentionafewofMr。Townsend\'s？\"
\"Idon\'tknowthathewouldlikeit，\"saidMrs。Penniman。\"Hehastoldmeagreatdealabouthimself-hehastoldme，infact，hiswholehistory。ButIdon\'tthinkIoughttorepeatthosethings。Hewouldtellthemtoyou，Iamsure，ifhethoughtyouwouldlistentohimkindly。Withkindnessyoumaydoanythingwithhim。\"
Thedoctorgavealaugh。\"Ishallrequesthimverykindly，then，toleaveCatherinealone。\"
\"Ah！\"saidMrs。Penniman，shakingherforefingeratherbrother，withherlittlefingerturnedout，\"Catherinehasprobablysaidsomethingtohimkinderthanthat！\"
\"Saidthatshelovedhim？Doyoumeanthat？\"
Mrs。Pennimanfixedhereyesonthefloor。\"AsItellyou，Austin，shedoesn\'tconfideinme。\"
\"Youhaveanopinion，Isuppose，allthesame。ItisthatIaskyoufor；thoughIdon\'tconcealfromyouthatIshallnotregarditasconclusive。\"
Mrs。Penniman\'sgazecontinuedtorestonthecarpet；butatlastsheliftedit，andthenherbrotherthoughtitveryexpressive。\"I
thinkCatherineisveryhappy；thatisallIcansay。\"
\"Townsendistryingtomarryher-isthatwhatyoumean？\"
\"Heisgreatlyinterestedinher。\"
\"Hefindshersuchanattractivegirl？\"
\"Catherinehasalovelynature，Austin，\"saidMrs。Penniman，\"andMr。Townsendhashadtheintelligencetodiscoverthat。\"
\"Withalittlehelpfromyou，Isuppose。MydearLavinia，\"criedthedoctor，\"youareanadmirableaunt！\"
\"SoMr。Townsendsays，\"observedLavinia，smiling。
\"Doyouthinkheissincere？\"askedherbrother。
\"Insayingthat？\"
\"No；that\'sofcourse。ButinhisadmirationforCatherine？\"
\"Deeplysincere。Hehassaidtomethemostappreciative，themostcharmingthingsabouther。Hewouldsaythemtoyou，ifheweresureyouwouldlistentohim-gently。\"
\"IdoubtwhetherIcanundertakeit。Heappearstorequireagreatdealofgentleness。\"
\"Heisasympathetic，sensitivenature，\"saidMrs。Penniman。
Herbrotherpuffedhiscigaragaininsilence。\"Thesedelicatequalitieshavesurvivedhisvicissitudes，eh？Allthiswhileyouhaven\'ttoldmeabouthismisfortunes。\"
\"Itisalongstory，\"saidMrs。Penniman，\"andIregarditasasacredtrust。ButIsupposethereisnoobjectiontomysayingthathehasbeenwild-hefranklyconfessesthat。Buthehaspaidforit。\"
\"That\'swhathasimpoverishedhim，eh？\"
\"Idon\'tmeansimplyinmoney。Heisverymuchaloneintheworld。\"
\"Doyoumeanthathehasbehavedsobadlythathisfriendshavegivenhimup？\"
\"Hehashadfalsefriends，whohavedeceivedandbetrayedhim。\"
\"Heseemstohavesomegoodonestoo。Hehasadevotedsister，andhalfadozennephewsandnieces。\"
Mrs。Pennimanwassilentaminute。\"Thenephewsandniecesarechildren，andthesisterisnotaveryattractiveperson。\"
\"Ihopehedoesn\'tabusehertoyou，\"saidthedoctor，\"forIamtoldhelivesuponher。\"
\"Livesuponher？\"
\"Liveswithher，anddoesnothingforhimself；itisaboutthesamething。\"
\"Heislookingforapositionmostearnestly，\"saidMrs。Penniman。
\"Hehopeseverydaytofindone。\"
\"Precisely。Heislookingforithere-overthereinthefrontparlor。Thepositionofhusbandofaweak-mindedwomanwithalargefortunewouldsuithimtoperfection！\"
Mrs。Pennimanwastrulyamiable，butshenowgavesignsoftemper。
Sherosewithmuchanimation，andstoodforamomentlookingatherbrother。\"MydearAustin，\"sheremarked，\"ifyouregardCatherineasaweak-mindedwomanyouareparticularlymistaken！\"Andwiththisshemovedmajesticallyaway。
CHAPTER9。
ITWASaregularcustomwiththefamilyinWashingtonSquaretogoandspendSundayeveningatMrs。Almond\'s。OntheSundayaftertheconversationIhavejustnarratedthiscustomwasnotintermitted；andonthisoccasion，towardthemiddleoftheevening，DoctorSloperfoundreasontowithdrawtothelibrarywithhisbrother-in-law，totalkoveramatterofbusiness。Hewasabsentsometwentyminutes，andwhenhecamebackintothecircle，whichwasenlivenedbythepresenceofseveralfriendsofthefamily，hesawthatMorrisTownsendhadcomein，andhadlostaslittletimeaspossibleinseatinghimselfonasmallsofabesideCatherine。Inthelargeroom，whereseveraldifferentgroupshadbeenformed，andthehumofvoicesandoflaughterwasloud，thesetwoyoungpersonsmightconfabulate，asthedoctorphrasedittohimself，withoutattractingattention。Hesawinamoment，however，thathisdaughterwaspainfullyconsciousofhisownobservation。Shesatmotionless，withhereyesbentdown，staringatheropenfan，deeplyflushed，shrinkingtogetherasiftominimizetheindiscretionofwhichsheconfessedherselfguilty。
Thedoctoralmostpitiedher。PoorCatherinewasnotdefiant；shehadnogeniusforbravado，andasshefeltthatherfatherviewedhercompanion\'sattentionswithanunsympathizingeye，therewasnothingbutdiscomfortforherintheaccidentofseemingtochallengehim。Thedoctorfelt，indeed，sosorryforherthatheturnedaway，tospareherthesenseofbeingwatched；andhewassointelligentamanthat，inhisthoughts，herenderedasortofpoeticjusticetohersituation。
