\"Itmustbedeucedlypleasantforaplain，inanimategirllikethattohaveabeautifulyoungfellowcomeandsitdownbesideher，andwhispertoherthatheisherslave-ifthatiswhatthisonewhispers。Nowondershelikesit，andthatshethinksmeacrueltyrant，whichofcourseshedoes，thoughsheisafraid-shehasn\'ttheanimationnecessary-toadmitittoherself。PooroldCatherine！\"
musedthedoctor，\"IverilybelievesheiscapableofdefendingmewhenTownsendabusesme！\"
Andtheforceofthisreflection，forthemoment，wassuchinmakinghimfeelthenaturaloppositionbetweenhispointofviewandthatofaninfatuatedchild，thathesaidtohimselfthathewasperhapsafteralltakingthingstoohard，andcryingoutbeforehewashurt。
HemustnotcondemnMorrisTownsendunheard。Hehadagreataversiontotakingthingstoohard；hethoughtthathalfthediscomfortandmanyofthedisappointmentsoflifecomefromit；andforaninstantheaskedhimselfwhether，possibly，hedidnotappearridiculoustothisintelligentyoungman，whoseprivateperceptionofincongruitieshesuspectedofbeingkeen。AttheendofaquarterofanhourCatherinehadgotridofhim，andTownsendwasnowstandingbeforethefireplaceinconversationwithMrs。Almond。
\"Wewilltryhimagain，\"saidthedoctor。Andhecrossedtheroomandjoinedhissisterandhercompanion，makingherasignthatsheshouldleavetheyoungmantohim。Shepresentlydidso，whileMorrislookedathim，smiling，withoutasignofevasivenessinhisaffableeye。
\"He\'samazinglyconceited！\"thoughtthedoctor；andthenhesaid，aloud，\"Iamtoldyouarelookingoutforaposition。\"
\"Oh，apositionismorethanIshouldpresumetocallit，\"MorrisTownsendanswered。\"Thatsoundssofine。Ishouldlikesomequietwork-somethingtoturnanhonestpenny。\"
\"Whatsortofthingshouldyouprefer？\"
\"DoyoumeanwhatamIfitfor？Verylittle，Iamafraid。Ihavenothingbutmygoodrightarm，astheysayinthemelodramas。\"
\"Youaretoomodest，\"saidthedoctor。\"Inadditiontoyourgoodrightarmyouhaveyoursubtlebrain。IknownothingofyoubutwhatI
see；butIseebyyourphysiognomythatyouareextremelyintelligent。\"
\"Ah，\"Townsendmurmured，\"Idon\'tknowwhattoanswerwhenyousaythat。Youadviseme，then，nottodespair？\"
Andhelookedathisinterlocutorasifthequestionmighthaveadoublemeaning。Thedoctorcaughtthelookandweigheditamomentbeforehereplied。\"Ishouldbeverysorrytoadmitthatarobustandwell-disposedyoungmanneedeverdespair。Ifhedoesn\'tsucceedinonething，hecantryanother。Only，Ishouldadd，heshouldchoosehislinewithdiscretion。\"
\"Ah，yes，withdiscretion，\"MorrisTownsendrepeated，sympathetically。\"Well，Ihavebeenindiscreet，formerly；butI
thinkIhavegotoverit。Iamverysteadynow。\"Andhestoodamoment，lookingdownathisremarkablyneatshoes。Thenatlast，\"Wereyoukindlyintendingtoproposesomethingformyadvantage？\"heinquired，lookingupandsmiling。
momenthereflectedthathehimselfhad，afterall，touchedfirstuponthisdelicatepoint，andthathiswordsmighthavebeenconstruedasanofferofassistance。\"Ihavenoparticularproposaltomake，\"hepresentlysaid，\"butitoccurredtometoletyouknowthatIhaveyouinmymind。Sometimesonehearsofopportunities。Forinstance，shouldyouobjecttoleavingNewYork-togoingtoadistance？\"
\"IamafraidIshouldn\'tbeabletomanagethat。Imustseekmyfortunehereornowhere。Yousee，\"addedMorrisTownsend，\"Ihaveties-Ihaveresponsibilitieshere。Ihaveasister，awidow，fromwhomIhavebeenseparatedforalongtime，andtowhomIamalmosteverything。Ishouldn\'tliketosaytoherthatImustleaveher。
Sheratherdependsuponme，yousee。\"
\"Ah，that\'sveryproper；familyfeelingisveryproper，\"saidDoctorSloper。\"Ioftenthinkthereisnotenoughofitinourcity。I
thinkIhaveheardofyoursister。\"
\"Itispossible，butIratherdoubtit；shelivessoveryquietly。\"
\"Asquietly，youmean，\"thedoctorwenton，withashortlaugh，\"asaladymaydowhohasseveralyoungchildren。\"
\"Ah，mylittlenephewsandnieces-that\'stheverypoint！Iamhelpingtobringthemup，\"saidMorrisTownsend。\"Iamakindofamateurtutor；Igivethemlessons。\"
\"That\'sveryproper，asIsay；butitishardlyacareer。\"
\"Itwon\'tmakemyfortune，\"theyoungmanconfessed。
\"Youmustnotbetoomuchbentonafortune，\"saidthedoctor。
\"ButIassureyouIwillkeepyouinmind；Iwon\'tlosesightofyou。\"
\"IfmysituationbecomesdesperateIshallperhapstakethelibertyofremindingyou，\"Morrisrejoined，raisinghisvoicealittle，withabrightersmile，ashisinterlocutorturnedaway。
BeforeheleftthehousethedoctorhadafewwordswithMrs。
Almond。
\"Ishouldliketoseehissister，\"hesaid。\"Whatdoyoucallher-
Mrs。Montgomery？Ishouldliketohavealittletalkwithher。\"
\"Iwilltryandmanageit，\"Mrs。Almondresponded。\"Iwilltakethefirstopportunityofinvitingher，andyoushallcomeandmeether；unless，indeed，\"Mrs。Almondadded，\"Shefirsttakesitintoherheadtobesickandtosendforyou。\"
\"Ahno，notthat；shemusthavetroubleenoughwithoutthat。Butitwouldhaveitsadvantages，forthenIshouldseethechildren。I
shouldlikeverymuchtoseethechildren。\"
\"Youareverythorough。Doyouwanttocatechizethemabouttheiruncle？\"
\"Precisely。Theiruncletellsmehehaschargeoftheireducation，thathesavestheirmothertheexpenseofschoolbills。Ishouldliketoaskthemafewquestionsinthecommonerbranches。\"
\"Hecertainlyhasnotthecutofaschoolmaster，\"Mrs。Almondsaidtoherselfashorttimeafterward，asshesawMorrisTownsendinacornerbendingoverherniece，whowasseated。
Andtherewas，indeed，nothingintheyoungman\'sdiscourseatthismomentthatsavoredofthepedagogue。
\"Willyoumeetmesomewheretomorrowornextday？\"hesaid，inalowtone，toCatherine。
\"Meetyou？\"sheasked，liftingherfrightenedeyes。
\"Ihavesomethingparticulartosaytoyou-veryparticular。\"
\"Can\'tyoucometothehouse？Can\'tyousayitthere？\"
Townsendshookhisheadgloomily。\"Ican\'tenteryourdoorsagain。\"
\"Oh，Mr。Townsend！\"murmuredCatherine。Shetrembledasshewonderedwhathadhappened-whetherherfatherhadforbiddenit。
\"Ican\'t，inself-respect，\"saidtheyoungman。\"Yourfatherhasinsultedme。\"
\"Insultedyou！\"
\"Hehastauntedmewithmypoverty。\"
\"Oh，youaremistaken-youmisunderstoodhim！\"Catherinespokewithenergy，gettingupfromherchair。
\"PerhapsIamtooproud-toosensitive。Butwouldyouhavemeotherwise？\"heasked，tenderly。
\"Wheremyfatherisconcerned，youmustnotbesure。Heisfullofgoodness，\"saidCatherine。
\"Helaughedatmeforhavingnoposition。Itookitquietly；butonlybecausehebelongstoyou。\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"saidCatherine，\"Idon\'tknowwhathethinks。Iamsurehemeanstobekind。Youmustnotbetooproud。\"
\"Iwillbeproudonlyofyou，\"Morrisanswered。\"WillyoumeetmeintheSquareintheafternoon？\"
AgreatblushonCatherine\'sparthadbeentheanswertothedeclarationIhavejustquoted。Sheturnedaway，heedlessofhisquestion。
\"Willyoumeetme？\"herepeated。\"Itisveryquietthere-nooneneedseeus-towarddusk。\"
\"Itisyouwhoareunkind，itisyouwholaugh，whenyousaysuchthingsasthat。\"
\"Mydeargirl！\"theyoungmanmurmured。
\"Youknowhowlittlethereisinmetobeproudof。Iamuglyandstupid。\"
Morrisgreetedthisremarkwithanardentmurmur，inwhichsherecognizednothingarticulatebutanassurancethatshewashisowndearest。
Butshewenton。\"Iamnoteven-Iamnoteven-\"Andshepausedamoment。
\"Youarenotwhat？\"
\"Iamnotevenbrave。\"
\"Ah，then，ifyouareafraid，whatshallwedo？\"
Shehesitatedawhile；thenatlast，\"Youmustcometothehouse，\"
shesaid。\"Iamnotafraidofthat。\"
\"IwouldratheritwereintheSquare，\"theyoungmanurged。\"Youknowhowemptyitis，often。Noonewillseeus。\"
\"Idon\'tcarewhoseesus。Butleavemenow。\"
Heleftherresignedly；hehadgotwhathewanted。Fortunatelyhewasignorantthathalfanhourlater，goinghomewithherfather，andfeelinghimnear，thepoorgirl，inspiteofhersuddendeclarationofcourage，begantotrembleagain。Herfathersaidnothing；butshehadanideahiseyeswerefixeduponherinthedarkness。Mrs。Pennimanalsowassilent；MorrisTownsendhadtoldherthatherniecepreferred，unromantically，aninterviewinachintz-coveredparlortoasentimentaltrystbesideafountainsheetedwithdeadleaves，andshewaslostinwondermentattheoddity-almosttheperversity-ofthechoice。
CHAPTER10。
CATHERINEreceivedtheyoungmanthenextdayonthegroundshehadchosen-amidstthechasteupholsteryofaNewYorkdrawingroomfurnishedinthefashionoffiftyyearsago。Morrishadswallowedhispride，andmadetheeffortnecessarytocrossthethresholdofhertooderisiveparent-anactofmagnanimitywhichcouldnotfailtorenderhimdoublyinteresting。
\"Wemustsettlesomething-wemusttakealine，\"hedeclared，passinghishandthroughhishairandgivingaglanceatthelong，narrowmirrorwhichadornedthespacebetweenthetwowindows，andwhichhadatitsbasealittlegildedbracketcoveredbyathinslabofwhitemarble，supportinginitsturnabackgammonboardfoldedtogetherintheshapeoftwovolumes-twoshiningfoliosinscribed，ingreenish-giltletters，HistoryofEngland。IfMorrishadbeenpleasedtodescribethemasterofthehouseasaheartlessscoffer，itisbecausehethoughthimtoomuchonhisguard，andthiswastheeasiestwaytoexpresshisowndissatisfaction-adissatisfactionwhichhehadmadeapointofconcealingfromthedoctor。Itwillprobablyseemtothereader，however，thatthedoctor\'svigilancewasbynomeansexcessive，andthatthesetwoyoungpeoplehadanopenfield。Theirintimacywasnowconsiderable，anditmayappearthat，forashrinkingandretiringperson，ourheroinehadbeenliberalofherfavors。Theyoungman，withinafewdays，hadmadeherlistentothingsforwhichshehadnotsupposedthatshewasprepared；havingalivelyforebodingofdifficulties，heproceededtogainasmuchgroundaspossibleinthepresent。Herememberedthatfortunefavorsthebrave，andevenifhehadforgottenit，Mrs。Pennimanwouldhaveremembereditforhim。Mrs。Pennimandelightedofallthingsinadrama，andsheflatteredherselfthatadramawouldnowbeenacted。
Combiningasshedidthezealoftheprompterwiththeimpatienceofthespectator，shehadlongsincedoneherutmosttopullupthecurtain。She，too，expectedtofigureintheperformance-tobetheconfidante，thechorus，tospeaktheepilogue。Itmayevenbesaidthatthereweretimeswhenshelostsightaltogetherofthemodestheroineoftheplayinthecontemplationofcertaingreatsceneswhichwouldnaturallyoccurbetweentheheroandherself。
WhatMorrishadtoldCatherineatlastwassimplythathelovedher，orratheradoredher。Virtually，hehadmadeknownasmuchalready-
hisvisitshadbeenaseriesofeloquentintimationsofit。Butnowhehadaffirmeditinlover\'svows，and，asamemorablesignofit，hehadpassedhisarmroundthegirl\'swaistandtakenakiss。ThishappycertitudehadcomesoonerthanCatherineexpected，andshehadregardedit，verynaturally，asapricelesstreasure。Itmayevenbedoubtedwhethershehadeverdefinitelyexpectedtopossessit；shehadnotbeenwaitingforit，andshehadneversaidtoherselfthatatagivenmomentitmustcome。AsIhavetriedtoexplain，shewasnoteagerandexacting；shetookwhatwasgivenherfromdaytoday；andifthedelightfulcustomofherlover\'svisits，whichyieldedherahappinessinwhichconfidenceandtimiditywerestrangelyblended，hadsuddenlycometoanend，shewouldnotonlynothavespokenofherselfasoneoftheforsaken，butshewouldnothavethoughtofherselfasoneofthedisappointed。AfterMorrishadkissedher，thelasttimehewaswithher，asaripeassuranceofhisdevotion，shebeggedhimtogoaway，toleaveheralone，toletherthink。Morriswentaway，takinganotherkissfirst。ButCatherine\'smeditationshadlackedacertaincoherence。Shefelthiskissesonherlipsandonhercheeksforalongtimeafterward；thesensationwasratheranobstaclethananaidtoreflection。Shewouldhavelikedtoseehersituationallclearlybeforeher，tomakeuphermindwhatsheshoulddoif，asshefeared，herfathershouldtellherthathedisapprovedofMorrisTownsend。Butallthatshecouldseewithanyvividnesswasthatitwasterriblystrangethatanyoneshoulddisapproveofhim；thattheremustinthatcasebesomemistake，somemystery，whichinalittlewhilewouldbesetatrest。Sheputoffdecidingandchoosing；beforethevisionofaconflictwithherfathershedroppedhereyesandsatmotionless，holdingherbreathandwaiting。
Itmadeherheartbeat；itwasintenselypainful。WhenMorriskissedherandsaidthesethings-thatalsomadeherheartbeat；butthiswasworse，anditfrightenedher。Nevertheless，today，whentheyoungmanspokeofsettlingsomething，takingaline，shefeltthatitwasthetruth，andsheansweredverysimplyandwithouthesitating。
\"Wemustdoourduty，\"shesaid。\"Wemustspeaktomyfather。Iwilldoittonight；youmustdoittomorrow。\"
\"Itisverygoodofyoutodoitfirst，\"Morrisanswered。\"Theyoungman-thehappylover-generallydoesthat。Butjustasyouplease。\"
ItpleasedCatherinetothinkthatsheshouldbebraveforhissake，andinhersatisfactionsheevengavealittlesmile。\"Womenhavemoretact，\"shesaid。\"Theyoughttodoitfirst。Theyaremoreconciliating；theycanpersuadebetter。\"
\"Youwillneedallyourpowersofpersuasion。But，afterall，\"
Morrisadded，\"youareirresistible。\"
\"Pleasedon\'tspeakthatway-andpromisemethis：Tomorrow，whenyoutalkwithFather，youwillbeverygentleandrespectful。\"
\"Asmuchsoaspossible，\"Morrispromised。\"Itwon\'tbemuchuse，butIshalltry。Icertainlywouldratherhaveyoueasilythanhavetofightforyou。\"
\"Don\'ttalkaboutfighting；weshallnotfight。\"
\"Ah，wemustbeprepared，\"Morrisrejoined，\"youespecially，becauseforyouitmustcomehardest。Doyouknowthefirstthingyourfatherwillsaytoyou？\"
\"No，Morris；pleasetellme。\"
\"HewilltellyouIammercenary。\"
\"Mercenary！\"
\"It\'sabigword，butitmeansalowthing。ItmeansthatIamafteryourmoney。\"
\"Oh！\"murmuredCatherine，softly。
TheexclamationwassodeprecatingandtouchingthatMorrisindulgedinanotherlittledemonstrationofaffection。\"Buthewillbesuretosayit，\"headded。
\"Itwillbeeasytobepreparedforthat，\"Catherinesaid。\"I
shallsimplysaythatheismistaken-thatothermenmaybethatway，butthatyouarenot。\"
\"Youmustmakeagreatpointofthat，foritwillbehisowngreatpoint。\"
Catherinelookedatherloveraminute，andthenshesaid，\"I
shallpersuadehim。ButIamgladweshallberich，\"sheadded。
Morristurnedaway，lookingintothecrownofhishat。\"No，it\'samisfortune，\"hesaidatlast。\"Itisfromthatourdifficultywillcome。\"
\"Well，ifitistheworstmisfortune，wearenotsounhappy。Manypeoplewouldnotthinkitsobad。Iwillpersuadehim，andafterthatweshallbeverygladwehavemoney。\"
MorrisTownsendlistenedtothisrobustlogicinsilence。\"Iwillleavemydefensetoyou；it\'sachargethatamanhastostooptodefendhimselffrom。\"
Catherineonhersidewassilentforawhile；shewaslookingathimwhilehelooked，withagooddealoffixedness，outofthewindow。
\"Morris，\"shesaid，abruptly，\"areyouverysureyouloveme？\"
Heturnedround，andinamomenthewasbendingoverher。\"Myowndearest，canyoudoubtit？\"
\"Ihaveonlyknownitfivedays，\"shesaid，\"butnowitseemstomeasifIcouldneverdowithoutit。\"
\"Youwillneverbecalledupontotry。\"Andhegavealittletender，reassuringlaugh。Then，inamoment，headded，\"Thereissomethingyoumusttellme，too。\"Shehadclosedhereyesafterthelastwordssheuttered，andkeptthemclosed；andatthisshenoddedherhead，withoutopeningthem。\"Youmusttellme，\"hewenton，\"thatifyourfatherisdeadagainstme，ifheabsolutelyforbidsourmarriage，youwillstillbefaithful。\"
Catherineopenedhereyes，gazingathim，andshecouldgivenobetterpromisethanwhathereadthere。
\"Youwillcleavetome？\"saidMorris。\"Youknowyouareyourownmistress-youareofage。\"
\"Ah，Morris！\"shemurmured，forallanswer；orrathernotforall，forsheputherhandintohisown。Hekeptitawhile，andpresentlyhekissedheragain。Thisisallthatneedberecordedoftheirconversation；butMrs。Penniman，ifshehadbeenpresent，wouldprobablyhaveadmittedthatitwasaswellithadnottakenplacebesidethefountaininWashingtonSquare。
CHAPTER11。
CATHERINElistenedforherfatherwhenhecameinthatevening，andsheheardhimgotohisstudy。Shesatquiet，thoughherheartwasbeatingfast，fornearlyhalfanhour；thenshewentandknockedathisdoor-aceremonywithoutwhichshenevercrossedthethresholdofthisapartment。Onenteringitnow，shefoundhiminhischairbesidethefire，entertaininghimselfwithacigarandtheeveningpaper。
\"Ihavesomethingtosaytoyou，\"shebeganverygently；andshesatdowninthefirstplacethatoffered。
\"Ishallbeveryhappytohearit，mydear，\"saidherfather。Hewaited-waited，lookingather-whileshestared，inalongsilence，atthefire。Hewascuriousandimpatient，forhewassureshewasgoingtospeakofMorrisTownsend；buthelethertakeherowntime，forhewasdeterminedtobeverymild。
\"Iamengagedtobemarried！\"Catherineannouncedatlast，stillstaringatthefire。
Thedoctorwasstartled；theaccomplishedfactwasmorethanhehadexpected；buthebetrayednosurprise。\"Youdorighttotellme，\"hesimplysaid。\"Andwhoisthehappymortalwhomyouhavehonoredwithyourchoice？\"
\"Mr。MorrisTownsend。\"Andasshepronouncedherlover\'snameCatherinelookedathim。Whatshesawwasherfather\'sstillgrayeyeandhisclear-cut，definitesmile。Shecontemplatedtheseobjectsforamoment，andthenshelookedbackatthefire；itwasmuchwarmer。
\"Whenwasthisarrangementmade？\"thedoctorasked。
\"Thisafternoon-twohoursago。\"
\"WasMr。Townsendhere？\"
\"Yes，Father；inthefrontparlor。\"Shewasverygladthatshewasnotobligedtotellhimthattheceremonyoftheirbetrothalhadtakenplaceoutthereunderthebareailanthustrees。
\"Isitserious？\"saidthedoctor。
\"Veryserious，Father。\"
Herfatherwassilentamoment。\"Mr。Townsendoughttohavetoldme。\"
\"Hemeanstotellyoutomorrow。\"
\"AfterIknowallaboutitfromyou？Heoughttohavetoldmebefore。DoeshethinkIdidn\'tcare，becauseIleftyousomuchliberty？\"
\"Ohno，\"saidCatherine，\"heknewyouwouldcare。Andwehavebeensomuchobligedtoyoufor-fortheliberty。\"
Thedoctorgaveashortlaugh。\"Youmighthavemadeabetteruseofit，Catherine。\"
\"Pleasedon\'tsaythat，Father！\"thegirlurged，softly，fixingherdullandgentleeyesuponhim。
Hepuffedhiscigarawhile，meditatively。\"Youhavegoneveryfast，\"
hesaid，atlast。
\"Yes，\"Catherineanswered，simply，\"Ithinkwehave。\"
Herfatherglancedatheraninstant，removinghiseyesfromthefire。\"Idon\'twonderMr。Townsendlikesyou；youaresosimpleandsogood。\"
\"Idon\'tknowwhyitis；buthedoeslikeme。Iamsureofthat。\"
\"AndareyouveryfondofMr。Townsend？\"
\"Ilikehimverymuch，ofcourse，orIshouldn\'tconsenttomarryhim。\"
\"Butyouhaveknownhimaveryshorttime，mydear。\"
\"Oh，\"saidCatherine，withsomeeagerness，\"itdoesn\'ttakelongtolikeaperson-whenonceyoubegin。\"
\"Youmusthavebegunveryquickly。Wasitthefirsttimeyousawhim-thatnightatyouraunt\'sparty？\"
\"Idon\'tknow，Father，\"thegirlanswered。\"Ican\'ttellyouaboutthat。\"
\"Ofcourse；that\'syourownaffair。YouwillhaveobservedthatI
haveactedonthatprinciple。Ihavenotinterfered；Ihaveleftyouyourliberty；Ihaverememberedthatyouarenolongeralittlegirl-thatyouhavearrivedatyearsofdiscretion。\"
\"Ifeelveryold-andverywise，\"saidCatherine，smilingfaintly。
\"Iamafraidthatbeforelongyouwillfeelolderandwiseryet。I
don\'tlikeyourengagement。\"
\"Ah！\"Catherineexclaimed，softly，gettingupfromherchair。
\"No，mydear。Iamsorrytogiveyoupain；butIdon\'tlikeit。
Youshouldhaveconsultedmebeforeyousettledit。Ihavebeentooeasywithyou，andIfeelasifyouhadtakenadvantageofmyindulgence。Mostdecidedlyyoushouldhavespokentomefirst。\"
Catherinehesitatedamoment，andthen，\"ItwasbecauseIwasafraidyouwouldn\'tlikeit，\"sheconfessed。
\"Ah，thereitis！Youhadabadconscience。\"
\"No，Ihavenotabadconscience，Father！\"thegirlcriedout，withconsiderableenergy。\"Pleasedon\'taccusemeofanythingsodreadful！\"Thesewords，infact，representedtoherimaginationsomethingveryterribleindeed，somethingbaseandcruel，whichsheassociatedwithmalefactorsandprisoners。\"ItwasbecauseIwasafraid-afraid-\"shewenton。
\"Ifyouwereafraid，itwasbecauseyouhadbeenfoolish。\"
\"Iwasafraidyoudidn\'tlikeMr。Townsend。\"
\"Youwerequiteright。Idon\'tlikehim。\"
\"DearFather，youdon\'tknowhim，\"saidCatherine，inavoicesotimidlyargumentativethatitmighthavetouchedhim。
\"Verytrue；Idon\'tknowhimintimately。ButIknowhimenough；I
havemyimpressionofhim。Youdon\'tknowhimeither。\"
Shestoodbeforethefirewithherhandslightlyclaspedinfrontofher；andherfather，leaningbackinhischairandlookingupather，madethisremarkwithaplaciditythatmighthavebeenirritating。
Idoubt，however，whetherCatherinewasirritated，thoughshebrokeintoavehementprotest。\"Idon\'tknowhim？\"shecried。\"Why，Iknowhim-betterthanIhaveeverknownanyone！\"
\"Youknowapartofhim-whathehaschosentoshowyou。Butyoudon\'tknowtherest。\"
\"Therest？Whatistherest？\"
\"Whateveritmaybe，thereissuretobeplentyofit。\"
\"Iknowwhatyoumean，\"saidCatherine，rememberinghowMorrishadforewarnedher。\"Youmeanthatheismercenary。\"
Herfatherlookedupatherstill，withhiscold，quiet，reasonableeye。\"IfImeantit，mydear，Ishouldsayit！ButthereisanerrorIwishparticularlytoavoid-thatofrenderingMr。
Townsendmoreinterestingtoyoubysayinghardthingsabouthim。\"
\"Iwon\'tthinkthemhardiftheyaretrue，\"saidCatherine。
\"Ifyoudon\'t，youwillbearemarkablysensibleyoungwoman！\"
\"Theywillbeyourreasons，atanyrate，andyouwillwantmetohearyourreasons。\"
Thedoctorsmiledalittle。\"Verytrue。Youhaveaperfectrighttoaskforthem。\"Andhepuffedhiscigarafewmoments。\"Verywell，then；withoutaccusingMr。Townsendofbeinginloveonlywithyourfortune-andwiththefortunethatyoujustlyexpect-Iwillsaythatthereiseveryreasontosupposethatthesegoodthingshaveenteredintohiscalculationmorelargelythanatendersolicitudeforyourhappinessstrictlyrequires。Thereis，ofcourse，nothingimpossibleinanintelligentyoungmanentertainingadisinterestedaffectionforyou。Youareanhonest，amiablegirl，andanintelligentyoungmanmighteasilyfinditout。Buttheprincipalthingthatweknowaboutthisyoungman-whois，indeed，veryintelligent-leadsustosupposethat，howevermuchhemayvalueyourpersonalmerits，hevaluesyourmoneymore。Theprincipalthingweknowabouthimisthathehasledalifeofdissipation，andhasspentafortuneofhisownindoingso。Thatisenoughforme，mydear。Iwishyoutomarryayoungmanwithotherantecedents-ayoungmanwhocouldgivepositiveguarantees。IfMorrisTownsendhasspenthisownfortuneinamusinghimself，thereiseveryreasontobelievethathewouldspendyours。\"
Thedoctordeliveredhimselfoftheseremarksslowly，deliberately，withoccasionalpausesandprolongationsofaccent，whichmadenogreatallowanceforpoorCatherine\'ssuspenseastohisconclusion。Shesatdownatlast，withherheadbentandhereyesstillfixeduponhim；andstrangelyenough-Ihardlyknowhowtotellit-evenwhileshefeltthatwhathesaidwentsoterriblyagainsther，sheadmiredhisneatnessandnoblenessofexpression。
Therewassomethinghopelessandoppressiveinhavingtoarguewithherfather；butshetoo，onherside，musttrytobeclear。Hewassoquiet；hewasnotatallangry；andshe，too，mustbequiet。Butherveryefforttobequietmadehertremble。
\"Thatisnottheprincipalthingweknowabouthim，\"shesaid；andtherewasatouchofhertremorinhervoice。\"Thereareotherthings-
manyotherthings。Hehasveryhighabilities-hewantssomuchtodosomething。Heiskind，andgenerous，andtrue，\"saidpoorCatherine，whohadnotsuspectedhithertotheresourcesofhereloquence。\"Andhisfortune-hisfortunethathespent-wasverysmall。\"
\"Allthemorereasonheshouldn\'thavespentit，\"criedthedoctor，gettingupwithalaugh。Then，asCatherine，whohadalsorisentoherfeetagain，stoodthereinherratherangularearnestness，wishingsomuchandexpressingsolittle，hedrewhertowardhimandkissedher。\"Youwon\'tthinkmecruel？\"hesaid，holdingheramoment。
Thisquestionwasnotreassuring；itseemedtoCatherine，onthecontrary，tosuggestpossibilitieswhichmadeherfeelsick。Butsheansweredcoherentlyenough，\"No，dearFather；becauseifyouknewhowIfeel-andyoumustknow，youknoweverything-youwouldbesokind，sogentle。\"
\"Yes，IthinkIknowhowyoufeel，\"thedoctorsaid。\"Iwillbeverykind-besureofthat。AndIwillseeMr。Townsendtomorrow。
Meanwhile，andforthepresent，besogoodastomentiontonoonethatyouareengaged。\"
CHAPTER12。
ONTHEMORROW，intheafternoon，hestayedathome，awaitingMr。
Townsend\'scall-aproceedingbywhichitappearedtohim（justlyperhaps，forhewasaverybusyman）thathepaidCatherine\'ssuitorgreathonor，andgaveboththeseyoungpeoplesomuchthelesstocomplainof。Morrispresentedhimselfwithacountenancesufficientlyserene-heappearedtohaveforgottenthe\"insult\"forwhichhehadsolicitedCatherine\'ssympathytwoeveningsbefore-andDoctorSloperlostnotimeinlettinghimknowthathehadbeenpreparedforhisvisit。
\"Catherinetoldmeyesterdaywhathasbeengoingonbetweenyou，\"hesaid。\"Youmustallowmetosaythatitwouldhavebeenbecomingofyoutogivemenoticeofyourintentionsbeforetheyhadgonesofar。\"
\"Ishouldhavedoneso，\"Morrisanswered，\"ifyouhadnothadsomuchtheappearanceofleavingyourdaughteratliberty。Sheseemstomequiteherownmistress。\"
\"Literally，sheis。Butshehasnotemancipatedherselfmorallyquitesofar，Itrust，astochooseahusbandwithoutconsultingme。I
haveleftheratliberty，butIhavenotbeenintheleastindifferent。Thetruthis，thatyourlittleaffairhascometoaheadwitharapiditythatsurprisesme。ItwasonlytheotherdaythatCatherinemadeyouracquaintance。\"
\"Itwasnotlongago，certainly，\"saidMorris，withgreatgravity。
\"Iadmitthatwehavenotbeenslowto-toarriveatanunderstanding。
Butthatwasverynatural，fromthemomentweweresureofourselves-andofeachother。MyinterestinMissSloperbeganthefirsttimeIsawher。\"
\"Diditnotbychanceprecedeyourfirstmeeting？\"thedoctorasked。
Morrislookedathimaninstant。\"Icertainlyhadalreadyheardthatshewasacharminggirl。\"
\"Acharminggirl-that\'swhatyouthinkher？\"
\"Assuredly。OtherwiseIshouldnotbesittinghere。\"
Thedoctormeditatedamoment。\"Mydearyoungman，\"hesaidatlast，\"youmustbeverysusceptible。AsCatherine\'sfatherIhave，I
trust，ajustandtenderappreciationofhermanygoodqualities；
butIdon\'tmindtellingyouthatIhaveneverthoughtofherasacharminggirl，andneverexpectedanyoneelsetodoso。\"
MorrisTownsendreceivedthisstatementwithasmilethatwasnotwhollydevoidofdeference。\"Idon\'tknowwhatImightthinkofherifIwereherfather。Ican\'tputmyselfinthatplace。Ispeakfrommyownpointofview。\"
\"Youspeakverywell，\"saidthedoctor，\"butthatisnotallthatisnecessary。ItoldCatherineyesterdaythatIdisapprovedofherengagement。\"
\"Sheletmeknowasmuch，andIwasverysorrytohearit。Iamgreatlydisappointed。\"AndMorrissatinsilenceawhile，lookingatthefloor。
\"DidyoureallyexpectIwouldsayIwasdelighted，andthrowmydaughterintoyourarms？\"
\"Ohno；Ihadanideayoudidn\'tlikeme。\"
\"Whatgaveyoutheidea？\"
\"ThefactthatIampoor。\"
\"Thathasaharshsound，\"saidthedoctor，\"butitisaboutthetruth-speakingofyoustrictlyasason-in-law。Yourabsenceofmeans，ofaprofession，ofvisibleresourcesorprospects，placesyouinacategoryfromwhichitwouldbeimprudentformetoselectahusbandformydaughter，whoisaweakyoungwomanwithalargefortune。InanyothercapacityIamperfectlypreparedtolikeyou。Asason-in-law，Iabominateyou。\"
MorrisTownsendlistenedrespectfully。\"Idon\'tthinkMissSloperisaweakwoman，\"hepresentlysaid。
\"Ofcourseyoumustdefendher-it\'stheleastyoucando。ButI
haveknownmychildtwentyyears，andyouhaveknownhersixweeks。
Evenifshewerenotweak，however，youwouldstillbeapennilessman。\"
\"Ah，yes；thatismyweakness！Andtherefore，youmean，Iammercenary-Ionlywantyourdaughter\'smoney。\"
\"Idon\'tsaythat。Iamnotobligedtosayit；andtosayit，saveunderstressofcompulsion，wouldbeverybadtaste。Isaysimplythatyoubelongtothewrongcategory。\"
\"Butyourdaughterdoesn\'tmarryacategory，\"Townsendurged，withhishandsomesmile。\"Shemarriesanindividual-anindividualwhomsheissogoodastosaysheloves。\"
\"Anindividualwhoofferssolittleinreturn。\"
\"Isitpossibletooffermorethanthemosttenderaffectionandalifelongdevotion？\"theyoungmandemanded。
\"Itdependshowwetakeit。Itispossibletoofferafewotherthingsbesides，andnotonlyisitpossible，butitisthecustom。A
lifelongdevotionismeasuredafterthefact；andmeanwhileitisusualinthesecasestogiveafewmaterialsecurities。Whatareyours？Averyhandsomefaceandfigure，andaverygoodmanner。Theyareexcellentasfarastheygo，buttheydon\'tgofarenough。\"
\"Thereisonethingyoushouldaddtothem，\"saidMorris，\"thewordofagentleman。\"
\"ThewordofagentlemanthatyouwillalwaysloveCatherine？Youmustbeafinegentlemantobesureofthat。\"
\"ThewordofagentlemanthatIamnotmercenary；thatmyaffectionforMissSloperisaspureanddisinterestedasentimentaswaseverlodgedinahumanbreast。Icarenomoreforherfortunethanfortheashesinthatgrate。\"
\"Itakenote-Itakenote，\"saidthedoctor。\"But，havingdoneso，I
turntoourcategoryagain。Evenwiththatsolemnvowonyourlips，youtakeyourplaceinit。Thereisnothingagainstyoubutanaccident，ifyouwill；but，withmythirtyyears\'medicalpractice，Ihaveseenthataccidentsmayhavefar-reachingconsequences。\"
Morrissmoothedhishat-itwasalreadyremarkablyglossy-andcontinuedtodisplayaself-controlwhich，asthedoctorwasobligedtoadmit，wasextremelycreditabletohim。Buthisdisappointmentwasevidentlykeen。
\"IstherenothingIcandotomakeyoubelieveinme？\"
\"Iftherewere，Ishouldbesorrytosuggestit，for-don\'tyousee？-Idon\'twanttobelieveinyou，\"saidthedoctor，smiling。
\"Iwouldgoanddiginthefields。\"
\"Thatwouldbefoolish。\"
\"Iwilltakethefirstworkthatofferstomorrow。\"
\"Dosobyallmeans-butforyourownsake，notformine。\"
\"Isee；youthinkIamanidler！\"Morrisexclaimed，alittletoomuchinthetoneofamanwhohasmadeadiscovery。Buthesawhiserrorimmediately，andblushed。
\"Itdoesn\'tmatterwhatIthink，whenonceIhavetoldyouIdon\'tthinkofyouasason-in-law。\"
ButMorrispersisted：\"YouthinkIwouldsquanderhermoney？\"
Thedoctorsmiled。\"Itdoesn\'tmatter，asIsay；butIpleadguiltytothat。\"
\"That\'sbecauseIspentmyown，Isuppose，\"saidMorris。\"I
franklyconfessthat。Ihavebeenwild；Ihavebeenfoolish。IwilltellyoueverycrazythingIeverdid，ifyoulike。Thereweresomegreatfolliesamongthenumber-Ihaveneverconcealedthat。ButI
havesownmywildoats。Isn\'ttheresomeproverbaboutareformedrake？Iwasnotarake，butIassureyouIhavereformed。Itisbettertohaveamusedone\'sselfforawhileandhavedonewithit。Yourdaughterwouldnevercareforamilksop；andIwilltakethelibertyofsayingthatyouwouldlikeonequiteaslittle。Besides，betweenmymoneyandhersthereisagreatdifference。Ispentmyown；itwasbecauseitwasmyownthatIspentit。AndImadenodebts；whenitwasgoneIstopped。Idon\'toweapennyintheworld。\"
\"Allowmetoinquirewhatyouarelivingonnow-thoughIadmit，\"
thedoctoradded，\"thatthequestion，onmypart，isinconsistent。\"
\"Iamlivingontheremnantsofmyproperty，\"saidMorrisTownsend。
\"Thankyou，\"thedoctorgravelyreplied。
Yes，certainly，Morris\'sself-controlwaslaudable。\"EvenadmittingIattachanundueimportancetoMissSloper\'sfortune，\"hewenton，\"wouldnotthatbeinitselfanassurancethatIwouldtakegoodcareofit？\"
\"Thatyoushouldtaketoomuchcarewouldbequiteasbadasthatyoushouldtaketoolittle。Catherinemightsufferasmuchbyyoureconomyasbyyourextravagance。\"
\"Ithinkyouareveryunjust！\"Theyoungmanmadethisdeclarationdecently，civilly，withoutviolence。
\"Itisyourprivilegetothinkso，andIsurrendermyreputationtoyou！Icertainlydon\'tflattermyselfIgratifyyou。\"
\"Don\'tyoucarealittletogratifyyourdaughter？Doyouenjoytheideaofmakinghermiserable？\"
\"Iamperfectlyresignedtoherthinkingmeatyrantforatwelvemonth。\"
\"Foratwelvemonth！\"exclaimedMorris，withalaugh。
\"Foralifetime，then。Shemayaswellbemiserableinthatwayasintheother。\"
HereatlastMorrislosthistemper。\"Ah，youarenotpolite，sir！\"hecried。
\"Youpushmetoit-youarguetoomuch。\"
\"Ihaveagreatdealatstake。\"
\"Well，whateveritis，\"saidthedoctor，\"youhavelostit。\"
\"Areyousureofthat？\"askedMorris。\"Areyousureyourdaughterwillgivemeup？\"
\"Imean，ofcourse，youhavelostitasfarasIamconcerned。AsforCatherine\'sgivingyouup-no，Iamnotsureofit。ButasIshallstronglyrecommendit，asIhaveagreatfundofrespectandaffectioninmydaughter\'smindtodrawupon，andasshehasthesentimentofdutydevelopedinaveryhighdegree，Ithinkitextremelypossible。\"
MorrisTownsendbegantosmoothhishatagain。\"I，too，haveafundofaffectiontodrawupon，\"heobserved，atlast。
Thedoctoratthispointshowedhisownfirstsymptomsofirritation。\"Doyoumeantodefyme？\"
\"Callitwhatyouplease，sir。Imeannottogiveyourdaughterup。\"
Thedoctorshookhishead。\"Ihaven\'ttheleastfearofyourpiningawayyourlife。Youaremadetoenjoyit。\"
Morrisgavealaugh。\"Youroppositiontomymarriageisallthemorecruel，then。Doyouintendtoforbidyourdaughtertoseemeagain？\"
\"Sheispasttheageatwhichpeopleareforbidden，andIamnotafatherinanold-fashionednovel。ButIshallstronglyurgehertobreakwithyou。\"
\"Idon\'tthinkshewill，\"saidMorrisTownsend。
\"Perhapsnot；butIshallhavedonewhatIcould。\"
\"Shehasgonetoofar-\"Morriswenton。
\"Toretreat？Thenletherstopwheresheis。\"
\"Toofartostop，Imean。\"
Thedoctorlookedathimamoment；Morrishadhishandonthedoor。\"Thereisagreatdealofimpertinenceinyoursayingit。\"
\"Iwillsaynomore，sir，\"Morrisanswered；and，makinghisbow，helefttheroom。
CHAPTER13。
ITMAYBETHOUGHTthedoctorwastoopositiveandMrs。Almondintimatedasmuch。But，ashesaid，hehadhisimpression；itseemedtohimsufficient，andhehadnowishtomodifyit。Hehadpassedhislifeinestimatingpeople（itwaspartofthemedicaltrade），andinnineteencasesoutoftwentyhewasright。
\"PerhapsMr。Townsendisthetwentiethcase，\"saidMrs。Almond。
\"Perhapsheis，thoughhedoesn\'tlooktomeatalllikeatwentiethcase。ButIwillgivehimthebenefitofthedoubt，and，tomakesure，IwillgoandtalkwithMrs。Montgomery。ShewillalmostcertainlytellmeIhavedoneright；butitisjustpossiblethatshewillprovetomethatIhavemadethegreatestmistakeofmylife。Ifshedoes，I
willbegMr。Townsend\'spardon。Youneedn\'tinvitehertomeetme，asyoukindlyproposed；Iwillwriteherafrankletter，tellingherhowmattersstand，andaskingleavetocomeandseeher。\"
\"Iamafraidthefranknesswillbechieflyonyourside。Thepoorlittlewomanwillstandupforherbrother，whateverhemaybe。\"
\"Whateverhemaybe！Idoubtthat。Peoplearenotalwayssofondoftheirbrothers。\"
\"Ah，\"saidMrs。Almond，\"whenit\'saquestionofthirtythousandayearcomingintoafamily-\"
\"Ifshestandsupforhimonaccountofthemoney，shewillbeahumbug。Ifsheisahumbug，Ishallseeit。IfIseeit，Iwon\'twastetimewithher。\"
\"Sheisnotahumbug-sheisanexemplarywoman。Shewillnotwishtoplayherbrotheratricksimplybecauseheisselfish。\"
\"Ifsheisworthtalkingto，shewillsoonerplayhimatrickthanthatheshouldplayCatherineone。HassheseenCatherine，bytheway-
doessheknowher？\"
\"Nottomyknowledge。Mr。Townsendcanhavehadnoparticularinterestinbringingthemtogether。\"
\"Ifsheisanexemplarywoman，no。Butweshallseetowhatextentsheanswersyourdescription。\"
\"Ishallbecurioustohearherdescriptionofyou，\"saidMrs。
Almond，withalaugh。\"And，meanwhile，howisCatherinetakingit？\"
\"Asshetakeseverything-asamatterofcourse。\"
\"Doesn\'tshemakeanoise？Hasn\'tshemadeascene？\"
\"Sheisnotscenic。\"
\"Ithoughtalovelornmaidenwasalwaysscenic。\"
\"Aridiculouswidowismoreso。Laviniahasmademeaspeech；shethinksmeveryarbitrary。\"
\"Shehasatalentforbeinginthewrong，\"saidMrs。Almond。\"ButIamverysorryforCatherine，allthesame。\"
\"SoamI。Butshewillgetoverit。\"
\"Youbelieveshewillgivehimup？\"
\"Icountuponit。Shehassuchanadmirationforherfather。\"
\"Oh，weknowallaboutthat。Butitonlymakesmepityherthemore。
Itmakesherdilemmathemorepainful，andtheeffortofchoosingbetweenyouandherloveralmostimpossible。\"
\"Ifshecan\'tchoose，allthebetter。\"
\"Yes；buthewillstandthereentreatinghertochoose，andLaviniawillpullonthatside。\"
\"Iamgladsheisnotonmyside；sheiscapableofruininganexcellentcause。ThedayLaviniagetsintoyourboatitcapsizes。
