\"Doyouwishtogothere，mydear？\"saidheraunt。
\"Ohno。\"AndCatherinegotupfromherseatandwenttothefire，whereshestoodlookingawhileattheglowingcoals。
\"Whyareyousodry，Catherine？\"Mrs。Pennimansaidatlast。
\"Sodry？\"
\"Socold-soirresponsive。\"
Thegirlturnedveryquickly。\"Didhesaythat？\"
Mrs。Pennimanhesitatedamoment。\"Iwilltellyouwhathesaid。
Hesaidhefearedonlyonething-thatyouwouldbeafraid。\"
\"Afraidofwhat？\"
\"Afraidofyourfather。\"
Catherineturnedbacktothefireagain，andthen，afterapause，shesaid，\"Iamafraidofmyfather。\"
Mrs。Pennimangotquicklyupfromherchairandapproachedherniece。\"Doyoumeantogivehimup，then？\"
Catherineforsometimenevermoved；shekepthereyesonthecoals。
Atlastsheraisedherheadandlookedatheraunt。\"Whydoyoupushmeso？\"sheasked。
\"Idon\'tpushyou。WhenhaveIspokentoyoubefore？\"
\"Itseemstomethatyouhavespokentomeseveraltimes。\"
\"Iamafraiditisnecessary，then，Catherine，\"saidMrs。
Penniman，withagooddealofsolemnity。\"Iamafraidyoudon\'tfeeltheimportance\"-shepausedalittle；Catherinewaslookingather-
\"theimportanceofnotdisappointingthatgallantyoungheart！\"AndMrs。Pennimanwentbacktoherchairbythelamp，and，withalittlejerk，pickeduptheeveningpaperagain。
Catherinestoodtherebeforethefire，withherhandsbehindher，lookingatheraunt，towhomitseemedthatthegirlhadneverhadjustthisdarkfixednessinhergaze。\"Idon\'tthinkyouunderstandorthatyouknowme，\"shesaid。
\"IfIdon\'t，itisnotwonderful；youtrustmesolittle。\"
Catherinemadenoattempttodenythischarge，andforsometimemorenothingwassaid。ButMrs。Penniman\'simaginationwasrestless，andtheeveningpaperfailedonthisoccasiontoenchainit。
\"Ifyousuccumbtothedreadofyourfather\'swrath，\"shesaid，\"I
don\'tknowwhatwillbecomeofus。\"
\"Didhetellyoutosaythesethingstome？\"
\"Hetoldmetousemyinfluence。\"
\"Youmustbemistaken，\"saidCatherine。\"Hetrustsme。\"
\"Ihopehemayneverrepentofit！\"AndMrs。Pennimangavealittlesharpslaptohernewspaper。Sheknewnotwhattomakeofherniece，whohadsuddenlybecomesternandcontradictious。
ThistendencyonCatherine\'spartwaspresentlyevenmoreapparent。\"YouhadmuchbetternotmakeanymoreappointmentswithMr。
Townsend，\"shesaid。\"Idon\'tthinkitisright。\"
Mrs。Pennimanrosewithconsiderablemajesty。\"Mypoorchild，areyoujealousofme？\"sheinquired。
\"Oh，AuntLavinia！\"murmuredCatherine，blushing。
\"Idon\'tthinkitisyourplacetoteachmewhatisright。\"
OnthispointCatherinemadenoconcession。\"Itcan\'tberighttodeceive。\"
\"Icertainlyhavenotdeceivedyou！\"
\"Yes；butIpromisedmyfather-\"
\"Ihavenodoubtyoupromisedyourfather。ButIhavepromisedhimnothing。\"
Catherinehadtoadmitthis，andshedidsoinsilence。\"Idon\'tbelieveMr。Townsendhimselflikesit，\"shesaid，atlast。
\"Doesn\'tlikemeetingme？\"
\"Notinsecret。\"
\"Itwasnotinsecret；theplacewasfullofpeople。\"
\"Butitwasasecretplace-awayoffintheBowery。\"
Mrs。Pennimanflinchedalittle。\"Gentlemenenjoysuchthings，\"
sheremarked，presently。\"Iknowwhatgentlemenlike。\"
\"Myfatherwouldn\'tlikeit，ifheknew。\"
\"Pray，doyouproposetoinformhim？\"Mrs。Pennimaninquired。
\"No，AuntLavinia。Butpleasedon\'tdoitagain。\"
\"IfIdoitagainyouwillinformhim-isthatwhatyoumean？I
donotshareyourdreadofmybrother；Ihavealwaysknownhowtodefendmyownposition。ButIshallcertainlyneveragaintakeanysteponyourbehalf；youaremuchtoothankless。Iknewyouwerenotaspontaneousnature，butIbelievedyouwerefirm，andItoldyourfatherthathewouldfindyouso。Iamdisappointed，butyourfatherwillnotbe。\"AndwiththisMrs。Pennimanofferedhernieceabriefgood-night，andwithdrewtoherownapartment。
CHAPTER18。
CATHERINESATALONEbytheparlorfire-satthereformorethananhour，lostinhermeditations。Herauntseemedtoheraggressiveandfoolish；andtoseeitsoclearly-tojudgeMrs。Pennimansopositively-madeherfeeloldandgrave。Shedidnotresenttheimputationofweakness；itmadenoimpressiononher，forshehadnotthesenseofweakness，andshewasnothurtatnotbeingappreciated。Shehadanimmenserespectforherfather，andshefeltthattodispleasehimwouldbeamisdemeanoranalogoustoanactofprofanityinagreattemple；butherpurposehadslowlyripened，andshebelievedthatherprayershadpurifieditofitsviolence。Theeveningadvanced，andthelampburntdimwithouthernoticingit；
hereyeswerefixeduponherterribleplan。Sheknewherfatherwasinhisstudy-thathehadbeentherealltheevening；fromtimetotimesheexpectedtohearhimmove。Shethoughthewouldperhapscome，ashesometimescame，intotheparlor。Atlasttheclockstruckeleven，andthehousewaswrappedinsilence；theservantshadgonetobed。
Catherinegotupandwentslowlytothedoorofthelibrary，whereshewaitedamoment，motionless。Thensheknocked，andthenshewaitedagain。Herfatherhadansweredher，butshehadnotthecouragetoturnthelatch。Whatshehadsaidtoherauntwastrueenough-shewasafraidofhim；andinsayingthatshehadnosenseofweakness，shemeantthatshewasnotafraidofherself。Sheheardhimmovewithin，andhecameandopenedthedoorforher。
\"Whatisthematter？\"askedthedoctor。\"Youarestandingtherelikeaghost！\"
Shewentintotheroom，butitwassometimebeforeshecontrivedtosaywhatshehadcometosay。Herfather，whowasinhisdressinggownandslippers，hadbeenbusyathiswritingtable，andafterlookingatherforsomemoments，andwaitingforhertospeak，hewentandseatedhimselfathispapersagain。Hisbackwasturnedtoher-shebegantohearthescratchingofhispen。Sheremainednearthedoor，withherheartthumpingbeneathherbodice；andshewasverygladthathisbackwasturned，foritseemedtoherthatshecouldmoreeasilyaddressherselftothisportionofhispersonthantohisface。Atlastshebegan，watchingitwhileshespoke。
\"YoutoldmethatifIshouldhaveanythingmoretosayaboutMr。
Townsendyouwouldbegladtolistentoit。\"
\"Exactly，mydear，\"saidthedoctor，notturninground，butstoppinghispen。
Catherinewisheditwouldgoon，butsheherselfcontinued：\"I
thoughtIwouldtellyouthatIhavenotseenhimagain，butthatI
shouldliketodoso。\"
\"Tobidhimgood-bye？\"askedthedoctor。
Thegirlhesitatedamoment。\"Heisnotgoingaway。\"
Thedoctorwheeledslowlyroundinhischair，withasmilethatseemedtoaccuseherofanepigram；butextremesmeet，andCatherinehadnotintendedone。\"Itisnottobidhimgood-bye，then？\"herfathersaid。
\"No，Father，notthat；atleastnotforever。Ihavenotseenhimagain，butIshouldliketoseehim，\"Catherinerepeated。
Thedoctorslowlyrubbedhisunderlipwiththefeatherofhisquill。
\"Haveyouwrittentohim？\"
\"Yes，fourtimes。\"
\"Youhavenotdismissedhim，then。Oncewouldhavedonethat。\"
\"No，\"saidCatherine，\"Ihaveaskedhim-askedhimtowait。\"
Herfathersatlookingather，andshewasafraidhewasgoingtobreakoutintowrath，hiseyesweresofineandcold。
\"Youareadear，faithfulchild，\"hesaid，atlast。\"Comeheretoyourfather。\"Andhegotup，holdingouthishandstowardher。
Thewordswereasurprise，andtheygaveheranexquisitejoy。Shewenttohim，andheputhisarmroundhertenderly，soothingly；andthenhekissedher。Afterthishesaid，\"Doyouwishtomakemeveryhappy？\"
\"Ishouldliketo-butIamafraidIcan\'t，\"Catherineanswered。
\"Youcanifyouwill。Italldependsonyourwill。\"
\"Isittogivehimup？\"saidCatherine。
\"Yes，itistogivehimup。\"
Andheheldherstill，withthesametenderness，lookingintoherfaceandrestinghiseyesonheravertedeyes。Therewasalongsilence；shewishedhewouldreleaseher。
\"YouarehappierthanI，Father，\"shesaid，atlast。
\"Ihavenodoubtyouareunhappyjustnow。Butitisbettertobeunhappyforthreemonthsandgetoverit，thanformanyyearsandnevergetoverit。\"
\"Yes，ifthatwereso，\"saidCatherine。
\"Itwouldbeso；Iamsureofthat。\"Sheanswerednothing，andhewenton：\"Haveyounofaithinmywisdom，inmytenderness，inmysolicitudeforyourfuture？\"
\"Oh，Father！\"murmuredthegirl。
\"Don\'tyousupposethatIknowsomethingofmen-theirvices，theirfollies，theirfalsities？\"
Shedetachedherself，andturneduponhim。\"Heisnotvicious-heisnotfalse！\"
Herfatherkeptlookingatherwithhissharp，pureeye。\"Youmakenothingofmyjudgment，then？\"
\"Ican\'tbelievethat！\"
\"Idon\'taskyoutobelieveit，buttotakeitontrust。\"
Catherinewasfarfromsayingtoherselfthatthiswasaningenioussophism；butshemettheappealnonethelesssquarely。
\"Whathashedone-whatdoyouknow？\"
\"Hehasneverdoneanything-heisaselfishidler。\"
\"Oh，Father，don\'tabusehim！\"sheexclaimed，pleadingly。
\"Idon\'tmeantoabusehim；itwouldbeagreatmistake。Youmaydoasyouchoose，\"headded，turningaway。
\"Imayseehimagain？\"
\"Justasyouchoose。\"
\"Willyouforgiveme？\"
\"Bynomeans。\"
\"Itwillonlybeforonce。\"
\"Idon\'tknowwhatyoumeanbyonce。Youmusteithergivehimuporcontinuetheacquaintance。\"
\"Iwishtoexplain-totellhimtowait。\"
\"Towaitforwhat？\"
\"Tillyouknowhimbetter-tillyouconsent。\"
\"Don\'ttellhimanysuchnonsenseasthat。Iknowhimwellenough，andIshallneverconsent。\"
\"Butwecanwaitalongtime，\"saidpoorCatherine，inatonewhichwasmeanttoexpressthehumblestconciliation，butwhichhaduponherfather\'snervestheeffectofaniterationnotcharacterizedbytact。
Thedoctoranswered，however，quietlyenough：\"Ofcourse；youcanwaittillIdie，ifyoulike。\"
Catherinegaveacryofnaturalhorror。
\"Yourengagementwillhaveonedelightfuleffectuponyou；itwillmakeyouextremelyimpatientforthatevent。\"
Catherinestoodstaring，andthedoctorenjoyedthepointhehadmade。ItcametoCatherinewiththeforce-ratherwiththevagueimpressiveness-ofalogicalaxiomwhichitwasnotinherprovincetocontrovert；andyet，thoughitwasascientifictruth，shefeltwhollyunabletoacceptit。
\"Iwouldrathernotmarry，ifthatweretrue，\"shesaid。
\"Givemeaproofofit，then；foritisbeyondaquestionthatbyengagingyourselftoMorrisTownsendyousimplywaitformydeath。\"
Sheturnedaway，feelingsickandfaint；andthedoctorwenton：
\"Andifyouwaitforitwithimpatience，judge，ifyouplease，whathiseagernesswillbe。\"
Catherineturneditover-herfather\'swordshadsuchanauthorityforherthatherverythoughtswerecapableofobeyinghim。Therewasadreadfuluglinessinit，whichseemedtoglareatherthroughtheinterposingmediumofherownfeeblerreason。Suddenly，however，shehadaninspiration-shealmostknewittobeaninspiration。
\"IfIdon\'tmarrybeforeyourdeath，Iwillnotafter，\"shesaid。
Toherfather，itmustbeadmitted，thisseemedonlyanotherepigram；andasobstinacy，inunaccomplishedminds，doesnotusuallyselectsuchamodeofexpression，hewasthemoresurprisedatthiswantonplayofafixedidea。
\"Doyoumeanthatforanimpertinence？\"heinquired；aninquiryofwhich，ashemadeit，hequiteperceivedthegrossness。
\"Animpertinence？Oh，Father，whatterriblethingsyousay！\"
\"Ifyoudon\'twaitformydeath，youmightaswellmarryimmediately；thereisnothingelsetowaitfor。\"
ForsometimeCatherinemadenoanswer；butfinallyshesaid，\"I
thinkMorris-littlebylittle-mightpersuadeyou。\"
\"Ishallneverlethimspeaktomeagain。Idislikehimtoomuch。\"
Catherinegavealong，lowsigh；shetriedtostifleit，forshehadmadeuphermindthatitwaswrongtomakeaparadeofhertrouble，andtoendeavortoactuponherfatherbythemeretriciousaidofemotion。Indeed，sheeventhoughtitwrong-inthesenseofbeinginconsiderate-toattempttoactuponhisfeelingsatall；herpartwastoeffectsomegentle，gradualchangeinhisintellectualperceptionofpoorMorris\'scharacter。Butthemeansofeffectingsuchachangewereatpresentshroudedinmystery，andshefeltmiserablyhelplessandhopeless。Shehadexhaustedallarguments，allreplies。
Herfathermighthavepitiedher，andinfacthedidso；buthewassurehewasright。
\"ThereisonethingyoucantellMr。Townsendwhenyouseehimagain，\"hesaid，\"thatifyoumarrywithoutmyconsent，Idon\'tleaveyouafarthingofmoney。Thatwillinteresthimmorethananythingelseyoucantellhim。\"
\"Thatwouldbeveryright，\"Catherineanswered。\"Ioughtnotinthatcasetohaveafarthingofyourmoney。\"
\"Mydearchild，\"thedoctorobserved，laughing，\"yoursimplicityistouching。Makethatremark，inthattone，andwiththatexpressionofcountenance，toMr。Townsend，andtakeanoteofhisanswer。Itwon\'tbepolite-itwillexpressirritation；andIshallbegladofthat，asitwillputmeintheright；unless，indeed-whichisperfectlypossible-youshouldlikehimthebetterforbeingrudetoyou。\"
\"Hewillneverberudetome，\"saidCatherine，gently。
\"TellhimwhatIsay，allthesame。\"
Shelookedatherfather，andherquieteyesfilledwithtears。
\"IthinkIwillseehim，then，\"shemurmured，inhertimidvoice。
\"Exactlyasyouchoose。\"Andhewenttothedoorandopeneditforhertogoout。Themovementgaveheraterriblesenseofhisturningheroff。
\"Itwillbeonlyonce，forthepresent，\"sheadded，lingeringamoment。
\"Exactlyasyouchoose，\"herepeated，standingtherewithhishandonthedoor。\"IhavetoldyouwhatIthink。Ifyouseehim，youwillbeanungrateful，cruelchild；youwillhavegivenyouroldfatherthegreatestpainofhislife。\"
Thiswasmorethanthepoorgirlcouldbear；hertearsoverflowed，andshemovedtowardhergrimlyconsistentparentwithapitifulcry。Herhandswereraisedinsupplication，buthesternlyevadedthisappeal。Insteadoflettinghersobouthermiseryonhisshoulder，hesimplytookherbythearmanddirectedhercourseacrossthethreshold，closingthedoorgentlybutfirmlybehindher。Afterhehaddoneso，heremainedlistening。Foralongtimetherewasnosound；heknewthatshewasstandingoutside。Hewassorryforher，asIhavesaid；buthewassosurehewasright。Atlastheheardhermoveaway，andthenherfootstepcreakedfaintlyuponthestairs。
Thedoctortookseveralturnsroundhisstudy，withhishandsinhispockets，andathinsparkle，possiblyofirritation，butpartlyalsoofsomethinglikehumor，inhiseye。\"ByJove，\"hesaidtohimself，\"I
believeshewillstick-Ibelieveshewillstick！\"AndthisideaofCatherine\"sticking\"appearedtohaveacomicalside，andtoofferaprospectofentertainment。Hedetermined，ashesaidtohimself，toseeitout。
CHAPTER19。
ITWASforreasonsconnectedwiththisdeterminationthatonthemorrowhesoughtafewwordsofprivateconversationwithMrs。
Penniman。Hesentforhertothelibrary，andhethereinformedherthathehopedverymuchthat，asregardedthisaffairofCatherine\'s，shewouldmindherp\'sandq\'s。
\"Idon\'tknowwhatyoumeanbysuchanexpression，\"saidhissister。
\"YouspeakasifIwerelearningthealphabet。\"
\"Thealphabetofcommonsenseissomethingyouwillneverlearn，\"
thedoctorpermittedhimselftorespond。
\"Haveyoucalledmeheretoinsultme？\"Mrs。Pennimaninquired。
\"Notatall。Simplytoadviseyou。YouhavetakenupyoungTownsend；
that\'syourownaffair。Ihavenothingtodowithyoursentiments，yourfancies，youraffections，yourdelusions；butwhatIrequestofyouisthatyouwillkeepthesethingstoyourself。IhaveexplainedmyviewstoCatherine；sheunderstandsthemperfectly，andanythingthatshedoesfurtherinthewayofencouragingMr。Townsend\'sattentionswillbeindeliberateoppositiontomywishes。Anythingthatyoushoulddointhewayofgivingheraidandcomfortwillbe-
permitmetheexpression-distinctlytreasonable。Youknowhightreasonisacapitaloffense：Takecarehowyouincurthepenalty。\"
Mrs。Pennimanthrewbackherhead，withacertainexpansionoftheeyewhichsheoccasionallypracticed。\"Itseemstomethatyoutalklikeagreatautocrat。\"
\"Italklikemydaughter\'sfather。\"
\"Notlikeyoursister\'sbrother，\"criedLavinia。
\"MydearLavinia，\"saidthedoctor，\"IsometimeswonderwhetherIamyourbrother，wearesoextremelydifferent。Inspiteofdifferences，however，wecan，atapinch，understandeachother；andthatistheessentialthingjustnow。WalkstraightwithregardtoMr。
Townsend；that\'sallIask。Itishighlyprobableyouhavebeencorrespondingwithhimforthelastthreeweeks-perhapsevenseeinghim。Idon\'taskyou-youneedn\'ttellme。\"Hehadamoralconvictionthatshewouldcontrivetotellafibaboutthematter，whichitwoulddisgusthimtolistento。\"Whateveryouhavedone，stopdoingit；that\'sallIwish。\"
\"Don\'tyouwishalsobychancetomurderyourchild？\"Mrs。
Pennimaninquired。
\"Onthecontrary，Iwishtomakeherliveandbehappy。\"
\"Youwillkillher：Shepassedadreadfulnight。\"
\"Shewon\'tdieofonedreadfulnight，norofadozen。RememberthatIamadistinguishedphysician。\"
Mrs。Pennimanhesitatedamoment；thensheriskedherretort。
\"Yourbeingadistinguishedphysicianhasnotpreventedyoufromalreadylosingtwomembersofyourfamily。\"
Shehadriskedit，butherbrothergavehersuchaterriblyincisivelook-alooksolikeasurgeon\'slancet-thatshewasfrightenedathercourage。Andheansweredher，inwordsthatcorrespondedtothelook，\"Itmaynotpreventme，either，fromlosingthesocietyofstillanother。\"
Mrs。Pennimantookherselfoffwithwhateverairofdepreciatedmeritwasathercommand，andrepairedtoCatherine\'sroom，wherethepoorgirlwascloseted。Sheknewallaboutherdreadfulnight，forthetwohadmetagain，theeveningbefore，afterCatherineleftherfather。Mrs。Pennimanwasonthelandingofthesecondfloorwhenherniececameupstairs；itwasnotremarkablethatapersonofsomuchsubtletyshouldhavediscoveredthatCatherinehadbeenshutupwiththedoctor。Itwasstilllessremarkablethatsheshouldhavefeltanextremecuriositytolearntheresultofthisinterview，andthatthissentiment，combinedwithhergreatamiabilityandgenerosity，shouldhavepromptedhertoregretthesharpwordslatelyexchangedbetweenhernieceandherself。Astheunhappygirlcameintosightintheduskycorridor，shemadealivelydemonstrationofsympathy。Catherine\'sburstingheartwasequallyoblivious；sheonlyknewthatherauntwastakingherintoherarms。Mrs。PennimandrewherintoCatherine\'sownroom，andthetwowomensattheretogetherfarintothesmallhours，theyoungeronewithherheadontheother\'slap，sobbing，andsobbingatfirstinasoundless，stifledmanner，andthenatlastperfectlystill。ItgratifiedMrs。PennimantobeabletofeelconscientiouslythatthisscenevirtuallyremovedtheinterdictwhichCatherinehadplaceduponherindulginginfurthercommunionwithMorrisTownsend。Shewasnotgratified，however，when，incomingbacktoherniece\'sroombeforebreakfast，shefoundthatCatherinehadrisenandwaspreparingherselfforthismeal。
\"Youshouldnotgotobreakfast，\"shesaid。\"Youarenotwellenough，afteryourfearfulnight。\"
\"Yes，Iamverywell，andIamonlyafraidofbeinglate。\"
\"Ican\'tunderstandyou，\"Mrs。Pennimancried。\"Youshouldstayinbedforthreedays。\"
\"Oh，Icouldneverdothat，\"saidCatherine，towhomthisideapresentednoattractions。
Mrs。Pennimanwasindespair；andshenoted，withextremeannoyance，thatthetraceofthenight\'stearshadcompletelyvanishedfromCatherine\'seyes。Shehadamostimpracticablephysique。\"Whateffectdoyouexpecttohaveuponyourfather，\"herauntdemanded，\"ifyoucomeplumpingdown，withoutavestigeofanysortoffeeling，asifnothingintheworldhadhappened？\"
\"Hewouldnotlikemetolieinbed，\"saidCatherine，simply。
\"Allthemorereasonforyourdoingit。Howelsedoyouexpecttomovehim？\"
Catherinethoughtalittle。\"Idon\'tknowhow；butnotinthatway。Iwishtobejustasusual。\"Andshefinisheddressing-and，accordingtoheraunt\'sexpression，wentplumpingdownintothepaternalpresence。Shewasreallytoomodestforconsistentpathos。
Andyetitwasperfectlytruethatshehadhadadreadfulnight。
EvenafterMrs。Pennimanlefthershehadhadnosleep；shelaystaringattheuncomfortinggloom，withhereyesandearsfilledwiththemovementwithwhichherfatherhadturnedheroutofhisroom，andofthewordsinwhichhehadtoldherthatshewasaheartlessdaughter。Herheartwasbreaking；shehadheartenoughforthat。Atmomentsitseemedtoherthatshebelievedhim，andthattodowhatshewasdoingagirlmustindeedbebad。Shewasbad；butshecouldn\'thelpit。Shewouldtrytoappeargood，evenifherheartwereperverted；andfromtimetotimeshehadafancythatshemightaccomplishsomethingbyingeniousconcessionstoform，thoughsheshouldpersistincaringforMorris。Catherine\'singenuitieswereindefinite，andwearenotcalledupontoexposetheirhollowness。Thebestofthem，perhaps，showeditselfinthatfreshnessofaspectwhichwassodiscouragingtoMrs。Penniman，whowasamazedattheabsenceofhaggardnessinayoungwomanwhoforawholenighthadlainquiveringbeneathafather\'scurse。PoorCatherinewasconsciousofherfreshness；itgaveherafeelingaboutthefuturewhichratheraddedtotheweightuponhermind。Itseemedaproofthatshewasstrongandsolidanddense，andwouldlivetoagreatage-
longerthanmightbegenerallyconvenient；andthisideawaspressing，foritappearedtosaddleherwithapretensionthemore，justwhenthecultivationofanypretensionwasinconsistentwithherdoingright。ShewrotethatdaytoMorrisTownsend，requestinghimtocomeandseeheronthemorrow，usingveryfewwords，andexplainingnothing。Shewouldexplaineverythingfacetoface。
CHAPTER20。
ONTHEMORROW，intheafternoon，sheheardhisvoiceatthedoor，andhisstepinthehall。Shereceivedhiminthebig，brightfrontparlor，andsheinstructedtheservantthat，ifanyoneshouldcall，shewasparticularlyengaged。Shewasnotafraidofherfather\'scomingin，foratthathourhewasalwaysdrivingabouttown。WhenMorrisstoodtherebeforeher，thefirstthingthatshewasconsciousofwasthathewasevenmorebeautifultolookatthanfondrecollectionhadpaintedhim；thenextwasthathehadpressedherinhisarms。Whenshewasfreeagainitappearedtoherthatshehadnowindeedthrownherselfintothegulfofdefiance，andeven，foraninstant，thatshehadbeenmarriedtohim。
Hetoldherthatshehadbeenverycruel，andhadmadehimveryunhappy；andCatherinefeltacutelythedifficultyofherdestiny，whichforcedhertogivepaininsuchoppositequarters。Butshewishedthat，insteadofreproaches，howevertender，hewouldgiveherhelp；hewascertainlywiseenoughandcleverenoughtoinventsomeissuefromtheirtroubles。Sheexpressedthisbelief，andMorrisreceivedtheassuranceasifhethoughtitnatural；butheinterrogatedatfirst-aswasnaturaltoo-ratherthancommittedhimselftomarkingoutacourse。
\"Youshouldnothavemademewaitsolong，\"hesaid。\"Idon\'tknowhowIhavebeenliving；everyhourseemedlikeyears。Youshouldhavedecidedsooner。\"
\"Decided？\"Catherineasked。
\"Decidedwhetheryouwouldkeepmeorgivemeup。\"
\"Oh，Morris，\"shecried，withalong，tendermurmur，\"Ineverthoughtofgivingyouup！\"
\"What，then，wereyouwaitingfor？\"Theyoungmanwasardentlylogical。
\"Ithoughtmyfathermight-might-\"andshehesitated。
\"Mightseehowunhappyyouwere？\"
\"Ohno。Butthathemightlookatitdifferently。\"
\"Andnowyouhavesentformetotellmethatatlasthedoesso。Isthatit？\"
Thishypotheticaloptimismgavethepoorgirlapang。\"No，Morris，\"shesaid，solemnly，\"helooksatitstillinthesameway。\"
\"Thenwhyhaveyousentforme？\"
\"BecauseIwantedtoseeyou，\"criedCatherine，piteously。
\"That\'sanexcellentreason，surely。Butdidyouwanttolookatmeonly？Haveyounothingtotellme？\"
Hisbeautifulpersuasiveeyeswerefixeduponherface，andshewonderedwhatanswerwouldbenobleenoughtomaketosuchagazeasthat。Foramomentherowneyestookitin，andthen\"Ididwanttolookatyou，\"shesaid，gently。Butafterthisspeech，mostinconsistently，shehidherface。
Morriswatchedherforamomentattentively，\"Willyoumarrymetomorrow？\"heasked，suddenly。
\"Tomorrow？\"
\"Nextweek，then-anytimewithinamonth？\"
\"Isn\'titbettertowait？\"saidCatherine。
\"Towaitforwhat？\"
Shehardlyknewforwhat；butthistremendousleapalarmedher。
\"Tillwehavethoughtaboutitalittlemore。\"
Heshookhisheadsadlyandreproachfully。\"Ithoughtyouhadbeenthinkingaboutitthesethreeweeks。Doyouwanttoturnitoverinyourmindforfiveyears？Youhavegivenmemorethantimeenough。
Mypoorgirl，\"headded，inamoment，\"youarenotsincere。\"
Catherinecoloredfrombrowtochin，andhereyesfilledwithtears。
\"Oh，howcanyousaythat？\"shemurmured。
\"Why，youmusttakemeorleaveme，\"saidMorris，veryreasonably。
\"Youcan\'tpleaseyourfatherandmeboth；youmustchoosebetweenus。\"
\"Ihavechosenyou，\"shesaid，passionately。
\"Thenmarrymenextweek！\"
Shestoodgazingathim。\"Isn\'tthereanyotherway？\"
\"NonethatIknowofforarrivingatthesameresult。Ifthereis，I
shouldbehappytohearofit。\"
Catherinecouldthinkofnothingofthekind，andMorris\'sluminosityseemedalmostpitiless。Theonlythingshecouldthinkofwasthatherfathermight，afterall，comeround；andshearticulated，withanawkwardsenseofherhelplessnessindoingso，awishthatthismiraclemighthappen。
\"Doyouthinkitisintheleastdegreelikely？\"Morrisasked。
\"Itwouldbe，ifhecouldonlyknowyou。\"
\"Hecanknowmeifhewill。Whatistopreventit？\"
\"Hisideas，hisreasons，\"saidCatherine。\"Theyareso-soterriblystrong。\"Shetrembledwiththerecollectionofthemyet。
\"Strong！\"criedMorris。\"Iwouldratheryoushouldthinkthemweak。\"
\"Oh，nothingaboutmyfatherisweak，\"saidthegirl。
Morristurnedaway，walkingtothewindow，wherehestoodlookingout。\"Youareterriblyafraidofhim，\"heremarkedatlast。
Shefeltnoimpulsetodenyit，becauseshehadnoshameinit；for，ifitwasnohonortoherself，atleastitwasanhonortohim。\"I
supposeImustbe，\"shesaid，simply。
\"Thenyoudon\'tloveme-notasIloveyou。Ifyoufearyourfathermorethanyouloveme，thenyourloveisnotwhatIhopeditwas。\"
\"Ah，myfriend！\"shesaid，goingtohim。
\"DoIfearanything？\"hedemanded，turningroundonher。\"ForyoursakewhatamInotreadytoface？\"
\"Youarenoble-youarebrave！\"sheanswered，stoppingshortatadistancethatwasalmostrespectful。
\"Smallgooditdoesme，ifyouaresotimid。\"
\"Idon\'tthinkIam-really，\"saidCatherine。
\"Idon\'tknowwhatyoumeanby\'really。\'Itisreallyenoughtomakeusmiserable。\"
\"Ishouldbestrongenoughtowait-towaitalongtime。\"
\"Andsupposeafteralongtimeyourfathershouldhatemeworsethanever？\"
\"Hewouldn\'t-hecouldn\'t。\"
\"Hewouldbetouchedbymyfidelity；isthatwhatyoumean？Ifheissoeasilytouched，thenwhyshouldyoubeafraidofhim？\"
Thiswasmuchtothepoint，andCatherinewasstruckbyit。\"I
willtrynottobe，\"shesaid。Andshestoodtheresubmissively，theimage，inadvance，ofadutifulandresponsiblewife。ThisimagecouldnotfailtorecommenditselftoMorrisTownsend，andhecontinuedtogiveproofofthehighestimationinwhichheheldher。ItcouldonlyhavebeenatthepromptingofsuchasentimentthathepresentlymentionedtoherthatthecourserecommendedbyMrs。
Pennimanwasanimmediateunion，regardlessofconsequences。
\"Yes，AuntPennimanwouldlikethat，\"Catherinesaid，simply，andyetwithacertainshrewdness。Itmust，however，havebeeninpuresimplicityandfrommotivesquiteuntouchedbysarcasm，thatafewmomentsaftershewentontosaytoMorristhatherfatherhadgivenheramessageforhim。Itwasquiteonherconsciencetodeliverthismessage，andhadthemissionbeententimesmorepainful，shewouldhaveasscrupulouslyperformedit。\"Hetoldmetotellyou-totellyouverydistinctly，anddirectlyfromhimself-thatifImarrywithouthisconsent，Ishallnotinheritapennyofhisfortune。Hemadeagreatpointofthis。Heseemedtothink-heseemedtothink-\"
Morrisflushed，asanyyoungmanofspiritmighthaveflushedatanimputationofbaseness。\"Whatdidheseemtothink？\"
\"Thatitwouldmakeadifference。\"
\"Itwillmakeadifference-inmanythings，Weshallbebymanythousandsofdollarsthepoorer；andthatisagreatdifference。Butitwillmakenoneinmyaffection。\"
\"Weshallnotwantthemoney，\"saidCatherine，\"foryouknowI
haveagooddealmyself。\"
\"Yes，mydeargirl，Iknowyouhavesomething。Andhecan\'ttouchthat。\"
\"Hewouldnever，\"saidCatherine。\"Mymotherleftittome。\"
Morriswassilentawhile。\"Hewasverypositiveaboutthis，washe？\"
heaskedatlast。\"Hethoughtsuchamessagewouldannoymeterribly，andmakemethrowoffthemask，eh？\"
\"Idon\'tknowwhathethought，\"saidCatherine，sadly。
\"PleasetellhimthatIcareforhismessageasmuchasforthat！\"
andMorrissnappedhisfingerssonorously。
\"Idon\'tthinkIcouldtellhimthat。\"
\"Doyouknowyousometimesdisappointme，\"saidMorris。
\"IshouldthinkImight。Idisappointeveryone-FatherandAuntPenniman。\"
\"Well，itdoesn\'tmatterwithme，becauseIamfonderofyouthantheyare。\"
\"Yes，Morris，\"saidthegirl，withherimagination-whattherewasofit-swimminginthishappytruth，whichseemed，afterall，invidioustonoone。
\"Isityourbeliefthathewillsticktoit-sticktoitforever-tothisideaofdisinheritingyou？Thatyourgoodnessandpatiencewillneverwearouthiscruelty？\"
\"ThetroubleisthatifImarryyouhewillthinkIamnotgood。
Hewillthinkthataproof。\"
\"Ah，thenhewillneverforgiveyou！\"
Thisidea，sharplyexpressedbyMorris\'shandsomelips，renewedforamomenttothepoorgirl\'stemporarilypacifiedconscienceallitsdreadfulvividness。\"Oh，youmustlovemeverymuch！\"shecried。
\"Thereisnodoubtofthat，mydear，\"herloverrejoined。\"Youdon\'tlikethatword\'disinherited，\'\"headded，inamoment。
\"Itisn\'tthemoney；itisthatheshould-thatheshouldfeelso。\"
\"Isupposeitseemstoyouakindofcurse？\"saidMorris。\"Itmustbeverydismal。Butdon\'tyouthink，\"hewenton，presently，\"thatifyouweretotrytobeveryclever，andtosetrightlyaboutit，youmightintheendconjureitaway？Don\'tyouthink，\"hecontinuedfurther，inatoneofsympatheticspeculation，\"thatareallycleverwoman，inyourplace，mightbringhimroundatlast？Don\'tyouthink-\"
Here，suddenly，Morriswasinterrupted；theseingeniousinquirieshadnotreachedCatherine\'sears。Theterribleworddisinheritance，withallitsimpressivemoralreprobation，wasstillringingthere-
seemed，indeed，togatherforceasitlingered。Themortalchillofhersituationstruckmoredeeplyintoherchildlikeheart，andshewasoverwhelmedbyafeelingoflonelinessanddanger。Butherrefugewasthere，closetoher，andsheputoutherhandstograspit。\"Ah，Morris，\"shesaid，withashudder，\"Iwillmarryyouassoonasyouplease！\"andshesurrenderedherself，leaningherheadonhisshoulder。
\"Mydeargoodgirl！\"heexclaimed，lookingdownathisprize。Andthenhelookedupagain，rathervaguely，withpartedlipsandliftedeyebrows。
CHAPTER21。
DOCTORSLOPERverysoonimpartedhisconvictiontoMrs。Almondinthesametermsinwhichhehadannouncedittohimself。\"She\'sgoingtostick，byJove！She\'sgoingtostick。\"
\"Doyoumeanthatsheisgoingtomarryhim？\"Mrs。Almondinquired。
\"Idon\'tknowthat；butsheisnotgoingtobreakdown。Sheisgoingtodragouttheengagement，inthehopeofmakingmerelent。\"
\"Andshallyounotrelent？\"
\"Shallageometricalpropositionrelent？Iamnotsosuperficial。\"
\"Doesn\'tgeometrytreatofsurfaces？\"askedMrs。Almond，who，asweknow，wasclever，smiling。
\"Yes，butittreatsofthemprofoundly。Catherineandheryoungmanaremysurfaces；Ihavetakentheirmeasure。\"
\"Youspeakasifitsurprisedyou。\"
\"Itisimmense；therewillbeagreatdealtoobserve。\"
\"Youareshockinglycold-blooded！\"saidMrs。Almond。
\"Ineedtobe，withallthishotbloodaboutme。YoungTownsend，indeed，iscool；Imustallowhimthatmerit。\"
\"Ican\'tjudgehim，\"Mrs。Almondanswered，\"butIamnotatallsurprisedatCatherine。\"
\"IconfessIamalittle；shemusthavebeensodeucedlydividedandbothered。\"
\"Sayitamusesyououtright。Idon\'tseewhyitshouldbesuchajokethatyourdaughteradoresyou。\"
\"ItisthepointwheretheadorationstopsthatIfinditinterestingtofix。\"
\"Itstopswheretheothersentimentbegins。\"
\"Notatall；thatwouldbesimpleenough。Thetwothingsareextremelymixedup，andthemixtureisextremelyodd。Itwillproducesomethirdelement，andthat\'swhatI\'mwaitingtosee。Iwaitwithsuspense-withpositiveexcitement；andthatisasortofemotionthatIdidn\'tsupposeCatherinewouldeverprovideforme。Iamreallyverymuchobligedtoher。\"
\"Shewillcling，\"saidMrs。Almond。\"Shewillcertainlycling。\"
\"Yes，asIsay，shewillstick。\"
\"Clingisprettier。That\'swhatthoseverysimplenaturesalwaysdo，andnothingcouldbesimplerthanCatherine。Shedoesn\'ttakemanyimpressions；butwhenshetakesone，shekeepsit。Sheislikeacopperkettlethatreceivesadent：Youmaypolishupthekettle，butyoucan\'teffacethemark。\"
\"WemusttryandpolishupCatherine，\"saidthedoctor。\"IwilltakehertoEurope！\"
\"Shewon\'tforgethiminEurope。\"
\"Hewillforgether，then。\"
Mrs。Almondlookedgrave。\"Shouldyoureallylikethat？\"
\"Extremely，\"saidthedoctor。
Mrs。Penniman，meanwhile，lostlittletimeinputtingherselfagainincommunicationwithMorrisTownsend。Sherequestedhimtofavorherwithanotherinterview，butshedidnotonthisoccasionselectanoystersaloonasthesceneoftheirmeeting。SheproposedthatheshouldjoinheratthedoorofacertainchurchafterserviceonSundayafternoon；andshewascarefulnottoappointtheplaceofworshipwhichsheusuallyvisited，andwhere，asshesaid，thecongregationwouldhavespieduponher。Shepickedoutalesselegantresort，andonissuingfromitsportalatthehourshehadfixedshesawtheyoungmanstandingapart。Sheofferedhimnorecognitionuntilshehadcrossedthestreet，andhehadfollowedhertosomedistance。Here，withasmile，\"Excusemyapparentwantofcordiality，\"shesaid。\"Youknowwhattobelieveaboutthat。
Prudencebeforeeverything。\"Andonhisaskingherinwhatdirectiontheyshouldwalk，\"Whereweshallbeleastobserved，\"shemurmured。
Morriswasnotinhighgood-humor，andhisresponsetothisspeechwasnotparticularlygallant。\"Idon\'tflattermyselfweshallbemuchobservedanywhere。\"Thenheturnedrecklesslytowardthecenterofthetown。\"Ihopeyouhavecometotellmethathehasknockedunder，\"
hewenton。
\"IamafraidIamnotaltogetheraharbingerofgood；andyet，too，Iamtoacertainextentamessengerofpeace。Ihavebeenthinkingagreatdeal，Mr。Townsend，\"saidMrs。Penniman。
\"Youthinktoomuch。\"
\"IsupposeIdo；butIcan\'thelpit，mymindissoterriblyactive。
WhenIgivemyself，Igivemyself。Ipaythepenaltyinmyheadaches，myfamousheadaches-aperfectcircletofpain！ButIcarryitasaqueencarrieshercrown。WouldyoubelievethatIhaveonenow？Iwouldn\'t，however，havemissedourrendezvousforanything。I
havesomethingveryimportanttotellyou。\"
\"Well，let\'shaveit，\"saidMorris。
\"Iwasperhapsalittleheadlongtheotherdayinadvisingyoutomarryimmediately。Ihavebeenthinkingitover，andnowIseeitjustalittledifferently。\"
\"Youseemtohaveagreatmanydifferentwaysofseeingthesameobject。\"
\"Theirnumberisinfinite！\"saidMrs。Penniman，inatonewhichseemedtosuggestthatthisconvenientfacultywasoneofherbrightestattributes。
\"Irecommendyoutotakeoneway，andsticktoit，\"Morrisreplied。
\"Ah，butitisn\'teasytochoose。Myimaginationisneverquiet，neversatisfied。Itmakesmeabadadviser，perhaps，butitmakesmeacapitalfriend。\"
\"Acapitalfriendwhogivesbadadvice！\"saidMorris。
