CHAPTER26。
IFSHEHADDISTURBEDherniece\'stemper-shebeganfromthismomentforwardtotalkagooddealaboutCatherine\'stemper，anarticlewhichuptothattimehadneverbeenmentionedinconnectionwithourheroine-Catherinehadopportunityonthemorrowtorecoverherserenity。Mrs。PennimanhadgivenheramessagefromMorrisTownsendtotheeffectthathewouldcomeandwelcomeherhomeonthedayafterherarrival。Hecameintheafternoon；but，asmaybeimagined，hewasnotonthisoccasionmadefreeofDoctorSloper\'sstudy。Hehadbeencomingandgoing，forthepastyear，socomfortablyandirresponsibly，thathehadacertainsenseofbeingwrongedbyfindinghimselfremindedthathemustnowlimithishorizontothefrontparlor，whichwasCatherine\'sparticularprovince。
\"Iamverygladyouhavecomeback，\"hesaid。\"Itmakesmeveryhappytoseeyouagain。\"Andhelookedather，smiling，fromheadtofoot，thoughitdidnotappearafterwardthatheagreedwithMrs。
Penniman（who，womanlike，wentmoreintodetails，inthinkingherembellished）。
ToCatherineheappearedresplendent；itwassometimebeforeshecouldbelieveagainthatthisbeautifulyoungmanwasherownexclusiveproperty。Theyhadagreatdealofcharacteristiclovers\'
talk-asoftexchangeofinquiriesandassurances。InthesemattersMorrishadanexcellentgrace，whichflungapicturesqueinterestevenovertheaccountofhisdebutinthecommissionbusiness-asubjectastowhichhiscompanionearnestlyquestionedhim。Fromtimetotimehegotupfromthesofawheretheysattogether，andwalkedabouttheroom；afterwhichhecameback，smilingandpassinghishandthroughhishair。Hewasunquiet，aswasnaturalinayoungmanwhohasjustbeenreunitedtoalong-absentmistress，andCatherinemadethereflectionthatshehadneverseenhimsoexcited。Itgaveherpleasure，somehow，tonotethisfact。Heaskedherquestionsabouthertravels，tosomeofwhichshewasunabletoreply，forshehadforgottenthenamesofplacesandtheorderofherfather\'sjourney。
Butforthemomentshewassohappy，soliftedupbythebeliefthathertroublesatlastwereover，thatsheforgottobeashamedofhermeageranswers。Itseemedtohernowthatshecouldmarryhimwithouttheremnantofascruple，orasingletremorsavethosethatbelongedtojoy。Withoutwaitingforhimtoask，shetoldhimthatherfatherhadcomebackinexactlythesamestateofmind-thathehadnotyieldedaninch。
\"Wemustnotexpectitnow，\"shesaid，\"andwemustdowithoutit。\"
Morrissatlookingandsmiling。\"Mypoor，deargirl！\"heexclaimed。
\"Youmustn\'tpityme，\"saidCatherine。\"Idon\'tminditnow；Iamusedtoit。\"
Morriscontinuedtosmile，andthenhegotupandwalkedaboutagain。\"Youhadbetterletmetryhim。\"
\"Trytobringhimover？Youwouldonlymakehimworse，\"Catherineanswered，resolutely。
\"YousaythatbecauseImanageditsobadlybefore。ButIshouldmanageitdifferentlynow。Iammuchwiser；Ihavehadayeartothinkofit。Ihavemoretact。\"
\"Isthatwhatyouhavebeenthinkingofforayear？\"
\"Muchofthetime。Yousee，theideasticksinmycrop。Idon\'tliketobebeaten。\"
\"Howareyoubeatenifwemarry？\"
\"OfcourseIamnotbeatenonthemainissue；butIam，don\'tyousee，onalltherestofit-onthequestionofmyreputation，ofmyrelationswithyourfather，ofmyrelationswithmyownchildren，ifweshouldhaveany。\"
\"Weshallhaveenoughforourchildren；weshallhaveenoughforeverything。Don\'tyouexpecttosucceedinbusiness？\"
\"Brilliantly，andweshallcertainlybeverycomfortable。Butitisn\'tofthemerematerialcomfortIspeak；itisofthemoralcomfort，\"saidMorris，\"oftheintellectualsatisfaction。\"
\"Ihavegreatmoralcomfortnow，\"Catherinedeclared，verysimply。
\"Ofcourseyouhave。Butwithmeitisdifferent。Ihavestakedmyprideonprovingtoyourfatherthatheiswrong，andnowthatIamattheheadofaflourishingbusiness，Icandealwithhimasanequal，I
haveacapitalplan-doletmegoathim！\"
Hestoodbeforeherwithhisbrightface，hisjauntyair，hishandsinhispockets；andshegotup，withhereyesrestingonhisown。\"Pleasedon\'t，Morris；pleasedon\'t，\"shesaid；andtherewasacertainmild，sadfirmnessinhertonewhichheheardforthefirsttime。\"Wemustasknofavorsofhim-wemustasknothingmore。Hewon\'trelent，andnothinggoodwillcomeofit。Iknowitnow-I
haveaverygoodreason。\"
\"Andpraywhatisyourreason？\"
Shehesitatedtobringitout，butatlastitcame。\"Heisnotveryfondofme。\"
\"Oh，bother！\"criedMorris，angrily。
\"Iwouldn\'tsaysuchathingwithoutbeingsure。Isawit，Ifeltit，inEngland，justbeforehecameaway。Hetalkedtomeonenight-
thelastnight-andthenitcameoverme。Youcantellwhenapersonfeelsthatway。Iwouldn\'taccusehimifhehadn\'tmademefeelthatway。Idon\'taccusehim；Ijusttellyouthatthat\'showitis。Hecan\'thelpit；wecan\'tgovernouraffections。DoIgovernmine？
Mightn\'thesaythattome？It\'sbecauseheissofondofmymother，whomwelostsolongago。Shewasbeautiful，andvery，verybrilliant；
heisalwaysthinkingofher。Iamnotatalllikeher；AuntPennimanhastoldmethat。Ofcourseitisn\'tmyfault；butneitherisithisfault。AllImeanis，it\'strue；andit\'sastrongerreason，forhisneverbeingreconciledthansimplyhisdislikeforyou。\"
\"Simply\'？\"criedMorris，withalaugh。\"Iammuchobligedforthat。\"
\"Idon\'tmindabouthisdislikingyounow；Imindeverythingless。I
feeldifferently；Ifeelseparatedfrommyfather。\"
\"Uponmyword，\"saidMorris，\"youareaqueerfamily。\"
\"Don\'tsaythat-don\'tsayanythingunkind，\"thegirlentreated。
\"Youmustbeverykindtomenow，because，Morris，because\"-andshehesitatedamoment-\"becauseIhavedoneagreatdealforyou。\"
\"Oh，Iknowthat，mydear。\"
Shehadspokenuptothismomentwithoutvehemenceoroutwardsignofemotion，gently，reasoningly，onlytryingtoexplain。Butheremotionhadbeenineffectuallysmothered，anditbetrayeditselfatlastinthetremblingofhervoice。\"Itisagreatthingtobeseparatedlikethatfromyourfather，whenyouhaveworshippedhimbefore。Ithasmademeveryunhappy；oritwouldhavemademesoifIdidn\'tloveyou。Youcantellwhenapersonspeakstoyouasif-
asif-\"
\"Asifwhat？\"
\"Asiftheydespisedyou！\"saidCatherine，passionately。\"Hespokethatwaythenightbeforewesailed。Itwasn\'tmuch，butitwasenough，andIthoughtofitonthevoyageallthetime。ThenImadeupmymind。Iwillneveraskhimforanythingagain，orexpectanythingfromhim。Itwouldnotbenaturalnow。Wemustbeveryhappytogether，andwemustnotseemtodependuponhisforgiveness。And，Morris，Morris，youmustneverdespiseme！\"
Thiswasaneasypromisetomake，andMorrismadeitwithfineeffect。Butforthemomentheundertooknothingmoreonerous。
CHAPTER27。
THEDOCTORofcourse，onhisreturn，hadagooddealoftalkwithhissisters。HewasatnogreatpainstonarratehistravelsortocommunicatehisimpressionsofdistantlandstoMrs。Penniman，uponwhomhecontentedhimselfwithbestowingamementoofhisenviableexperienceintheshapeofavelvetgown。Butheconversedwithheratsomelengthaboutmattersnearerhome，andlostnotimeinassuringherthathewasstillaninflexiblefather。
\"IhavenodoubtyouhaveseenagreatdealofMr。Townsend，anddoneyourbesttoconsolehimforCatherine\'sabsence，\"hesaid。\"I
don\'taskyouandyouneedn\'tdenyit。Iwouldn\'tputthequestiontoyoufortheworld，andexposeyoutotheinconvenienceofhavingto-a-excogitateananswer。Noonehasbetrayedyou，andtherehasbeennospyuponyourproceedings。Elizabethhastoldnotales，andhasnevermentionedyouexcepttopraiseyourgoodlooksandgoodspirits。Thethingissimplyaninferenceofmyown-aninduction，asthephilosopherssay。Itseemstomelikelythatyouwouldhaveofferedanasylumtoaninterestingsufferer。Mr。Townsendhasbeenagooddealinthehouse；thereissomethinginthehousethattellsmeso。Wedoctors，youknow，endbyacquiringfineperceptions，anditisimpresseduponmysensoriumthathehassatinthesechairs，inaveryeasyattitude，andwarmedhimselfatthatfire。Idon\'tgrudgehimthecomfortofit；itistheonlyonehewilleverenjoyatmyexpense。Itseemslikely，indeed，thatIshallbeabletoeconomizeathisown。Idon\'tknowwhatyoumayhavesaidtohim，orwhatyoumaysayhereafter；butIshouldlikeyoutoknowthatifyouhaveencouragedhimtobelievethathewillgainanythingbyhangingon，orthatIhavebudgedahairbreadthfromthepositionItookupayearago，youhaveplayedhimatrickforwhichhemayexactreparation。
I\'mnotsurethathemaynotbringasuitagainstyou。Ofcourseyouhavedoneitconscientiously；youhavemadeyourselfbelievethatI
canbetiredout。Thisisthemostbaselesshallucinationthatevervisitedthebrainofagenialoptimist。Iamnotintheleasttired；I
amasfreshaswhenIstarted；Iamgoodforfiftyyearsyet。
Catherineappearsnottohavebudgedanincheither；sheisequallyfresh；soweareaboutwherewewerebefore。This，however，youknowaswellasI。WhatIwishissimplytogiveyounoticeofmyownstateofmind。Takeittoheart，dearLavinia。Bewareofthejustresentmentofadeludedfortunehunter！\"
\"Ican\'tsayIexpectedit，\"saidMrs。Penniman。\"AndIhadasortoffoolishhopethatyouwouldcomehomewithoutthatodiousironicaltonewithwhichyoutreatthemostsacredsubjects。\"
\"Don\'tundervalueirony；itisoftenofgreatuse。Itisnot，however，alwaysnecessary，andIwillshowyouhowgracefullyIcanlayitaside。IshouldliketoknowwhetheryouthinkMorrisTownsendwillhangon？\"
\"Iwillansweryouwithyourownweapons，\"saidMrs。Penniman。
\"Youhadbetterwaitandsee。\"
\"Doyoucallsuchaspeechasthatoneofmyownweapons？Ineversaidanythingsorough。\"
\"Hewillhangonlongenoughtomakeyouveryuncomfortable，then。\"
\"MydearLavinia，\"exclaimedthedoctor，\"doyoucallthatirony？
Icallitpugilism。\"
Mrs。Penniman，however，inspiteofherpugilism，wasagooddealfrightened，andshetookcounselofherfears。Herbrothermeanwhiletookcounsel，withmanyreservations，ofMrs。Almond，towhomhewasnolessgenerousthantoLavinia，andagooddealmorecommunicative。
\"Isupposeshehashadhimthereallthewhile，\"hesaid。\"Imustlookintothestateofmywine。Youneedn\'tmindtellingmenow；I
havealreadysaidallImeantosaytoheronthesubject。\"
\"Ibelievehewasinthehouseagooddeal，\"Mrs。Almondanswered。
\"ButyoumustadmitthatyourleavingLaviniaquitealonewasagreatchangeforher，andthatitwasnaturalsheshouldwantsomesociety。\"
\"Idoadmitthat，andthatiswhyIshallmakenorowaboutthewine；IshallsetitdownascompensationtoLavinia。Sheiscapableoftellingmethatshedrankitallherself。Thinkoftheinconceivablebadtaste，inthecircumstances，ofthatfellowmakingfreewiththehouse-orcomingthereatall！Ifthatdoesn\'tdescribehim，heisindescribable。\"
\"Hisplanistogetwhathecan。Laviniawillhavesupportedhimayear，\"saidMrs。Almond。\"It\'ssomuchgained。\"
\"Shewillhavetosupporthimfortherestofhislife，then，\"criedthedoctor，\"butwithoutwine，astheysayatthetablesd\'hote。\"
\"Catherinetellsmehehassetupabusiness，andismakingagreatdealofmoney。\"
Thedoctorstared。\"Shehasnottoldmethat-andLaviniadidn\'tdeign。Ah！\"hecried，\"Catherinehasgivenmeup。Notthatitmatters，forallthatthebusinessamountsto。\"
\"ShehasnotgivenupMr。Townsend，\"saidMrs。Almond。\"Isawthatinthefirsthalf-minute。Shehascomehomeexactlythesame。\"
\"Exactlythesame；notagrainmoreintelligent。Shedidn\'tnoticeastickorastoneallthewhilewewereaway-notapicturenoraview，notastatuenoracathedral。\"
\"Howcouldshenotice？Shehadotherthingstothinkof；theyareneverforaninstantoutofhermind。Shetouchesmeverymuch。\"
\"Shewouldtouchmeifshedidn\'tirritateme。That\'stheeffectshehasuponmenow。Ihavetriedeverythinguponher；Ireallyhavebeenquitemerciless。Butitisofnousewhatever；sheisabsolutelyglued。Ihavepassed，inconsequence，intotheexasperatedstage。AtfirstIhadagooddealofacertaingenialcuriosityaboutit；Iwantedtoseeifshereallywouldstick。But，goodLord，one\'scuriosityissatisfied！Iseesheiscapableofit，andnowshecanletgo。\"
\"Shewillneverletgo，\"saidMrs。Almond。
\"Takecare，oryouwillexasperatemetoo。Ifshedoesn\'tletgo，shewillbeshakenoff-senttumblingintothedust。That\'sanicepositionformydaughter。Shecan\'tseethatifyouaregoingtobepushed，youhadbetterjump。Andthenshewillcomplainofherbruises。\"
\"Shewillnevercomplain，\"saidMrs。Almond。
\"ThatIshallobjecttoevenmore。ButthedeucewillbethatI
can\'tpreventanything。\"
\"Ifsheistohaveafall，\"saidMrs。Almond，withagentlelaugh，\"wemustspreadasmanycarpetsaswecan。\"Andshecarriedoutthisideabyshowingagreatdealofmotherlykindnesstothegirl。
Mrs。PennimanimmediatelywrotetoMorrisTownsend。Theintimacybetweenthesetwowasbythistimeconsummate，butImustcontentmyselfwithnotingbutafewofitsfeatures。Mrs。Penniman\'sownshareinitwasasingularsentiment，whichmighthavebeenmisinterpreted，butwhichinitselfwasnotdiscreditabletothepoorlady。Itwasaromanticinterestinthisattractiveandunfortunateyoungman，andyetitwasnotsuchaninterestasCatherinemighthavebeenjealousof。Mrs。Pennimanhadnotaparticleofjealousyofherniece。Forherself，shefeltasifshewereMorris\'smotherorsister-amotherorsisterofanemotionaltemperament-andshehadanabsorbingdesiretomakehimcomfortableandhappy。Shehadstriventodosoduringtheyearthatherbrotherleftheranopenfield，andhereffortshadbeenattendedwiththesuccessthathasbeenpointedout。Shehadneverhadachildofherown，andCatherine，whomshehaddoneherbesttoinvestwiththeimportancethatwouldnaturallybelongtoayouthfulPenniman，hadonlypartlyrewardedherzeal。Catherine，asanobjectofaffectionandsolicitude，hadneverhadthatpicturesquecharmwhich（asitseemedtoher）wouldhavebeenanaturalattributeofherownprogeny。
EventhematernalpassioninMrs。Pennimanwouldhavebeenromanticandfactitious，andCatherinewasnotconstitutedtoinspirearomanticpassion。Mrs。Pennimanwasasfondofherasever，butshehadgrowntofeelthatwithCatherineshelackedopportunity。
Sentimentallyspeaking，therefore，shehad（thoughshehadnotdisinheritedherniece）adoptedMorrisTownsend，whogaveheropportunityinabundance。Shewouldhavebeenveryhappytohaveahandsomeandtyrannicalson，andwouldhavetakenanextremeinterestinhisloveaffairs。ThiswasthelightinwhichshehadcometoregardMorris，whohadconciliatedheratfirst，andmadehisimpressionbyhisdelicateandcalculateddeference-asortofexhibitiontowhichMrs。Pennimanwasparticularlysensitive。Hehadlargelyabatedhisdeferenceafterward，forheeconomizedhisresources，buttheimpressionwasmade，andtheyoungman\'sverybrutalitycametohaveasortoffilialvalue。IfMrs。Pennimanhadhadason，shewouldprobablyhavebeenafraidofhim，andatthisstageofournarrativeshewascertainlyafraidofMorrisTownsend。
ThiswasoneoftheresultsofhisdomesticationinWashingtonSquare。
Hetookhiseasewithher-as，forthatmatter，hewouldcertainlyhavedonewithhisownmother。
CHAPTER28。
THELETTERwasawordofwarning；itinformedhimthatthedoctorhadcomehomemoreimpracticablethanever。ShemighthavereflectedthatCatherinewouldsupplyhimwithalltheinformationheneededonthispoint；butweknowthatMrs。Penniman\'sreflectionswererarelyjust；and，moreover，shefeltthatitwasnotforhertodependonwhatCatherinemightdo。Ihavesaidthatheryoungfriendtookhiseasewithher，anditisanillustrationofthefactthathemadenoanswertoherletter。Hetooknoteofitamply；buthelightedhiscigarwithit，andhewaited，intranquilconfidencethatheshouldreceiveanother。\"Hisstateofmindreallyfreezesmyblood，\"Mrs。
Pennimanhadwritten，alludingtoherbrother；anditwouldhaveseemedthatuponthisstatementshecouldhardlyimprove。
Nevertheless，shewroteagain，expressingherselfwiththeaidofadifferentfigure。\"Hishatredofyouburnswithaluridflame-theflamethatneverdies，\"shewrote。\"Butitdoesn\'tlightupthedarknessofyourfuture。Ifmyaffectioncoulddoso，alltheyearsofyourlifewouldbeaneternalsunshine。IcanextractnothingfromC。；
sheissoterriblysecretive，likeherfather。Sheseemstoexpecttobemarriedverysoon，andhasevidentlymadepreparationsinEurope-quantitiesofclothing，tenpairsofshoes，etc。Mydearfriend，youcannotsetupinmarriedlifesimplywithafewpairsofshoes，canyou？Tellmewhatyouthinkofthis。Iamintenselyanxioustoseeyou，Ihavesomuchtosay。Imissyoudreadfully；thehouseseemssoemptywithoutyou。Whatisthenewsdowntown？Isthebusinessextending？Thatdearlittlebusiness。Ithinkit\'ssobraveofyou！
Couldn\'tIcometoyouroffice-justforthreeminutes？Imightpassforacustomer-isthatwhatyoucallthem？Imightcomeintobuysomething-somesharesorsomerailroadthings。Tellmewhatyouthinkofthatplan。Iwouldcarryalittlereticule，likeawomanofthepeople。\"
Inspiteofthesuggestionaboutthereticule，Morrisappearedtothinkpoorlyoftheplan，forhegaveMrs。Pennimannoencouragementwhatevertovisithisoffice，whichhehadalreadyrepresentedtoherasaplacepeculiarlyandunnaturallydifficulttofind。Butasshepersistedindesiringaninterview-uptothelast，aftermonthsofintimatecolloquy，shecalledthesemeetings\"interviews\"-sheagreedthattheyshouldtakeawalktogether，andwasevenkindenoughtoleavehisofficeforthispurposeduringthehoursatwhichbusinessmighthavebeensupposedtobeliveliest。Itwasnosurprisetohim，whentheymetatastreetcorner，inaregionofemptylotsandundevelopedpavements（Mrs。Pennimanbeingattiredasmuchaspossiblelikea\"womanofthepeople\"），tofindthat，inspiteofherurgency，whatshechieflyhadtoconveytohimwastheassuranceofhersympathy。Ofsuchassurances，however，hehadalreadyavoluminouscollection，anditwouldnothavebeenworthhiswhiletoforsakeafruitfulavocationmerelytohearMrs。Pennimansay，forthethousandthtime，thatshehadmadehiscauseherown。Morrishadsomethingofhisowntosay。Itwasnotaneasythingtobringout，andwhileheturneditover，thedifficultymadehimacrimonious。
\"Ohyes，Iknowperfectlythathecombinesthepropertiesofalumpoficeandared-hotcoal，\"heobserved。\"Catherinehasmadeitthoroughlyclear，andyouhavetoldmesotillIamsickofit。Youneedn\'ttellmeagain；Iamperfectlysatisfied。HewillnevergiveusaPenny；Iregardthatasmathematicallyproved。\"
Mrs。Pennimanatthispointhadaninspiration。
\"Couldn\'tyoubringalawsuitagainsthim？\"Shewonderedthatthissimpleexpedienthadneveroccurredtoherbefore。
\"Iwillbringalawsuitagainstyou，\"saidMorris，\"ifyouaskmeanymoresuchaggravatingquestions。Amanshouldknowwhenheisbeaten，\"headded，inamoment。\"Imustgiveherup！\"
Mrs。Pennimanreceivedthisdeclarationinsilence，thoughitmadeherheartbeatalittle。Itfoundherbynomeansunprepared，forshehadaccustomedherselftothethoughtthat，ifMorrisshoulddecidedlynotbeabletogetherbrother\'smoney，itwouldnotdoforhimtomarryCatherinewithoutit。\"Itwouldnotdo，\"wasavaguewayofputtingthething；butMrs。Penniman\'snaturalaffectioncompletedtheidea，which，thoughithadnotasyetbeensocrudelyexpressedbetweenthemasintheformthatMorrishadjustgivenit，hadneverthelessbeenimpliedsooften，incertaineasyintervalsoftalk，ashesatstretchinghislegsinthedoctor\'swell-stuffedarmchairs，thatshehadgrownfirsttoregarditwithanemotionwhichsheflatteredherselfwasphilosophic，andthentohaveasecrettendernessforit。Thefactthatshekepthertendernesssecretproves，ofcourse，thatshewasashamedofit；butshemanagedtoblinkhershamebyremindingherselfthatshewas，afterall，theofficialprotectorofherniece\'smarriage。Herlogicwouldscarcelyhavepassedmusterwiththedoctor。Inthefirstplace，Morrismustgetthemoney，andshewouldhelphimtoit。Inthesecond，itwasplainitwouldnevercometohim，anditwouldbeagrievouspityheshouldmarrywithoutit-ayoungmanwhomightsoeasilyfindsomethingbetter。Afterherbrotherhaddeliveredhimself，onhisreturnfromEurope，ofthatincisivelittleaddressthathasbeenquoted，Morris\'scauseseemedsohopelessthatMrs。Pennimanfixedherattentionexclusivelyuponthelatterbranchofherargument。IfMorrishadbeenherson，shewouldcertainlyhavesacrificedCatherinetoasuperiorconceptionofhisfuture；andtobereadytodoso，asthecasestood，wasthereforeevenafinerdegreeofdevotion。Nevertheless，itcheekedherbreathalittletohavethesacrificialknife，asitwere，suddenlythrustintoherhand。
Morriswalkedalongamoment，andthenherepeated，harshly，\"Imustgiveherup！\"
\"IthinkIunderstandyou，\"saidMrs。Penniman，gently。
\"Icertainlysayitdistinctlyenough-brutallyandvulgarlyenough。\"
Hewasashamedofhimself，andhisshamewasuncomfortable；andashewasextremelyintolerantofdiscomfort，hefeltviciousandcruel。Hewantedtoabusesomebody，andhebegan，cautiously-forhewasalwayscautious-withhimself。
\"Couldn\'tyoutakeherdownalittle？\"heasked。
\"Takeherdown？\"
\"Prepareher-tryandeasemeoff。\"
Mrs。Pennimanstopped，lookingathimverysolemnly。
\"MypoorMorris，doyouknowhowmuchshelovesyou？\"
\"No，Idon\'t。Idon\'twanttoknow。Ihavealwaystriedtokeepfromknowing。Itwouldbetoopainful。\"
\"Shewillsuffermuch，\"saidMrs。Penniman。
\"Youmustconsoleher。Ifyouareasgoodafriendtomeasyoupretendtobe，youwillmanageit。\"
Mrs。Pennimanshookherheadsadly。
\"Youtalkofmy\'pretending\'tolikeyou；butIcan\'tpretendtohateyou。IcanonlytellherIthinkveryhighlyofyou；andhowwillthatconsoleherforlosingyou？\"
\"Thedoctorwillhelpyou。Hewillbedelightedatthethingbeingbrokenoff；andasheisaknowingfellow，hewillinventsomethingtocomforther。\"
\"Hewillinventanewtorture，\"criedMrs。Penniman。\"Heavendeliverherfromherfather\'scomfort！Itwillconsistofhiscrowingoverher，andsaying，\'Ialwaystoldyouso！\'\"
Morriscoloredamostuncomfortablered。
\"Ifyoudon\'tconsoleheranybetterthanyouconsoleme，youcertainlywon\'tbeofmuchuse。It\'sadamneddisagreeablenecessity；Ifeelitextremely，andyououghttomakeiteasyforme。\"
\"Iwillbeyourfriendforlife，\"Mrs。Pennimandeclared。
\"Bemyfriendnow！\"andMorriswalkedon。
Shewentwithhim；shewasalmosttrembling。
\"Shouldyoulikemetotellher？\"sheasked。
\"Youmustn\'ttellher，butyoucan-youcan-\"Andhehesitated，tryingtothinkwhatMrs。Pennimancoulddo。\"Youcanexplaintoherwhyitis。It\'sbecauseIcan\'tbringmyselftostepinbetweenherandherfather-togivehimthepretexthegraspsatsoeagerly（it\'sahideoussight！）fordeprivingherofherrights。\"
Mrs。Pennimanfeltwithremarkablepromptitudethecharmofthisformula。
\"That\'ssolikeyou，\"shesaid。\"It\'ssofinelyfelt。\"
Morrisgavehisstickanangryswing。
\"Ohdamnation！\"heexclaimed，perversely。
Mrs。Penniman，however，wasnotdiscouraged。
\"Itmayturnoutbetterthanyouthink。Catherineis，afterall，soverypeculiar。\"Andshethoughtshemighttakeituponherselftoassurehimthat，whateverhappened，thegirlwouldbeveryquiet-
shewouldn\'tmakeanoise。Theyextendedtheirwalk，andwhiletheyproceededMrs。Pennimantookuponherselfotherthingsbesides，andendedbyhavingassumedaconsiderableburden；Morrisbeingreadyenough，asmaybeimagined，toputeverythingoffuponher。Buthewasnotforasingleinstantthedupeofherblunderingalacrity；heknewthatofwhatshepromisedshewascompetenttoperformbutaninsignificantfraction，andthemoresheprofessedherwillingnesstoservehim，thegreaterfoolhethoughther。
\"Whatwillyoudoifyoudon\'tmarryher？\"sheventuredtoinquireinthecourseofthisconversation。
\"Somethingbrilliant，\"saidMorris。\"Shouldn\'tyoulikemetodosomethingbrilliant？\"
TheideagaveMrs。Pennimanexceedingpleasure。
\"Ishallfeelsadlytakeninifyoudon\'t。\"
\"Ishallhaveto，tomakeupforthis。Thisisn\'tatallbrilliant，youknow。\"
Mrs。Pennimanmusedalittle，asiftheremightbesomewayofmakingoutthatitwas；butshehadtogiveuptheattempt，and，tocarryofftheawkwardnessoffailure，sheriskedanewinquiry。
\"Doyoumean-doyoumeananothermarriage？\"
Morrisgreetedthisquestionwithareflectionwhichwashardlythelessimpudentfrombeinginaudible。\"Surelywomenaremorecrudethanmen！\"Andthenheanswered，audibly，\"Neverintheworld！\"
Mrs。Pennimanfeltdisappointedandsnubbed，andsherelievedherselfinalittlevaguelysarcasticcry。Hewascertainlyperverse。
\"Igiveherup，notforanotherwoman，butforawidercareer，\"
Morrisannounced。
Thiswasverygrand；butstillMrs。Penniman，whofeltthatshehadexposedherself，wasfaintlyrancorous。
\"Doyoumeannevertocometoseeheragain？\"sheasked，withsomesharpness。
\"Ohno，Ishallcomeagain；butwhatistheuseofdraggingitout？Ihavebeenfourtimessinceshecameback，andit\'sterriblyawkwardwork。Ican\'tkeepitupindefinitely；sheoughtn\'ttoexpectthat，youknow。Awomanshouldneverkeepamandangling，\"headded，finely。
\"Ah，butyoumusthaveyourlastparting！\"urgedhiscompanion，inwhoseimaginationtheideaoflastpartingsoccupiedaplaceinferiorindignityonlytothatoffirstmeetings。
CHAPTER29。
HECAMEAGAIN，withoutmanagingthelastparting；andagainandagain，withoutfindingthatMrs。Pennimanhadasyetdonemuchtopavethepathofretreatwithflowers。Itwasdevilishawkward，ashesaid，andhefeltalivelyanimosityforCatherine\'saunt，who，ashehadnowquiteformedthehabitofsayingtohimself，haddraggedhimintothemess，andwasboundincommoncharitytogethimoutofit。
Mrs。Penniman，totellthetruth，had，intheseclusionofherownapartment-and，Imayadd，amidthesuggestivenessofCatherine\'s，whichworeinthosedaystheappearanceofthatofayoungladylayingouthertrousseau-Mrs。Pennimanhadmeasuredherresponsibilities，andtakenfrightattheirmagnitude。ThetaskofpreparingCatherineandeasingoffMorrispresenteddifficultieswhichincreasedintheexecution，andevenledtheimpulsiveLaviniatoaskherselfwhetherthemodificationoftheyoungman\'soriginalprojecthadbeenconceivedinahappyspirit。Abrilliantfuture，awidercareer，aconscienceexemptfromthereproachofinterferencebetweenayoungladyandhernaturalrights-theseexcellentthingsmightbetootroublesomelypurchased。FromCatherineherselfMrs。Pennimanreceivednoassistancewhatever；thepoorgirlwasapparentlywithoutsuspicionofherdanger。Shelookedatherloverwitheyesofundiminishedtrust，andthoughshehadlessconfidenceinherauntthaninayoungmanwithwhomshehadexchangedsomanytendervows，shegavehernohandleforexplainingorconfessing。Mrs。Penniman，falteringandwavering，declaredCatherinewasverystupid，putoffthegreatscene，asshewouldhavecalledit，fromdaytoday，andwanderedabout，veryuncomfortably，withherunexplodedbombinherhands。
Morris\'sownsceneswereverysmallonesjustnow；buteventhesewerebeyondhisstrength。Hemadehisvisitsasbriefaspossible，and，whilehesatwithhismistress，foundterriblylittletotalkabout。
Shewaswaitingforhim，invulgarparlance，tonametheday；andsolongashewasunpreparedtobeexplicitonthispoint，itseemedamockerytopretendtotalkaboutmattersmoreabstract。Shehadnoairsandnoarts；sheneverattemptedtodisguiseherexpectancy。
Shewaswaitingonhisgoodpleasure，andwouldwaitmodestlyandpatiently；hishangingbackatthissupremetimemightappearstrange，butofcoursehemusthaveagoodreasonforit。Catherinewouldhavemadeawifeofthegentle，old-fashionedpattern-regardingreasonsasfavorsandwindfalls，butnomoreexpectingoneeverydaythanshewouldhaveexpectedabouquetofcamellias。Duringtheperiodofherengagement，however，ayoungladyevenofthemostslenderpretensionscountsuponmorebouquetsthanatothertimes；andtherewasawantofperfumeintheairatthismomentwhichatlastexcitedthegirl\'salarm。
\"Areyousick？\"sheaskedofMorris。\"Youseemsorestless，andyoulookpale。\"
\"Iamnotatallwell，\"saidMorris；anditoccurredtohimthat，ifhecouldonlymakeherpityhimenough，hemightgetoff。
\"Iamafraidyouareoverworked；yououghtn\'ttoworksomuch。\"
\"Imustdothat。\"Andthenheadded，withasortofcalculatedbrutality，\"Idon\'twanttooweyoueverything。\"
\"Ah，howcanyousaythat？\"
\"Iamtooproud，\"saidMorris。
\"Yes-youaretooproud。\"
\"Well，youmusttakemeasIam，\"hewenton。\"Youcanneverchangeme。\"
\"Idon\'twanttochangeyou，\"shesaid，gently。\"Iwilltakeyouasyouare。\"Andshestoodlookingathim。
\"Youknowpeopletalktremendouslyaboutaman\'smarryingarichgirl，\"Morrisremarked。\"It\'sexcessivelydisagreeable。\"
\"ButIamnotrich，\"saidCatherine。
\"Youarerichenoughtomakemetalkedabout。\"
\"Ofcourseyouaretalkedabout。It\'sanhonor。\"
\"It\'sanhonorIcouldeasilydispensewith。\"
Shewasonthepointofaskinghimwhetheritwasnotacompensationforthisannoyancethatthepoorgirlwhohadthemisfortunetobringituponhimlovedhimsodearlyandbelievedinhimsotruly；
butshehesitated，thinkingthatthiswouldperhapsseemanexactingspeech，andwhileshehesitated，hesuddenlylefther。
Thenexttimehecame，however，shebroughtitout，andshetoldhimagainthathewastooproud。Herepeatedthathecouldn\'tchange，andthistimeshefelttheimpulsetosaythatwithalittleefforthemightchange。
Sometimeshethoughtthatifhecouldonlymakeaquarrelwithheritmighthelphim；butthequestionwashowtoquarrelwithayoungwomanwhohadsuchtreasuresofconcession。\"Isupposeyouthinktheeffortisallonyourside，\"hebrokeout。\"Don\'tyoubelievethatI
havemyownefforttomake？\"
\"It\'sallyoursnow，\"shesaid。\"Myeffortisfinishedanddonewith。\"
\"Well，mineisnot。\"
\"Wemustbearthingstogether，\"saidCatherine。\"That\'swhatweoughttodo。\"
Morrisattemptedanaturalsmile。\"Therearesomethingswhichwecan\'tverywellbeartogether-forinstance，separation。\"
\"Whydoyouspeakofseparation？\"
\"Ah，youdon\'tlikeit；Iknewyouwouldn\'t。\"
\"Whereareyougoing，Morris？\"shesuddenlyasked。
Hefixedhiseyeonheramoment，andforapartofthatmomentshewasafraidofit。\"Willyoupromisenottomakeascene？\"
\"Ascene-doImakescenes？\"
\"Allwomendo！\"saidMorris，withthetoneoflargeexperience。
\"Idon\'t。Whereareyougoing？\"
\"IfIshouldsayIwasgoingawayonbusiness，shouldyouthinkitverystrange？\"
Shewonderedamoment，gazingathim。\"Yes-no。Notifyouwilltakemewithyou。\"
\"Takeyouwithme-onbusiness？\"
\"Whatisyourbusiness？Yourbusinessistobewithme。\"
\"Idon\'tearnmylivingwithyou，\"saidMorris。\"Or，rather，\"hecried，withasuddeninspiration，\"that\'sjustwhatIdo-orwhattheworldsaysIdo！\"
Thisoughtperhapstohavebeenagreatstroke，butitmiscarried。
\"Whereareyougoing？\"Catherinesimplyrepeated。
\"ToNewOrleans-aboutbuyingsomecotton。\"
\"IamperfectlywillingtogotoNewOrleans，\"Catherinesaid。
\"DoyousupposeIwouldtakeyoutoanestofyellowfever？\"criedMorris。\"DoyousupposeIwouldexposeyouatsuchatimeasthis？\"
\"Ifthereisyellowfever，whyshouldyougo？Morris，youmustnotgo。\"
\"Itistomakesixthousanddollars，\"saidMorris。\"Doyougrudgemethatsatisfaction？\"
\"Wehavenoneedofsixthousanddollars。Youthinktoomuchaboutmoney。\"
\"Youcanaffordtosaythat。Thisisagreatchance；weheardofitlastnight。\"Andheexplainedtoherinwhatthechanceconsisted；andtoldheralongstory，goingovermorethanonceseveralofthedetails，abouttheremarkablestrokeofbusinesswhichheandhispartnerhadplannedbetweenthem。
ButCatherine\'simagination，forreasonsbestknowntoherself，absolutelyrefusedtobefired。\"IfyoucangotoNewOrleans，Icango，\"shesaid。\"Whyshouldn\'tyoucatchyellowfeverquiteaseasilyasI？Iameverybitasstrongasyou，andnotintheleastafraidofanyfever。WhenwewereinEuropewewereinveryunhealthyplaces；
myfatherusedtomakemetakesomepills。Inevercaughtanything，andIneverwasnervous。Whatwillbetheuseofsixthousanddollarsifyoudieofafever？Whenpersonsaregoingtobemarriedtheyoughtn\'ttothinksomuchaboutbusiness。Youshouldn\'tthinkaboutcotton；youshouldthinkaboutme。YoucangotoNewOrleanssomeothertime-therewillalwaysbeplentyofcotton。Itisn\'tthemomenttochoose。Wehavewaitedtoolongalready。\"Shespokemoreforciblyandvolublythanhehadeverheardher，andsheheldhisarminhertwohands。
\"Yousaidyouwouldn\'tmakeascene，\"criedMorris。\"Icallthisascene。\"
\"It\'syouthataremakingit。Ihaveneveraskedyouanythingbefore。Wehavewaitedtoolongalready。\"Anditwasacomforttohertothinkthatshehadhithertoaskedsolittle；itseemedtomakeherrighttoinsistthegreaternow。
Morrisbethoughthimselfalittle。\"Verywell，then；wewon\'ttalkaboutitanymore。Iwilltransactmybusinessbyletter。\"Andhebegantosmoothhishat，asiftotakeleave。
\"Youwon\'tgo？\"andshestoodlookingupathim。
Hecouldnotgiveuphisideaofprovokingaquarrel；itwassomuchthesimplestway。Hebenthiseyesonherupturnedfacewiththedarkestfrownhecouldachieve。\"Youarenotdiscreet；youmustn\'tbullyme。\"
But，asusual，sheconcededeverything。\"No，Iamnotdiscreet；I
knowIamtoopressing。Butisn\'titnatural？Itisonlyforamoment。\"
\"Inamomentyoumaydoagreatdealofharm。TryandbecalmerthenexttimeIcome。\"
\"Whenwillyoucome？\"
\"Doyouwanttomakeconditions？\"Morrisasked。\"IwillcomenextSaturday。\"
\"Cometomorrow，\"Catherinebegged。\"Iwantyoutocometomorrow。I
willbeveryquiet，\"sheadded；andheragitationhadbythistimebecomesogreatthattheassurancewasnotunbecoming。Asuddenfearhadcomeoverher；itwaslikethesolidconjunctionofadozendisembodieddoubts，andherimagination，atasinglebound，hadtraversedanenormousdistance。Allherbeing，forthemoment，wascenteredinthewishtokeephimintheroom。
Morrisbenthisheadandkissedherforehead。\"Whenyouarequiet，youareperfection，\"hesaid，\"butwhenyouareviolent，youarenotincharacter。\"
ItwasCatherine\'swishthatthereshouldbenoviolenceabouthersavethebeatingofherheart，whichshecouldnothelp；andshewenton，asgentlyaspossible，\"Willyoupromisetocometomorrow？\"
\"IsaidSaturday！\"Morrisanswered，smiling。Hetriedafrownatonemoment，asmileatanother；hewasathiswit\'send。
\"Yes，Saturdaytoo，\"sheanswered，tryingtosmile。\"Buttomorrowfirst。\"Hewasgoingtothedoor，andshewentwithhimquickly。Sheleanedhershoulderagainstit；itseemedtoherthatshewoulddoanythingtokeephim。
\"IfIampreventedfromcomingtomorrow，youwillsayIhavedeceivedyou，\"hesaid。
\"Howcanyoubeprevented？Youcancomeifyouwill。\"
\"Iamabusyman-Iamnotadangler！\"criedMorris，sternly。
Hisvoicewassohardandunnaturalthat，withahelplesslookathim，sheturnedaway；andthenhequicklylaidhishandonthedoorknob。Hefeltasifhewereabsolutelyrunningawayfromher。
Butinaninstantshewasclosetohimagain，andmurmuringinatonenonethelesspenetratingforbeinglow，\"Morris，youaregoingtoleaveme。\"
\"Yes，foralittlewhile。\"
\"Forhowlong？\"
\"Tillyouarereasonableagain。\"
\"Ishallneverbereasonable，inthatway。\"Andshetriedtokeephimlonger；itwasalmostastruggle。\"ThinkofwhatIhavedone！\"shebrokeout。\"Morris，Ihavegivenupeverything。\"
\"Youshallhaveeverythingback。\"
\"Youwouldn\'tsaythatifyoudidn\'tmeansomething。Whatisit？
Whathashappened？WhathaveIdone？Whathaschangedyou？\"
\"Iwillwritetoyou-thatisbetter，\"Morrisstammered。
\"Ah，youwon\'tcomeback！\"shecried，burstingintotears。
\"DearCatherine，\"hesaid，\"don\'tbelievethat。Ipromiseyouthatyoushallseemeagain。\"Andhemanagedtogetaway，andtoclosethedoorbehindhim。
CHAPTER30。
ITWASALMOSTthelastoutbreakofpassionofherlife；atleast，sheneverindulgedinanotherthattheworldknewanythingabout。
Butthisonewaslongandterrible；sheflungherselfonthesofaandgaveherselfuptohergriefShehardlyknewwhathadhappened；
ostensiblyshehadonlyhadadifferencewithherlover，asothergirlshadhadbefore，andthethingwasnotonlynotarupture，butshewasundernoobligationtoregarditevenasamenace。
Nevertheless，shefeltawound，evenifhehadnotdealtit；itseemedtoherthatamaskhadsuddenlyfallenfromhisface。Hehadwishedtogetawayfromher；hehadbeenangryandcruel，andsaidstrangethings，withstrangelooks。Shewassmotheredandstunned；sheburiedherheadinthecushions，sobbingandtalkingtoherself。Butatlastsheraisedherself，withthefearthateitherherfatherorMrs。Pennimanwouldcomein；andthenshesatthere，staringbeforeher，whiletheroomgrewdarker。Shesaidtoherselfthatperhapshewouldcomebacktotellherhehadnotmeantwhathesaid；andshelistenedforhisringatthedoor，tryingtobelievethatthiswasprobable。Alongtimepassed，butMorrisremainedabsent；theshadowsgathered；theeveningsettleddownonthemeagereleganceofthelight，clear-coloredroom；thefirewentout。Whenithadgrowndark，Catherinewenttothewindowandlookedout；shestoodthereforhalfanhour，onthemerechancethathewouldcomeupthesteps。Atlastsheturnedaway，forshesawherfathercomein。Hehadseenheratthewindowlookingout，andhestoppedamomentatthebottomofthewhitesteps，andgravely，withanairofexaggeratedcourtesy，liftedhishattoher。Thegesturewassoincongruoustotheconditionshewasin，thisstatelytributeofrespecttoapoorgirldespisedandforsakenwassooutofplace，thatthethinggaveherakindofhorror，andshehurriedawaytoherroom。ItseemedtoherthatshehadgivenMorrisup。
Shehadtoshowherselfhalfanhourlater，andshewassustainedattablebytheimmensityofherdesirethatherfathershouldnotperceivethatanythinghadhappened。Thiswasagreathelptoherafterward，anditservedher（thoughneverasmuchasshesupposed）
fromthefirst。OnthisoccasionDoctorSloperwasrathertalkative。
Hetoldagreatmanystoriesaboutawonderfulpoodlethathehadseenatthehouseofanoldladywhomhevisitedprofessionally。
Catherinenotonlytriedtoappeartolistentotheanecdotesofthepoodle，butsheendeavoredtointerestherselfinthem，soasnottothinkofherscenewithMorris。Thatperhapswasanhallucination；
hewasmistaken，shewasjealous；peopledidn\'tchangelikethatfromonedaytoanother。Thensheknewthatshehadhaddoubtsbefore-
strangesuspicions，thatwereatoncevagueandacute-andthathehadbeendifferenteversinceherreturnfromEurope：whereuponshetriedagaintolistentoherfather，whotoldastorysoremarkablywell。Afterwardshewentstraighttoherownroom；itwasbeyondherstrengthtoundertaketospendtheeveningwithheraunt。Alltheevening，alone，shequestionedherself。Hertroublewasterrible；
butwasitathingofherimagination，engenderedbyanextravagantsensibility，ordiditrepresentaclear-cutreality，andhadtheworstthatwaspossibleactuallycometopass？Mrs。Penniman，withadegreeoftactthatwasasunusualasitwascommendable，tookthelineofleavingheralone。Thetruthis，thathersuspicionshavingbeenaroused，sheindulgedadesire，naturaltoatimidperson，thattheexplosionshouldbelocalized。Solongastheairstillvibratedshekeptoutoftheway。
ShepassedandrepassedCatherine\'sdoorseveraltimesinthecourseoftheevening，asifsheexpectedtohearaplaintivemoanbehindit。
Buttheroomremainedperfectlystill；andaccordinglythelastthingbeforeretiringtoherowncouch，sheappliedforadmittance。
Catherinewassittingup，andhadabookthatshepretendedtobereading。Shehadnowishtogotobed，forshehadnoexpectationofsleeping。AfterMrs。Pennimanhadlefthershesatuphalfthenight，andsheofferedhervisitornoinducementtoremain。Herauntcamestealinginverygently，andapproachedherwithgreatsolemnity。
\"Iamafraidyouareintrouble，mydear。CanIdoanythingtohelpyou？\"
\"Iamnotinanytroublewhatever，anddonotneedanyhelp，\"saidCatherine，fibbingroundly，andprovingtherebythatnotonlyourfaults，butourmostinvoluntarymisfortunes，tendtocorruptourmorals。
\"Hasnothinghappenedtoyou？\"
\"Nothingwhatever。\"
\"Areyouverysure，dear？\"
\"Perfectlysure。\"
\"AndcanIreallydonothingforyou？\"
\"Nothing，Aunt，butkindlyleavemealone，\"saidCatherine。
Mrs。Penniman，thoughshehadbeenafraidoftoowarmawelcomebefore，wasnowdisappointedatsocoldaone；andinrelatingafterward，asshedidtomanypersons，andwithconsiderablevariationsofdetail，thehistoryoftheterminationofherniece\'sengagement，shewasusuallycarefultomentionthattheyounglady，onacertainoccasion，had\"hustled\"heroutoftheroom。ItwascharacteristicofMrs。Pennimanthatsherelatedthisfact，notintheleastoutofmalignitytoCatherine，whomsheverysufficientlypitied，butsimplyfromanaturaldispositiontoembellishanysubjectthatshetouched。
Catherine，asIhavesaid，satuphalfthenight，asifshestillexpectedtohearMorrisTownsendringatthedoor。Onthemorrowthisexpectationwaslessunreasonable；butitwasnotgratifiedbythereappearanceoftheyoungman。Neitherhadhewritten；therewasnotawordofexplanationorreassurance。FortunatelyforCatherine，shecouldtakerefugefromherexcitement，whichhadnowbecomeintense，inherdeterminationthatherfathershouldseenothingofit。Howwellshedeceivedherfatherweshallhaveoccasiontolearn；butherinnocentartswereoflittleavailbeforeapersonoftherareperspicacityofMrs。Penniman。Thisladyeasilysawthatshewasagitated，andiftherewasanyagitationgoingforward，Mrs。
Pennimanwasnotapersontoforfeithernaturalshareinit。Shereturnedtothechargethenextevening，andrequestedherniecetoconfideinher-tounburdenherheart。Perhapssheshouldbeabletoexplaincertainthingsthatnowseemeddark，andthatsheknewmoreaboutthanCatherinesupposed。IfCatherinehadbeenfrigidthenightbefore，todayshewashaughty。
\"Youarecompletelymistaken，andIhavenottheleastideawhatyoumean。Idon\'tknowwhatyouaretryingtofastenonme，andIhaveneverhadlessneedofanyone\'sexplanationsinmylife。\"
Inthiswaythegirldeliveredherself，andfromhourtohourkeptherauntatbay。FromhourtohourMrs。Penniman\'scuriositygrew。ShewouldhavegivenherlittlefingertoknowwhatMorrishadsaidanddone，whattonehehadtaken，whatpretexthehadfound。Shewrotetohim，naturally，torequestaninterview；butshereceived，asnaturally，noanswertoherpetition。Morriswasnotinawritingmood；forCatherinehadaddressedhimtwoshortnoteswhichmetwithnoacknowledgment。ThesenotesweresobriefthatImaygivethementire。\"Won\'tyougivemesomesignthatyoudidn\'tmeantobesocruelasyouseemedonTuesday？\"-thatwasthefirst；theotherwasalittlelonger。\"IfIwasunreasonableorsuspiciousonTuesday-ifI
annoyedyouortroubledyouinanyway-Ibegyourforgiveness，andIpromiseneveragaintobesofoolish。Iampunishedenough，andI
don\'tunderstand。DearMorris，youarekillingme！\"ThesenotesweredispatchedontheFridayandSaturday；butSaturdayandSundaypassedwithoutbringingthepoorgirlthesatisfactionshedesired。
