"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。