"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。