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。