Herpunishmentaccumulated；shecontinuedtobearit，however，withagooddealofsuperficialfortitude。OnSaturdaymorning，thedoctor，whohadbeenwatchinginsilence，spoketohissisterLavinia。
"Thethinghashappened-thescoundrelhasbackedout！"
"Never！"criedMrs。Penniman，whohadbethoughtherselfwhatsheshouldsaytoCatherine，butwasnotprovidedwithalineofdefenseagainstherbrother，sothatindignantnegationwastheonlyweaponinherhands。
"Hehasbeggedforareprieve，then，ifyoulikethatbetter！"
"Itseemstomakeyouveryhappythatyourdaughter'saffectionshavebeentrifledwith。"
"Itdoes，"saidthedoctor，"forIhadforetoldit！It'sagreatpleasuretobeintheright。"
"Yourpleasuresmakeoneshudder！"hissisterexclaimed。
Catherinewentrigidlythroughherusualoccupations；thatis，tothepointofgoingwithheraunttochurchonSundaymorning。Shegenerallywenttoafternoonserviceaswell；butonthisoccasionhercouragefaltered，andshebeggedofMrs。Pennimantogowithouther。
"Iamsureyouhaveasecret，"saidMrs。Penniman，withgreatsignificance，lookingatherrathergrimly。
"IfIhave，Ishallkeepit，"Catherineanswered，turningaway。
Mrs。Pennimanstartedforchurch；butbeforeshehadarrived，shestoppedandturnedback，andbeforetwentyminuteshadelapsedshereenteredthehouse，lookedintotheemptyparlors，andthenwentupstairsandknockedatCatherine'sdoor。Shegotnoanswer；Catherinewasnotinherroom，andMrs。Pennimanpresentlyascertainedthatshewasnotinthehouse。"Shehasgonetohim！Shehasfled！"Laviniacried，claspingherhandswithadmirationandenvy。ButshesoonperceivedthatCatherinehadtakennothingwithher-allherpersonalpropertyinherroomwasintact-andthenshejumpedatthehypothesisthatthegirlhadgoneforth，notintenderness，butinresentment。"Shehasfollowedhimtohisowndoor！Shehasburstuponhiminhisownapartment！"ItwasinthesetermsthatMrs。
Pennimandepictedtoherselfherniece'serrand，which，viewedinthislight，gratifiedhersenseofthepicturesqueonlyashadelessstronglythantheideaofaclandestinemarriage。Tovisitone'slover，withtearsandreproaches，athisownresidence，wasanimagesoagreeabletoMrs。Penniman'smindthatshefeltasortofaestheticdisappointmentatitslacking，inthiscase，theharmoniousaccompanimentsofdarknessandstorm。AquietSundayafternoonappearedaninadequatesettingforit；and，indeed，Mrs。Pennimanwasquiteoutofhumorwiththeconditionsofthetime，whichpassedveryslowlyasshesatinthefrontparlor，inherbonnetandhercashmereshawl，awaitingCatherine'sreturn。
Thiseventatlasttookplace。Shesawher-atthewindow-mountthesteps，andshewenttoawaitherinthehall，whereshepounceduponherassoonasshehadenteredthehouse，anddrewherintotheparlor，closingthedoorwithsolemnity。Catherinewasflushed，andhereyewasbright。Mrs。Pennimanhardlyknewwhattothink。
"MayIventuretoaskwhereyouhavebeen？"shedemanded。
"Ihavebeentotakeawalk，"saidCatherine。"Ithoughtyouhadgonetochurch。"
"Ididgotochurch；buttheservicewasshorterthanusual。Andpraywheredidyouwalk？"
"Idon'tknow！"saidCatherine。
"Yourignoranceismostextraordinary！DearCatherine，youcantrustme。"
"WhatamItotrustyouwith？"
"Withyoursecret-yoursorrow。"
"Ihavenosorrow！"saidCatherine，fiercely。
"Mypoorchild，"Mrs。Pennimaninsisted，"youcan'tdeceiveme。I
knoweverything。Ihavebeenrequestedto-a-toconversewithyou。"
"Idon'twanttoconverse！"
"Itwillrelieveyou。Don'tyouknowShakespeare'slines-'Thegriefthatdoesnotspeak'！Mydeargirl，itisbetterasitis！"
"Whatisbetter？"Catherineasked。
Shewasreallytooperverse。Acertainamountofperversitywastobeallowedforinayoungladywhoseloverhadthrownherover；butnotsuchanamountaswouldproveinconvenienttohisapologists。
"Thatyoushouldbereasonable，"saidMrs。Penniman，withsomesternness，"thatyoushouldtakecounselofworldlyprudence，andsubmittopracticalconsiderations；thatyoushouldagreeto-a-
separate。"
Catherinehadbeeniceuptothismoment，butatthiswordsheflamedup。"Separate？Whatdoyouknowaboutourseparating？"
Mrs。Pennimanshookherheadwithasadnessinwhichtherewasalmostasenseofinjury。"Yourprideismypride，andyoursusceptibilitiesaremine。Iseeyoursideperfectly，butIalso"-andshesmiledwithmelancholysuggestiveness-"Ialsoseethesituationasawhole！"
ThissuggestivenesswaslostuponCatherine，whorepeatedherviolentinquiry。"Whydoyoutalkaboutseparation；whatdoyouknowaboutit？"
"Wemuststudyresignation，"saidMrs。Penniman，hesitating，butsententiousataventure。
"Resignationtowhat？"
"Toachangeof-ofourplans。"
"Myplanshavenotchanged！"saidCatherine，withalittlelaugh。
"Ah，butMr。Townsend'shave，"herauntanswered，verygently。
"Whatdoyoumean？"
Therewasanimperiousbrevityinthetoneofthisinquiry，againstwhichMrs。Pennimanfeltboundtoprotest；theinformationwithwhichshehadundertakentosupplyherniecewasafterallafavor。Shehadtriedsharpness，andshehadtriedsternness；butneitherwoulddo；shewasshockedatthegirl'sobstinacy。"Ahwell，"shesaid，"ifhehasn'ttoldyou！"andsheturnedaway。
Catherinewatchedheramomentinsilence；thenshehurriedafterher，stoppingherbeforeshereachedthedoor。"Toldmewhat？Whatdoyoumean？Whatareyouhintingatandthreateningmewith？"
"Isn'titbrokenoff？"askedMrs。Penniman。
"Myengagement？Notintheleast！"
"Ibegyourpardoninthatcase。Ihavespokentoosoon！"
"Toosoon？Soonorlate，"Catherinebrokeout，"youspeakfoolishlyandcruelly！"
"Whathashappenedbetweenyouthen？"askedheraunt，struckbythesincerityofthiscry，"forsomethingcertainlyhashappened。"
"NothinghashappenedbutthatIlovehimmoreandmore！"
Mrs。Pennimanwassilentaninstant。"Isupposethat'sthereasonyouwenttoseehimthisafternoon。"
Catherineflushedasifshehadbeenstruck。"Yes，Ididgotoseehim！Butthat'smyownbusiness。"
"Verywell，then；wewon'ttalkaboutit。"AndMrs。Pennimanmovedtowardthedooragain；butshewasstoppedbyasuddenimploringcryfromthegirl。
"AuntLavinia，wherehashegone？"
"Ah，youadmitthenthathehasgoneaway！Didn'ttheyknowathishouse？"
"Theysaidhehadlefttown。Iaskednomorequestions；Iwasashamed，"saidCatherine，simplyenough。
"Youneedn'thavetakensocompromisingastepifyouhadhadalittlemoreconfidenceinme，"Mrs。Pennimanobserved，withagooddealofgrandeur。
"IsittoNewOrleans？"Catherinewenton，irrelevantly。
ItwasthefirsttimeMrs。PennimanhadheardofNewOrleansinthisconnection；butshewasaversetolettingCatherineknowthatshewasinthedark。SheattemptedtostrikeanilluminationfromtheinstructionsshehadreceivedfromMorris。"MydearCatherine，"shesaid，"whenaseparationhasbeenagreedupon，thefartherhegoesawaythebetter。"
"Agreedupon？Hasheagreeduponitwithyou？"Aconsummatesenseofheraunt'smeddlesomefollyhadcomeoverherduringthelastfiveminutes，andshewassickenedatthethoughtthatMrs。Pennimanhadbeenletloose，asitwere，uponherhappiness。
"Hecertainlyhassometimesadvisedwithme，"saidMrs。Penniman。
"Isityou，then，thathaschangedhimandmadehimsounnatural？"
Catherinecried。"Isityouthathaveworkedonhimandtakenhimfromme？Hedoesn'tbelongtoyou，andIdon'tseehowyouhaveanythingtodowithwhatisbetweenus！Isityouthathavemadethisplot，andtoldhimtoleaveme？Howcouldyoubesowicked，socruel？WhathaveIeverdonetoyou？Whycan'tyouleavemealone？Iwasafraidyouwouldspoileverything；foryoudospoileverythingyoutouch！I
wasafraidofyouallthetimewewereabroad；IhadnorestwhenI
thoughtthatyouwerealwaystalkingtohim。"Catherinewentonwithgrowingvehemence，pouringout，inherbitternessandintheclairvoyanceofherpassion（whichsuddenly，jumpingallprocesses，madeherjudgeherauntfinallyandwithoutappeal），theuneasinesswhichhadlainforsomanymonthsuponherheart。
Mrs。Pennimanwasscaredandbewildered；shesawnoprospectofintroducingherlittleaccountofthepurityofMorris'smotives。"Youareamostungratefulgirl！"shecried。"Doyouscoldmefortalkingwithhim？I'msurewenevertalkedofanythingbutyou！"
"Yes；andthatwasthewayyouworriedhim；youmadehimtiredofmyveryname！Iwishyouhadneverspokenofmetohim；Ineveraskedyourhelp！"
"Iamsureifithadn'tbeenformehewouldneverhavecometothehouse，andyouwouldneverhaveknownthathethoughtofyou，"
Mrs。Pennimanrejoined，withagooddealofjustice。
"Iwishheneverhadcometothehouse，andthatIneverhadknownit！That'sbetterthanthis，"saidpoorCatherine。
"Youareaveryungratefulgirl，"AuntLaviniarepeated。
Catherine'soutbreakofangerandthesenseofwronggaveher，whiletheylasted，thesatisfactionthatcomesfromallassertionofforce；theyhurriedheralong，andthereisalwaysasortofpleasureincleavingtheair。Butatbottomshehatedtobeviolent，andshewasconsciousofnoaptitudefororganizedresentment。Shecalmedherselfwithagreateffort，butwithgreatrapidity，andwalkedabouttheroomafewmoments，tryingtosaytoherselfthatheraunthadmeanteverythingforthebest。Shedidnotsucceedinsayingitwithmuchconviction，butafteralittleshewasabletospeakquietlyenough。
"Iamnotungrateful，butIamveryunhappy。It'shardtobegratefulforthat，"shesaid。"Willyoupleasetellmewhereheis？"
"Ihaven'ttheleastidea；Iamnotinsecretcorrespondencewithhim！"AndMrs。Pennimanwished，indeed，thatshewere，sothatshemightlethimknowhowCatherineabusedher，afterallshehaddone。
"Wasitaplanofhis，then，tobreakoff-？"BythistimeCatherinehadbecomecompletelyquiet。
Mrs。Pennimanbeganagaintohaveaglimpseofherchanceforexplaining。"Heshrunk-heshrunk，"shesaid。"Helackedcourage，butitwasthecouragetoinjureyou！Hecouldn'tbeartobringdownonyouyourfather'scurse。"
Catherinelistenedtothiswithhereyesfixeduponheraunt，andcontinuedtogazeatherforsometimeafterward。"Didhetellyoutosaythat？"
"Hetoldmetosaymanythings-allsodelicate，sodiscriminating；andhetoldmetotellyouhehopedyouwouldn'tdespisehim。"
"Idon't，"saidCatherine；andthensheadded，"Andwillhestayawayforever？"
"Oh，foreverisalongtime。Yourfather，perhaps，won'tliveforever。"
"Perhapsnot。"
"Iamsureyouappreciate-youunderstand-eventhoughyourheartbleeds，"saidMrs。Penniman。"Youdoubtlessthinkhimtooscrupulous。SodoI，butIrespecthisscruples。Whatheasksofyouisthatyoushoulddothesame。"
Catherinewasstillgazingatheraunt，butshespokeatlastasifshehadnotheardornotunderstoodher。"Ithasbeenaregularplan，then。Hehasbrokenitoffdeliberately；hehasgivenmeup。"
"Forthepresent，dearCatherine；hehasputitoff，only。"
"Hehasleftmealone，"Catherinewenton。
"Haven'tyoume？"askedMrs。Penniman，withsomesolemnity。
Catherineshookherheadslowly。"Idon'tbelieveit！"andshelefttheroom。
CHAPTER31。
THOUGHshehadforcedherselftobecalm，shepreferredpracticingthisvirtueinprivate，andsheforeboretoshowherselfattea-arepastwhich，onSundays，atsixo'clock，tooktheplaceofdinner。
DoctorSloperandhissistersatfacetoface，butMrs。Pennimannevermetherbrother'seye。Lateintheeveningshewentwithhim，butwithoutCatherine，totheirsisterAlmond's，where，betweenthetwoladies，Catherine'sunhappysituationwasdiscussedwithafranknessthatwasconditionedbyagooddealofmysteriousreticenceonMrs。
Penniman'spart。
"Iamdelightedheisnottomarryher，"saidMrs。Almond，"butheoughttobehorsewhippedallthesame。"
Mrs。Penniman，whowasshockedathersister'scoarseness，repliedthathehadbeenactuatedbythenoblestofmotives-thedesirenottoimpoverishCatherine。
"IamveryhappythatCatherineisnottobeimpoverished-butI
hopehemayneverhaveapennytoomuch！Andwhatdoesthepoorgirlsaytoyou？"Mrs。Almondasked。
"ShesaysIhaveageniusforconsolation，"saidMrs。Penniman。
Thiswastheaccountofthematterthatshegavetohersister，anditwasperhapswiththeconsciousnessofgeniusthat，onherreturnthateveningtoWashingtonSquare，sheagainpresentedherselfforadmittanceatCatherine'sdoor。Catherinecameandopenedit；shewasapparentlyveryquiet。
"Ionlywanttogiveyoualittlewordofadvice，"shesaid。"Ifyourfatherasksyou，saythateverythingisgoingon。"
Catherinestoodthere，withherhandontheknob，lookingatheraunt，butnotaskinghertocomein。"Doyouthinkhewillaskme？"
"Iamsurehewill。Heaskedmejustnow，onourwayhomefromyourauntElizabeth's。IexplainedthewholethingtoyourauntElizabeth。IsaidtoyourfatherIknewnothingaboutit。"
"Doyouthinkhewillaskme，whenhesees-whenhesees-？"ButhereCatherinestopped。
"Themorehesees，themoredisagreeablehewillbe，"saidheraunt。
"Heshallseeaslittleaspossible！"Catherinedeclared。
"Tellhimyouaretobemarried。"
"SoIam，"saidCatherine，softly；andsheclosedthedooruponheraunt。
Shecouldnothavesaidthistwodayslater-forinstance，onTuesday，whensheatlastreceivedaletterfromMorrisTownsend。Itwasanepistleofconsiderablelength，measuringfivelargesquarepages，andwrittenatPhiladelphia。Itwasanexplanatorydocument，anditexplainedagreatmanythings，chiefamongwhichweretheconsiderationsthathadledthewritertotakeadvantageofanurgent"professional"absencetotryandbanishfromhismindtheimageofonewhosepathhehadcrossedonlytoscatteritwithruins。Heventuredtoexpectbutpartialsuccessinthisattempt，buthecouldpromiseherthat，whateverhisfailure，hewouldneveragaininterposebetweenhergenerousheartandherbrilliantprospectsandfilialduties。Heclosedwithanintimationthathisprofessionalpursuitsmightcompelhimtotravelforsomemonths，andwiththehopethatwhentheyshouldeachhaveaccommodatedthemselvestowhatwassternlyinvolvedintheirrespectivepositions-
evenshouldthisresultnotbereachedforyears-theyshouldmeetasfriends，asfellowsufferers，asinnocentbutphilosophicvictimsofagreatsociallaw。Thatherlifeshouldbepeacefulandhappywasthedearestwishofhimwhoventuredstilltosubscribehimselfhermostobedientservant。Theletterwasbeautifullywritten，andCatherine，whokeptitformanyyearsafterthis，wasable，whenhersenseofthebitternessofitsmeaningandthehollownessofitstonehadgrownlessacute，toadmireitsgraceofexpression。Atpresent，foralongtimeaftershereceivedit，allshehadtohelpherwasthedetermination，dailymorerigid，tomakenoappealtothecompassionofherfather。
Hesufferedaweektoelapse，andthenoneday，inthemorning，atanhouratwhichsherarelysawhim，hestrolledintothebackparlor。
Hehadwatchedhistime，andhefoundheralone。Shewassittingwithsomework，andhecameandstoodinfrontofher。Hewasgoingout；hehadonhishat，andwasdrawingonhisgloves。
"Itdoesn'tseemtomethatyouaretreatingmejustnowwithalltheconsiderationIdeserve，"hesaidinamoment。
"Idon'tknowwhatIhavedone，"Catherineanswered，withhereyesonherwork。
"YouhaveapparentlyquitebanishedfromyourmindtherequestI
madeyouatLiverpoolbeforewesailed-therequestthatyouwouldnotifymeinadvancebeforeleavingmyhouse。"
"Ihavenotleftyourhouse，"saidCatherine。
"Butyouintendtoleaveit，and，bywhatyougavemetounderstand，yourdeparturemustbeimpending。Infact，thoughyouarestillhereinbody，youarealreadyabsentinspirit。Yourmindhastakenupitsresidencewithyourprospectivehusband，andyoumightquiteaswellbelodgedundertheconjugalroofforallthebenefitwegetfromyoursociety。"
"Iwilltryandbemorecheerful，"saidCatherine。
"Youcertainlyoughttobecheerful；youaskagreatdealifyouarenot。Tothepleasureofmarryingacharmingyoungmanyouaddthatofhavingyourownway；youstrikemeasaveryluckyyounglady！"
Catherinegotup；shewassuffocating。Butshefoldedherworkdeliberatelyandcorrectly，bendingherburningfaceuponit。Herfatherstoodwherehehadplantedhimself；shehopedhewouldgo，buthesmoothedandbuttonedhisgloves，andthenherestedhishandsuponhiships。
"ItwouldbeaconveniencetometoknowwhenImayexpecttohaveanemptyhouse，"hewenton。"Whenyougo，yourauntmarches。"
Shelookedathimatlast，withalong，silentgaze，which，inspiteofherprideandherresolution，utteredpartoftheappealshehadtriednottomake。Herfather'scoldgrayeyesoundedherown，andheinsistedonhispoint。
"Isittomorrow？Isitnextweek，ortheweekafter？"
"Ishallnotgoaway！"saidCatherine。
Thedoctorraisedhiseyebrows。"Hashebackedout？"
"Ihavebrokenoffmyengagement。"
"Brokenitoff？"
"IhaveaskedhimtoleaveNewYork，andhehasgoneawayforalongtime。"
Thedoctorwasbothpuzzledanddisappointed，buthesolvedhisperplexitybysayingtohimselfthathisdaughtersimplymisrepresented-justifiably，ifonewould，butnevertheless，misrepresented-thefacts；andheeasedoffhisdisappointment，whichwasthatofamanlosingachanceforalittletriumphthathehadrathercountedon，byafewwordsthatheutteredaloud。
"Howdoeshetakehisdismissal？"
"Idon'tknow！"saidCatherine，lessingeniouslythanshehadhithertospoken。
"Youmeanyoudon'tcare？Youarerathercruel，afterencouraginghimandplayingwithhimforsolong！"
Thedoctorhadhisrevenge，afterall。
CHAPTER32。
OURSTORYhashithertomovedwithveryshortsteps，butasitapproachesitsterminationitmusttakealongstride。Astimewenton，itmighthaveappearedtothedoctorthathisdaughter'saccountofherrapturewithMorrisTownsend，merebravadoashehaddeemedit，wasinsomedegreejustifiedbythesequel。Morrisremainedasrigidlyandunremittinglyabsentasifhehaddiedofabrokenheart，andCatherinehadapparentlyburiedthememoryofthisfruitlessepisodeasdeepasifithadterminatedbyherownchoice。Weknowthatshehadbeendeeplyandincurablywounded，butthedoctorhadnomeansofknowingit。Hewascertainlycuriousaboutit，andwouldhavegivenagooddealtodiscovertheexacttruth；butitwashispunishmentthatheneverknew-hispunishment，Imean，fortheabuseofsarcasminhisrelationswithhisdaughter。Therewasagooddealofeffectivesarcasminherkeepinghiminthedark，andtherestoftheworldconspiredwithher，inthissense，tobesarcastic。Mrs。Pennimantoldhimnothing，partlybecauseheneverquestionedher-hemadetoolightofMrs。Pennimanforthat-andpartlybecausesheflatteredherselfthatatormentingreserve，andasereneprofessionofignorance，wouldavengeherforhistheorythatshehadmeddledinthematter。HewenttwoorthreetimestoseeMrs。Montgomery，butMrs。Montgomeryhadnothingtoimpart。Shesimplyknewthatherbrother'sengagementwasbrokenoff；andnowthatMissSloperwasoutofdanger，shepreferrednottobearwitnessinanywayagainstMorris。Shehaddonesobefore-howeverunwillingly-becauseshewassorryforMissSloper；butshewasnotsorryforMissSlopernow-notatallsorry。
MorrishadtoldhernothingabouthisrelationswithMissSloperatthetime，andhehadtoldhernothingsince。Hewasalwaysaway，andheveryseldomwrotetoher；shebelievedhehadgonetoCalifornia。
Mrs。Almondhad，inhersister'sphrase，"takenup"Catherineviolentlysincetherecentcatastrophe；but，thoughthegirlwasverygratefultoherforherkindness，sherevealednosecrets，andthegoodladycouldgivethedoctornosatisfaction。Even，however，hadshebeenabletonarratetohimtheprivatehistoryofhisdaughter'sunhappyloveaffair，itwouldhavegivenheracertaincomforttoleavehiminignorance；forMrs。Almondwasatthistimenotaltogetherinsympathywithherbrother。ShehadguessedforherselfthatCatherinehadbeencruellyjilted-sheknewnothingfromMrs。Penniman，forMrs。PennimanhadnotventuredtolaythefamousexplanationofMorris'smotivesbeforeMrs。Almond，thoughshehadthoughtitgoodenoughforCatherine-andshepronouncedherbrothertooconsistentlyindifferenttowhatthepoorcreaturemusthavesufferedandmuststillbesuffering。DoctorSloperhadhistheory，andherarelyalteredhistheories。Themarriagewouldhavebeenanabominableone，andthegirlhadhadablessedescape。Shewasnottobepitiedforthat，andtopretendtocondolewithherwouldhavebeentomakeconcessionstotheideathatshehadeverhadarighttothinkofMorris。
"Iputmyfootonthisideafromthefirst，andIkeepittherenow，"saidthedoctor。"Idon'tseeanythingcruelinthat；onecan'tkeepittheretoolong。"TothisMrs。Almondmorethanoncerepliedthat，ifCatherinehadgotridofherincongruouslover，shedeservedthecreditofit，andthattobringherselftoherfather'senlightenedviewofthemattermusthavecostheraneffortthathewasboundtoappreciate。
"Iambynomeanssureshehasgotridofhim，"thedoctorsaid。
"Thereisnotthesmallestprobabilitythat，afterhavingbeenasobstinateasamulefortwoyears，shesuddenlybecameamenabletoreason。Itisinfinitelymoreprobablethathegotridofher。"
"Allthemorereasonyoushouldbegentlewithher。"
"Iamgentlewithher。ButIcan'tdothepathetic；Ican'tpumpuptears，tolookgraceful，overthemostfortunatethingthateverhappenedtoher。"
"Youhavenosympathy，"saidMrs。Almond。"Thatwasneveryourstrongpoint。Youhaveonlytolookathertoseethat，rightorwrong，andwhethertherupturecamefromherselforfromhim，herpoorlittleheartisgrievouslybruised。"
"Handlingbruises，andevendroppingtearsonthem，doesn'tmakethemanybetter！Mybusinessistoseeshegetsnomoreknocks，andthatIshallcarefullyattendto。ButIdon'tatallrecognizeyourdescriptionofCatherine。Shedoesn'tstrikemeintheleastasayoungwomangoingaboutinsearchofamoralpoultice。Infact，sheseemstomemuchbetterthanwhilethefellowwashangingabout。Sheisperfectlycomfortableandblooming；sheeatsandsleeps，takesherusualexercise，andoverloadsherself，asusual，withfinery。
Sheisalwaysknittingsomepurseorembroideringsomehandkerchief，anditseemstomesheturnsthesearticlesoutaboutasfastasever。
Shehasn'tmuchtosay；butwhenhadsheanythingtosay？Shehadherlittledance，andnowsheissittingdowntorest。Isuspectthat，onthewhole，sheenjoysit。"
"Sheenjoysitaspeopleenjoygettingridofalegthathasbeencrushed。Thestateofmindafteramputationisdoubtlessoneofcomparativerepose。"
"IfyourlegisametaphorforyoungTownsend，Icanassureyouhehasneverbeencrushed。Crushed？Nothe！Heisaliveandperfectlyintact；andthat'swhyIamnotsatisfied。"
"Shouldyouhavelikedtokillhim？"askedMrs。Almond。
"Yes，verymuch。Ithinkitisquitepossiblethatitisallablind。"
"Ablind？"
"Anarrangementbetweenthem。Ilfaitlemort，astheysayinFrance；butheislookingoutofthecornerofhiseye。Youcandependuponit，hehasnotburnthisships；hehaskeptonetocomebackin。WhenIamdead，hewillsetsailagain，andthenshewillmarryhim。"
"Itisinterestingtoknowthatyouaccuseyouronlydaughterofbeingthevilestofhypocrites，"saidMrs。Almond。
"Idon'tseewhatdifferenceherbeingmyonlydaughtermakes。Itisbettertoaccuseonethanadozen。ButIdon'taccuseanyone。ThereisnotthesmallesthypocrisyaboutCatherine，andIdenythatsheevenpretendstobemiserable。"
Thedoctor'sideathatthethingwasa"blind"haditsintermissionsandrevivals；butitmaybesaid，onthewhole，tohaveincreasedashegrewolder；togetherwithhisimpressionsofCatherine'sbloomingandcomfortablecondition。Naturally，ifhehadnotfoundgroundsforviewingherasalovelornmaidenduringtheyearortwothatfollowedhergreattrouble，hefoundnoneatatimewhenshehadcompletelyrecoveredherself-possession。Hewasobligedtorecognizethefactthat，ifthetwoyoungpeoplewerewaitingforhimtogetoutoftheway，theywereatleastwaitingverypatiently。HehadheardfromtimetotimethatMorriswasinNewYork；
butheneverremainedtherelong，and，tothebestofthedoctor'sbelief，hadnocommunicationwithCatherine。Hewassuretheynevermet，andhehadreasontosuspectthatMorrisneverwrotetoher。
Aftertheletterthathasbeenmentioned，sheheardfromhimtwiceagain，atconsiderableintervals；butonnoneoftheseoccasionsdidshewriteherself。Ontheotherhand，asthedoctorobserved，sheavertedherselfrigidlyfromtheideaofmarryingotherpeople。Heropportunitiesfordoingsowerenotnumerous，buttheyoccurredoftenenoughtotestherdisposition。Sherefusedawidower，amanwithagenialtemperament，ahandsomefortune，andthreelittlegirls（hehadheardthatshewasveryfondofchildren，andhepointedtohisownwithsomeconfidence）；andsheturnedadeafeartothesolicitationsofacleveryounglawyer，who，withtheprospectofagreatpractice，andthereputationofamostagreeableman，hadhadtheshrewdness，whenhecametolookabouthimforawife，tobelievethatshewouldsuithimbetterthanseveralyoungerandprettiergirls。Mr。Macalister，thewidower，haddesiredtomakeamarriageofreason，andhadchosenCatherineforwhathesupposedtobeherlatentmatronlyqualities；butJohnLudlow，whowasayearthegirl'sjunior，andspokenofalwaysasayoungmanwhomighthavehis"pick，"wasseriouslyinlovewithher。Catherine，however，wouldneverlookathim；shemadeitplaintohimthatshethoughthecametoseehertoooften。Heafterwardconsoledhimself，andmarriedaverydifferentperson，littleMissSturtevant，whoseattractionswereobvioustothedullestcomprehension。Catherine，atthetimeoftheseevents，hadleftherthirtiethyearwellbehindher，andhadquitetakenherplaceasanoldmaid。Herfatherwouldhavepreferredsheshouldmarry，andheoncetoldherthathehopedshewouldnotbetoofastidious。"Ishouldliketoseeyouanhonestman'swifebeforeIdie，"hesaid。ThiswasafterJohnLudlowhadbeencompelledtogiveitup，thoughthedoctorhadadvisedhimtopersevere。Thedoctorexercisednofurtherpressure，andhadthecreditofnot"worrying"atalloverhisdaughter'ssingleness；infact，heworriedrathermorethanappeared，andtherewereconsiderableperiodsduringwhichhefeltsurethatMorrisTownsendwashiddenbehindsomedoor。"Ifheisnot，whydoesn'tshemarry？"heaskedhimself。"Limitedasherintelligencemaybe，shemustunderstandperfectlywellthatsheismadetodotheusualthing。"
Catherine，however，becameanadmirableoldmaid。Sheformedhabits，regulatedherdaysuponasystemofherown，interestedherselfincharitableinstitutions，asylums，hospitals，andaidsocieties；andwentgenerally，withanevenandnoiselessstep，abouttherigidbusinessofherlife。Thislifehad，however，asecrethistoryaswellasapublicone-ifImaytalkofthepublichistoryofamatureanddiffidentspinsterforwhompublicityhadalwaysacombinationofterrors。FromherownpointofviewthegreatfactsofhercareerwerethatMorrisTownsendhadtrifledwithheraffection，andthatherfatherhadbrokenitsspring。Nothingcouldeveralterthesefacts；
theywerealwaysthere，likehername，herage，herplainface。
NothingcouldeverundothewrongorcurethepainthatMorrishadinflictedonher，andnothingcouldevermakeherfeeltowardherfatherasshefeltinheryoungeryears。Therewassomethingdeadinherlife，andherdutywastotryandfillthevoid。Catherinerecognizedthisdutytotheutmost；shehadagreatdisapprovalofbroodingandmoping。Shehad，ofcourse，nofacultyforquenchingmemoryindissipation；butshemingledfreelyintheusualgaietiesofthetown，andshebecameatlastaninevitablefigureatallrespectableentertainments。Shewasgreatlyliked，andastimewentonshegrewtobeasortofkindlymaidenaunttotheyoungerportionofsociety。Younggirlswereapttoconfidetohertheirloveaffairs（whichtheyneverdidtoMrs。Penniman），andyoungmentobefondofherwithoutknowingwhy。Shedevelopedafewharmlesseccentricities；herhabits，onceformed，wereratherstifflymaintained；heropinions，onallmoralandsocialmatters，wereextremelyconservative；andbeforeshewasfortyshewasregardedasanold-fashionedperson，andanauthorityoncustomsthathadpassedaway。Mrs。Penniman，incomparison，wasquiteagirlishfigure；shegrewyoungerassheadvancedinlife。Shelostnoneofherrelishforbeautyandmystery，butshehadlittleopportunitytoexerciseit。
WithCatherine'slaterwooersshefailedtoestablishrelationsasintimateasthosewhichhadgivenhersomanyinterestinghoursinthesocietyofMorrisTownsend。Thesegentlemenhadanindefinablemistrustofhergoodoffices，andtheynevertalkedtoheraboutCatherine'scharms。Herringlets，herbucklesandbanglesglistenedmorebrightlywitheachsucceedingyear，andsheremainedquitethesameofficiousandimaginativeMrs。Penniman，andtheoddmixtureofimpetuosityandcircumspection，thatwehavehithertoknown。Asregardsonepoint，however，hercircumspectionprevailed，andshemustbegivenduecreditforit。ForupwardofseventeenyearsshenevermentionedMorrisTownsend'snametoherniece。Catherinewasgratefultoher，butthisconsistentsilence，solittleinaccordwithheraunt'scharacter，gaveheracertainalarm，andshecouldneverwhollyridherselfofasuspicionthatMrs。Pennimansometimeshadnewsofhim。
CHAPTER33。
LITTLEBYLITTLEDoctorSloperhadretiredfromhisprofession；hevisitedonlythosepatientsinwhosesymptomsherecognizedacertainoriginality。HewentagaintoEurope，andremainedtwoyears；Catherinewentwithhim，andonthisoccasionMrs。Pennimanwasoftheparty。EuropeapparentlyhadfewsurprisesforMrs。Penniman，whofrequentlyremarked，inthemostromanticsites，"YouknowIamveryfamiliarwithallthis。"Itshouldbeaddedthatsuchremarkswereusuallynotaddressedtoherbrother，oryettoherniece，buttofellowtouristswhohappenedtobeathand，oreventotheciceroneorthegoatherdintheforeground。
Oneday，afterhisreturnfromEurope，thedoctorsaidsomethingtohisdaughterthatmadeherstart-itseemedtocomefromsofaroutofthepast。
"IshouldlikeyoutopromisemesomethingbeforeIdie。"
"Whydoyoutalkaboutyourdying？"sheasked。
"BecauseIamsixty-eightyearsold。"
"Ihopeyouwilllivealongtime，"saidCatherine。
"IhopeIshall！ButsomedayIshalltakeabadcold，andthenitwillnotmattermuchwhatanyonehopes。Thatwillbethemannerofmyexit，andwhenittakesplace，rememberItoldyouso。PromisemenottomarryMorrisTownsendafterIamgone。"
ThiswaswhatmadeCatherinestart，asIhavesaid；butherstartwasasilentone，andforsomemomentsshesaidnothing。"Whydoyouspeakofhim？"sheaskedatlast。
"YouchallengeeverythingIsay。Ispeakofhimbecausehe'satopic，likeanyother。He'stobeseen，likeanyoneelse，andheisstilllookingforawife-havinghadoneandgotridofher，Idon'tknowbywhatmeans。HehaslatelybeeninNewYork，andatyourcousinMarian'shouse；yourauntElizabethsawhimthere。"
"Theyneitherofthemtoldme，"saidCatherine。
"That'stheirmerit；it'snotyours。Hehasgrownfatandbald，andhehasnotmadehisfortune。ButIcan'ttrustthosefactsalonetosteelyourheartagainsthim，andthat'swhyIaskyoutopromise。"
"Fatandbald。"ThesewordspresentedastrangeimagetoCatherine'smind，outofwhichthememoryofthemostbeautifulyoungmanintheworldhadneverfaded。"Idon'tthinkyouunderstand，"shesaid。"I
veryseldomthinkofMr。Townsend。"
"Itwillbeveryeasyforyoutogoon，then。Promiseme，aftermydeath，todothesame。"
Again，forsomemoments，Catherinewassilent；herfather'srequestdeeplyamazedher；itopenedanoldwound，andmadeitacheafresh。"Idon'tthinkIcanpromisethat，"sheanswered。
"Itwouldbeagreatsatisfaction，"saidherfather。
"Youdon'tunderstand。Ican'tpromisethat。"
Thedoctorwassilentaminute。"Iaskyouforaparticularreason。Iamalteringmywill。"
ThisreasonfailedtostrikeCatherine；andindeedshescarcelyunderstoodit。Allherfeelingsweremergedinthesensethathewastryingtotreatherashehadtreatedheryearsbefore。Shehadsufferedfromitthen；andnowallherexperience，allheracquiredtranquillityandrigidityprotested。Shehadbeensohumbleinheryouththatshecouldnowaffordtohavealittlepride，andtherewassomethinginhisrequest，andinherfather'sthinkinghimselfsofreetomakeit，thatseemedaninjurytoherdignity。PoorCatherine'sdignitywasnotaggressive；itneversatinstate；butifyoupushedfarenoughyoucouldfindit。Herfatherhadpushedveryfar。
"Ican'tpromise，"shesimplyrepeated。
"Youareveryobstinate，"saidthedoctor。
"Idon'tthinkyouunderstand。"
"Pleaseexplain，then。"
"Ican'texplain，"saidCatherine，"andIcan'tpromise。"
"Uponmyword，"herfatherexclaimed，"Ihadnoideahowobstinateyouare！"
Sheknewherselfthatshewasobstinate，anditgaveheracertainjoy。Shewasnowamiddle-agedwoman。
Aboutayearafterthis，theaccidentthatthedoctorhadspokenofoccurred：Hetookaviolentcold。DrivingouttoBloomingdaleoneAprildaytoseeapatientofunsoundmind，whowasconfinedinaprivateasylumfortheinsane，andwhosefamilygreatlydesiredamedicalopinionfromaneminentsource，hewascaughtinaspringshower，andbeinginabuggy，withoutahood，hefoundhimselfsoakedtotheskin。Hecamehomewithanominouschill，andonthemorrowhewasseriouslyill。"Itiscongestionofthelungs，"hesaidtoCatherine。"Ishallneedverygoodnursing。Itwillmakenodifference，forIshallnotrecover；butIwisheverythingtobedone，tothesmallestdetail，asifIshould。Ihateanill-conductedsick-room，andyouwillbesogoodastonurseme，onthehypothesisthatIshallgetwell。"Hetoldherwhichofhisfellowphysicianstosendfor，andgaveheramultitudeofminutedirections；itwasquiteontheoptimistichypothesisthatshenursedhim。Buthehadneverbeenwronginhislife，andhewasnotwrongnow。Hewastouchinghisseventiethyear，andthoughhehadaverywell-temperedconstitution，hisholduponlifehadlostitsfirmness。Hediedafterthreeweeks'illness，duringwhichMrs。Penniman，aswellashisdaughter，hadbeenassiduousathisbedside。
Onhiswillbeingopened，afteradecentinterval，itwasfoundtoconsistoftwoportions。Thefirstofthesedatedfromtenyearsback，andconsistedofaseriesofdispositionsbywhichheleftthegreatmassofhispropertytohisdaughter，withbecominglegaciestohistwosisters。Thesecondwasacodicil，ofrecentorigin，maintainingtheannuitiestoMrs。PennimanandMrs。Almond，butreducingCatherine'ssharetoafifthofwhathehadfirstbequeathedher。"Sheisamplyprovidedforfromhermother'sside，"thedocumentran，"neverhavingspentmorethanafractionofherincomefromthissource；sothatherfortuneisalreadymorethansufficienttoattractthoseunscrupulousadventurerswhomshehasgivenmereasontobelievethatshepersistsinregardingasaninterestingclass。"Thelargeremainderofhisproperty，therefore，DoctorSloperhaddividedintosevenunequalparts，whichheleft，asendowments，toasmanydifferenthospitalsandschoolsofmedicineinvariouscitiesoftheunion。
ToMrs。Pennimanitseemedmonstrousthatamanshouldplaysuchtrickswithotherpeople'smoney；forafterhisdeath，ofcourse，asshesaid，itwasotherpeople's。"Ofcourse，youwillimmediatelybreakthewill，"sheremarkedtoCatherine。
"Ohno，"Catherineanswered，"Ilikeitverymuch。OnlyIwishithadbeenexpressedalittledifferently！"
CHAPTER34。
ITWASHERHABITtoremainintownverylateinthesummer；shepreferredthehouseinWashingtonSquaretoanyotherhabitationwhatever，anditwasunderprotestthatsheusedtogototheseasideforthemonthofAugust。Attheseashespenthermonthatanhotel。Theyearthatherfatherdiedsheintermittedthiscustomaltogether，notthinkingitconsistentwithdeepmourning；andtheyearafterthatsheputoffherdeparturetillsolatethatthemiddleofAugustfoundherstillintheheatedsolitudeofWashingtonSquare。
Mrs。Penniman，whowasfondofachange，wasusuallyeagerforavisittothecountry；butthisyearsheappearedquitecontentwithsuchruralimpressionsasshecouldgatherattheparlorwindowfromtheailanthustreesbehindthewoodenpaling。Thepeculiarfragranceofthisvegetationusedtodiffuseitselfintheeveningair，andMrs。
Penniman，onthewarmnightsofJuly，oftensatattheopenwindowandinhaledit。ThiswasahappymomentforMrs。Penniman；afterthedeathofherbrothershefeltmorefreetoobeyherimpulses。Avagueoppressionhaddisappearedfromherlife，andsheenjoyedasenseoffreedomofwhichshehadnotbeenconscioussincethememorabletime，solongago，whenthedoctorwentabroadwithCatherineandleftherathometoentertainMorrisTownsend。Theyearthathadelapsedsinceherbrother'sdeathremindedherofthathappytime，because，althoughCatherine，ingrowingolder，hadbecomeapersontobereckonedwith，yethersocietywasaverydifferentthing，asMrs。
Pennimansaid，fromthatofatankofcoldwater。Theelderladyhardlyknewwhatusetomakeofthislargermarginofherlife；shesatandlookedatitverymuchasshehadoftensat，withherpoisedneedleinherhand，beforehertapestryframe。Shehadaconfidenthope，however，thatherrichimpulses，hertalentforembroidery，wouldstillfindtheirapplication，andthisconfidencewasjustifiedbeforemanymonthshadelapsed。
Catherinecontinuedtoliveinherfather'shouse，inspiteofitsbeingrepresentedtoherthatamaidenladyofquiethabitsmightfindamoreconvenientabodeinoneofthesmallerdwellings，withbrownstonefronts，whichhadatthistimebeguntoadornthetransversethoroughfaresintheupperpartofthetown。Shelikedtheearlierstructure-ithadbegunbythistimetobecalledan"old"
house-andproposedtoherselftoendherdaysinit。Ifitwastolargeforapairofunpretendinggentlewomen，thiswasbetterthantheoppositefault；forCatherinehadnodesiretofindherselfincloserquarterswithheraunt。SheexpectedtospendtherestofherlifeinWashingtonSquare，andtoenjoyMrs。Penniman'ssocietyforthewholeofthisperiod；asshehadaconvictionthat，longasshemightlive，herauntwouldliveatleastaslong，andalwaysretainherbrilliancyandactivity。Mrs。Pennimansuggestedtohertheideaofarichvitality。
OnoneofthosewarmeveningsinJulyofwhichmentionhasbeenmade，thetwoladiessattogetheratanopenwindow，lookingoutonthequietSquare。Itwastoohotforlightedlamps，forreading，orforwork；itmighthaveappearedtoohotevenforconversation，Mrs。
Pennimanhavinglongbeenspeechless。Shesatforwardinthewindow，halfonthebalcony，hummingalittlesong。Catherinewaswithintheroom，inalowrockingchair，dressedinwhite，andslowlyusingalargepalmettofan。Itwasinthisway，atthisseason，thattheauntandniece，aftertheyhadhadtea，habituallyspenttheirevenings。
"Catherine，"saidMrs。Pennimanatlast，"Iamgoingtosaysomethingthatwillsurpriseyou。"
"Praydo，"Catherineanswered。"Ilikesurprises。Anditissoquietnow。"
"Well，then，IhaveseenMorrisTownsend。"
IfCatherinewassurprised，shecheckedtheexpressionofit；shegaveneitherastartnoranexclamation。Sheremained，indeed，forsomemomentsintenselystill，andthismayverywellhavebeenasymptomofemotion。"Ihopehewaswell，"shesaidatlast。
"Idon'tknow；heisagreatdealchanged。Hewouldlikeverymuchtoseeyou。"
"Iwouldrathernotseehim，"saidCatherine，quickly。
"Iwasafraidyouwouldsaythat。Butyoudon'tseemsurprised！"
"Iam-verymuch。"
"ImethimatMarian's，"saidMrs。Penniman。"HegoestoMarian's，andtheyaresoafraidyouwillmeethimthere。It'smybeliefthatthat'swhyhegoes。Hewantssomuchtoseeyou。"Catherinemadenoresponsetothis，andMrs。Pennimanwenton。"Ididn'tknowhimatfirst，heissoremarkablychanged；butheknewmeinaminute。HesaysIamnotintheleastchanged。Youknowhowpolitehealwayswas。
HewascomingawaywhenIcame，andwewalkedalittledistancetogether。Heisstillveryhandsome，onlyofcoursehelooksolder，andheisnotso-soanimatedasheusedtobe。Therewasatouchofsadnessabouthim；buttherewasatouchofsadnessabouthimbefore，especiallywhenhewentaway。Iamafraidhehasnotbeenverysuccessful-thathehasnevergotthoroughlyestablished。Idon'tsupposeheissufficientlyploddingandthat，afterall，iswhatsucceedsinthisworld。"Mrs。PennimanhadnotmentionedMorrisTownsend'snametohernieceforupwardsofthefifthofacentury；
butnowthatshehadbrokenthespell，sheseemedtowishtomakeupforlosttime，asiftherehadbeenasortofexhilarationinhearingherselftalkofhim。Sheproceeded，however，withconsiderablecaution，pausingoccasionallytoletCatherinegivesomesign。
Catherinegavenoothersignthantostoptherockingofherchairandtheswayingofherfan；shesatmotionlessandsilent。"ItwasonTuesdaylast，"saidMrs。Penniman，"andIhavebeenhesitatingeversinceabouttellingyou。Ididn'tknowhowyoumightlikeit。AtlastIthoughtthatitwassolongagothatyouwouldprobablynothaveanyparticularfeeling。IsawhimagainaftermeetinghimatMarian's。Imethiminthestreet，andhewentafewstepswithme。
Thefirstthinghesaidwasaboutyou；heaskedeversomanyquestions。Mariandidn'twantmetospeaktoyou；shedidn'twantyoutoknowthattheyreceivehim。ItoldhimIwassurethatafteralltheseyearsyoucouldn'thaveanyfeelingaboutthat；youcouldn'tgrudgehimthehospitalityofhisowncousin'shouse。Isaidyouwouldbebitterindeedifyoudidthat。Marianhasthemostextraordinaryideasaboutwhathappenedbetweenyou；sheseemstothinkhebehavedinsomeveryunusualmanner。Itookthelibertyofremindingheroftherealfacts，andplacingthestoryinitstruelight。Hehasnobitterness，Catherine，Icanassureyou；andhemightbeexcusedforit，forthingshavenotgonewellwithhim。Hehasbeenallovertheworld，andtriedtoestablishhimselfeverywhere；buthisevilstarwasagainsthim。Itismostinterestingtohearhimtalkofhisevilstar。Everythingfailed；everythingbuthis-youknow，youremember-
hisproud，highspirit。IbelievehemarriedsomeladysomewhereinEurope。Youknowtheymarryinsuchapeculiarmatter-of-coursewayinEurope；amarriageofreasontheycallit。Shediedsoonafterward；ashesaidtome，sheonlyflittedacrosshislife。HehasnotbeeninNewYorkfortenyears；hecamebackafewdaysago。Thefirstthinghedidwastoaskmeaboutyou。Hehadheardyouhadnevermarried；heseemedverymuchinterestedaboutthat。Hesaidyouhadbeentherealromanceofhislife。"
Catherinehadsufferedhercompaniontoproceedfrompointtopoint，andpausetopause，withoutinterruptingher；shefixedhereyesonthegroundandlistened。ButthelastphraseIhavequotedwasfollowedbyapauseofpeculiarsignificance，andthen，atlast，Catherinespoke。ItwillbeobservedthatbeforedoingsoshehadreceivedagooddealofinformationaboutMorrisTownsend。"Pleasesaynomore；pleasedon'tfollowupthatsubject。"
"Doesn'titinterestyou？"askedMrs。Penniman，withacertaintimorousarchness。
"Itpainsme，"saidCatherine。
"Iwasafraidyouwouldsaythat。Butdon'tyouthinkyoucouldgetusedtoit？Hewantssomuchtoseeyou。"
"Pleasedon't，AuntLavinia，"saidCatherine，gettingupfromherseat。Shemovedquicklyaway，andwenttotheotherwindow，whichstoodopentothebalcony；andhere，intheembrasure，concealedfromherauntbythewhitecurtains，sheremainedalongtime，lookingoutintothewarmdarkness。Shehadhadagreatshock；itwasasifthegulfofthepasthadsuddenlyopened，andaspectralfigurehadrisenoutofit。Thereweresomethingsshebelievedshehadgotover，somefeelingsthatshehadthoughtofasdead；butapparentlytherewasacertainvitalityinthemstill。Mrs。Pennimanhadmadethemstirthemselves。Itwasbutamomentaryagitation，Catherinesaidtoherself；itwouldpresentlypassaway。Shewastrembling，andherheartwasbeatingsothatshecouldfeelit；butthisalsowouldsubside。Thensuddenly，whileshewaitedforareturnofhercalmness，sheburstintotears。Buthertearsflowedverysilently，sothatMrs。
Pennimanhadnoobservationofthem。Itwasperhaps，however，becauseMrs。PennimansuspectedthemthatshesaidnomorethateveningaboutMorrisTownsend。
CHAPTER35。
HERREFRESHEDattentiontothisgentlemanhadnotthoselimitsofwhichCatherinedesired，forherself，tobeconscious；itlastedlongenoughtoenablehertowaitanotherweekbeforespeakingofhimagain。Itwasunderthesamecircumstancesthatsheoncemoreattackedthesubject。Shehadbeensittingwithhernieceintheevening；onlyonthisoccasion，asthenightwasnotsowarm，thelamphadbeenlighted，andCatherinehadplacedherselfnearitwithamorseloffancywork。Mrs。Pennimanwentandsataloneforhalfanhouronthebalcony；thenshecamein，movingvaguelyabouttheroom。AtlastshesunkintoaseatnearCatherine，withclaspedhands，andalittlelookofexcitement。
"ShallyoubeangryifIspeaktoyouagainabouthim？"sheasked。
Catherinelookedupatherquietly。"Whoishe？"
"Hewhomyouonceloved。"
"Ishallnotbeangry，butIshallnotlikeit。"
"Hesentyouamessage，"saidMrs。Penniman。"Ipromisedhimtodeliverit，andImustkeepmypromise。"
InalltheseyearsCatherinehadhadtimetoforgethowlittleshehadtothankherauntforintheseasonofhermisery；shehadlongagoforgivenMrs。Pennimanfortakingtoomuchuponherself。Butforamomentthisattitudeofinterpositionanddisinterestedness，thiscarryingofmessagesandredeemingofpromises，broughtbackthesensethathercompanionwasadangerouswoman。Shehadsaidshewouldnotbeangry；butforaninstantshefeltsore。"Idon'tcarewhatyoudowithyourpromise！"sheanswered。
Mrs。Penniman，however，withherhighconceptionofthesanctityofpledges，carriedherpoint。"Ihavegonetoofartoretreat，"shesaid，thoughpreciselywhatthismeantshewasnotatpainstoexplain。"Mr。Townsendwishesmostparticularlytoseeyou，Catherine；
hebelievesthatifyouknewhowmuch，andwhy，hewishesit，youwouldconsenttodoso。"
"Therecanbenoreason，"saidCatherine"nogoodreason。"
"Hishappinessdependsuponit。Isnotthatagoodreason？"askedMrs。Penniman，impressively。
"Notforme。Myhappinessdoesnot。"
"Ithinkyouwillbehappierafteryouhaveseenhim。Heisgoingawayagain-goingtoresumehiswanderings。Itisaverylonely，restless，joylesslife。Beforehegoeshewishestospeaktoyou；itisafixedideawithhim-heisalwaysthinkingofit。Hehassomethingveryimportanttosaytoyou。Hebelievesthatyouneverunderstoodhim-thatyouneverjudgedhimrightly，andthebeliefhasalwaysweigheduponhimterribly。Hewishestojustifyhimself；hebelievesthatinaveryfewwordshecoulddoso。Hewishestomeetyouasafriend。"
Catherinelistenedtothiswonderfulspeechwithoutpausinginherwork；shehadnowhadseveraldaystoaccustomherselftothinkofMorrisTownsendagainasanactuality。Whenitwasovershesaidsimply，"PleasesaytoMr。TownsendthatIwishhewouldleavemealone。"
Shehadhardlyspokenwhenasharp，firmringatthedoorvibratedthroughthesummernight。Catherinelookedupattheclock；itmarkedaquarterpastnine-averylatehourforvisitors，especiallyintheemptyconditionofthetown。Mrs。Pennimanatthesamemomentgavealittlestart，andthenCatherine'seyesturnedquicklytoheraunt。TheymetMrs。Penniman's，andsoundedthemforamomentsharply。Mrs。Pennimanwasblushing；herlookwasaconsciousone；itseemedtoconfesssomething。Catherineguesseditsmeaning，androsequicklyfromherchair。
"AuntPenniman，"shesaid，inatonethatscaredhercompanion，"haveyoutakentheliberty……？"
"MydearestCatherine，"stammeredMrs。Penniman，"justwaittillyouseehim！"
Catherinehadfrightenedheraunt，butshewasalsofrightenedherself；shewasonthepointofrushingtogiveorderstotheservant，whowaspassingtothedoor，toadmitnoone；butthefearofmeetinghervisitorcheckedher。
"Mr。MorrisTownsend。"
Thiswaswhatsheheard，vaguelybutrecognizably，articulatedbythedomestic，whileshehesitated。Shehadherbackturnedtothedooroftheparlor，andforsomemomentsshekeptitturned，feelingthathehadcomein。Hehadnotspoken，however，andatlastshefacedabout。Thenshesawagentlemanstandinginthemiddleoftheroom，fromwhichheraunthaddiscreetlyretired。
Shewouldneverhaveknownhim。Hewasforty-fiveyearsold，andhisfigurewasnotthatofthestraight，slimyoungmansheremembered。
Butitwasaveryfinepresence，andafairandlustrousbeard，spreadingitselfuponawell-presentedchest，contributedtoitseffect。AfteramomentCatherinerecognizedtheupperhalfoftheface，which，thoughhervisitor'sclusteringlockshadgrownthin，wasstillremarkablyhandsome。Hestoodinadeeplydeferentialattitude，withhiseyesonherface。"Ihaveventured-Ihaveventured，"hesaid；andthenhepaused，lookingabouthim，asifheexpectedhertoaskhimtositdown。Itwastheoldvoice；butithadnottheoldcharm。Catherine，foraminute，wasconsciousofadistinctdeterminationnottoinvitehimtotakeaseat。Whyhadhecome？Itwaswrongforhimtocome。Morriswasembarrassed，butCatherinegavehimnohelp。Itwasnotthatshewasgladofhisembarrassment；onthecontrary，itexcitedallherownliabilitiesofthiskind，andgavehergreatpain。Buthowcouldshewelcomehimwhenshefeltsovividlythatheoughtnottohavecome？"Iwantedsomuch-Iwasdetermined，"Morriswenton。Buthestoppedagain；itwasnoteasy。Catherinestillsaidnothing，andhemaywellhaverecalledwithapprehensionherancientfacultyofsilence。Shecontinuedtolookathim，however，andasshedidsoshemadethestrangestobservation。Itseemedtobehe，andyetnothe；itwasthemanwhohadbeeneverything，andyetthispersonwasnothing。
Howlongagoitwas-howoldshehadgrown-howmuchshehadlived！
Shehadlivedonsomethingthatwasconnectedwithhim，andshehadconsumeditindoingso。Thispersondidnotlookunhappy。Hewasfairandwell-preserved，perfectlydressed，matureandcomplete。AsCatherinelookedathim，thestoryofhislifedefineditselfinhiseyes；hehadmadehimselfcomfortable，andhehadneverbeencaught。
Butevenwhileherperceptionopeneditselftothis，shehadnodesiretocatchhim；hispresencewaspainfultoher，andsheonlywishedhewouldgo。
"Willyounotsitdown？"heasked。
"Ithinkwehadbetternot，"saidCatherine。
"Ioffendyoubycoming？"Hewasverygrave；hespokeinatoneoftherichestrespect。
"Idon'tthinkyououghttohavecome。"
"DidnotMrs。Pennimantellyou-didshenotgiveyoumymessage？"
"Shetoldmesomething，butIdidnotunderstand。"
"Iwishyouwouldletmetellyou-letmespeakformyself。"
"Idon'tthinkitisnecessary，"saidCatherine。
"Notforyou，perhaps，butforme。Itwouldbeagreatsatisfaction-
andIhavenotmany。"Heseemedtobecomingnearer；Catherineturnedaway。"Canwenotbefriendsagain？"heasked。
"We'renotenemies，"saidCatherine。"Ihavenonebutfriendlyfeelingstoyou。"
"Ah，Iwonderwhetheryouknowthehappinessitgivesmetohearyousaythat！"Catherineutterednointimationthatshemeasuredtheinfluenceofherwords；andhepresentlywenton，"Youhavenotchanged-theyearshavepassedhappilyforyou。"
"Theyhavepassedveryquietly，"saidCatherine。
"Theyhaveleftnomarks；youareadmirablyyoung。"Thistimehesucceededincomingnearer-hewasclosetoher；shesawhisglossyperfumedbeard，andhiseyesaboveitlookingstrangeandhard。Itwasverydifferentfromhisold-fromhisyoung-face。Ifshehadfirstseenhimthiswayshewouldnothavelikedhim。Itseemedtoherthathewassmiling，ortryingtosmile。"Catherine，"hesaid，loweringhisvoice，"Ihaveneverceasedtothinkofyou。"
"Pleasedon'tsaythesethings，"sheanswered。
"Doyouhateme？"
"Ohno，"saidCatherine。
Somethinginhertonediscouragedhim，butinamomentherecoveredhimself。"Haveyoustillsomekindnessforme，then？"
"Idon'tknowwhyyouhavecomeheretoaskmesuchthings！"
Catherineexclaimed。
"Becauseformanyyearsithasbeenthedesireofmylifethatweshouldbefriendsagain。"
"Thatisimpossible。"
"Whyso？Notifyouwillallowit。"
"Iwillnotallowit，"saidCatherine。
Helookedatheragaininsilence。"Isee；mypresencetroublesyouandpainsyou。Iwillgoaway；butyoumustgivemeleavetocomeagain。"
"Pleasedon'tcomeagain，"shesaid。
"Never？Never？"
Shemadeagreateffort；shewishedtosaysomethingthatwouldmakeitimpossibleheshouldeveragaincrossherthreshold。"Itiswrongofyou。Thereisnoproprietyinit-noreasonforit。"
"Ah，dearestlady，youdomeinjustice！"criedMorrisTownsend。
"Wehaveonlywaited，andnowwearefree。"
"Youtreatedmebadly，"saidCatherine。
"Notifyouthinkofitrightly。Youhadyourquietlifewithyourfather-whichwasjustwhatIcouldnotmakeupmymindtorobyouof。"
"Yes；Ihadthat。"
Morrisfeltittobeaconsiderabledamagetohiscausethathecouldnotaddthatshehadhadsomethingmorebesides；foritisneedlesstosaythathehadlearnedthecontentsofDoctorSloper'swill。Hewas，nevertheless，notataloss。"Thereareworsefatesthanthat！"heexclaimed，withexpression；andhemighthavebeensupposedtorefertohisownunprotectedsituation。Thenheadded，withadeepertenderness，"Catherine，haveyouneverforgivenme？"
"Iforgaveyouyearsago，butitisuselessforustoattempttobefriends。"
"Notifweforgetthepast。Wehavestillafuture，thankGod！"
"Ican'tforget-Idon'tforget，"saidCatherine。"Youtreatedmetoobadly。Ifeltitverymuch；Ifeltitforyears。"Andthenshewenton，withherwishtoshowhimthathemustnotcometoherthisway，"Ican'tbeginagain-Ican'ttakeitup。Everythingisdeadandburied。Itwastooserious；itmadeagreatchangeinmylife。I
neverexpectedtoseeyouhere。"
"Ah，youareangry！"criedMorris，whowishedimmenselythathecouldextortsomeflashofpassionfromhercalmness。Inthatcasehemighthope。
"No，Iamnotangry。Angerdoesnotlastthatwayforyears。Butthereareotherthings。Impressionslast，whentheyhavebeenstrong。ButIcan'ttalk。"
Morrisstoodstrokinghisbeard，withacloudedeye。"Whyhaveyounevermarried？"heasked，abruptly。"Youhavehadopportunities。"
"Ididn'twishtomarry。"
"Yes，youarerich，youarefree；youhadnothingtogain。"
"Ihadnothingtogain，"saidCatherine。
Morrislookedvaguelyroundhim，andgaveadeepsigh。"Well，I
wasinhopesthatwemightstillhavebeenfriends。"
"Imeanttotellyou，bymyaunt，inanswertoyourmessage-ifyouhadwaitedforananswer-thatitwasunnecessaryforyoutocomeinthathope。"
"Good-bye，then，"saidMorris。"Excusemyindiscretion。"
Hebowed，andsheturnedaway-standingthere，averted，withhereyesontheground，forsomemomentsaftershehadheardhimclosethedooroftheroom。
InthehallhefoundMrs。Penniman，flutteredandeager；sheappearedtohavebeenhoveringthereundertheirreconcilablepromptingsofhercuriosityandherdignity。
"Thatwasapreciousplanofyours！"saidMorris，clappingonhishat。
"Isshesohard？"askedMrs。Penniman。
"Shedoesn'tcareabuttonforme-withherconfoundedlittledrymanner。"
"Wasitverydry？"pursuedMrs。Penniman，withsolicitude。
Morristooknonoticeofherquestion；hestoodmusinganinstant，withhishaton。"Butwhythedeuce，then，wouldshenevermarry？"
"Yes-whyindeed？"sighedMrs。Penniman。Andthen，asiffromasenseoftheinadequacyofthisexplanation，"Butyouwillnotdespair-youwillcomeback？"
"Comeback？Damnation！"AndMorrisTownsendstrodeoutofthehouse，leavingMrs。Pennimanstaring。
Catherine，meanwhile，intheparlor，pickinguphermorseloffancywork，hadseatedherselfwithitagain-forlife，asitwere。