第6章

"Notintentionally-andwhohurriesoff，ateveryrisk，tomakethemosthumbleexcuses。"

"Well，whatdoyouadvisemenow？"

"Tobeverypatient；towatchandwait。"

"Andisthatbadadviceorgood？"

"Thatisnotformetosay，"Mrs。Pennimanrejoined，withsomedignity。"Ionlyclaimitissincere。"

"Andwillyoucometomenextweekandrecommendsomethingdifferentandequallysincere？"

"Imaycometoyounextweek，andtellyouthatIaminthestreets。"

"Inthestreets？"

"Ihavehadaterriblescenewithmybrother，andhethreatens，ifanythinghappens，toturnmeoutofthehouse。YouknowIamapoorwoman。"

Morrishadaspeculativeideathatshehadalittleproperty；buthenaturallydidnotpressthis。

"Ishouldbeverysorrytoseeyousuffermartyrdomforme，"hesaid。"ButyoumakeyourbrotheroutaregularTurk。"

Mrs。Pennimanhesitatedalittle。

"IcertainlydonotregardAustinasanorthodoxChristian。"

"AndamItowaittillheisconverted？"

"Waitatanyratetillheislessviolent。Bideyourtime，Mr。

Townsend；remembertheprizeisgreat。"

Morriswalkedalongsometimeinsilence，tappingtherailingsandgatepostsverysharplywithhisstick。

"Youcertainlyaredevilishinconsistent！"hebrokeoutatlast。

"IhavealreadygotCatherinetoconsenttoaprivatemarriage。"

Mrs。Pennimanwasindeedinconsistent，foratthisnewsshegavealittlejumpofgratification。

"Oh，whenandwhere？"shecried。Andthenshestoppedshort。

Morriswasalittlevagueaboutthis。

"Thatisn"tfixed；butsheconsents。It"sdeucedawkwardnowtobackout。"

Mrs。Penniman，asIsay，hadstoppedshort；andshestoodtherewithhereyesfixedbrilliantlyonhercompanion。

"Mr。Townsend，"sheproceeded，"shallItellyousomething？

Catherinelovesyousomuchthatyoumaydoanything。"

Thisdeclarationwasslightlyambiguous，andMorrisopenedhiseyes。

"Iamhappytohearit。Butwhatdoyoumeanby"anything"？"

"Youmaypostpone-youmaychangeabout；shewon"tthinktheworseofyou。"

Morrisstoodtherestill，withhisraisedeyebrows；thenhesaid，simplyandratherdryly，"Ah！"AfterthisheremarkedtoMrs。Pennimanthatifshewalkedsoslowlyshewouldattractnotice，andhesucceeded，afterafashion，inhurryingherbacktothedomicileofwhichhertenurehadbecomesoinsecure。

CHAPTER22。

HEHADslightlymisrepresentedthematterinsayingthatCatherinehadconsentedtotakethegreatstep。Weleftherjustnowdeclaringthatshewouldburnhershipsbehindher；butMorris，afterhavingelicitedthisdeclaration，hadbecomeconsciousofgoodreasonsfornottakingitup。Heavoided，gracefullyenough，fixingaday，thoughheleftherundertheimpressionthathehadhiseyeonone。

Catherinemayhavehadherdifficulties；butthoseofhercircumspectsuitorarealsoworthyofconsideration。Theprizewascertainlygreat；butitwasonlytobewonbystrikingthehappymeanbetweenprecipitancyandcaution。Itwouldbeallverywelltotakeone"sjumpandtrusttoProvidence；Providencewasmoreespeciallyonthesideofcleverpeople，andcleverpeoplewereknownbyanindispositiontorisktheirbones。

Theultimaterewardofaunionwithayoungwomanwhowasbothunattractiveandimpoverishedoughttobeconnectedwithimmediatedisadvantagesbysomeverypalpablechain。BetweenthefearoflosingCatherineandherpossiblefortunealtogether，andthefearoftakinghertoosoonandfindingthispossiblefortuneasvoidofactualityasacollectionofemptiedbottles，itwasnotcomfortableforMorrisTownsendtochoose-afactthatshouldberememberedbyreadersdisposedtojudgeharshlyofayoungmanwhomayhavestruckthemasmakingbutanindifferentlysuccessfuluseoffinenaturalparts。HehadnotforgottenthatinanyeventCatherinehadherowntenthousandayear；hehaddevotedanabundanceofmeditationtothiscircumstance。Butwithhisfinepartsheratedhimselfhigh，andhehadaperfectlydefiniteappreciationofhisvalue，whichseemedtohiminadequatelyrepresentedbythesumIhavementioned。Atthesametimeheremindedhimselfthatthissumwasconsiderable，thateverythingisrelative，andthatifamodestincomeislessdesirablethanalargeone，thecompleteabsenceofrevenueisnowhereaccountedanadvantage。

Thesereflectionsgavehimplentyofoccupation，andmadeitnecessarythatheshouldtrimhissail。DoctorSloper"soppositionwastheunknownquantityintheproblemhehadtoworkout。ThenaturalwaytoworkitoutwasbymarryingCatherine；butinmathematicstherearemanyshortcuts，andMorriswasnotwithoutahopethatheshouldyetdiscoverone。WhenCatherinetookhimathisword，andconsentedtorenouncetheattempttomollifyherfather，hedrewbackskillfullyenough，asIhavesaid，andkepttheweddingdaystillanopenquestion。Herfaithinhissinceritywassocompletethatshewasincapableofsuspectingthathewasplayingwithher；hertroublejustnowwasofanotherkind。Thepoorgirlhadanadmirablesenseofhonor，andfromthemomentshehadbroughtherselftothepointofviolatingherfather"swish，itseemedtoherthatshehadnorighttoenjoyhisprotection。Itwasonherconsciencethatsheoughttoliveunderhisroofonlysolongassheconformedtohiswisdom。Therewasagreatdealofgloryinsuchaposition，butpoorCatherinefeltthatshehadforfeitedherclaimtoit。Shehadcastherlotwithayoungmanagainstwhomhehadsolemnlywarnedher，andbrokenthecontractunderwhichheprovidedherwithahappyhome。Shecouldnotgiveuptheyoungman，soshemustleavethehome；andthesoonertheobjectofherpreferenceofferedheranother，thesoonerhersituationwouldloseitsawkwardtwist。Thiswasclosereasoning；butitwascommingledwithaninfiniteamountofmerelyinstinctivepenitence。Catherine"sdays，atthistime，weredismal，andtheweightofsomeofherhourswasalmostmorethanshecouldbear。Herfatherneverlookedather，neverspoketoher。Heknewperfectlywhathewasabout，andthiswaspartofaplan。Shelookedathimasmuchasshedared（forshewasafraidofseemingtoofferherselftohisobservation），andshepitiedhimforthesorrowshehadbroughtuponhim。Sheheldupherheadandbusiedherhands，andwentaboutherdailyoccupations；andwhenthestateofthingsinWashingtonSquareseemedintolerable，sheclosedhereyesandindulgedherselfwithanintellectualvisionofthemanforwhosesakeshehadbrokenasacredlaw。

Mrs。Penniman，ofthethreepersonsinWashingtonSquare，hadmuchthemostofthemannerthatbelongstoagreatcrisis。IfCatherinewasquiet，shewasquietlyquiet，asImaysay，andherpatheticeffects，whichtherewasnoonetonotice，wereentirelyunstudiedandunintended。Ifthedoctorwasstiffanddry，andabsolutelyindifferenttothepresenceofhiscompanions，itwassolightly，neatly，easilydone，thatyouwouldhavehadtoknowhimwelltodiscoverthat，onthewhole，heratherenjoyedhavingtobesodisagreeable。ButMrs。Pennimanwaselaboratelyreservedandsignificantlysilent；therewasaricherrustleintheverydeliberatemovementstowhichsheconfinedherself，andwhensheoccasionallyspoke，inconnectionwithsomeverytrivialevent，shehadtheairofmeaningsomethingdeeperthanwhatshesaid。BetweenCatherineandherfathernothinghadpassedsincetheeveningshewenttospeaktohiminhisstudy。Shehadsomethingtosaytohim-itseemedtohersheoughttosayit-butshekeptitbackforfearofirritatinghim。Healsohadsomethingtosaytoher；buthewasdeterminednottospeakfirst。Hewasinterested，asweknow，inseeinghow，ifshewerelefttoherself，shewould"stick。"AtlastshetoldhimshehadseenMorrisTownsendagain，andthattheirrelationsremainedquitethesame。

"Ithinkweshallmarry-beforeverylong。Andprobably，meanwhile，Ishallseehimratheroften；aboutonceaweek-notmore。"

Thedoctorlookedathercoldlyfromheadtofoot，asifshehadbeenastranger。Itwasthefirsttimehiseyeshadrestedonherforaweek，whichwasfortunate，ifthatwastobetheirexpression。

"Whynotthreetimesaday？"heasked。"Whatpreventsyourmeetingasoftenasyouchoose？"

Sheturnedawayamoment；thereweretearsinhereyes。Thenshesaid，"Itisbetteronceaweek。"

"Idon"tseehowitisbetter。Itisasbadasitcanbe。IfyouflatteryourselfthatIcareforlittlemodificationsofthatsort，youareverymuchmistaken。Itisaswrongofyoutoseehimonceaweekasitwouldbetoseehimalldaylong。Notthatitmatterstome，however。"

Catherinetriedtofollowthesewords，buttheyseemedtoleadtowardavaguehorrorfromwhichsherecoiled。"Ithinkweshallmarryprettysoon，"sherepeated，atlast。

Herfathergaveherhisdreadfullookagain，asifsheweresomeoneelse。"Whydoyoutellmethat？It"snoconcernofmine。"

"Oh，Father，"shebrokeout，"don"tyoucare，evenifyoudofeelso？"

"Notabutton。Onceyoumarry，it"squitethesametomewhen，orwhere，orwhyyoudoit；andifyouthinktocompoundforyourfollybyhoistingyourflyinthisway，youmayspareyourselfthetrouble。"

Withthisheturnedaway。Butthenextdayhespoketoherofhisownaccord，andhismannerwassomewhatchanged。"Shallyoubemarriedwithinthenextfourorfivemonths？"heasked。

"Idon"tknow，Father，"saidCatherine。"Itisnotveryeasyforustomakeupourminds。"

"Putitoff，then，forsixmonths，andinthemeantimeIwilltakeyoutoEurope。Ishouldlikeyouverymuchtogo。"

Itgavehersuchdelight，afterhiswordsofthedaybefore，tohearthatheshould"like"hertodosomething，andthathestillhadinhisheartanyofthetendernessofpreference，thatshegavealittleexclamationofjoy。ButthenshebecameconsciousthatMorriswasnotincludedinthisproposal，andthat-asregardsreallygoing-shewouldgreatlyprefertoremainathomewithhim。Butsheblushednonethelessmorecomfortablythanshehaddoneoflate。

"ItwouldbedelightfultogotoEurope，"sheremarked，withasensethattheideawasnotoriginal，andthathertonewasnotallitmightbe。

"Verywell，then，wewillgo。Packupyourclothes。"

"IhadbettertellMr。Townsend，"saidCatherine。

Herfatherfixedhiscoldeyesuponher。"Ifyoumeanthatyouhadbetteraskhisleave，allthatremainstomeistohopehewillgiveit。"

Thegirlwassharplytouchedbythepatheticringofthewords；itwasthemostcalculated，themostdramaticlittlespeechthedoctorhadeveruttered。Shefeltthatitwasagreatthingforher，underthecircumstances，tohavethisfineopportunityofshowinghimherrespect；andyettherewassomethingelsethatshefeltaswell，andthatshepresentlyexpressed。"IsometimesthinkthatifIdowhatyoudislikesomuch，Ioughtnottostaywithyou。"

"Tostaywithme？"

"IfIlivewithyou，Ioughttoobeyyou。"

"Ifthat"syourtheory，it"scertainlymine，"saidthedoctor，withadrylaugh。

"ButifIdon"tobeyyou，Ioughtnottolivewithyou-toenjoyyourkindnessandprotection。"

Thisstrikingargumentgavethedoctorasuddensenseofhavingunderestimatedhisdaughter；itseemedevenmorethanworthyofayoungwomanwhohadrevealedthequalityofunaggressiveobstinacy。

Butitdispleasedhim-displeasedhimdeeply，andhesignifiedasmuch。"Thatideaisinverybadtaste，"hesaid。"DidyougetitfromMr。Townsend？"

"Ohno；it"smyown，"saidCatherine，eagerly。

"Keepittoyourself，then，"herfatheranswered，morethaneverdeterminedsheshouldgotoEurope。

CHAPTER23。

IFMORRISTOWNSENDwasnottobeincludedinthisjourney，nomorewasMrs。Penniman，whowouldhavebeenthankfulforaninvitation，butwho（todoherjustice）boreherdisappointmentinaperfectlyladylikemanner。"IshouldenjoyseeingtheworksofRaphaelandtheruins-theruinsofthePantheon，"shesaidtoMrs。Almond，"but，ontheotherhand，IshallnotbesorrytobealoneandatpeaceforthenextfewmonthsinWashingtonSquare。Iwantrest；Ihavebeenthroughsomuchinthelastfourmonths。"Mrs。AlmondthoughtitrathercruelthatherbrothershouldnottakepoorLaviniaabroad；butsheeasilyunderstoodthat，ifthepurposeofhisexpeditionwastomakeCatherineforgetherlover，itwasnotinhisinteresttogivehisdaughterthisyoungman"sbestfriendasacompanion。"IfLaviniahadnotbeensofoolish，shemightvisittheruinsofthePantheon，"shesaidtoherself；andshecontinuedtoregrethersister"sfolly，eventhoughthelatterassuredherthatshehadoftenheardtherelicsinquestionmostsatisfactorilydescribedbyMr。Penniman。Mrs。Pennimanwasperfectlyawarethatherbrother"smotiveinundertakingaforeigntourwastolayatrapforCatherine"sconstancy；andsheimpartedthisconvictionveryfranklytoherniece。

"HethinksitwillmakeyouforgetMorris，"shesaid（shealwayscalledtheyoungman"Morris"now）。"Outofsight，outofmind，youknow。Hethinksthatallthethingsyouwillseeovertherewilldrivehimoutofyourthoughts。"

Catherinelookedgreatlyalarmed。"Ifhethinksthat，Ioughttotellhimbeforehand。"

Mrs。Pennimanshookherhead。"Tellhimafterward，mydear-afterhehashadallthetroubleandexpense。That"sthewaytoservehim。"Andsheadded，inasofterkey，thatitmustbedelightfultothinkofthosewholoveusamongtheruinsofthePantheon。

Herfather"sdispleasurehadcostthegirl，asweknow，agreatdealofdeep-wellingsorrow-sorrowofthepurestandmostgenerouskind，withoutatouchofresentmentorrancor；butforthefirsttime，afterhehaddismissedwithsuchcontemptuousbrevityherapologyforbeingachargeuponhim，therewasasparkofangerinhergrief。

Shehadfelthiscontempt；ithadscorchedher；thatspeechaboutherbadtastehadmadeherearsburnforthreedays。Duringthisperiodshewaslessconsiderate；shehadanidea-arathervagueone，butitwasagreeabletohersenseofinjury-thatnowshewasabsolvedfrompenance，andmightdowhatshechose。ShechosetowritetoMorrisTownsendtomeetherintheSquareandtakehertowalkaboutthetown。IfsheweregoingtoEuropeoutofrespecttoherfather，shemightatleastgiveherselfthissatisfaction。Shefeltineverywayatpresentmorefreeandmoreresolute；therewasaforcethaturgedher。Nowatlast，completelyandunreservedly，herpassionpossessedher。

Morrismetheratlast，andtheytookalongwalk。Shetoldhimimmediatelywhathadhappened；thatherfatherwishedtotakeheraway-itwouldbeforsixmonths-toEurope；shewoulddoabsolutelywhatMorrisshouldthinkbest。Shehopedinexpressiblythathewouldthinkitbestsheshouldstayathome。Itwassometimebeforehesaidwhathethought；heasked，astheywalkedalong，agreatmanyquestions。Therewasonethatespeciallystruckher；itseemedsoincongruous。

"Shouldyouliketoseeallthosecelebratedthingsoverthere？"

"Ohno，Morris！"saidCatherine，quitedeprecatingly。

"Graciousheaven，whatadullwoman！"Morrisexclaimedtohimself。

"HethinksIwillforgetyou，"saidCatherine，"thatallthesethingswilldriveyououtofmymind。"

"Well，mydear，perhapstheywill。"

"Pleasedon"tsaythat，"Catherineanswered，gently，astheywalkedalong。"PoorFatherwillbedisappointed。"

Morrisgavealittlelaugh。"Yes，Iverilybelievethatyourpoorfatherwillbedisappointed。ButyouwillhaveseenEurope，"headded，humorously。"Whatatakein！"

"Idon"tcareforseeingEurope，"Catherinesaid。

"Yououghttocare，mydear；anditmaymollifyyourfather。"

Catherine，consciousofherobstinacy，expectedlittleofthis，andcouldnotridherselfoftheideathatingoingabroadandyetremainingfirm，sheshouldplayherfatheratrick。"Don"tyouthinkitwouldbeakindofdeception？"sheasked。

"Doesn"thewanttodeceiveyou？"criedMorris。"Itwillservehimright。Ireallythinkyouhadbettergo。"

"Andnotbemarriedforsolong？"

"Bemarriedwhenyoucomeback。YoucanbuyyourweddingclothesinParis。"AndthenMorris，withgreatkindnessoftone，explainedhisviewofthematter。Itwouldbeagoodthingthatsheshouldgo；itwouldputthemcompletelyintheright。Itwouldshowtheywerereasonable，andwillingtowait。Oncetheyweresosureofeachother，theycouldaffordtowait-whathadtheytofear？Iftherewasaparticleofchancethatherfatherwouldbefavorablyaffectedbyhergoing，thatoughttosettleit；for，afterall，Morriswasveryunwillingtobethecauseofherbeingdisinherited。Itwasnotforhimself，itwasforherandforherchildren。Hewaswillingtowaitforher；itwouldbehard，buthecoulddoit。Andoverthere，amongbeautifulscenesandnoblemonuments，perhapstheoldgentlemanwouldbesoftened；suchthingsweresupposedtoexertahumanizinginfluence。Hemightbetouchedbyhergentleness，herpatience，herwillingnesstomakeanysacrificebutthatone；andifsheshouldappealtohimsomeday，insomecelebratedspot-inItaly，say，intheevening；inVenice，inagondola，bymoonlight-ifsheshouldbealittlecleveraboutit，andtouchtherightchord，perhapshewouldfoldherinhisarms，andtellherthatheforgaveher。Catherinewasimmenselystruckwiththisconceptionoftheaffair，whichseemedeminentlyworthyofherlover"sbrilliantintellect，thoughshevieweditaskanceinsofarasitdependeduponherownpowersofexecution。Theideaofbeing"clever"inagondolabymoonlightappearedtohertoinvolveelementsofwhichhergraspwasnotactive。

Butitwassettledbetweenthemthatsheshouldtellherfatherthatshewasreadytofollowhimobedientlyanywhere，makingthementalreservationthatshelovedMorrisTownsendmorethanever。

Sheinformedthedoctorshewasreadytoembark，andhemaderapidarrangementsforthisevent。Catherinehadmanyfarewellstomake，butwithonlytwoofthemareweactivelyconcerned。Mrs。Pennimantookadiscriminatingviewofherniece"sjourney；itseemedtoherveryproperthatMr。Townsend"sdestinedbrideshouldwishtoembellishhermindbyaforeigntour。

"Youleavehimingoodhands，"shesaid，pressingherlipstoCatherine"sforehead。（Shewasveryfondofkissingpeople"sforeheads；itwasaninvoluntaryexpressionofsympathywiththeintellectualpart。）"Ishallseehimoften；Ishallfeellikeoneofthevestalsofoldtendingthesacredflame。"

"Youbehavebeautifullyaboutnotgoingwithus，"Catherineanswered，notpresumingtoexaminethisanalogy。

"Itismypridethatkeepsmeup，"saidMrs。Penniman，tappingthebodyofherdress，whichalwaysgaveforthasortofmetallicring。

Catherine"spartingwithherloverwasshort，andfewwordswereexchanged。

"ShallIfindyoujustthesamewhenIcomeback？"sheasked；thoughthequestionwasnotthefruitofskepticism。

"Thesame-onlymoreso，"saidMorris，smiling。

ItdoesnotenterintoourschemetonarrateindetailDoctorSloper"sproceedingsintheEasternHemisphere。HemadethegrandtourofEurope，traveledinconsiderablesplendor，and（aswastohavebeenexpectedinamanofhishighcultivation）foundsomuchinartandantiquitytointeresthim，thatheremainedabroad，notforsixmonths，butfortwelve。Mrs。Penniman，inWashingtonSquare，accommodatedherselftohisabsence。Sheenjoyedheruncontesteddominionintheemptyhouse，andflatteredherselfthatshemadeitmoreattractivetotheirfriendsthanwhenherbrotherwasathome。ToMorrisTownsend，atleast，itwouldhaveappearedthatshemadeitsingularlyattractive。Hewasaltogetherhermostfrequentvisitor，andMrs。Pennimanwasveryfondofaskinghimtotea。Hehadhischair-averyeasyone-atthefiresideinthebackparlor（whenthegreatmahoganyslidingdoors，withsilverknobsandhinges，whichdividedthisapartmentfromitsmoreformalneighbor，wereclosed），andheusedtosmokecigarsinthedoctor"sstudy，whereheoftenspentanhourinturningoverthecuriouscollectionsofitsabsentproprietor。HethoughtMrs。Pennimanagoose，asweknow；buthewasnogoosehimself，and，asayoungmanofluxurioustastesandscantyresources，hefoundthehouseaperfectcastleofindolence。Itbecameforhimaclubwithasinglemember。Mrs。Pennimansawmuchlessofhersisterthanwhilethedoctorwasathome；forMrs。AlmondhadfeltmovedtotellherthatshedisapprovedofherrelationswithMr。

Townsend。Shehadnobusinesstobesofriendlytoayoungmanofwhomtheirbrotherthoughtsomeanly，andMrs。AlmondwassurprisedatherlevityinfoistingamostdeplorableengagementuponCatherine。

"Deplorable！"criedLavinia。"Hewillmakeheralovelyhusband。"

"Idon"tbelieveinlovelyhusbands，"saidMrs。Almond。"Ionlybelieveingoodones。Ifhemarriesher，andshecomesintoAustin"smoney，theymaygeton。Hewillbeanidle，amiable，selfish，and，doubtless，tolerablygood-naturedfellow。Butifshedoesn"tgetthemoney，andhefindshimselftiedtoher，heavenhavemercyonher！

Hewillhavenone。Hewillhateherforhisdisappointment，andtakehisrevenge；hewillbepitilessandcruel。WoebetidepoorCatherine！

Irecommendyoutotalkalittlewithhissister；it"sapityCatherinecan"tmarryher！"

Mrs。PennimanhadnoappetitewhateverforconversationwithMrs。

Montgomery，whoseacquaintanceshemadenotroubletocultivate；andtheeffectofthisalarmingforecastofherniece"sdestinywastomakeherthinkitindeedathousandpitiesthatMr。Townsend"sgenerousnatureshouldbeembittered。Brightenjoymentwashisnaturalelement，andhowcouldhebecomfortableifthereshouldprovetobenothingtoenjoy？ItbecameafixedideawithMrs。Pennimanthatheshouldyetenjoyherbrother"sfortune，onwhichshehadacutenessenoughtoperceivethatherownclaimwassmall。

"Ifhedoesn"tleaveittoCatherine，itcertainlywon"tbetoleaveittome，"shesaid。

CHAPTER24。

THEDOCTOR，duringthefirstsixmonthshewasabroad，neverspoketohisdaughteroftheirlittledifference，partlyonsystem，andpartlybecausehehadagreatmanyotherthingstothinkabout。Itwasidletoattempttoascertainthestateofheraffectionswithoutdirectinquiry，becauseifshehadnothadanexpressivemanneramongthefamiliarinfluencesofhome，shefailedtogatheranimationfromthemountainsofSwitzerlandorthemonumentsofItaly。

Shewasalwaysherfather"sdocileandreasonableassociate-goingthroughtheirsight-seeingindeferentialsilence，nevercomplainingoffatigue，alwaysreadytostartatthehourhehadappointedovernight，makingnofoolishcriticisms，andindulginginnorefinementsofappreciation。"Sheisaboutasintelligentasthebundleofshawls，"thedoctorsaid，hermainsuperioritybeingthat，whilethebundleofshawlssometimesgotlost，ortumbledoutofthecarriage，Catherinewasalwaysatherpost，andhadafirmandampleseat。Butherfatherhadexpectedthis，andhewasnotconstrainedtosetdownherintellectuallimitationsasatouristtosentimentaldepression；shehadcompletelydivestedherselfofthecharacteristicsofavictim，andduringthewholetimethattheywereabroadsheneverutteredanaudiblesigh。HesupposedshewasincorrespondencewithMorrisTownsend，butheheldhispeaceaboutit，forheneversawtheyoungman"sletters，andCatherine"sownmissiveswerealwaysgiventothecouriertopost。Sheheardfromherloverwithconsiderableregularity，buthisletterscameenclosedinMrs。

Penniman"s；sothat，wheneverthedoctorhandedherapacketaddressedinhissister"shand，hewasaninvoluntaryinstrumentofthepassionhecondemned。Catherinemadethisreflection，andsixmonthsearliershewouldhavefeltboundtogivehimwarning；butnowshedeemedherselfabsolved。Therewasasorespotinherheartthathisownwordshadmadewhenonceshespoketohimasshethoughthonorprompted；shewouldtryandpleasehimasfarasshecould，butshewouldneverspeakthatwayagain。Shereadherlover"slettersinsecret。

Oneday，attheendofthesummer，thetwotravelersfoundthemselvesinalonelyvalleyoftheAlps。Theywerecrossingoneofthepasses，andonthelongascenttheyhadgotoutofthecarriageandhadwanderedmuchinadvance。Afterawhilethedoctordescriedafootpathwhich，leadingthroughatransversevalley，wouldbringthemout，ashejustlysupposed，atamuchhigherpointoftheascent。

Theyfollowedthisdeviousway，andfinallylostthepath；thevalleyprovedverywildandrough，andtheirwalkbecameratherascramble。Theyweregoodwalkers，however，andtheytooktheiradventureeasily；fromtimetotimetheystopped，thatCatherinemightrest；andthenshesatuponastoneandlookedaboutheratthehard-featuredrocksandtheglowingsky。Itwaslateintheafternoon，inthelastofAugust；nightwascomingon，andastheyhadreachedagreatelevation，theairwascoldandsharp。Inthewesttherewasagreatsuffusionofcoldredlight，whichmadethesidesofthelittlevalleylookonlythemoreruggedanddusky。Duringoneoftheirpausesherfatherleftherandwanderedawaytosomehighplace，atadistance，togetaview。Hewasoutofsight；shesattherealoneinthestillness，whichwasjusttouchedbythevaguemurmursomewhereofamountainbrook。ShethoughtofMorrisTownsend，andtheplacewassodesolateandlonelythatheseemedveryfaraway。Herfatherremainedabsentalongtime；shebegantowonderwhathadbecomeofhim。Butatlasthereappeared，comingtowardherinthecleartwilight，andshegotuptogoon。Hemadenomotiontoproceed，however，butcameclosetoher，asifhehadsomethingtosay。Hestoppedinfrontofher，andstoodlookingatherwitheyesthathadkeptthelightoftheflushingsnow-summitsonwhichtheyhadjustbeenfixed。Then，abruptly，inalowtone，heaskedheranunexpectedquestion，"Haveyougivenhimup？"

Thequestionwasunexpected，butCatherinewasonlysuperficiallyunprepared。

"No，Father，"sheanswered。

Helookedatheragainforsomemomentswithoutspeaking。

"Doeshewritetoyou？"heasked。

"Yes，abouttwiceamonth。"

Thedoctorlookedupanddownthevalley，swinginghisstick；thenhesaidtoher，inthesamelowtone，"Iamveryangry。"

Shewonderedwhathemeant-whetherhewishedtofrightenher。Ifhedid，theplacewaswellchosen：Thishard，melancholydell，abandonedbythesummerlight，madeherfeelherloneliness。Shelookedaroundher，andherheartgrewcold；foramomentherfearwasgreat。Butshecouldthinkofnothingtosay，savetomurmur，gently，"Iamsorry。"

"Youtrymypatience，"herfatherwenton，"andyououghttoknowwhatIam。Iamnotaverygoodman。ThoughIamverysmoothexternally，atbottomIamverypassionate；andIassureyouIcanbeveryhard。"

Shecouldnotthinkwhyhetoldherthesethings。Hadhebroughtherthereonpurpose，andwasitpartofaplan？Whatwastheplan？

Catherineaskedherself。Wasittostartlehersuddenlyintoaretraction-totakeanadvantageofherbydread？Dreadofwhat？Theplacewasuglyandlonely，buttheplacecoulddohernoharm。Therewasakindofstillintensityaboutherfatherwhichmadehimdangerous，butCatherinehardlywentsofarastosaytoherselfthatitmightbepartofhisplantofastenhishand-theneat，fine，supplehandofadistinguishedphysician-inherthroat。

Nevertheless，sherecededastep。"Iamsureyoucanbeanythingyouplease，"shesaid；anditwashersimplebelief。

"Iamveryangry，"hereplied，moresharply。

"Whyhasittakenyousosuddenly？"

"Ithasnottakenmesuddenly。Ihavebeenraginginwardlyforthelastsixmonths。Butjustnowthisseemedagoodplacetoflareout。

It"ssoquiet，andwearealone。"

"Yes，it"sveryquiet，"saidCatherine，vaguelylookingabouther。

"Won"tyoucomebacktothecarriage？"

"Inamoment。Doyoumeanthatinallthistimeyouhavenotyieldedaninch？"

"IwouldifIcould，Father；butIcan"t。"

Thedoctorlookedroundhimtoo。"Shouldyouliketobeleftinsuchaplaceasthis，tostarve？"

"Whatdoyoumean？"criedthegirl。

"Thatwillbeyourfate-that"showhewillleaveyou。"

Hewouldnottouchher，buthehadtouchedMorris。Thewarmthcamebacktoherheart。"Thatisnottrue，Father，"shebrokeout，"andyououghtnottosayit。Itisnotright，andit"snottrue。"

Heshookhisheadslowly。"No，it"snotright，becauseyouwon"tbelieveit。Butitistrue。Comebacktothecarriage。"

Heturnedaway，andshefollowedhim；hewentfaster，andwaspresentlymuchinadvance。Butfromtimetotimehestopped，withoutturninground，toletherkeepupwithhim，andshemadeherwayforwardwithdifficulty，herheartbeatingwiththeexcitementofhavingforthefirsttimespokentohiminviolence。Bythistimeithadgrownalmostdark，andsheendedbylosingsightofhim。Butshekepthercourse，andafteralittle，thevalleymakingasuddenturn，shegainedtheroad，wherethecarriagestoodwaiting。Initsatherfather，rigidandsilent；insilence，too，shetookherplacebesidehim。

Itseemedtoher，later，inlookingbackuponallthis，thatfordaysafterwardnotawordhadbeenexchangedbetweenthem。Thescenehadbeenastrangeone，butithadnotpermanentlyaffectedherfeelingtowardherfather，foritwasnatural，afterall，thatheshouldoccasionallymakeasceneofsomekind，andhehadletheraloneforsixmonths。Thestrangestpartofitwasthathehadsaidhewasnotagoodman；Catherinewonderedagooddealwhathehadmeantbythat。Thestatementfailedtoappealtohercredence，anditwasnotgratefultoanyresentmentthatsheentertained。Evenintheutmostbitternessthatshemightfeel，itwouldgivehernosatisfactiontothinkhimlesscomplete。Suchasayingasthatwasapartofhisgreatsubtlety-mensocleverashemightsayanythingandmeananything；andastohisbeinghard，thatsurely，inaman，wasavirtue。

Heletheraloneforsixmonthsmore-sixmonthsduringwhichsheaccommodatedherselfwithoutaprotesttotheextensionoftheirtour。

Buthespokeagainattheendofthistime：Itwasattheverylast，thenightbeforetheyembarkedforNewYork，inthehotelatLiverpool。Theyhadbeendiningtogetherinagreat，dim，mustysittingroom；andthentheclothhadbeenremoved，andthedoctorwalkedslowlyupanddown。Catherineatlasttookhercandletogotobed，butherfathermotionedhertostay。

"Whatdoyoumeantodowhenyougethome？"heasked，whileshestoodtherewithhercandleinherhand。

"DoyoumeanaboutMr。Townsend？"

"AboutMr。Townsend。"

"Weshallprobablymarry。"

Thedoctortookseveralturnsagainwhileshewaited。"Doyouhearfromhimasmuchasever？"

"Yes，twiceamonth，"saidCatherine，promptly。

"Anddoeshealwaystalkaboutmarriage？"

"Ohyes；thatis，hetalksaboutotherthingstoo，buthealwayssayssomethingaboutthat。"

"Iamgladtohearhevarieshissubjects；hislettersmightotherwisebemonotonous。"

"Hewritesbeautifully，"saidCatherine，whowasverygladofachancetosayit。

"Theyalwayswritebeautifully。However，inagivencasethatdoesn"tdiminishthemerit。So，assoonasyouarrive，youaregoingoffwithhim？"

Thisseemedarathergrosswayofputtingit，andsomethingthattherewasofdignityinCatherineresentedit。"Icannottellyoutillwearrive，"shesaid。

"That"sreasonableenough，"herfatheranswered。"That"sallIaskofyou-thatyoudotellme，thatyougivemedefinitenotice。Whenapoormanistolosehisonlychild，helikestohaveaninklingofitbeforehand。"

"Oh，Father，youwillnotloseme，"Catherinesaid，spillinghercandlewax。

"Threedaysbeforewilldo，"hewenton，"ifyouareinapositiontobepositivethen。Heoughttobeverythankfultome，doyouknow。Ihavedoneamightygoodthingforhimintakingyouabroad；

yourvalueistwiceasgreat，withalltheknowledgeandtastethatyouhaveacquired。Ayearago，youwereperhapsalittlelimited-alittlerustic；butnowyouhaveseeneverything，andappreciatedeverything，andyouwillbeamostentertainingcompanion。Wehavefattenedthesheepforhimbeforehekillsit。"Catherineturnedaway，andstoodstaringattheblankdoor。"Gotobed，"saidherfather，"andaswedon"tgoaboardtillnoon，youmaysleeplate。Weshallprobablyhaveamostuncomfortablevoyage。"

CHAPTER25。

THEVOYAGEwasindeeduncomfortable，andCatherine，onarrivinginNewYork，hadnotthecompensationof"goingoff，"inherfather"sphrase，withMorrisTownsend。Shesawhim，however，thedayaftershelanded；andinthemeantimeheformedanaturalsubjectofconversationbetweenourheroineandherauntLavinia，withwhom，thenightshedisembarked，thegirlwasclosetedforalongtimebeforeeitherladyretiredtorest。

"Ihaveseenagreatdealofhim，"saidMrs。Penniman。"Heisnotveryeasytoknow。Isupposeyouthinkyouknowhim；butyoudon"t，mydear。Youwillsomeday；butitwillonlybeafteryouhavelivedwithhim。ImayalmostsayIhavelivedwithhim，"Mrs。Pennimanproceeded，whileCatherinestared。"IthinkIknowhimnow；Ihavehadsuchremarkableopportunities。Youwillhavethesame-or，rather，youwillhavebetter，"andAuntLaviniasmiled。"ThenyouwillseewhatImean。It"sawonderfulcharacter，fullofpassionandenergy，andjustastrue。"

Catherinelistenedwithamixtureofinterestandapprehension。AuntLaviniawasintenselysympathetic，andCatherine，forthepastyear，whileshewanderedthroughforeigngalleriesandchurches，androlledoverthesmoothnessofpostingroads，nursingthethoughtsthatneverpassedherlips，hadoftenlongedforthecompanyofsomeintelligentpersonofherownsex。Totellherstorytosomekindwoman-atmomentsitseemedtoherthatthiswouldgivehercomfort，andshehadmorethanoncebeenonthepointoftakingthelandlady，ortheniceyoungpersonfromthedressmaker"s，intoherconfidence。

Ifawomanhadbeennearher，shewouldoncertainoccasionshavetreatedsuchacompaniontoafitofweeping；andshehadanapprehensionthat，onherreturn，thiswouldformherresponsetoAuntLavinia"sfirstembrace。Infact，however，thetwoladieshadmet，inWashingtonSquare，withouttears；andwhentheyfoundthemselvesalonetogetheracertaindrynessfelluponthegirl"semotion。ItcameoverherwithagreaterforcethatMrs。Pennimanhadenjoyedawholeyearofherlover"ssociety，anditwasnotapleasuretohertohearherauntexplainandinterprettheyoungman，speakingofhimasifherownknowledgeofhimweresupreme。ItwasnotthatCatherinewasjealous；buthersenseofMrs。Penniman"sinnocentfalsity，whichhadlaindormant，begantohauntheragain，andshewasgladthatshewassafelyathome。Withthis，however，itwasablessingtobeabletotalkofMorris，tosoundhisname，tobewithapersonwhowasnotunjusttohim。

"Youhavebeenverykindtohim，"saidCatherine。"Hehaswrittenmethat，often。Ishallneverforgetthat，AuntLavinia。"

"IhavedonewhatIcould；ithasbeenverylittle。Tolethimcomeandtalktome，andgivehimhiscupoftea-thatwasall。YourauntAlmondthoughtitwastoomuch，andusedtoscoldmeterribly；

butshepromisedme，atleast，nottobetrayme。"

"Tobetrayyou？"

"Nottotellyourfather。Heusedtositinyourfather"sstudy，"

saidMrs。Penniman，withalittlelaugh。

Catherinewassilentamoment。Thisideawasdisagreeabletoher，andshewasremindedagain，withpain，ofheraunt"ssecretivehabits。

Morris，thereadermaybeinformed，hadhadthetactnottotellherthathesatinherfather"sstudy。Hehadknownherbutforafewmonths，andheraunthadknownherforfifteenyears；andyethewouldnothavemadethemistakeofthinkingthatCatherinewouldseethejokeofthething。"IamsorryyoumadehimgointoFather"sroom，"

shesaid，afterawhile。

"Ididn"tsendhim；hewenthimself。Helikedtolookatthebooks，andatallthosethingsintheglasscases。Heknowsallaboutthem；heknowsallabouteverything。"

Catherinewassilentagain；then，"Iwishhehadfoundsomeemployment，"shesaid。

"Hehasfoundsomeemployment。It"sbeautifulnews，andhetoldmetotellyouassoonasyouarrived。Hehasgoneintopartnershipwithacommissionmerchant。Itwasallsettled，quitesuddenly，aweekago。"

ThisseemedtoCatherineindeedbeautifulnews；ithadafineprosperousair。"Oh，I"msoglad！"shesaid；andnow，foramoment，shewasdisposedtothrowherselfonAuntLavinia"sneck。

"It"smuchbetterthanbeingundersomeone；andhehasneverbeenusedtothat，"Mrs。Pennimanwenton。"Heisjustasgoodashispartner-theyareperfectlyequal。Youseehowrighthewastowait。I

shouldliketoknowwhatyourfathercansaynow！TheyhavegotanofficeinDuaneStreet，andlittleprintedcards；hebroughtmeonetoshowme。Ihavegotitinmyroom，andyoushallseeittomorrow。

That"swhathesaidtomethelasttimehewashere，"YouseehowrightIwastowait。"Hehasgototherpeopleunderhiminsteadofbeingasubordinate。Hecouldneverbeasubordinate；IhaveoftentoldhimIcouldneverthinkofhiminthatway。"

Catherineassentedtothisproposition，andwasveryhappytoknowthatMorriswashisownmaster；butshewasdeprivedofthesatisfactionofthinkingthatshemightcommunicatethisnewsintriumphtoherfather。HerfatherwouldcareequallylittlewhetherMorriswereestablishedinbusinessortransportedforlife。Hertrunkshadbeenbroughtintoherroom，andfurtherreferencetoherloverwasforashorttimesuspended，whilesheopenedthemanddisplayedtoherauntsomeofthespoilsofforeigntravel。Thesewererichandabundant；andCatherinehadbroughthomeapresenttoeveryone-toeveryonesaveMorris，towhomshehadbroughtsimplyherundivertedheart。ToMrs。Pennimanshehadbeenlavishlygenerous，andAuntLaviniaspenthalfanhourinunfoldingandfoldingagain，withlittleejaculationsofgratitudeandtaste。Shemarchedaboutforsometimeinasplendidcashmereshawl，whichCatherinehadbeggedhertoaccept，settlingitonhershoulders，andtwistingdownherheadtoseehowlowthepointdescendedbehind。

"Ishallregarditonlyasaloan，"shesaid。"IwillleaveittoyouagainwhenIdie；or，rather，"sheadded，kissinghernieceagain，"Iwillleaveittoyourfirstbornlittlegirl。"Anddrapedinhershawl，shestoodtheresmiling。

"Youhadbetterwaittillshecomes，"saidCatherine。

"Idon"tlikethewayyousaythat，"Mrs。Pennimanrejoined，inamoment。"Catherine，areyouchanged？"

"No；Iamthesame。"

"Youhavenotswervedaline？"

"Iamexactlythesame，"Catherinerepeated，wishingherauntwerealittlelesssympathetic。

"Well，Iamglad，"andMrs。Pennimansurveyedhercashmereintheglass。Then，"Howisyourfather？"sheasked，inamoment，withhereyesonherniece。"Yourlettersweresomeager-Icouldnevertell。"

"Fatherisverywell。"

"Ah，youknowwhatImean，"saidMrs。Penniman，withadignitytowhichthecashmeregavearichereffect。"Ishestillimplacable？"

"Oh，yes！"

"Quiteunchanged？"

"Heis，ifpossible，morefirm。"

Mrs。Pennimantookoffhergreatshawl，andslowlyfoldeditup。

"Thatisverybad。Youhadnosuccesswithyourlittleproject？"

"Whatlittleproject？"

"Morristoldmeallaboutit。Theideaofturningthetablesonhim，inEurope；ofwatchinghim，whenhewasagreeablyimpressedbysomecelebratedsight-hepretendstobesoartistic，youknow-andthenjustpleadingwithhimandbringinghimround。"

"Inevertriedit。ItwasMorris"sidea；butifhehadbeenwithusinEurope，hewouldhaveseenthatFatherwasneverimpressedinthatway。Heisartistic-tremendouslyartistic；butthemorecelebratedplaceswevisited，andthemoreheadmiredthem，thelessuseitwouldhavebeentopleadwithhim。Theyseemedonlytomakehimmoredetermined-moreterrible，"saidpoorCatherine。"Ishallneverbringhimround，andIexpectnothingnow。"

"Well，Imustsay，"Mrs。Pennimananswered，"Ineversupposedyouweregoingtogiveitup。"

"Ihavegivenitup。Idon"tcarenow。"

"Youhavegrownverybrave，"saidMrs。Penniman，withashortlaugh。

"Ididn"tadviseyoutosacrificeyourproperty。"

"Yes，IambraverthanIwas。YouaskedmeifIhadchanged；I

havechangedinthatway。Oh，"thegirlwenton，"Ihavechangedverymuch。Anditisn"tmyproperty。Ifhedoesn"tcareforit，whyshouldI？"

Mrs。Pennimanhesitated。"Perhapshedoescareforit。"

"Hecaresforitformysake，becausehedoesn"twanttoinjureme。Buthewillknow-heknowsalready-howlittleheneedbeafraidaboutthat。Besides，"saidCatherine，"Ihavegotplentyofmoneyofmyown。Weshallbeverywelloff；andnowhasn"thegothisbusiness？

Iamdelightedaboutthatbusiness。"Shewentontalking，showingagooddealofexcitementassheproceeded。Heraunthadneverseenherwithjustthismanner，andMrs。Penniman，observingher，setitdowntoforeigntravel，whichhadmadehermorepositive，moremature。

ShethoughtalsothatCatherinehadimprovedinappearance；shelookedratherhandsome。Mrs。PennimanwonderedwhetherMorrisTownsendwouldbestruckwiththat。Whileshewasengagedinthisspeculation，Catherinebrokeout，withacertainsharpness，"Whyareyousocontradictory，AuntPenniman？Youseemtothinkonethingatonetime，andanotheratanother。Ayearago，beforeIwentaway，youwishedmenottomindaboutdispleasingFather，andnowyouseemtorecommendmetotakeanotherline。Youchangeaboutso。"

Thisattackwasunexpected，forMrs。Pennimanwasnotused，inanydiscussion，toseeingthewarcarriedintoherowncountry-possiblybecausetheenemygenerallyhaddoubtsoffindingsubsistencethere。

Toherownconsciousness，thefloweryfieldsofherreasonhadrarelybeenravagedbyahostileforce。Itwasperhapsonthisaccountthatindefendingthemshewasmajesticratherthanagile。

"Idon"tknowwhatyouaccusemeof，saveofbeingtoodeeplyinterestedinyourhappiness。ItisthefirsttimeIhavebeentoldIamcapricious。ThatfaultisnotwhatIamusuallyreproachedwith。"

"YouwereangrylastyearthatIwouldn"tmarryimmediately，andnowyoutalkaboutmywinningmyfatherover。YoutoldmeitwouldservehimrightifheshouldtakemetoEuropefornothing。Well，hehastakenmefornothing，andyououghttobesatisfied。Nothingischanged-nothingbutmyfeelingaboutFather。Idon"tmindnearlysomuchnow。IhavebeenasgoodasIcould，buthedoesn"tcare。NowI

don"tcareeither。Idon"tknowwhetherIhavegrownbad；perhapsI

have。ButIdon"tcareforthat。Ihavecomehometobemarried-

that"sallIknow。Thatoughttopleaseyou，unlessyouhavetakenupsomenewidea；youaresostrange。Youmaydoasyouplease，butyoumustneverspeaktomeagainaboutpleadingwithFather。Ishallneverpleadwithhimforanything；thatisallover。Hehasputmeoff。Iamcomehometobemarried。"

Thiswasamoreauthoritativespeechthanshehadeverheardonherniece"slips，andMrs。Pennimanwasproportionatelystartled。

Shewas，indeed，alittleawestruck，andtheforceofthegirl"semotionandresolutionlefthernothingtoreply。Shewaseasilyfrightened，andshealwayscarriedoffherdiscomfiturebyaconcession-aconcessionwhichwasoftenaccompanied，asinthepresentcase，byalittlenervouslaugh。