第7章

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。