"Well，Imeanallthegoodones。Alltheprettyyoungladies-likeMrs。Penniman！"AndArthurTownsendgaveaprivatelaugh。
　　"Myauntlikeshimverymuch，"saidCatherine。
　　"Mostpeoplelikehim-he'ssobrilliant。"
　　"He'smorelikeaforeigner，"Catherinesuggested。
　　"Well，Ineverknewaforeigner，"saidyoungTownsend，inatonewhichseemedtoindicatethathisignorancehadbeenoptional。
　　"NeitherhaveI，"Catherineconfessed，withmorehumility。"Theysaytheyaregenerallybrilliant，"sheadded，vaguely。
　　"Well，thepeopleofthiscityarecleverenoughforme。Iknowsomeofthemthatthinktheyaretoocleverforme；buttheyain't。"
　　"Isupposeyoucan'tbetooclever，"saidCatherine，stillwithhumility。
　　"Idon'tknow。Iknowsomepeoplethatcallmycousintooclever。"
　　Catherinelistenedtothisstatementwithextremeinterest，andafeelingthatifMorrisTownsendhadafaultitwouldnaturallybethatone。Butshedidnotcommitherself，andinamomentsheasked，"Nowthathehascomeback，willhestayherealways？"
　　"Ah，"saidArthur，"ifhecangetsomethingtodo。"
　　"Somethingtodo？"
　　"Someplaceorother；somebusiness。"
　　"Hasn'thegotany？"saidCatherine，whohadneverheardofayoungman-oftheupperclass-inthissituation。
　　"No，he'slookinground。Buthecan'tfindanything。"
　　"Iamverysorry，"Catherinepermittedherselftoobserve。
　　"Oh，hedoesn'tmind，"saidyoungTownsend。"Hetakesiteasy-heisn'tinahurry。Heisveryparticular。"
　　Catherinethoughthenaturallywouldbe，andgaveherselfupforsomemomentstothecontemplationofthisidea，inseveralofitsbearings。
　　"Won'thisfathertakehimintohisbusiness-hisoffice？"sheatlastinquired。
　　"Hehasn'tgotanyfather-hehasonlygotasister。Yoursistercan'thelpyoumuch。"
　　ItseemedtoCatherinethatifshewerehissistershewoulddisprovethisaxiom。"Ifshe-isshepleasant？"sheaskedinamoment。
　　"Idon'tknow-Ibelieveshe'sveryrespectable，"saidyoungTownsend。Andthenhelookedacrosstohiscousinandbegantolaugh。"Isay，wearetalkingaboutyou，"headded。
　　MorrisTownsendpausedinhisconversationwithMrs。Penniman，andstared，withalittlesmile。Thenhegotup，asifheweregoing。
　　"Asfarasyouareconcerned，Ican'treturnthecompliment，"hesaidtoCatherine'scompanion。"ButasregardsMissSloper，it'sanotheraffair。"
　　Catherinethoughtthislittlespeechwonderfullywellturned；butshewasembarrassedbyit，andshealsogotup。MorrisTownsendstoodlookingatherandsmiling；heputouthishandforfarewell。Hewasgoing，withouthavingsaidanythingtoher；butevenonthesetermsshewasgladtohaveseenhim。
　　"Iwilltellherwhatyouhavesaid-whenyougo！"saidMrs。
　　Penniman，withalittlesignificantlaugh。
　　Catherineblushed，forshefeltalmostasiftheyweremakingsportofher。Whatintheworldcouldthisbeautifulyoungmanhavesaid？Helookedatherstill，inspiteofherblush，butverykindlyandrespectfully。
　　"Ihavehadnotalkwithyou，"hesaid，"andthatwaswhatIcamefor。Butitwillbeagoodreasonforcominganothertime，alittlepretext-ifIamobligedtogiveone。IamnotafraidofwhatyourauntwillsaywhenIgo。"
　　Withthisthetwoyoungmentooktheirdeparture；afterwhichCatherine，withherblushstilllingering，directedaseriousandinterrogativeeyetoMrs。Penniman。Shewasincapableofelaborateartifice，andsheresortedtonojoculardevice-tonoaffectationofthebeliefthatshehadbeenmaligned-tolearnwhatshedesired。
　　"Whatdidyousayyouwouldtellme？"sheasked。
　　Mrs。Pennimancameuptoher，smilingandnoddingalittle，lookedatherallover，andgaveatwisttotheknotofribboninherneck。
　　"It'sagreatsecret，mydearchild，butheiscominga-courting！"
　　Catherinewasseriousstill。"Isthatwhathetoldyou？"
　　"Hedidn'tsaysoexactly，butheleftmetoguessit。I'magoodguesser。"
　　"Doyoumeana-courtingme？"
　　"Notme，certainly，miss；thoughImustsayheisahundredtimesmorepolitetoapersonwhohasnolongerextremeyouthtorecommendherthanmostoftheyoungmen。Heisthinkingofsomeoneelse。"AndMrs。Pennimangavehernieceadelicatelittlekiss。"Youmustbeverygracioustohim。"
　　Catherinestared-shewasbewildered。"Idon'tunderstandyou，"
　　shesaid。"Hedoesn'tknowme。"
　　"Ohyes，hedoes；morethanyouthink。Ihavetoldhimallaboutyou。"
　　"Oh，AuntPenniman！"murmuredCatherine，asifthishadbeenabreachoftrust。"Heisaperfectstranger-wedon'tknowhim。"
　　Therewasinfinitemodestyinthepoorgirl's"we。"
　　AuntPenniman，however，tooknoaccountofit；shespokeevenwithatouchofacrimony。"MydearCatherine，youknowverywellthatyouadmirehim。"
　　"Oh，AuntPenniman！"Catherinecouldonlymurmuragain。Itmightverywellbethatsheadmiredhim-thoughthisdidnotseemtoherathingtotalkabout。Butthatthisbrilliantstranger-thissuddenapparition，whohadbarelyheardthesoundofhervoice-tookthatsortofinterestinherthatwasexpressedbytheromanticphraseofwhichMrs。Pennimanhadjustmadeuse-thiscouldonlybeafigmentoftherestlessbrainofAuntLavinia，whomeveryoneknewtobeawomanofpowerfulimagination。
　　CHAPTER6。
　　MRS。PENNIMANeventookforgrantedattimesthatotherpeoplehadasmuchimaginationasherself；sothatwhen，halfanhourlater，herbrothercamein，sheaddressedhimquiteonthisprinciple。
　　"Hehasjustbeenhere，Austin；it'ssuchapityyoumissedhim。"
　　"WhomintheworldhaveImissed？"askedthedoctor。
　　"Mr。MorrisTownsend；hehasmadeussuchadelightfulvisit。"
　　"AndwhointheworldisMr。MorrisTownsend？"
　　"AuntPennimanmeansthegentleman-thegentlemanwhosenameI
　　couldn'tremember，"saidCatherine。
　　"ThegentlemanatElizabeth'spartywhowassostruckwithCatherine，"Mrs。Pennimanadded。
　　"Oh，hisnameisMorrisTownsend，isit？Anddidhecomeheretoproposetoyou？"
　　"Oh，Father！"murmuredthegirlforananswer，turningawaytothewindow，wheretheduskhaddeepenedtodarkness。
　　"Ihopehewon'tdothatwithoutyourpermission，"saidMrs。
　　Penniman，verygraciously。
　　"Afterall，mydear，heseemstohaveyours，"herbrotheranswered。
　　Laviniasimpered，asifthismightnotbequiteenough，andCatherine，withherforeheadtouchingthewindowpanes，listenedtothisexchangeofepigramsasreservedlyasiftheyhadnoteachbeenapinprickinherowndestiny。
　　"Thenexttimehecomes，"thedoctoradded，"youhadbettercallme。
　　Hemightliketoseeme。"
　　MorrisTownsendcameagainsomefivedaysafterward；butDoctorSloperwasnotcalled，ashewasabsentfromhomeatthetime。
　　Catherinewaswithherauntwhentheyoungman'snamewasbroughtin，andMrs。Penniman，effacingherselfandprotesting，madeagreatpointofherniece'sgoingintothedrawingroomalone。
　　"Thistimeit'sforyou-foryouonly，"shesaid。"Before，whenhetalkedtome，itwasonlypreliminary-itwastogainmyconfidence。
　　Literally，mydear，Ishouldnothavethecouragetoshowmyselftoday。"
　　Andthiswasperfectlytrue。Mrs。Pennimanwasnotabravewoman，andMorrisTownsendhadstruckherasayoungmanofgreatforceofcharacter，andofremarkablepowersofsatire-akeen，resolute，brilliantnature，withwhichonemustexerciseagreatdealoftact。
　　Shesaidtoherselfthathewas"imperious，"andshelikedthewordandtheidea。Shewasnottheleastjealousofherniece，andshehadbeenperfectlyhappywithMr。Penniman，butinthebottomofherheartshepermittedherselftheobservation，"That'sthesortofhusbandIshouldhavehad！"Hewascertainlymuchmoreimperious-
　　sheendedbycallingitimperial-thanMr。Penniman。
　　SoCatherinesawMr。Townsendalone，andherauntdidnotcomeinevenattheendofthevisit。Thevisitwasalongone；hesatthere，inthefrontparlor，inthebiggestarmchair，formorethananhour。Heseemedmoreathomethistime-morefamiliar，loungingalittleinthechair，slappingacushionthatwasnearhimwithhisstick，andlookingroundtheroomagooddeal，andattheobjectsitcontained，aswellasatCatherine，whom，however，healsocontemplatedfreely。TherewasasmileofrespectfuldevotioninhishandsomeeyeswhichseemedtoCatherinealmostsolemnlybeautiful；
　　itmadeherthinkofayoungknightinapoem。Histalk，however，wasnotparticularlyknightly；itwaslightandeasyandfriendly；
　　ittookapracticalturn，andheaskedanumberofquestionsaboutherself-whatwerehertastes-ifshelikedthisandthat-whatwereherhabits。Hesaidtoher，withhischarmingsmile，"Tellmeaboutyourself；givemealittlesketch。"Catherinehadverylittletotell，andshehadnotalentforsketching；butbeforehewentshehadconfidedtohimthatshehadasecretpassionforthetheater，whichhadbeenbutscantilygratified，andatasteforoperaticmusic-
　　thatofBelliniandDonizetti，inespecial（itmustberemembered，inextenuationofthisprimitiveyoungwoman，thatsheheldtheseopinionsinanageofgeneraldarkness）-whichsherarelyhadanoccasiontohear，exceptonthehandorgan。Sheconfessedthatshewasnotparticularlyfondofliterature。MorrisTownsendagreedwithherthatbooksweretiresomethings；only，ashesaid，youhadtoreadagoodmanybeforeyoufounditout。Hehadbeentoplacesthatpeoplehadwrittenbooksabout，andtheywerenotabitlikethedescriptions。Toseeforyourself-thatwasthegreatthing；healwaystriedtoseeforhimself。Hehadseenalltheprincipalactors-hehadbeentoallthebesttheatersinLondonandParis。Buttheactorswerealwaysliketheauthors-theyalwaysexaggerated。Helikedeverythingtobenatural。Suddenlyhestopped，lookingatCatherinewithhissmile。
　　"That'swhatIlikeyoufor；youaresonatural。Excuseme，"headded，"youseeIamnaturalmyself。"
　　Andbeforeshehadtimetothinkwhethersheexcusedhimornot-
　　whichafterward，atleisure，shebecameconsciousthatshedid-hebegantotalkaboutmusic，andtosaythatitwashisgreatestpleasureinlife。HehadheardallthegreatsingersinParisandLondon-PastaandRubiniandLablache-andwhenyouhaddonethat，youcouldsaythatyouknewwhatsingingwas。
　　"Isingalittlemyself，"hesaid。"SomedayIwillshowyou。Nottoday，butsomeothertime。"
　　Andthenhegotuptogo。Hehadomitted，byaccident，tosaythathewouldsingtoherifshewouldplaytohim。Hethoughtofthisafterhegotintothestreet；buthemighthavesparedhiscompunction，forCatherinehadnotnoticedthelapse。Shewasthinkingonlythat"someothertime"hadadelightfulsound；itseemedtospreaditselfoverthefuture。
　　Thiswasallthemorereason，however，thoughshewasashamedanduncomfortable，whysheshouldtellherfatherthatMr。Townsendhadcalledagain。Sheannouncedthefactabruptly，almostviolently，assoonasthedoctorcameintothehouse；andhavingdoneso-itwasherduty-shetookmeasurestoleavetheroom。Butshecouldnotleaveitfastenough；herfatherstoppedherjustasshereachedthedoor。
　　"Well，mydear，didheproposetoyoutoday？"thedoctorasked。
　　Thiswasjustwhatshehadbeenafraidhewouldsay；andyetshehadnoanswerready。Ofcourseshewouldhavelikedtotakeitasajoke-asherfathermusthavemeantit；andyetshewouldhavelikedalso，indenyingit，tobealittlepositive，alittlesharp，sothathewouldperhapsnotaskthequestionagain。Shedidn'tlikeit-itmadeherunhappy。ButCatherinecouldneverbesharp；andforamomentsheonlystood，withherhandonthedoorknob，lookingathersatiricparent，andgivingalittlelaugh。
　　"Decidedly，"saidthedoctortohimself，"mydaughterisnotbrilliant！"
　　ButhehadnosoonermadethisreflectionthanCatherinefoundsomething；shehaddecided，onthewhole，totakethethingasajoke。
　　"Perhapshewilldoitthenexttime，"sheexclaimed，witharepetitionofherlaugh；andshequicklygotoutoftheroom。
　　Thedoctorstoodstaring；hewonderedwhetherhisdaughterwereserious。Catherinewentstraighttoherownroom，andbythetimeshereacheditshebethoughtherselfthattherewassomethingelse-
　　somethingbetter-shemighthavesaid。Shealmostwished，now，thatherfatherwouldaskhisquestionagain，sothatshemightreply，"Ohyes，Mr。MorrisTownsendproposedtome，andIrefusedhim。"
　　Thedoctor，however，begantoputhisquestionselsewhere；itnaturallyhavingoccurredtohimthatheoughttoinformhimselfproperlyaboutthishandsomeyoungman，whohadformedthehabitofrunninginandoutofhishouse。Headdressedhimselftotheelderofhissisters，Mrs。Almond-notgoingtoherforthepurpose；therewasnosuchhurryasthat；buthavingmadeanoteofthematterforthefirstopportunity。Thedoctorwasnevereager，neverimpatientornervous；buthemadenotesofeverything，andheregularlyconsultedhisnotes。AmongthemtheinformationheobtainedfromMrs。AlmondaboutMorrisTownsendtookitsplace。
　　"Laviniahasalreadybeentoaskme，"shesaid。"Laviniaismostexcited；Idon'tunderstandit。It'snot，afterall，Laviniathattheyoungmanissupposedtohavedesignsupon。Sheisverypeculiar。"
　　"Ah，mydear，"thedoctorreplied，"shehasnotlivedwithmethesetwelveyearswithoutmyfindingitout。"
　　"Shehasgotsuchanartificialmind，"saidMrs。Almond，whoalwaysenjoyedanopportunitytodiscussLavinia'speculiaritieswithherbrother。"Shedidn'twantmetotellyouthatshehadaskedmeaboutMr。Townsend；butItoldherIwould。Shealwayswantstoconcealeverything。"
　　"Andyetatmomentsnooneblurtsthingsoutwithsuchcrudity。
　　Sheislikearevolvinglighthouse-pitchdarknessalternatingwithadazzlingbrilliancy！Butwhatdidyoutellher？"thedoctorasked。
　　"WhatItellyou-thatIknowverylittleofhim。"
　　"Laviniamusthavebeendisappointedatthat，"saidthedoctor。"Shewouldpreferhimtohavebeenguiltyofsomeromanticcrime。
　　However，wemustmakethebestofpeople。Theytellmeourgentlemanisthecousinofthelittleboytowhomyouareabouttoentrustthefutureofyourlittlegirl。"
　　"Arthurisnotalittleboy；heisaveryoldman；youandIwillneverbesoold！HeisadistantrelationofLavinia'sprotege。Thenameisthesame，butIamgiventounderstandthatthereareTownsendsandTownsends。SoArthur'smothertellsme；shetalkedabout'branches'-youngerbranches，elderbranches，inferiorbranches-asifitwerearoyalhouse。Arthur，itappears，isofthereigningline，butpoorLavinia'syoungmanisnot。Beyondthis，Arthur'smotherknowsverylittleabouthim；shehasonlyavaguestorythathehasbeen'wild。'ButIknowhissisteralittle，andsheisaverynicewoman。HernameisMrs。Montgomery；sheisawidow，withalittlepropertyandfivechildren。ShelivesintheSecondAvenue。"
　　"WhatdoesMrs。Montgomerysayabouthim？"
　　"Thathehastalentsbywhichhemightdistinguishhimself。"
　　"Onlyheislazy，eh？"
　　"Shedoesn'tsayso。"
　　"That'sfamilypride，"saidthedoctor。"Whatishisprofession？"
　　"Hehasn'tgotany；heislookingforsomething。Ibelievehewasonceinthenavy。"
　　"Once？Whatishisage？"
　　"Isupposeheisupwardofthirty。Hemusthavegoneintothenavyveryyoung。IthinkArthurtoldmethatheinheritedasmallproperty-
　　whichwasperhapsthecauseofhisleavingthenavy-andthathespentitallinafewyears。Hetraveledallovertheworld，livedabroad，amusedhimself。Ibelieveitwasakindofsystem，atheoryhehad。HehaslatelycomebacktoAmericawiththeintention，ashetellsArthur，ofbeginninglifeinearnest。"
　　"IsheinearnestaboutCatherine，then？"
　　"Idon'tseewhyyoushouldbeincredulous，"saidMrs。Almond。"ItseemstomethatyouhaveneverdoneCatherinejustice。Youmustrememberthatshehastheprospectofthirtythousandayear。"
　　Thedoctorlookedathissisteramoment，andthen，withlightesttouchofbitterness，"Youatleastappreciateher，"hesaid。
　　Mrs。Almondblushed。
　　"Idon'tmeanthatisheronlymerit；Isimplymeanthatitisagreatone。Agreatmanyyoungmenthinkso；andyouappeartomenevertohavebeenproperlyawareofthat。Youhavealwayshadalittlewayofalludingtoherasanunmarriageablegirl。"
　　"Myallusionsareaskindasyours，Elizabeth，"saidthedoctor，frankly。"HowmanysuitorshasCatherinehad，withallherexpectations-howmuchattentionhassheeverreceived？Catherineisnotunmarriageable，butsheisabsolutelyunattractive。WhatotherreasonisthereforLaviniabeingsocharmedwiththeideathatthereisaloverinthehouse？Therehasneverbeenonebefore，andLavinia，withhersensitive，sympatheticnature，isnotusedtotheidea。Itaffectsherimagination。ImustdotheyoungmenofNewYorkthejusticetosaythattheystrikemeasverydisinterested。
　　Theypreferprettygirls-livelygirls-girlslikeyourown。Catherineisneitherprettynorlively。"
　　"Catherinedoesverywell；shehasastyleofherown-whichismorethanmypoorMarianhas，whohasnostyleatall，"saidMrs。Almond。
　　"ThereasonCatherinehasreceivedsolittleattention，isthatsheseemstoalltheyoungmentobeolderthanthemselves。Sheissolarge，andshedressessorichly。Theyareratherafraidofher，I
　　think；shelooksasifshehadbeenmarriedalready，andyouknowtheydon'tlikemarriedwomen。Andifouryoungmenappeardisinterested，"thedoctor'swisersisterwenton，"itisbecausetheymarry，asageneralthing，soyoung-beforetwenty-five，attheageofinnocenceandsincerity-beforetheageofcalculation。Iftheyonlywaitedalittle，Catherinewouldfarebetter。"
　　"Asacalculation？Thankyouverymuch，"saidthedoctor。
　　"Waittillsomeintelligentmanoffortycomesalong，andhewillbedelightedwithCatherine，"Mrs。Almondcontinued。
　　"Mr。Townsendisnotoldenough，then？Hismotivesmaybepure。"
　　"Itisverypossiblethathismotivesarepure；Ishouldbeverysorrytotakethecontraryforgranted。Laviniaissureofit；and，asheisaveryprepossessingyouth，youmightgivehimthebenefitofthedoubt。"
　　DoctorSloperreflectedamoment。
　　"Whatarehispresentmeansofsubsistence？"
　　"Ihavenoidea。Helives，asIsay，withhissister。"
　　"Awidow，withfivechildren？Doyoumeanhelivesuponher？"
　　Mrs。Almondgotup，andwithacertainimpatience，"HadyounotbetteraskMrs。Montgomeryherself？"sheinquired。
　　"PerhapsImaycometothat，"saidthedoctor。"DidyousaytheSecondAvenue？"HemadeanoteoftheSecondAvenue。
　　CHAPTER7。
　　HEWAS，however，bynomeanssomuchinearnestasthismightseemtoindicate；and，indeed，hewasmorethananythingelseamusedwiththewholesituation。HewasnotintheleastinastateoftensionorofvigilancewithregardtoCatherine'sprospects；hewasevenonhisguardagainsttheridiculethatmightattachitselftothespectacleofahousethrownintoagitationbyitsdaughterandheiressreceivingattentionsunprecedentedinitsannals。Morethanthis，hewentsofarastopromisehimselfsomeentertainmentfromthelittledrama-ifdramaitwas-ofwhichMrs。PennimandesiredtorepresenttheingeniousMr。Townsendasthehero。Hehadnointention，asyet，ofregulatingthedenouement。Hewasperfectlywilling，asElizabethhadsuggested，togivetheyoungmanthebenefitofeverydoubt。Therewasnogreatdangerinit；forCatherine，attheageoftwenty-two，was，afterall，arathermatureblossom，suchascouldbepluckedfromthestemonlybyavigorousjerk。ThefactthatMorrisTownsendwaspoor，wasnotofnecessityagainsthim；thedoctorhadnevermadeuphismindthathisdaughtershouldmarryarichman。Thefortuneshewouldinheritstruckhimasaverysufficientprovisionfortworeasonablepersons，andifapennilessswainwhocouldgiveagoodaccountofhimselfshouldenterthelists，heshouldbejudgedquiteuponhispersonalmerits。Therewereotherthingsbesides。Thedoctorthoughtitveryvulgartobeprecipitateinaccusingpeopleofmercenarymotives，inasmuchashisdoorhadasyetnotbeenintheleastbesiegedbyfortunehunters；and，lastly，hewasverycurioustoseewhetherCatherinemightreallybelovedforhermoralworth。HesmiledashereflectedthatpoorMr。Townsendhadbeenonlytwicetothehouse，andhesaidtoMrs。Pennimanthatthenexttimeheshouldcomeshemustaskhimtodinner。
　　Hecameverysoonagain，andMrs。Pennimanhadofcoursegreatpleasureinexecutingthismission。MorrisTownsendacceptedherinvitationwithequalgoodgrace，andthedinnertookplaceafewdayslater。Thedoctorhadsaidtohimself，justlyenough，thattheymustnothavetheyoungmanalone；thiswouldpartaketoomuchofthenatureofencouragement。Sotwoorthreeotherpersonswereinvited；
　　butMorrisTownsend，thoughhewasbynomeanstheostensible，wastherealoccasionofthefeast。Thereiseveryreasontosupposethathedesiredtomakeagoodimpression；andifhefellshortofthisresult，itwasnotforwantofagooddealofintelligenteffort。
　　Thedoctortalkedtohimverylittleduringdinner；butheobservedhimattentively，andaftertheladieshadgoneouthepushedhimthewineandaskedhimseveralquestions。Morriswasnotayoungmanwhoneededtobepressed，andhefoundquiteenoughencouragementinthesuperiorqualityoftheclaret。Thedoctor'swinewasadmirable，anditmaybecommunicatedtothereaderthatwhilehesippeditMorrisreflectedthatacellarfulofgoodliquor-therewasevidentlyacellarfulhere-wouldbeamostattractiveidiosyncrasyinafather-in-law。Thedoctorwasstruckwithhisappreciativeguest；hesawthathewasnotacommonplaceyoungman。"Hehasability，"saidCatherine'sfather，"decidedability；hehasaverygoodheadifhechoosestouseit。Andheisuncommonlywellturnedout；quitethesortoffigurethatpleasestheladies；butIdon'tthinkIlikehim。"
　　Thedoctor，however，kepthisreflectionstohimself，andtalkedtohisvisitoraboutforeignlands，concerningwhichMorrisofferedhimmoreinformationthanhewasready，ashementallyphrasedit，toswallow。DoctorSloperhadtraveledbutlittle，andhetookthelibertyofnotbelievingeverythingthathistalkativeguestnarrated。
　　Hepridedhimselfonbeingsomethingofaphysiognomist；andwhiletheyoungman，chattingwitheasyassurance，puffedhiscigarandfilledhisglassagain，thedoctorsatwithhiseyesquietlyfixedonhisbright，expressiveface。"Hehastheassuranceofthedevilhimself！"saidMorris'shost。"Idon'tthinkIeversawsuchassurance。Andhispowersofinventionaremostremarkable。Heisveryknowing；theywerenotsoknowingasthatinmytime。Andagoodhead，didIsay？Ishouldthinkso-afterabottleofMadeira，andabottleandahalfofclaret！"
　　AfterdinnerMorrisTownsendwentandstoodbeforeCatherine，whowasstandingbeforethefireinherredsatingown。
　　"Hedoesn'tlikeme-hedoesn'tlikemeatall，"saidtheyoungman。
　　"Whodoesn'tlikeyou？"askedCatherine。
　　"Yourfather；extraordinaryman！"
　　"Idon'tseehowyouknow，"saidCatherine，blushing。
　　"Ifeel；Iamveryquicktofeel。"
　　"Perhapsyouaremistaken。"
　　"Ah，well，youaskhim，andyouwillsee。"
　　"Iwouldrathernotaskhim，ifthereisanydangerofhissayingwhatyouthink。"
　　Morrislookedatherwithanairofmockmelancholy。
　　"Itwouldn'tgiveyouanypleasuretocontradicthim？"
　　"Inevercontradicthim，"saidCatherine。
　　"Willyouhearmeabusedwithoutopeningyourlipsinmydefense？"
　　"Myfatherwon'tabuseyou。Hedoesn'tknowyouenough。"
　　MorrisTownsendgavealoudlaugh，andCatherinebegantoblushagain。
　　"Ishallnevermentionyou，"shesaid，totakerefugefromherconfusion。
　　"Thatisverywell，butitisnotquitewhatIshouldhavelikedyoutosay。Ishouldhavelikedyoutosay，'Ifmyfatherdoesn'tthinkwellofyou，whatdoesitmatter？'"
　　"Ah，butitwouldmatter；Icouldn'tsaythat！"thegirlexclaimed。
　　Helookedatherforamoment，smilingalittle；andthedoctor，ifhehadbeenwatchinghimjustthen，wouldhaveseenagleamoffineimpatienceinthesociablesoftnessofhiseye。Buttherewasnoimpatienceinhisrejoinder-none，atleast，savewhatwasexpressedinalittleappealingsigh。"Ah，well，thenImustnotgiveupthehopeofbringinghimround。"
　　HeexpresseditmorefranklytoMrs。Pennimanlaterintheevening。ButbeforethathesangtwoorthreesongsatCatherine'stimidrequest；notthatheflatteredhimselfthatthiswouldhelptobringherfatherround。Hehadasweetlighttenorvoice，and，whenhehadfinished，everyonemadesomeexclamation-everyone，thatis，saveCatherine，whoremainedintenselysilent。Mrs。Pennimandeclaredthathismannerofsingingwas"mostartistic，"andDoctorSlopersaiditwas"verytaking-verytaking，indeed，"speakingloudlyanddistinctly，butwithacertaindryness。
　　"Hedoesn'tlikeme-hedoesn'tlikemeatall，"saidMorrisTownsend，addressingtheauntinthesamemannerashehaddonetheniece。"HethinksIamallwrong。"
　　Unlikeherniece，Mrs。Pennimanaskedfornoexplanation。Sheonlysmiledverysweetly，asifsheunderstoodeverything；and，unlikeCatherinetoo，shemadenoattempttocontradicthim。"Pray，whatdoesitmatter？"shemurmured，softly。
　　"Ah，yousaytherightthing！"saidMorris，greatlytothegratificationofMrs。Penniman，whopridedherselfonalwayssayingtherightthing。
　　Thedoctor，thenexttimehesawhissisterElizabeth，letherknowthathehadmadetheacquaintanceofLavinia'sprotege。
　　"Physically，"hesaid，"he'suncommonlywellsetup。Asananatomist，itisreallyapleasuretometoseesuchabeautifulstructure；although，ifpeoplewerealllikehim，Isupposetherewouldbeverylittleneedfordoctors。"
　　"Don'tyouseeanythinginpeoplebuttheirbones？"Mrs。Almondrejoined。"Whatdoyouthinkofhimasafather？"
　　"Asafather？Thankheaven，Iamnothisfather！"
　　"No；butyouareCatherine's。Laviniatellsmesheisinlove。"
　　"Shemustgetoverit。Heisnotagentleman。"
　　"Ah，takecare！RememberthatheisabranchoftheTownsends。"
　　"HeisnotwhatIcallagentleman；hehasnotthesoulofone。Heisextremelyinsinuating；butit'savulgarnature。Isawthroughitinaminute。Heisaltogethertoofamiliar-Ihatefamiliarity。Heisaplausiblecoxcomb。"
　　"Ah，well，"saidMrs。Almond，"ifyoumakeupyourmindsoeasily，it'sagreatadvantage。"
　　"Idon'tmakeupmymindeasily。WhatItellyouistheresultofthirtyyearsofobservation；andinordertobeabletoformthatjudgmentinasingleevening，Ihavehadtospendalifetimeinstudy。"
　　"Verypossiblyyouareright。ButthethingisforCatherinetoseeit。"
　　"Iwillpresentherwithapairofspectacles！"saidthedoctor。
　　CHAPTER8。
　　IFITWERETRUEthatshewasinlove，shewascertainlyveryquietaboutit；butthedoctorwasofcoursepreparedtoadmitthatherquietnessmightmeanvolumes。ShehadtoldMorrisTownsendthatshewouldnotmentionhimtoherfather，andshesawnoreasontoretractthisvowofdiscretion。Itwasnomorethandecentlycivil，ofcourse，that，afterhavingdinedinWashingtonSquare，Morrisshouldcallthereagain；anditwasnomorethannaturalthat，havingbeenkindlyreceivedonthisoccasion，heshouldcontinuetopresenthimself。Hehadhadplentyofleisureonhishands；andthirtyyearsago，inNewYork，ayoungmanofleisurehadreasontobethankfulforaidstoself-oblivion。Catherinesaidnothingtoherfatheraboutthesevisits，thoughtheyhadrapidlybecomethemostimportant，themostabsorbingthinginherlife。Thegirlwashappy。Sheknewnotasyetwhatwouldcomeofit；butthepresenthadsuddenlygrownrichandsolemn。Ifshehadbeentoldshewasinlove，shewouldhavebeenagooddealsurprised；forshehadanideathatlovewasaneagerandexactingpassion，andherownheartwasfilledinthesedayswiththeimpulseofself-effacementandsacrifice。WheneverMorrisTownsendhadleftthehouse，herimaginationprojecteditself，withallitsstrength，intotheideaofhissooncomingback；butifshehadbeentoldatsuchamomentthathewouldnotreturnforayear，oreventhathewouldneverreturn，shewouldnothavecomplainednorrebelled，butwouldhavehumblyacceptedthedecree，andsoughtforconsolationinthinkingoverthetimesshehadalreadyseenhim，thewordshehadspoken，thesoundofhisvoice，ofhistread，theexpressionofhisface。Lovedemandscertainthingsasaright；butCatherinehadnosenseofherrights；shehadonlyaconsciousnessofimmenseandunexpectedfavors。Herverygratitudeforthesethingshadhusheditself；foritseemedtoherthattherewouldbesomethingofimpudenceinmakingafestivalofhersecret。HerfathersuspectedMorrisTownsend'svisits，andnotedherreserve。Sheseemedtobegpardonforit；shelookedathimconstantlyinsilence，asifshemeanttosaythatshesaidnothingbecauseshewasafraidofirritatinghim。Butthepoorgirl'sdumbeloquenceirritatedhimmorethananythingelsewouldhavedone，andhecaughthimselfmurmuringmorethanoncethatitwasagrievouspityhisonlychildwasasimpleton。Hismurmurs，however，wereinaudible；
　　andforawhilehesaidnothingtoanyone。HewouldhavelikedtoknowexactlyhowoftenyoungTownsendcame；buthehaddeterminedtoasknoquestionsofthegirlherself-tosaynothingmoretoherthatwouldshowthathewatchedher。Thedoctorhadagreatideaofbeinglargelyjust：Hewishedtoleavehisdaughterherliberty，andinterfereonlywhenthedangershouldbeproved。Itwasnotinhismannertoobtaininformationbyindirectmethods，anditneverevenoccurredtohimtoquestiontheservants。AsforLavinia，hehatedtotalktoheraboutthematter；sheannoyedhimwithhermockromanticism。Buthehadtocometothis。Mrs。Penniman'sconvictionsasregardstherelationsofhernieceandthecleveryoungvisitor，whosavedappearancesbycomingostensiblyforboththeladies-Mrs。
　　Penniman'sconvictionshadpassedintoariperandricherphase。TherewastobenocrudityinMrs。Penniman'streatmentofthesituation；
　　shehadbecomeasuncommunicativeasCatherineherself。Shewastastingofthesweetsofconcealment；shehadtakenupthelineofmystery。"Shewouldbeenchantedtobeabletoprovetoherselfthatsheispersecuted，"saidthedoctor；andwhenatlasthequestionedher，hewassureshewouldcontrivetoextractfromhiswordsapretextforthisbelief。
　　"Besogoodastoletmeknowwhatisgoingoninthehouse，"hesaidtoher，inatonewhich，underthecircumstances，hehimselfdeemedgenial。
　　"Goingon，Austin？"Mrs。Pennimanexclaimed。"Why，IamsureIdon'tknow。Ibelievethatlastnighttheoldgraycathadkittens。"
　　"Atherage？"saidthedoctor。"Theideaisstartling-almostshocking。Besogoodastoseethattheyarealldrowned。Butwhatelsehashappened？"
　　"Ah，thedearlittlekittens！"criedMrs。Penniman。"Iwouldn'thavethemdrownedfortheworld！"
　　Herbrotherpuffedhiscigarafewmomentsinsilence。"Yoursympathywithkittens，Lavinia，"hepresentlyresumed，"arisesfromafelineelementinyourowncharacter。"
　　"Catsareverygraceful，andveryclean，"saidMrs。Penniman，smiling。
　　"Andverystealthy。Youaretheembodimentbothofgraceandofneatness；butyouarewantinginfrankness。"
　　"Youcertainlyarenot，dearbrother。"
　　"Idon'tpretendtobegraceful，thoughItrytobeneat。Whyhaven'tyouletmeknowthatMr。MorrisTownsendiscomingtothehousefourtimesaweek？"
　　Mrs。Pennimanliftedhereyebrows。"Fourtimesaweek！"
　　"Threetimes，then，orfivetimes，ifyoupreferit。Iamawayallday，andIseenothing。Butwhensuchthingshappen，youshouldletmeknow。"
　　Mrs。Penniman，withhereyebrowsstillraised，reflectedintently。
　　"DearAustin，"shesaidatlast，"Iamincapableofbetrayingaconfidence。Iwouldrathersufferanything。"
　　"Neverfear；youshallnotsuffer。Towhoseconfidenceisityouallude？HasCatherinemadeyoutakeavowofeternalsecrecy？"
　　"Bynomeans。Catherinehasnottoldmeasmuchasshemight。Shehasnotbeenverytrustful。"
　　"Itistheyoungman，then，whohasmadeyouhisconfidant？Allowmetosaythatitisextremelyindiscreetofyoutoformsecretallianceswithyoungmen；youdon'tknowwheretheymayleadyou。"
　　"Idon'tknowwhatyoumeanbyanalliance，"saidMrs。Penniman。
　　"ItakeagreatinterestinMr。Townsend；Iwon'tconcealthat。Butthat'sall。"
　　"Underthecircumstances，thatisquiteenough。WhatisthesourceofyourinterestinMr。Townsend？"
　　"Why，"saidMrs。Penniman，musing，andthenbreakingintohersmile，"thatheissointeresting！"
　　Thedoctorfeltthathehadneedofhispatience。"Andwhatmakeshiminteresting？Hisgoodlooks？"
　　"Hismisfortunes，Austin。"
　　"Ah，hehashadmisfortunes？That，ofcourse，isalwaysinteresting。
　　AreyouatlibertytomentionafewofMr。Townsend's？"
　　"Idon'tknowthathewouldlikeit，"saidMrs。Penniman。"Hehastoldmeagreatdealabouthimself-hehastoldme，infact，hiswholehistory。ButIdon'tthinkIoughttorepeatthosethings。Hewouldtellthemtoyou，Iamsure，ifhethoughtyouwouldlistentohimkindly。Withkindnessyoumaydoanythingwithhim。"
　　Thedoctorgavealaugh。"Ishallrequesthimverykindly，then，toleaveCatherinealone。"
　　"Ah！"saidMrs。Penniman，shakingherforefingeratherbrother，withherlittlefingerturnedout，"Catherinehasprobablysaidsomethingtohimkinderthanthat！"
　　"Saidthatshelovedhim？Doyoumeanthat？"
　　Mrs。Pennimanfixedhereyesonthefloor。"AsItellyou，Austin，shedoesn'tconfideinme。"
　　"Youhaveanopinion，Isuppose，allthesame。ItisthatIaskyoufor；thoughIdon'tconcealfromyouthatIshallnotregarditasconclusive。"
　　Mrs。Penniman'sgazecontinuedtorestonthecarpet；butatlastsheliftedit，andthenherbrotherthoughtitveryexpressive。"I
　　thinkCatherineisveryhappy；thatisallIcansay。"
　　"Townsendistryingtomarryher-isthatwhatyoumean？"
　　"Heisgreatlyinterestedinher。"
　　"Hefindshersuchanattractivegirl？"
　　"Catherinehasalovelynature，Austin，"saidMrs。Penniman，"andMr。Townsendhashadtheintelligencetodiscoverthat。"
　　"Withalittlehelpfromyou，Isuppose。MydearLavinia，"criedthedoctor，"youareanadmirableaunt！"
　　"SoMr。Townsendsays，"observedLavinia，smiling。
　　"Doyouthinkheissincere？"askedherbrother。
　　"Insayingthat？"
　　"No；that'sofcourse。ButinhisadmirationforCatherine？"
　　"Deeplysincere。Hehassaidtomethemostappreciative，themostcharmingthingsabouther。Hewouldsaythemtoyou，ifheweresureyouwouldlistentohim-gently。"
　　"IdoubtwhetherIcanundertakeit。Heappearstorequireagreatdealofgentleness。"
　　"Heisasympathetic，sensitivenature，"saidMrs。Penniman。
　　Herbrotherpuffedhiscigaragaininsilence。"Thesedelicatequalitieshavesurvivedhisvicissitudes，eh？Allthiswhileyouhaven'ttoldmeabouthismisfortunes。"
　　"Itisalongstory，"saidMrs。Penniman，"andIregarditasasacredtrust。ButIsupposethereisnoobjectiontomysayingthathehasbeenwild-hefranklyconfessesthat。Buthehaspaidforit。"
　　"That'swhathasimpoverishedhim，eh？"
　　"Idon'tmeansimplyinmoney。Heisverymuchaloneintheworld。"
　　"Doyoumeanthathehasbehavedsobadlythathisfriendshavegivenhimup？"
　　"Hehashadfalsefriends，whohavedeceivedandbetrayedhim。"
　　"Heseemstohavesomegoodonestoo。Hehasadevotedsister，andhalfadozennephewsandnieces。"
　　Mrs。Pennimanwassilentaminute。"Thenephewsandniecesarechildren，andthesisterisnotaveryattractiveperson。"
　　"Ihopehedoesn'tabusehertoyou，"saidthedoctor，"forIamtoldhelivesuponher。"
　　"Livesuponher？"
　　"Liveswithher，anddoesnothingforhimself；itisaboutthesamething。"
　　"Heislookingforapositionmostearnestly，"saidMrs。Penniman。
　　"Hehopeseverydaytofindone。"
　　"Precisely。Heislookingforithere-overthereinthefrontparlor。Thepositionofhusbandofaweak-mindedwomanwithalargefortunewouldsuithimtoperfection！"
　　Mrs。Pennimanwastrulyamiable，butshenowgavesignsoftemper。
　　Sherosewithmuchanimation，andstoodforamomentlookingatherbrother。"MydearAustin，"sheremarked，"ifyouregardCatherineasaweak-mindedwomanyouareparticularlymistaken！"Andwiththisshemovedmajesticallyaway。
　　CHAPTER9。
　　ITWASaregularcustomwiththefamilyinWashingtonSquaretogoandspendSundayeveningatMrs。Almond's。OntheSundayaftertheconversationIhavejustnarratedthiscustomwasnotintermitted；andonthisoccasion，towardthemiddleoftheevening，DoctorSloperfoundreasontowithdrawtothelibrarywithhisbrother-in-law，totalkoveramatterofbusiness。Hewasabsentsometwentyminutes，andwhenhecamebackintothecircle，whichwasenlivenedbythepresenceofseveralfriendsofthefamily，hesawthatMorrisTownsendhadcomein，andhadlostaslittletimeaspossibleinseatinghimselfonasmallsofabesideCatherine。Inthelargeroom，whereseveraldifferentgroupshadbeenformed，andthehumofvoicesandoflaughterwasloud，thesetwoyoungpersonsmightconfabulate，asthedoctorphrasedittohimself，withoutattractingattention。Hesawinamoment，however，thathisdaughterwaspainfullyconsciousofhisownobservation。Shesatmotionless，withhereyesbentdown，staringatheropenfan，deeplyflushed，shrinkingtogetherasiftominimizetheindiscretionofwhichsheconfessedherselfguilty。
　　Thedoctoralmostpitiedher。PoorCatherinewasnotdefiant；shehadnogeniusforbravado，andasshefeltthatherfatherviewedhercompanion'sattentionswithanunsympathizingeye，therewasnothingbutdiscomfortforherintheaccidentofseemingtochallengehim。Thedoctorfelt，indeed，sosorryforherthatheturnedaway，tospareherthesenseofbeingwatched；andhewassointelligentamanthat，inhisthoughts，herenderedasortofpoeticjusticetohersituation。