"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。