"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。
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