\"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。
