Herpunishmentaccumulated；shecontinuedtobearit，however，withagooddealofsuperficialfortitude。OnSaturdaymorning，thedoctor，whohadbeenwatchinginsilence，spoketohissisterLavinia。
\"Thethinghashappened-thescoundrelhasbackedout！\"
\"Never！\"criedMrs。Penniman，whohadbethoughtherselfwhatsheshouldsaytoCatherine，butwasnotprovidedwithalineofdefenseagainstherbrother，sothatindignantnegationwastheonlyweaponinherhands。
\"Hehasbeggedforareprieve，then，ifyoulikethatbetter！\"
\"Itseemstomakeyouveryhappythatyourdaughter\'saffectionshavebeentrifledwith。\"
\"Itdoes，\"saidthedoctor，\"forIhadforetoldit！It\'sagreatpleasuretobeintheright。\"
\"Yourpleasuresmakeoneshudder！\"hissisterexclaimed。
Catherinewentrigidlythroughherusualoccupations；thatis，tothepointofgoingwithheraunttochurchonSundaymorning。Shegenerallywenttoafternoonserviceaswell；butonthisoccasionhercouragefaltered，andshebeggedofMrs。Pennimantogowithouther。
\"Iamsureyouhaveasecret，\"saidMrs。Penniman，withgreatsignificance，lookingatherrathergrimly。
\"IfIhave，Ishallkeepit，\"Catherineanswered，turningaway。
Mrs。Pennimanstartedforchurch；butbeforeshehadarrived，shestoppedandturnedback，andbeforetwentyminuteshadelapsedshereenteredthehouse，lookedintotheemptyparlors，andthenwentupstairsandknockedatCatherine\'sdoor。Shegotnoanswer；Catherinewasnotinherroom，andMrs。Pennimanpresentlyascertainedthatshewasnotinthehouse。\"Shehasgonetohim！Shehasfled！\"Laviniacried，claspingherhandswithadmirationandenvy。ButshesoonperceivedthatCatherinehadtakennothingwithher-allherpersonalpropertyinherroomwasintact-andthenshejumpedatthehypothesisthatthegirlhadgoneforth，notintenderness，butinresentment。\"Shehasfollowedhimtohisowndoor！Shehasburstuponhiminhisownapartment！\"ItwasinthesetermsthatMrs。
Pennimandepictedtoherselfherniece\'serrand，which，viewedinthislight，gratifiedhersenseofthepicturesqueonlyashadelessstronglythantheideaofaclandestinemarriage。Tovisitone\'slover，withtearsandreproaches，athisownresidence，wasanimagesoagreeabletoMrs。Penniman\'smindthatshefeltasortofaestheticdisappointmentatitslacking，inthiscase，theharmoniousaccompanimentsofdarknessandstorm。AquietSundayafternoonappearedaninadequatesettingforit；and，indeed，Mrs。Pennimanwasquiteoutofhumorwiththeconditionsofthetime，whichpassedveryslowlyasshesatinthefrontparlor，inherbonnetandhercashmereshawl，awaitingCatherine\'sreturn。
Thiseventatlasttookplace。Shesawher-atthewindow-mountthesteps，andshewenttoawaitherinthehall，whereshepounceduponherassoonasshehadenteredthehouse，anddrewherintotheparlor，closingthedoorwithsolemnity。Catherinewasflushed，andhereyewasbright。Mrs。Pennimanhardlyknewwhattothink。
\"MayIventuretoaskwhereyouhavebeen？\"shedemanded。
\"Ihavebeentotakeawalk，\"saidCatherine。\"Ithoughtyouhadgonetochurch。\"
\"Ididgotochurch；buttheservicewasshorterthanusual。Andpraywheredidyouwalk？\"
\"Idon\'tknow！\"saidCatherine。
\"Yourignoranceismostextraordinary！DearCatherine，youcantrustme。\"
\"WhatamItotrustyouwith？\"
\"Withyoursecret-yoursorrow。\"
\"Ihavenosorrow！\"saidCatherine，fiercely。
\"Mypoorchild，\"Mrs。Pennimaninsisted，\"youcan\'tdeceiveme。I
knoweverything。Ihavebeenrequestedto-a-toconversewithyou。\"
\"Idon\'twanttoconverse！\"
\"Itwillrelieveyou。Don\'tyouknowShakespeare\'slines-\'Thegriefthatdoesnotspeak\'！Mydeargirl，itisbetterasitis！\"
\"Whatisbetter？\"Catherineasked。
Shewasreallytooperverse。Acertainamountofperversitywastobeallowedforinayoungladywhoseloverhadthrownherover；butnotsuchanamountaswouldproveinconvenienttohisapologists。
\"Thatyoushouldbereasonable，\"saidMrs。Penniman，withsomesternness，\"thatyoushouldtakecounselofworldlyprudence，andsubmittopracticalconsiderations；thatyoushouldagreeto-a-
separate。\"
Catherinehadbeeniceuptothismoment，butatthiswordsheflamedup。\"Separate？Whatdoyouknowaboutourseparating？\"
Mrs。Pennimanshookherheadwithasadnessinwhichtherewasalmostasenseofinjury。\"Yourprideismypride，andyoursusceptibilitiesaremine。Iseeyoursideperfectly，butIalso\"-andshesmiledwithmelancholysuggestiveness-\"Ialsoseethesituationasawhole！\"
ThissuggestivenesswaslostuponCatherine，whorepeatedherviolentinquiry。\"Whydoyoutalkaboutseparation；whatdoyouknowaboutit？\"
\"Wemuststudyresignation，\"saidMrs。Penniman，hesitating，butsententiousataventure。
\"Resignationtowhat？\"
\"Toachangeof-ofourplans。\"
\"Myplanshavenotchanged！\"saidCatherine，withalittlelaugh。
\"Ah，butMr。Townsend\'shave，\"herauntanswered，verygently。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
Therewasanimperiousbrevityinthetoneofthisinquiry，againstwhichMrs。Pennimanfeltboundtoprotest；theinformationwithwhichshehadundertakentosupplyherniecewasafterallafavor。Shehadtriedsharpness，andshehadtriedsternness；butneitherwoulddo；shewasshockedatthegirl\'sobstinacy。\"Ahwell，\"shesaid，\"ifhehasn\'ttoldyou！\"andsheturnedaway。
Catherinewatchedheramomentinsilence；thenshehurriedafterher，stoppingherbeforeshereachedthedoor。\"Toldmewhat？Whatdoyoumean？Whatareyouhintingatandthreateningmewith？\"
\"Isn\'titbrokenoff？\"askedMrs。Penniman。
\"Myengagement？Notintheleast！\"
\"Ibegyourpardoninthatcase。Ihavespokentoosoon！\"
\"Toosoon？Soonorlate，\"Catherinebrokeout，\"youspeakfoolishlyandcruelly！\"
\"Whathashappenedbetweenyouthen？\"askedheraunt，struckbythesincerityofthiscry，\"forsomethingcertainlyhashappened。\"
\"NothinghashappenedbutthatIlovehimmoreandmore！\"
Mrs。Pennimanwassilentaninstant。\"Isupposethat\'sthereasonyouwenttoseehimthisafternoon。\"
Catherineflushedasifshehadbeenstruck。\"Yes，Ididgotoseehim！Butthat\'smyownbusiness。\"
\"Verywell，then；wewon\'ttalkaboutit。\"AndMrs。Pennimanmovedtowardthedooragain；butshewasstoppedbyasuddenimploringcryfromthegirl。
\"AuntLavinia，wherehashegone？\"
\"Ah，youadmitthenthathehasgoneaway！Didn\'ttheyknowathishouse？\"
\"Theysaidhehadlefttown。Iaskednomorequestions；Iwasashamed，\"saidCatherine，simplyenough。
\"Youneedn\'thavetakensocompromisingastepifyouhadhadalittlemoreconfidenceinme，\"Mrs。Pennimanobserved，withagooddealofgrandeur。
\"IsittoNewOrleans？\"Catherinewenton，irrelevantly。
ItwasthefirsttimeMrs。PennimanhadheardofNewOrleansinthisconnection；butshewasaversetolettingCatherineknowthatshewasinthedark。SheattemptedtostrikeanilluminationfromtheinstructionsshehadreceivedfromMorris。\"MydearCatherine，\"shesaid，\"whenaseparationhasbeenagreedupon，thefartherhegoesawaythebetter。\"
\"Agreedupon？Hasheagreeduponitwithyou？\"Aconsummatesenseofheraunt\'smeddlesomefollyhadcomeoverherduringthelastfiveminutes，andshewassickenedatthethoughtthatMrs。Pennimanhadbeenletloose，asitwere，uponherhappiness。
\"Hecertainlyhassometimesadvisedwithme，\"saidMrs。Penniman。
\"Isityou，then，thathaschangedhimandmadehimsounnatural？\"
Catherinecried。\"Isityouthathaveworkedonhimandtakenhimfromme？Hedoesn\'tbelongtoyou，andIdon\'tseehowyouhaveanythingtodowithwhatisbetweenus！Isityouthathavemadethisplot，andtoldhimtoleaveme？Howcouldyoubesowicked，socruel？WhathaveIeverdonetoyou？Whycan\'tyouleavemealone？Iwasafraidyouwouldspoileverything；foryoudospoileverythingyoutouch！I
wasafraidofyouallthetimewewereabroad；IhadnorestwhenI
thoughtthatyouwerealwaystalkingtohim。\"Catherinewentonwithgrowingvehemence，pouringout，inherbitternessandintheclairvoyanceofherpassion（whichsuddenly，jumpingallprocesses，madeherjudgeherauntfinallyandwithoutappeal），theuneasinesswhichhadlainforsomanymonthsuponherheart。
Mrs。Pennimanwasscaredandbewildered；shesawnoprospectofintroducingherlittleaccountofthepurityofMorris\'smotives。\"Youareamostungratefulgirl！\"shecried。\"Doyouscoldmefortalkingwithhim？I\'msurewenevertalkedofanythingbutyou！\"
\"Yes；andthatwasthewayyouworriedhim；youmadehimtiredofmyveryname！Iwishyouhadneverspokenofmetohim；Ineveraskedyourhelp！\"
\"Iamsureifithadn\'tbeenformehewouldneverhavecometothehouse，andyouwouldneverhaveknownthathethoughtofyou，\"
Mrs。Pennimanrejoined，withagooddealofjustice。
\"Iwishheneverhadcometothehouse，andthatIneverhadknownit！That\'sbetterthanthis，\"saidpoorCatherine。
\"Youareaveryungratefulgirl，\"AuntLaviniarepeated。
Catherine\'soutbreakofangerandthesenseofwronggaveher，whiletheylasted，thesatisfactionthatcomesfromallassertionofforce；theyhurriedheralong，andthereisalwaysasortofpleasureincleavingtheair。Butatbottomshehatedtobeviolent，andshewasconsciousofnoaptitudefororganizedresentment。Shecalmedherselfwithagreateffort，butwithgreatrapidity，andwalkedabouttheroomafewmoments，tryingtosaytoherselfthatheraunthadmeanteverythingforthebest。Shedidnotsucceedinsayingitwithmuchconviction，butafteralittleshewasabletospeakquietlyenough。
\"Iamnotungrateful，butIamveryunhappy。It\'shardtobegratefulforthat，\"shesaid。\"Willyoupleasetellmewhereheis？\"
\"Ihaven\'ttheleastidea；Iamnotinsecretcorrespondencewithhim！\"AndMrs。Pennimanwished，indeed，thatshewere，sothatshemightlethimknowhowCatherineabusedher，afterallshehaddone。
\"Wasitaplanofhis，then，tobreakoff-？\"BythistimeCatherinehadbecomecompletelyquiet。
Mrs。Pennimanbeganagaintohaveaglimpseofherchanceforexplaining。\"Heshrunk-heshrunk，\"shesaid。\"Helackedcourage，butitwasthecouragetoinjureyou！Hecouldn\'tbeartobringdownonyouyourfather\'scurse。\"
Catherinelistenedtothiswithhereyesfixeduponheraunt，andcontinuedtogazeatherforsometimeafterward。\"Didhetellyoutosaythat？\"
\"Hetoldmetosaymanythings-allsodelicate，sodiscriminating；andhetoldmetotellyouhehopedyouwouldn\'tdespisehim。\"
\"Idon\'t，\"saidCatherine；andthensheadded，\"Andwillhestayawayforever？\"
\"Oh，foreverisalongtime。Yourfather，perhaps，won\'tliveforever。\"
\"Perhapsnot。\"
\"Iamsureyouappreciate-youunderstand-eventhoughyourheartbleeds，\"saidMrs。Penniman。\"Youdoubtlessthinkhimtooscrupulous。SodoI，butIrespecthisscruples。Whatheasksofyouisthatyoushoulddothesame。\"
Catherinewasstillgazingatheraunt，butshespokeatlastasifshehadnotheardornotunderstoodher。\"Ithasbeenaregularplan，then。Hehasbrokenitoffdeliberately；hehasgivenmeup。\"
\"Forthepresent，dearCatherine；hehasputitoff，only。\"
\"Hehasleftmealone，\"Catherinewenton。
\"Haven\'tyoume？\"askedMrs。Penniman，withsomesolemnity。
Catherineshookherheadslowly。\"Idon\'tbelieveit！\"andshelefttheroom。
CHAPTER31。
THOUGHshehadforcedherselftobecalm，shepreferredpracticingthisvirtueinprivate，andsheforeboretoshowherselfattea-arepastwhich，onSundays，atsixo\'clock，tooktheplaceofdinner。
DoctorSloperandhissistersatfacetoface，butMrs。Pennimannevermetherbrother\'seye。Lateintheeveningshewentwithhim，butwithoutCatherine，totheirsisterAlmond\'s，where，betweenthetwoladies，Catherine\'sunhappysituationwasdiscussedwithafranknessthatwasconditionedbyagooddealofmysteriousreticenceonMrs。
Penniman\'spart。
\"Iamdelightedheisnottomarryher，\"saidMrs。Almond，\"butheoughttobehorsewhippedallthesame。\"
Mrs。Penniman，whowasshockedathersister\'scoarseness，repliedthathehadbeenactuatedbythenoblestofmotives-thedesirenottoimpoverishCatherine。
\"IamveryhappythatCatherineisnottobeimpoverished-butI
hopehemayneverhaveapennytoomuch！Andwhatdoesthepoorgirlsaytoyou？\"Mrs。Almondasked。
\"ShesaysIhaveageniusforconsolation，\"saidMrs。Penniman。
Thiswastheaccountofthematterthatshegavetohersister，anditwasperhapswiththeconsciousnessofgeniusthat，onherreturnthateveningtoWashingtonSquare，sheagainpresentedherselfforadmittanceatCatherine\'sdoor。Catherinecameandopenedit；shewasapparentlyveryquiet。
\"Ionlywanttogiveyoualittlewordofadvice，\"shesaid。\"Ifyourfatherasksyou，saythateverythingisgoingon。\"
Catherinestoodthere，withherhandontheknob，lookingatheraunt，butnotaskinghertocomein。\"Doyouthinkhewillaskme？\"
\"Iamsurehewill。Heaskedmejustnow，onourwayhomefromyourauntElizabeth\'s。IexplainedthewholethingtoyourauntElizabeth。IsaidtoyourfatherIknewnothingaboutit。\"
\"Doyouthinkhewillaskme，whenhesees-whenhesees-？\"ButhereCatherinestopped。
\"Themorehesees，themoredisagreeablehewillbe，\"saidheraunt。
\"Heshallseeaslittleaspossible！\"Catherinedeclared。
\"Tellhimyouaretobemarried。\"
\"SoIam，\"saidCatherine，softly；andsheclosedthedooruponheraunt。
Shecouldnothavesaidthistwodayslater-forinstance，onTuesday，whensheatlastreceivedaletterfromMorrisTownsend。Itwasanepistleofconsiderablelength，measuringfivelargesquarepages，andwrittenatPhiladelphia。Itwasanexplanatorydocument，anditexplainedagreatmanythings，chiefamongwhichweretheconsiderationsthathadledthewritertotakeadvantageofanurgent\"professional\"absencetotryandbanishfromhismindtheimageofonewhosepathhehadcrossedonlytoscatteritwithruins。Heventuredtoexpectbutpartialsuccessinthisattempt，buthecouldpromiseherthat，whateverhisfailure，hewouldneveragaininterposebetweenhergenerousheartandherbrilliantprospectsandfilialduties。Heclosedwithanintimationthathisprofessionalpursuitsmightcompelhimtotravelforsomemonths，andwiththehopethatwhentheyshouldeachhaveaccommodatedthemselvestowhatwassternlyinvolvedintheirrespectivepositions-
evenshouldthisresultnotbereachedforyears-theyshouldmeetasfriends，asfellowsufferers，asinnocentbutphilosophicvictimsofagreatsociallaw。Thatherlifeshouldbepeacefulandhappywasthedearestwishofhimwhoventuredstilltosubscribehimselfhermostobedientservant。Theletterwasbeautifullywritten，andCatherine，whokeptitformanyyearsafterthis，wasable，whenhersenseofthebitternessofitsmeaningandthehollownessofitstonehadgrownlessacute，toadmireitsgraceofexpression。Atpresent，foralongtimeaftershereceivedit，allshehadtohelpherwasthedetermination，dailymorerigid，tomakenoappealtothecompassionofherfather。
Hesufferedaweektoelapse，andthenoneday，inthemorning，atanhouratwhichsherarelysawhim，hestrolledintothebackparlor。
Hehadwatchedhistime，andhefoundheralone。Shewassittingwithsomework，andhecameandstoodinfrontofher。Hewasgoingout；hehadonhishat，andwasdrawingonhisgloves。
\"Itdoesn\'tseemtomethatyouaretreatingmejustnowwithalltheconsiderationIdeserve，\"hesaidinamoment。
\"Idon\'tknowwhatIhavedone，\"Catherineanswered，withhereyesonherwork。
\"YouhaveapparentlyquitebanishedfromyourmindtherequestI
madeyouatLiverpoolbeforewesailed-therequestthatyouwouldnotifymeinadvancebeforeleavingmyhouse。\"
\"Ihavenotleftyourhouse，\"saidCatherine。
\"Butyouintendtoleaveit，and，bywhatyougavemetounderstand，yourdeparturemustbeimpending。Infact，thoughyouarestillhereinbody，youarealreadyabsentinspirit。Yourmindhastakenupitsresidencewithyourprospectivehusband，andyoumightquiteaswellbelodgedundertheconjugalroofforallthebenefitwegetfromyoursociety。\"
\"Iwilltryandbemorecheerful，\"saidCatherine。
\"Youcertainlyoughttobecheerful；youaskagreatdealifyouarenot。Tothepleasureofmarryingacharmingyoungmanyouaddthatofhavingyourownway；youstrikemeasaveryluckyyounglady！\"
Catherinegotup；shewassuffocating。Butshefoldedherworkdeliberatelyandcorrectly，bendingherburningfaceuponit。Herfatherstoodwherehehadplantedhimself；shehopedhewouldgo，buthesmoothedandbuttonedhisgloves，andthenherestedhishandsuponhiships。
\"ItwouldbeaconveniencetometoknowwhenImayexpecttohaveanemptyhouse，\"hewenton。\"Whenyougo，yourauntmarches。\"
Shelookedathimatlast，withalong，silentgaze，which，inspiteofherprideandherresolution，utteredpartoftheappealshehadtriednottomake。Herfather\'scoldgrayeyesoundedherown，andheinsistedonhispoint。
\"Isittomorrow？Isitnextweek，ortheweekafter？\"
\"Ishallnotgoaway！\"saidCatherine。
Thedoctorraisedhiseyebrows。\"Hashebackedout？\"
\"Ihavebrokenoffmyengagement。\"
\"Brokenitoff？\"
\"IhaveaskedhimtoleaveNewYork，andhehasgoneawayforalongtime。\"
Thedoctorwasbothpuzzledanddisappointed，buthesolvedhisperplexitybysayingtohimselfthathisdaughtersimplymisrepresented-justifiably，ifonewould，butnevertheless，misrepresented-thefacts；andheeasedoffhisdisappointment，whichwasthatofamanlosingachanceforalittletriumphthathehadrathercountedon，byafewwordsthatheutteredaloud。
\"Howdoeshetakehisdismissal？\"
\"Idon\'tknow！\"saidCatherine，lessingeniouslythanshehadhithertospoken。
\"Youmeanyoudon\'tcare？Youarerathercruel，afterencouraginghimandplayingwithhimforsolong！\"
Thedoctorhadhisrevenge，afterall。
CHAPTER32。
OURSTORYhashithertomovedwithveryshortsteps，butasitapproachesitsterminationitmusttakealongstride。Astimewenton，itmighthaveappearedtothedoctorthathisdaughter\'saccountofherrapturewithMorrisTownsend，merebravadoashehaddeemedit，wasinsomedegreejustifiedbythesequel。Morrisremainedasrigidlyandunremittinglyabsentasifhehaddiedofabrokenheart，andCatherinehadapparentlyburiedthememoryofthisfruitlessepisodeasdeepasifithadterminatedbyherownchoice。Weknowthatshehadbeendeeplyandincurablywounded，butthedoctorhadnomeansofknowingit。Hewascertainlycuriousaboutit，andwouldhavegivenagooddealtodiscovertheexacttruth；butitwashispunishmentthatheneverknew-hispunishment，Imean，fortheabuseofsarcasminhisrelationswithhisdaughter。Therewasagooddealofeffectivesarcasminherkeepinghiminthedark，andtherestoftheworldconspiredwithher，inthissense，tobesarcastic。Mrs。Pennimantoldhimnothing，partlybecauseheneverquestionedher-hemadetoolightofMrs。Pennimanforthat-andpartlybecausesheflatteredherselfthatatormentingreserve，andasereneprofessionofignorance，wouldavengeherforhistheorythatshehadmeddledinthematter。HewenttwoorthreetimestoseeMrs。Montgomery，butMrs。Montgomeryhadnothingtoimpart。Shesimplyknewthatherbrother\'sengagementwasbrokenoff；andnowthatMissSloperwasoutofdanger，shepreferrednottobearwitnessinanywayagainstMorris。Shehaddonesobefore-howeverunwillingly-becauseshewassorryforMissSloper；butshewasnotsorryforMissSlopernow-notatallsorry。
MorrishadtoldhernothingabouthisrelationswithMissSloperatthetime，andhehadtoldhernothingsince。Hewasalwaysaway，andheveryseldomwrotetoher；shebelievedhehadgonetoCalifornia。
Mrs。Almondhad，inhersister\'sphrase，\"takenup\"Catherineviolentlysincetherecentcatastrophe；but，thoughthegirlwasverygratefultoherforherkindness，sherevealednosecrets，andthegoodladycouldgivethedoctornosatisfaction。Even，however，hadshebeenabletonarratetohimtheprivatehistoryofhisdaughter\'sunhappyloveaffair，itwouldhavegivenheracertaincomforttoleavehiminignorance；forMrs。Almondwasatthistimenotaltogetherinsympathywithherbrother。ShehadguessedforherselfthatCatherinehadbeencruellyjilted-sheknewnothingfromMrs。Penniman，forMrs。PennimanhadnotventuredtolaythefamousexplanationofMorris\'smotivesbeforeMrs。Almond，thoughshehadthoughtitgoodenoughforCatherine-andshepronouncedherbrothertooconsistentlyindifferenttowhatthepoorcreaturemusthavesufferedandmuststillbesuffering。DoctorSloperhadhistheory，andherarelyalteredhistheories。Themarriagewouldhavebeenanabominableone，andthegirlhadhadablessedescape。Shewasnottobepitiedforthat，andtopretendtocondolewithherwouldhavebeentomakeconcessionstotheideathatshehadeverhadarighttothinkofMorris。
\"Iputmyfootonthisideafromthefirst，andIkeepittherenow，\"saidthedoctor。\"Idon\'tseeanythingcruelinthat；onecan\'tkeepittheretoolong。\"TothisMrs。Almondmorethanoncerepliedthat，ifCatherinehadgotridofherincongruouslover，shedeservedthecreditofit，andthattobringherselftoherfather\'senlightenedviewofthemattermusthavecostheraneffortthathewasboundtoappreciate。
\"Iambynomeanssureshehasgotridofhim，\"thedoctorsaid。
\"Thereisnotthesmallestprobabilitythat，afterhavingbeenasobstinateasamulefortwoyears，shesuddenlybecameamenabletoreason。Itisinfinitelymoreprobablethathegotridofher。\"
\"Allthemorereasonyoushouldbegentlewithher。\"
\"Iamgentlewithher。ButIcan\'tdothepathetic；Ican\'tpumpuptears，tolookgraceful，overthemostfortunatethingthateverhappenedtoher。\"
\"Youhavenosympathy，\"saidMrs。Almond。\"Thatwasneveryourstrongpoint。Youhaveonlytolookathertoseethat，rightorwrong，andwhethertherupturecamefromherselforfromhim，herpoorlittleheartisgrievouslybruised。\"
\"Handlingbruises，andevendroppingtearsonthem，doesn\'tmakethemanybetter！Mybusinessistoseeshegetsnomoreknocks，andthatIshallcarefullyattendto。ButIdon\'tatallrecognizeyourdescriptionofCatherine。Shedoesn\'tstrikemeintheleastasayoungwomangoingaboutinsearchofamoralpoultice。Infact，sheseemstomemuchbetterthanwhilethefellowwashangingabout。Sheisperfectlycomfortableandblooming；sheeatsandsleeps，takesherusualexercise，andoverloadsherself，asusual，withfinery。
Sheisalwaysknittingsomepurseorembroideringsomehandkerchief，anditseemstomesheturnsthesearticlesoutaboutasfastasever。
Shehasn\'tmuchtosay；butwhenhadsheanythingtosay？Shehadherlittledance，andnowsheissittingdowntorest。Isuspectthat，onthewhole，sheenjoysit。\"
\"Sheenjoysitaspeopleenjoygettingridofalegthathasbeencrushed。Thestateofmindafteramputationisdoubtlessoneofcomparativerepose。\"
\"IfyourlegisametaphorforyoungTownsend，Icanassureyouhehasneverbeencrushed。Crushed？Nothe！Heisaliveandperfectlyintact；andthat\'swhyIamnotsatisfied。\"
\"Shouldyouhavelikedtokillhim？\"askedMrs。Almond。
\"Yes，verymuch。Ithinkitisquitepossiblethatitisallablind。\"
\"Ablind？\"
\"Anarrangementbetweenthem。Ilfaitlemort，astheysayinFrance；butheislookingoutofthecornerofhiseye。Youcandependuponit，hehasnotburnthisships；hehaskeptonetocomebackin。WhenIamdead，hewillsetsailagain，andthenshewillmarryhim。\"
\"Itisinterestingtoknowthatyouaccuseyouronlydaughterofbeingthevilestofhypocrites，\"saidMrs。Almond。
\"Idon\'tseewhatdifferenceherbeingmyonlydaughtermakes。Itisbettertoaccuseonethanadozen。ButIdon\'taccuseanyone。ThereisnotthesmallesthypocrisyaboutCatherine，andIdenythatsheevenpretendstobemiserable。\"
Thedoctor\'sideathatthethingwasa\"blind\"haditsintermissionsandrevivals；butitmaybesaid，onthewhole，tohaveincreasedashegrewolder；togetherwithhisimpressionsofCatherine\'sbloomingandcomfortablecondition。Naturally，ifhehadnotfoundgroundsforviewingherasalovelornmaidenduringtheyearortwothatfollowedhergreattrouble，hefoundnoneatatimewhenshehadcompletelyrecoveredherself-possession。Hewasobligedtorecognizethefactthat，ifthetwoyoungpeoplewerewaitingforhimtogetoutoftheway，theywereatleastwaitingverypatiently。HehadheardfromtimetotimethatMorriswasinNewYork；
butheneverremainedtherelong，and，tothebestofthedoctor\'sbelief，hadnocommunicationwithCatherine。Hewassuretheynevermet，andhehadreasontosuspectthatMorrisneverwrotetoher。
Aftertheletterthathasbeenmentioned，sheheardfromhimtwiceagain，atconsiderableintervals；butonnoneoftheseoccasionsdidshewriteherself。Ontheotherhand，asthedoctorobserved，sheavertedherselfrigidlyfromtheideaofmarryingotherpeople。Heropportunitiesfordoingsowerenotnumerous，buttheyoccurredoftenenoughtotestherdisposition。Sherefusedawidower，amanwithagenialtemperament，ahandsomefortune，andthreelittlegirls（hehadheardthatshewasveryfondofchildren，andhepointedtohisownwithsomeconfidence）；andsheturnedadeafeartothesolicitationsofacleveryounglawyer，who，withtheprospectofagreatpractice，andthereputationofamostagreeableman，hadhadtheshrewdness，whenhecametolookabouthimforawife，tobelievethatshewouldsuithimbetterthanseveralyoungerandprettiergirls。Mr。Macalister，thewidower，haddesiredtomakeamarriageofreason，andhadchosenCatherineforwhathesupposedtobeherlatentmatronlyqualities；butJohnLudlow，whowasayearthegirl\'sjunior，andspokenofalwaysasayoungmanwhomighthavehis\"pick，\"wasseriouslyinlovewithher。Catherine，however，wouldneverlookathim；shemadeitplaintohimthatshethoughthecametoseehertoooften。Heafterwardconsoledhimself，andmarriedaverydifferentperson，littleMissSturtevant，whoseattractionswereobvioustothedullestcomprehension。Catherine，atthetimeoftheseevents，hadleftherthirtiethyearwellbehindher，andhadquitetakenherplaceasanoldmaid。Herfatherwouldhavepreferredsheshouldmarry，andheoncetoldherthathehopedshewouldnotbetoofastidious。\"Ishouldliketoseeyouanhonestman\'swifebeforeIdie，\"hesaid。ThiswasafterJohnLudlowhadbeencompelledtogiveitup，thoughthedoctorhadadvisedhimtopersevere。Thedoctorexercisednofurtherpressure，andhadthecreditofnot\"worrying\"atalloverhisdaughter\'ssingleness；infact，heworriedrathermorethanappeared，andtherewereconsiderableperiodsduringwhichhefeltsurethatMorrisTownsendwashiddenbehindsomedoor。\"Ifheisnot，whydoesn\'tshemarry？\"heaskedhimself。\"Limitedasherintelligencemaybe，shemustunderstandperfectlywellthatsheismadetodotheusualthing。\"
Catherine，however，becameanadmirableoldmaid。Sheformedhabits，regulatedherdaysuponasystemofherown，interestedherselfincharitableinstitutions，asylums，hospitals，andaidsocieties；andwentgenerally，withanevenandnoiselessstep，abouttherigidbusinessofherlife。Thislifehad，however，asecrethistoryaswellasapublicone-ifImaytalkofthepublichistoryofamatureanddiffidentspinsterforwhompublicityhadalwaysacombinationofterrors。FromherownpointofviewthegreatfactsofhercareerwerethatMorrisTownsendhadtrifledwithheraffection，andthatherfatherhadbrokenitsspring。Nothingcouldeveralterthesefacts；
theywerealwaysthere，likehername，herage，herplainface。
NothingcouldeverundothewrongorcurethepainthatMorrishadinflictedonher，andnothingcouldevermakeherfeeltowardherfatherasshefeltinheryoungeryears。Therewassomethingdeadinherlife，andherdutywastotryandfillthevoid。Catherinerecognizedthisdutytotheutmost；shehadagreatdisapprovalofbroodingandmoping。Shehad，ofcourse，nofacultyforquenchingmemoryindissipation；butshemingledfreelyintheusualgaietiesofthetown，andshebecameatlastaninevitablefigureatallrespectableentertainments。Shewasgreatlyliked，andastimewentonshegrewtobeasortofkindlymaidenaunttotheyoungerportionofsociety。Younggirlswereapttoconfidetohertheirloveaffairs（whichtheyneverdidtoMrs。Penniman），andyoungmentobefondofherwithoutknowingwhy。Shedevelopedafewharmlesseccentricities；herhabits，onceformed，wereratherstifflymaintained；heropinions，onallmoralandsocialmatters，wereextremelyconservative；andbeforeshewasfortyshewasregardedasanold-fashionedperson，andanauthorityoncustomsthathadpassedaway。Mrs。Penniman，incomparison，wasquiteagirlishfigure；shegrewyoungerassheadvancedinlife。Shelostnoneofherrelishforbeautyandmystery，butshehadlittleopportunitytoexerciseit。
WithCatherine\'slaterwooersshefailedtoestablishrelationsasintimateasthosewhichhadgivenhersomanyinterestinghoursinthesocietyofMorrisTownsend。Thesegentlemenhadanindefinablemistrustofhergoodoffices，andtheynevertalkedtoheraboutCatherine\'scharms。Herringlets，herbucklesandbanglesglistenedmorebrightlywitheachsucceedingyear，andsheremainedquitethesameofficiousandimaginativeMrs。Penniman，andtheoddmixtureofimpetuosityandcircumspection，thatwehavehithertoknown。Asregardsonepoint，however，hercircumspectionprevailed，andshemustbegivenduecreditforit。ForupwardofseventeenyearsshenevermentionedMorrisTownsend\'snametoherniece。Catherinewasgratefultoher，butthisconsistentsilence，solittleinaccordwithheraunt\'scharacter，gaveheracertainalarm，andshecouldneverwhollyridherselfofasuspicionthatMrs。Pennimansometimeshadnewsofhim。
CHAPTER33。
LITTLEBYLITTLEDoctorSloperhadretiredfromhisprofession；hevisitedonlythosepatientsinwhosesymptomsherecognizedacertainoriginality。HewentagaintoEurope，andremainedtwoyears；Catherinewentwithhim，andonthisoccasionMrs。Pennimanwasoftheparty。EuropeapparentlyhadfewsurprisesforMrs。Penniman，whofrequentlyremarked，inthemostromanticsites，\"YouknowIamveryfamiliarwithallthis。\"Itshouldbeaddedthatsuchremarkswereusuallynotaddressedtoherbrother，oryettoherniece，buttofellowtouristswhohappenedtobeathand，oreventotheciceroneorthegoatherdintheforeground。
Oneday，afterhisreturnfromEurope，thedoctorsaidsomethingtohisdaughterthatmadeherstart-itseemedtocomefromsofaroutofthepast。
\"IshouldlikeyoutopromisemesomethingbeforeIdie。\"
\"Whydoyoutalkaboutyourdying？\"sheasked。
\"BecauseIamsixty-eightyearsold。\"
\"Ihopeyouwilllivealongtime，\"saidCatherine。
\"IhopeIshall！ButsomedayIshalltakeabadcold，andthenitwillnotmattermuchwhatanyonehopes。Thatwillbethemannerofmyexit，andwhenittakesplace，rememberItoldyouso。PromisemenottomarryMorrisTownsendafterIamgone。\"
ThiswaswhatmadeCatherinestart，asIhavesaid；butherstartwasasilentone，andforsomemomentsshesaidnothing。\"Whydoyouspeakofhim？\"sheaskedatlast。
\"YouchallengeeverythingIsay。Ispeakofhimbecausehe\'satopic，likeanyother。He\'stobeseen，likeanyoneelse，andheisstilllookingforawife-havinghadoneandgotridofher，Idon\'tknowbywhatmeans。HehaslatelybeeninNewYork，andatyourcousinMarian\'shouse；yourauntElizabethsawhimthere。\"
\"Theyneitherofthemtoldme，\"saidCatherine。
\"That\'stheirmerit；it\'snotyours。Hehasgrownfatandbald，andhehasnotmadehisfortune。ButIcan\'ttrustthosefactsalonetosteelyourheartagainsthim，andthat\'swhyIaskyoutopromise。\"
\"Fatandbald。\"ThesewordspresentedastrangeimagetoCatherine\'smind，outofwhichthememoryofthemostbeautifulyoungmanintheworldhadneverfaded。\"Idon\'tthinkyouunderstand，\"shesaid。\"I
veryseldomthinkofMr。Townsend。\"
\"Itwillbeveryeasyforyoutogoon，then。Promiseme，aftermydeath，todothesame。\"
Again，forsomemoments，Catherinewassilent；herfather\'srequestdeeplyamazedher；itopenedanoldwound，andmadeitacheafresh。\"Idon\'tthinkIcanpromisethat，\"sheanswered。
\"Itwouldbeagreatsatisfaction，\"saidherfather。
\"Youdon\'tunderstand。Ican\'tpromisethat。\"
Thedoctorwassilentaminute。\"Iaskyouforaparticularreason。Iamalteringmywill。\"
ThisreasonfailedtostrikeCatherine；andindeedshescarcelyunderstoodit。Allherfeelingsweremergedinthesensethathewastryingtotreatherashehadtreatedheryearsbefore。Shehadsufferedfromitthen；andnowallherexperience，allheracquiredtranquillityandrigidityprotested。Shehadbeensohumbleinheryouththatshecouldnowaffordtohavealittlepride，andtherewassomethinginhisrequest，andinherfather\'sthinkinghimselfsofreetomakeit，thatseemedaninjurytoherdignity。PoorCatherine\'sdignitywasnotaggressive；itneversatinstate；butifyoupushedfarenoughyoucouldfindit。Herfatherhadpushedveryfar。
\"Ican\'tpromise，\"shesimplyrepeated。
\"Youareveryobstinate，\"saidthedoctor。
\"Idon\'tthinkyouunderstand。\"
\"Pleaseexplain，then。\"
\"Ican\'texplain，\"saidCatherine，\"andIcan\'tpromise。\"
\"Uponmyword，\"herfatherexclaimed，\"Ihadnoideahowobstinateyouare！\"
Sheknewherselfthatshewasobstinate，anditgaveheracertainjoy。Shewasnowamiddle-agedwoman。
Aboutayearafterthis，theaccidentthatthedoctorhadspokenofoccurred：Hetookaviolentcold。DrivingouttoBloomingdaleoneAprildaytoseeapatientofunsoundmind，whowasconfinedinaprivateasylumfortheinsane，andwhosefamilygreatlydesiredamedicalopinionfromaneminentsource，hewascaughtinaspringshower，andbeinginabuggy，withoutahood，hefoundhimselfsoakedtotheskin。Hecamehomewithanominouschill，andonthemorrowhewasseriouslyill。\"Itiscongestionofthelungs，\"hesaidtoCatherine。\"Ishallneedverygoodnursing。Itwillmakenodifference，forIshallnotrecover；butIwisheverythingtobedone，tothesmallestdetail，asifIshould。Ihateanill-conductedsick-room，andyouwillbesogoodastonurseme，onthehypothesisthatIshallgetwell。\"Hetoldherwhichofhisfellowphysicianstosendfor，andgaveheramultitudeofminutedirections；itwasquiteontheoptimistichypothesisthatshenursedhim。Buthehadneverbeenwronginhislife，andhewasnotwrongnow。Hewastouchinghisseventiethyear，andthoughhehadaverywell-temperedconstitution，hisholduponlifehadlostitsfirmness。Hediedafterthreeweeks\'illness，duringwhichMrs。Penniman，aswellashisdaughter，hadbeenassiduousathisbedside。
Onhiswillbeingopened，afteradecentinterval，itwasfoundtoconsistoftwoportions。Thefirstofthesedatedfromtenyearsback，andconsistedofaseriesofdispositionsbywhichheleftthegreatmassofhispropertytohisdaughter，withbecominglegaciestohistwosisters。Thesecondwasacodicil，ofrecentorigin，maintainingtheannuitiestoMrs。PennimanandMrs。Almond，butreducingCatherine\'ssharetoafifthofwhathehadfirstbequeathedher。\"Sheisamplyprovidedforfromhermother\'sside，\"thedocumentran，\"neverhavingspentmorethanafractionofherincomefromthissource；sothatherfortuneisalreadymorethansufficienttoattractthoseunscrupulousadventurerswhomshehasgivenmereasontobelievethatshepersistsinregardingasaninterestingclass。\"Thelargeremainderofhisproperty，therefore，DoctorSloperhaddividedintosevenunequalparts，whichheleft，asendowments，toasmanydifferenthospitalsandschoolsofmedicineinvariouscitiesoftheunion。
ToMrs。Pennimanitseemedmonstrousthatamanshouldplaysuchtrickswithotherpeople\'smoney；forafterhisdeath，ofcourse，asshesaid，itwasotherpeople\'s。\"Ofcourse，youwillimmediatelybreakthewill，\"sheremarkedtoCatherine。
\"Ohno，\"Catherineanswered，\"Ilikeitverymuch。OnlyIwishithadbeenexpressedalittledifferently！\"
CHAPTER34。
ITWASHERHABITtoremainintownverylateinthesummer；shepreferredthehouseinWashingtonSquaretoanyotherhabitationwhatever，anditwasunderprotestthatsheusedtogototheseasideforthemonthofAugust。Attheseashespenthermonthatanhotel。Theyearthatherfatherdiedsheintermittedthiscustomaltogether，notthinkingitconsistentwithdeepmourning；andtheyearafterthatsheputoffherdeparturetillsolatethatthemiddleofAugustfoundherstillintheheatedsolitudeofWashingtonSquare。
Mrs。Penniman，whowasfondofachange，wasusuallyeagerforavisittothecountry；butthisyearsheappearedquitecontentwithsuchruralimpressionsasshecouldgatherattheparlorwindowfromtheailanthustreesbehindthewoodenpaling。Thepeculiarfragranceofthisvegetationusedtodiffuseitselfintheeveningair，andMrs。
Penniman，onthewarmnightsofJuly，oftensatattheopenwindowandinhaledit。ThiswasahappymomentforMrs。Penniman；afterthedeathofherbrothershefeltmorefreetoobeyherimpulses。Avagueoppressionhaddisappearedfromherlife，andsheenjoyedasenseoffreedomofwhichshehadnotbeenconscioussincethememorabletime，solongago，whenthedoctorwentabroadwithCatherineandleftherathometoentertainMorrisTownsend。Theyearthathadelapsedsinceherbrother\'sdeathremindedherofthathappytime，because，althoughCatherine，ingrowingolder，hadbecomeapersontobereckonedwith，yethersocietywasaverydifferentthing，asMrs。
Pennimansaid，fromthatofatankofcoldwater。Theelderladyhardlyknewwhatusetomakeofthislargermarginofherlife；shesatandlookedatitverymuchasshehadoftensat，withherpoisedneedleinherhand，beforehertapestryframe。Shehadaconfidenthope，however，thatherrichimpulses，hertalentforembroidery，wouldstillfindtheirapplication，andthisconfidencewasjustifiedbeforemanymonthshadelapsed。
Catherinecontinuedtoliveinherfather\'shouse，inspiteofitsbeingrepresentedtoherthatamaidenladyofquiethabitsmightfindamoreconvenientabodeinoneofthesmallerdwellings，withbrownstonefronts，whichhadatthistimebeguntoadornthetransversethoroughfaresintheupperpartofthetown。Shelikedtheearlierstructure-ithadbegunbythistimetobecalledan\"old\"
house-andproposedtoherselftoendherdaysinit。Ifitwastolargeforapairofunpretendinggentlewomen，thiswasbetterthantheoppositefault；forCatherinehadnodesiretofindherselfincloserquarterswithheraunt。SheexpectedtospendtherestofherlifeinWashingtonSquare，andtoenjoyMrs。Penniman\'ssocietyforthewholeofthisperiod；asshehadaconvictionthat，longasshemightlive，herauntwouldliveatleastaslong，andalwaysretainherbrilliancyandactivity。Mrs。Pennimansuggestedtohertheideaofarichvitality。
OnoneofthosewarmeveningsinJulyofwhichmentionhasbeenmade，thetwoladiessattogetheratanopenwindow，lookingoutonthequietSquare。Itwastoohotforlightedlamps，forreading，orforwork；itmighthaveappearedtoohotevenforconversation，Mrs。
Pennimanhavinglongbeenspeechless。Shesatforwardinthewindow，halfonthebalcony，hummingalittlesong。Catherinewaswithintheroom，inalowrockingchair，dressedinwhite，andslowlyusingalargepalmettofan。Itwasinthisway，atthisseason，thattheauntandniece，aftertheyhadhadtea，habituallyspenttheirevenings。
\"Catherine，\"saidMrs。Pennimanatlast，\"Iamgoingtosaysomethingthatwillsurpriseyou。\"
\"Praydo，\"Catherineanswered。\"Ilikesurprises。Anditissoquietnow。\"
\"Well，then，IhaveseenMorrisTownsend。\"
IfCatherinewassurprised，shecheckedtheexpressionofit；shegaveneitherastartnoranexclamation。Sheremained，indeed，forsomemomentsintenselystill，andthismayverywellhavebeenasymptomofemotion。\"Ihopehewaswell，\"shesaidatlast。
\"Idon\'tknow；heisagreatdealchanged。Hewouldlikeverymuchtoseeyou。\"
\"Iwouldrathernotseehim，\"saidCatherine，quickly。
\"Iwasafraidyouwouldsaythat。Butyoudon\'tseemsurprised！\"
\"Iam-verymuch。\"
\"ImethimatMarian\'s，\"saidMrs。Penniman。\"HegoestoMarian\'s，andtheyaresoafraidyouwillmeethimthere。It\'smybeliefthatthat\'swhyhegoes。Hewantssomuchtoseeyou。\"Catherinemadenoresponsetothis，andMrs。Pennimanwenton。\"Ididn\'tknowhimatfirst，heissoremarkablychanged；butheknewmeinaminute。HesaysIamnotintheleastchanged。Youknowhowpolitehealwayswas。
HewascomingawaywhenIcame，andwewalkedalittledistancetogether。Heisstillveryhandsome，onlyofcoursehelooksolder，andheisnotso-soanimatedasheusedtobe。Therewasatouchofsadnessabouthim；buttherewasatouchofsadnessabouthimbefore，especiallywhenhewentaway。Iamafraidhehasnotbeenverysuccessful-thathehasnevergotthoroughlyestablished。Idon\'tsupposeheissufficientlyploddingandthat，afterall，iswhatsucceedsinthisworld。\"Mrs。PennimanhadnotmentionedMorrisTownsend\'snametohernieceforupwardsofthefifthofacentury；
butnowthatshehadbrokenthespell，sheseemedtowishtomakeupforlosttime，asiftherehadbeenasortofexhilarationinhearingherselftalkofhim。Sheproceeded，however，withconsiderablecaution，pausingoccasionallytoletCatherinegivesomesign。
Catherinegavenoothersignthantostoptherockingofherchairandtheswayingofherfan；shesatmotionlessandsilent。\"ItwasonTuesdaylast，\"saidMrs。Penniman，\"andIhavebeenhesitatingeversinceabouttellingyou。Ididn\'tknowhowyoumightlikeit。AtlastIthoughtthatitwassolongagothatyouwouldprobablynothaveanyparticularfeeling。IsawhimagainaftermeetinghimatMarian\'s。Imethiminthestreet，andhewentafewstepswithme。
Thefirstthinghesaidwasaboutyou；heaskedeversomanyquestions。Mariandidn\'twantmetospeaktoyou；shedidn\'twantyoutoknowthattheyreceivehim。ItoldhimIwassurethatafteralltheseyearsyoucouldn\'thaveanyfeelingaboutthat；youcouldn\'tgrudgehimthehospitalityofhisowncousin\'shouse。Isaidyouwouldbebitterindeedifyoudidthat。Marianhasthemostextraordinaryideasaboutwhathappenedbetweenyou；sheseemstothinkhebehavedinsomeveryunusualmanner。Itookthelibertyofremindingheroftherealfacts，andplacingthestoryinitstruelight。Hehasnobitterness，Catherine，Icanassureyou；andhemightbeexcusedforit，forthingshavenotgonewellwithhim。Hehasbeenallovertheworld，andtriedtoestablishhimselfeverywhere；buthisevilstarwasagainsthim。Itismostinterestingtohearhimtalkofhisevilstar。Everythingfailed；everythingbuthis-youknow，youremember-
hisproud，highspirit。IbelievehemarriedsomeladysomewhereinEurope。Youknowtheymarryinsuchapeculiarmatter-of-coursewayinEurope；amarriageofreasontheycallit。Shediedsoonafterward；ashesaidtome，sheonlyflittedacrosshislife。HehasnotbeeninNewYorkfortenyears；hecamebackafewdaysago。Thefirstthinghedidwastoaskmeaboutyou。Hehadheardyouhadnevermarried；heseemedverymuchinterestedaboutthat。Hesaidyouhadbeentherealromanceofhislife。\"
Catherinehadsufferedhercompaniontoproceedfrompointtopoint，andpausetopause，withoutinterruptingher；shefixedhereyesonthegroundandlistened。ButthelastphraseIhavequotedwasfollowedbyapauseofpeculiarsignificance，andthen，atlast，Catherinespoke。ItwillbeobservedthatbeforedoingsoshehadreceivedagooddealofinformationaboutMorrisTownsend。\"Pleasesaynomore；pleasedon\'tfollowupthatsubject。\"
\"Doesn\'titinterestyou？\"askedMrs。Penniman，withacertaintimorousarchness。
\"Itpainsme，\"saidCatherine。
\"Iwasafraidyouwouldsaythat。Butdon\'tyouthinkyoucouldgetusedtoit？Hewantssomuchtoseeyou。\"
\"Pleasedon\'t，AuntLavinia，\"saidCatherine，gettingupfromherseat。Shemovedquicklyaway，andwenttotheotherwindow，whichstoodopentothebalcony；andhere，intheembrasure，concealedfromherauntbythewhitecurtains，sheremainedalongtime，lookingoutintothewarmdarkness。Shehadhadagreatshock；itwasasifthegulfofthepasthadsuddenlyopened，andaspectralfigurehadrisenoutofit。Thereweresomethingsshebelievedshehadgotover，somefeelingsthatshehadthoughtofasdead；butapparentlytherewasacertainvitalityinthemstill。Mrs。Pennimanhadmadethemstirthemselves。Itwasbutamomentaryagitation，Catherinesaidtoherself；itwouldpresentlypassaway。Shewastrembling，andherheartwasbeatingsothatshecouldfeelit；butthisalsowouldsubside。Thensuddenly，whileshewaitedforareturnofhercalmness，sheburstintotears。Buthertearsflowedverysilently，sothatMrs。
Pennimanhadnoobservationofthem。Itwasperhaps，however，becauseMrs。PennimansuspectedthemthatshesaidnomorethateveningaboutMorrisTownsend。
CHAPTER35。
HERREFRESHEDattentiontothisgentlemanhadnotthoselimitsofwhichCatherinedesired，forherself，tobeconscious；itlastedlongenoughtoenablehertowaitanotherweekbeforespeakingofhimagain。Itwasunderthesamecircumstancesthatsheoncemoreattackedthesubject。Shehadbeensittingwithhernieceintheevening；onlyonthisoccasion，asthenightwasnotsowarm，thelamphadbeenlighted，andCatherinehadplacedherselfnearitwithamorseloffancywork。Mrs。Pennimanwentandsataloneforhalfanhouronthebalcony；thenshecamein，movingvaguelyabouttheroom。AtlastshesunkintoaseatnearCatherine，withclaspedhands，andalittlelookofexcitement。
\"ShallyoubeangryifIspeaktoyouagainabouthim？\"sheasked。
Catherinelookedupatherquietly。\"Whoishe？\"
\"Hewhomyouonceloved。\"
\"Ishallnotbeangry，butIshallnotlikeit。\"
\"Hesentyouamessage，\"saidMrs。Penniman。\"Ipromisedhimtodeliverit，andImustkeepmypromise。\"
InalltheseyearsCatherinehadhadtimetoforgethowlittleshehadtothankherauntforintheseasonofhermisery；shehadlongagoforgivenMrs。Pennimanfortakingtoomuchuponherself。Butforamomentthisattitudeofinterpositionanddisinterestedness，thiscarryingofmessagesandredeemingofpromises，broughtbackthesensethathercompanionwasadangerouswoman。Shehadsaidshewouldnotbeangry；butforaninstantshefeltsore。\"Idon\'tcarewhatyoudowithyourpromise！\"sheanswered。
Mrs。Penniman，however，withherhighconceptionofthesanctityofpledges，carriedherpoint。\"Ihavegonetoofartoretreat，\"shesaid，thoughpreciselywhatthismeantshewasnotatpainstoexplain。\"Mr。Townsendwishesmostparticularlytoseeyou，Catherine；
hebelievesthatifyouknewhowmuch，andwhy，hewishesit，youwouldconsenttodoso。\"
\"Therecanbenoreason，\"saidCatherine\"nogoodreason。\"
\"Hishappinessdependsuponit。Isnotthatagoodreason？\"askedMrs。Penniman，impressively。
\"Notforme。Myhappinessdoesnot。\"
\"Ithinkyouwillbehappierafteryouhaveseenhim。Heisgoingawayagain-goingtoresumehiswanderings。Itisaverylonely，restless，joylesslife。Beforehegoeshewishestospeaktoyou；itisafixedideawithhim-heisalwaysthinkingofit。Hehassomethingveryimportanttosaytoyou。Hebelievesthatyouneverunderstoodhim-thatyouneverjudgedhimrightly，andthebeliefhasalwaysweigheduponhimterribly。Hewishestojustifyhimself；hebelievesthatinaveryfewwordshecoulddoso。Hewishestomeetyouasafriend。\"
Catherinelistenedtothiswonderfulspeechwithoutpausinginherwork；shehadnowhadseveraldaystoaccustomherselftothinkofMorrisTownsendagainasanactuality。Whenitwasovershesaidsimply，\"PleasesaytoMr。TownsendthatIwishhewouldleavemealone。\"
Shehadhardlyspokenwhenasharp，firmringatthedoorvibratedthroughthesummernight。Catherinelookedupattheclock；itmarkedaquarterpastnine-averylatehourforvisitors，especiallyintheemptyconditionofthetown。Mrs。Pennimanatthesamemomentgavealittlestart，andthenCatherine\'seyesturnedquicklytoheraunt。TheymetMrs。Penniman\'s，andsoundedthemforamomentsharply。Mrs。Pennimanwasblushing；herlookwasaconsciousone；itseemedtoconfesssomething。Catherineguesseditsmeaning，androsequicklyfromherchair。
\"AuntPenniman，\"shesaid，inatonethatscaredhercompanion，\"haveyoutakentheliberty……？\"
\"MydearestCatherine，\"stammeredMrs。Penniman，\"justwaittillyouseehim！\"
Catherinehadfrightenedheraunt，butshewasalsofrightenedherself；shewasonthepointofrushingtogiveorderstotheservant，whowaspassingtothedoor，toadmitnoone；butthefearofmeetinghervisitorcheckedher。
\"Mr。MorrisTownsend。\"
Thiswaswhatsheheard，vaguelybutrecognizably，articulatedbythedomestic，whileshehesitated。Shehadherbackturnedtothedooroftheparlor，andforsomemomentsshekeptitturned，feelingthathehadcomein。Hehadnotspoken，however，andatlastshefacedabout。Thenshesawagentlemanstandinginthemiddleoftheroom，fromwhichheraunthaddiscreetlyretired。
Shewouldneverhaveknownhim。Hewasforty-fiveyearsold，andhisfigurewasnotthatofthestraight，slimyoungmansheremembered。
Butitwasaveryfinepresence，andafairandlustrousbeard，spreadingitselfuponawell-presentedchest，contributedtoitseffect。AfteramomentCatherinerecognizedtheupperhalfoftheface，which，thoughhervisitor\'sclusteringlockshadgrownthin，wasstillremarkablyhandsome。Hestoodinadeeplydeferentialattitude，withhiseyesonherface。\"Ihaveventured-Ihaveventured，\"hesaid；andthenhepaused，lookingabouthim，asifheexpectedhertoaskhimtositdown。Itwastheoldvoice；butithadnottheoldcharm。Catherine，foraminute，wasconsciousofadistinctdeterminationnottoinvitehimtotakeaseat。Whyhadhecome？Itwaswrongforhimtocome。Morriswasembarrassed，butCatherinegavehimnohelp。Itwasnotthatshewasgladofhisembarrassment；onthecontrary，itexcitedallherownliabilitiesofthiskind，andgavehergreatpain。Buthowcouldshewelcomehimwhenshefeltsovividlythatheoughtnottohavecome？\"Iwantedsomuch-Iwasdetermined，\"Morriswenton。Buthestoppedagain；itwasnoteasy。Catherinestillsaidnothing，andhemaywellhaverecalledwithapprehensionherancientfacultyofsilence。Shecontinuedtolookathim，however，andasshedidsoshemadethestrangestobservation。Itseemedtobehe，andyetnothe；itwasthemanwhohadbeeneverything，andyetthispersonwasnothing。
Howlongagoitwas-howoldshehadgrown-howmuchshehadlived！
Shehadlivedonsomethingthatwasconnectedwithhim，andshehadconsumeditindoingso。Thispersondidnotlookunhappy。Hewasfairandwell-preserved，perfectlydressed，matureandcomplete。AsCatherinelookedathim，thestoryofhislifedefineditselfinhiseyes；hehadmadehimselfcomfortable，andhehadneverbeencaught。
Butevenwhileherperceptionopeneditselftothis，shehadnodesiretocatchhim；hispresencewaspainfultoher，andsheonlywishedhewouldgo。
\"Willyounotsitdown？\"heasked。
\"Ithinkwehadbetternot，\"saidCatherine。
\"Ioffendyoubycoming？\"Hewasverygrave；hespokeinatoneoftherichestrespect。
\"Idon\'tthinkyououghttohavecome。\"
\"DidnotMrs。Pennimantellyou-didshenotgiveyoumymessage？\"
\"Shetoldmesomething，butIdidnotunderstand。\"
\"Iwishyouwouldletmetellyou-letmespeakformyself。\"
\"Idon\'tthinkitisnecessary，\"saidCatherine。
\"Notforyou，perhaps，butforme。Itwouldbeagreatsatisfaction-
andIhavenotmany。\"Heseemedtobecomingnearer；Catherineturnedaway。\"Canwenotbefriendsagain？\"heasked。
\"We\'renotenemies，\"saidCatherine。\"Ihavenonebutfriendlyfeelingstoyou。\"
\"Ah，Iwonderwhetheryouknowthehappinessitgivesmetohearyousaythat！\"Catherineutterednointimationthatshemeasuredtheinfluenceofherwords；andhepresentlywenton，\"Youhavenotchanged-theyearshavepassedhappilyforyou。\"
\"Theyhavepassedveryquietly，\"saidCatherine。
\"Theyhaveleftnomarks；youareadmirablyyoung。\"Thistimehesucceededincomingnearer-hewasclosetoher；shesawhisglossyperfumedbeard，andhiseyesaboveitlookingstrangeandhard。Itwasverydifferentfromhisold-fromhisyoung-face。Ifshehadfirstseenhimthiswayshewouldnothavelikedhim。Itseemedtoherthathewassmiling，ortryingtosmile。\"Catherine，\"hesaid，loweringhisvoice，\"Ihaveneverceasedtothinkofyou。\"
\"Pleasedon\'tsaythesethings，\"sheanswered。
\"Doyouhateme？\"
\"Ohno，\"saidCatherine。
Somethinginhertonediscouragedhim，butinamomentherecoveredhimself。\"Haveyoustillsomekindnessforme，then？\"
\"Idon\'tknowwhyyouhavecomeheretoaskmesuchthings！\"
Catherineexclaimed。
\"Becauseformanyyearsithasbeenthedesireofmylifethatweshouldbefriendsagain。\"
\"Thatisimpossible。\"
\"Whyso？Notifyouwillallowit。\"
\"Iwillnotallowit，\"saidCatherine。
Helookedatheragaininsilence。\"Isee；mypresencetroublesyouandpainsyou。Iwillgoaway；butyoumustgivemeleavetocomeagain。\"
\"Pleasedon\'tcomeagain，\"shesaid。
\"Never？Never？\"
Shemadeagreateffort；shewishedtosaysomethingthatwouldmakeitimpossibleheshouldeveragaincrossherthreshold。\"Itiswrongofyou。Thereisnoproprietyinit-noreasonforit。\"
\"Ah，dearestlady，youdomeinjustice！\"criedMorrisTownsend。
\"Wehaveonlywaited，andnowwearefree。\"
\"Youtreatedmebadly，\"saidCatherine。
\"Notifyouthinkofitrightly。Youhadyourquietlifewithyourfather-whichwasjustwhatIcouldnotmakeupmymindtorobyouof。\"
\"Yes；Ihadthat。\"
Morrisfeltittobeaconsiderabledamagetohiscausethathecouldnotaddthatshehadhadsomethingmorebesides；foritisneedlesstosaythathehadlearnedthecontentsofDoctorSloper\'swill。Hewas，nevertheless，notataloss。\"Thereareworsefatesthanthat！\"heexclaimed，withexpression；andhemighthavebeensupposedtorefertohisownunprotectedsituation。Thenheadded，withadeepertenderness，\"Catherine，haveyouneverforgivenme？\"
\"Iforgaveyouyearsago，butitisuselessforustoattempttobefriends。\"
\"Notifweforgetthepast。Wehavestillafuture，thankGod！\"
\"Ican\'tforget-Idon\'tforget，\"saidCatherine。\"Youtreatedmetoobadly。Ifeltitverymuch；Ifeltitforyears。\"Andthenshewenton，withherwishtoshowhimthathemustnotcometoherthisway，\"Ican\'tbeginagain-Ican\'ttakeitup。Everythingisdeadandburied。Itwastooserious；itmadeagreatchangeinmylife。I
neverexpectedtoseeyouhere。\"
\"Ah，youareangry！\"criedMorris，whowishedimmenselythathecouldextortsomeflashofpassionfromhercalmness。Inthatcasehemighthope。
\"No，Iamnotangry。Angerdoesnotlastthatwayforyears。Butthereareotherthings。Impressionslast，whentheyhavebeenstrong。ButIcan\'ttalk。\"
Morrisstoodstrokinghisbeard，withacloudedeye。\"Whyhaveyounevermarried？\"heasked，abruptly。\"Youhavehadopportunities。\"
\"Ididn\'twishtomarry。\"
\"Yes，youarerich，youarefree；youhadnothingtogain。\"
\"Ihadnothingtogain，\"saidCatherine。
Morrislookedvaguelyroundhim，andgaveadeepsigh。\"Well，I
wasinhopesthatwemightstillhavebeenfriends。\"
\"Imeanttotellyou，bymyaunt，inanswertoyourmessage-ifyouhadwaitedforananswer-thatitwasunnecessaryforyoutocomeinthathope。\"
\"Good-bye，then，\"saidMorris。\"Excusemyindiscretion。\"
Hebowed，andsheturnedaway-standingthere，averted，withhereyesontheground，forsomemomentsaftershehadheardhimclosethedooroftheroom。
InthehallhefoundMrs。Penniman，flutteredandeager；sheappearedtohavebeenhoveringthereundertheirreconcilablepromptingsofhercuriosityandherdignity。
\"Thatwasapreciousplanofyours！\"saidMorris，clappingonhishat。
\"Isshesohard？\"askedMrs。Penniman。
\"Shedoesn\'tcareabuttonforme-withherconfoundedlittledrymanner。\"
\"Wasitverydry？\"pursuedMrs。Penniman，withsolicitude。
Morristooknonoticeofherquestion；hestoodmusinganinstant，withhishaton。\"Butwhythedeuce，then，wouldshenevermarry？\"
\"Yes-whyindeed？\"sighedMrs。Penniman。Andthen，asiffromasenseoftheinadequacyofthisexplanation，\"Butyouwillnotdespair-youwillcomeback？\"
\"Comeback？Damnation！\"AndMorrisTownsendstrodeoutofthehouse，leavingMrs。Pennimanstaring。
Catherine，meanwhile，intheparlor，pickinguphermorseloffancywork，hadseatedherselfwithitagain-forlife，asitwere。