Love at the Square Learn English through story level 4
chapter one
poor katherine
in the first half of the 19th century
there lived in new york a very
successful doctor
his success was for two reasons
he was without doubt a good doctor
intelligent and honest
but he also knew how to please his
patients
he gave long careful explanations about
the illness
and always gave them some medicine to
take
indeed
his patients were fond of saying that
they had the best doctor in the country
by the time he was 50
dr austin sloper was quite a famous
person in new york
his conversation was clever and amusing
and no fashionable party in the city was
complete without him
he was also lucky
in 1820
at the age of 27
he had married
for love
a very charming girl who had a fortune
of ten thousand dollars a year
for about five years
dr sloper was a very happy husband
he continued to work as a doctor
and each year became more experienced
and more successful
some of the experience however
was very unwelcome
his first child
a little boy of great promise
died at three years of age
neither the mother’s love
nor the father’s medicine could save him
two years later
mrs sloper had a second child
a little girl
this disappointed the doctor
who had wished for another son to take
the place of the first
but there was worse news to come
a week after the child was born
the young mother fell ill
and before another week had passed
she was dead
for a man whose profession was to keep
people alive
austin slopper had certainly done badly
in his own family
but the only person who blamed dr sloper
was dr sloper himself
he felt that he had failed
and he carried this private blame for
the rest of his life
he still had his little girl
whom he named catherine after her poor
mother
she grew up a strong and healthy child
and her father knew that he would not
lose her
when the child was about 10 years old
the doctor invited his sister
mrs lavinia pennyman
to stay with him
he had two sisters
and both of them had married early in
life
the younger one
mrs almond
was the wife of a rich man and the
mother of a large family
elizabeth almond was a comfortable
reasonable woman
and dr sloper preferred her to his
sister lavinia
however
lavinia’s husband had died at the age of
33
leaving his wife without children or
fortune
and so dr sloper invited his sister to
stay while she looked for rooms to rent
no one really knew if mrs pennyman ever
looked for rooms
but it is certain that she never found
them
after six months the doctor accepted the
fact that his sister was never going to
leave
mrs pennyman told everyone except her
brother that she was katherine’s teacher
dr sloper guessed that this was her
explanation
and he found the idea laughable
since he did not think his sister was
very intelligent
in fact
he did not have a good opinion of women
at all
the only woman he had ever admired
had been his wife
he was always extremely polite to
lavinia
but he had no interest in her opinions
or conversation
he only spoke to her to inform her of
his wishes for catherine
once
when the girl was about 12 years old he
said to his sister
try to make a clever woman out of her
lavinia
i should like her to be a clever woman
mrs pennyman looked at him
my dear austin she said
do you think it is better to be clever
than to be good
good for what asked the doctor
you are good for nothing unless you are
clever
of course i wish catherine to be good
but it will not make her a better person
to be a fool
mrs pennyman was a tall
thin
fair woman
she was romantic
and her brother knew that she loved
little secrets and mysteries
when catherine is about 17 he said to
himself
lavinia will try and persuade her that
some young man with a mustache is in
love with her
it will be quite untrue
no young man with or without a mustache
will ever be in love with catherine
catherine was strong and healthy
but she did not have any of her mother’s
beauty or her father’s cleverness
in fact there was very little that was
interesting about her at all
she was large and well-built
with brown hair
a round face
and small quiet eyes
the more generous friends of dr sloper
noticed that she was well behaved and
polite
others thought she was just dull
but catherine was not someone people
spent much time talking about
she was extremely fond of her father and
very much afraid of him
she wanted to please him more than
anything in the world
but although dr sloper was usually kind
to catherine
he was very disappointed in her
he wanted to be proud of his daughter
but there was nothing to be proud of in
poor catherine
she was not elegant or pretty or
charming like her mother
and by the age of 18 mrs pennyman had
still not made her a clever woman
over the years however dr sloper got
used to his disappointment
i expect nothing from her he said to
himself
if she gives me a surprise i will be
happy
if she doesn’t i shall not lose anything
at this time it did not seem possible
that katherine would ever surprise
anyone
she was always very quiet
saying so little in conversation that
she seemed almost stupid
but she was silent because she was shy
uncomfortably painfully shy
in fact
she was a very gentle sensitive girl
slowly catherine realized that she was
changing from a girl into a young lady
she began wearing expensive clothes in
very bright colors
rather too bright for dr sloper
when she was 20 she bought a red and
gold evening dress
and did not seem to realize that it made
her look 10 years older
dr sloper preferred simple elegant
things
and it annoyed him to think that his
child was both ugly and badly dressed
though he kept this opinion private
it must be added that catherine was
expected to become a very rich woman
she had already inherited some money
from her mother
but the doctor had been making twenty
thousand dollars a year by his
profession
and saving half of it
one day this growing fortune would pass
to catherine
in
1835
dr sloper moved his family to a more
fashionable address
he built himself a handsome modern house
in washington square
which was just around the corner from
fifth avenue
across the road from the house
in the center of the square
was a pretty garden
which was open to everyone though few
people ever used it
mrs almond lived further out of the city
in a house that was almost in the
country
she had nine children
and catherine went with mrs pennyman to
see her cousins every week
the little almonds were now growing up
the boys had been sent off to college or
to work in offices
while the girls looked for suitable
husbands
when mrs almond gave a party for her
younger daughter marion
who had become engaged to a promising
young man
catherine naturally was invited
at this time she was 21 years old
and mrs allman’s party was the beginning
of something very important
chapter 2
a handsome young man
not long after the dancing had begun at
the party
marion almond came up to introduce
katherine to a tall young man
she told catherine that the young man
very much wanted to meet her
and that he was a cousin of arthur
townsend
the man she was engaged to
catherine always felt uncomfortable when
meeting new people
the young man mr morris townsend
was very handsome
and when marion went away
catherine stood in front of him
not knowing what to say
but before she could get embarrassed
mr townsend began to talk to her with an
easy smile
what a delightful party
what a charming house
what an interesting family
what a pretty girl your cousin is
mr townsend looked straight into
catherine’s
eyes she answered nothing
she only listened and looked at him
he went on to say many other things in
the same comfortable and natural way
catherine
though silent
was not embarrassed
it seemed right that such a handsome man
should talk
and that she should simply look at him
the music
which had been silent for a while
suddenly began again
he smiled and asked her to dance
catherine gave no answer
she simply let him put his arm around
her
and in a moment they were dancing around
the room
when they paused she felt that she was
red
and then
for some moments she stopped looking at
him
does dancing make you dizzy he asked in
a kind voice
catherine looked up at him
yes
she murmured
though she did not know why
dancing had never made her dizzy
then we will sit and talk said mr
townsend
i will find a good place to sit
he found a good place
a charming place a little sofa in a
corner that seemed meant for two persons
we
will talk
the young man had said
but he still did all the talking
catherine sat with her eyes fixed on him
smiling
and thinking him very clever
she had never seen anyone so handsome
before
he told her that he was a distant cousin
of arthur townsend
and arthur had brought him to introduce
him to the family
in fact
he was a stranger in new york
he had not been there for many years
he had been traveling around the world
living in many strange places
and had only come back a month or two
before
new york was very pleasant
but he felt lonely
people forget you he said
smiling at catherine
it seemed to catherine that no one who
had seen him would ever forget him
but she kept this thought to herself
they sat there for some time
he was very amusing
and catherine had never heard anyone
speak as well as he did
not even an actor in a theater
and mr townsend was not like an actor
he seemed so sincere
so natural
then marian almond came pushing through
the crowd of dancers
she gave a little cry
which made catherine blush
when she saw the young people still
together
she told mr townsend that her mother had
been waiting for half an hour to
introduce him to somebody
we shall meet again
he said to catherine as he left her
her cousin took catherine by the arm
and what do you think of morris she
asked
oh
nothing particular
catherine answered
hiding what she really felt for the
first time in her life
oh i must tell him that cried marion it
will do him good
he’s so terribly conceited
conceded
said catherine staring at her cousin
so arthur says
and arthur knows about him
oh
don’t tell him
said catherine
don’t tell him
i have told him that many times
half an hour later catherine saw her
aunt pennyman sitting by a window with
morris townsend
she already knew the name very well
standing in front of her
he was saying clever things
and mrs pennyman was smiling
catherine moved away quickly
she did not want him to turn round and
see her
but she was glad he was talking to mrs
pennyman
because it seemed to keep him near to
her
in the carriage as they drove home
catherine was very quiet
and dr sloper talked with his sister
who was that young man you spent so much
time with he asked
he seemed very interested in you
he was not interested
in me said mrs pennyman
he talked to me about katherine
oh and pennyman
catherine murmured
he is very handsome and very clever her
aunt went on
he spoke in a
in a very charming way
the doctor smiled
he is in love with catherine then
oh father
murmured the girl
thankful that it was dark in the
carriage
i don’t know that
but he admired her dress
admiring just the dress
instead of the person
might not seem very enthusiastic
but catherine did not think this
she was deeply pleased
her father looked
with a cool little smile
at her expensive red and gold dress
you see he said
he thinks you have eighty thousand
dollars a
year i don’t believe he thinks of that
said mrs pennyman
he is too fine a gentleman
he must be extremely fine not to think
of that
well
he is
catherine cried before she knew it
i thought you had gone to sleep her
father answered
the hour has come
he added to himself
lavinia is going to arrange a romance
for catherine
a few days after mrs allman’s party
morris townsend and his cousin called at
washington square
catherine and her aunt were sitting
together by the fire in the parlor
arthur townsend sat and talked to
catherine
while his companion sat next to mrs
pennyman
catherine
usually so easy to please
tonight found arthur rather
uninteresting
she kept looking over at the other side
of the room
where morris townsend was deep in
conversation with her aunt
every few minutes he looked over at
catherine and smiled
and she wished that she was sitting
nearer to him
arthur seemed to notice that catherine
was interested in his companion
my cousin asked me to bring him he
explained
seemed to want very much to come
i told him i wanted to ask you first but
he said that mrs pennyman had invited
him
we are very glad to see him said
catherine
she wished to talk more about him
but she did not know what to say
i never saw him before
she went on
arthur townsend stared
but he told me he talked with you for
over half an hour the other night
i mean
before the other night
that was the first time
oh
he has been away from new york
he has been all around the world
my aunt likes him very much said
catherine
most people like him he’s so brilliant
though i know some people who say my
cousin is too clever
catherine listened with extreme interest
if morris townsend had a fault it would
naturally be that one she thought
after a moment she asked
now that he has come back
will he stay here always
if he can find something to do
said arthur
he’s looking around for some kind of
employment or business
but he can’t find anything
i am very sorry
said catherine
oh he doesn’t mind arthur said
he isn’t in a hurry
catherine thought about this
then asked
won’t his father take him into his
business
his office
he hasn’t got a father he has only got a
sister said arthur townsend
and he looked across at his cousin and
began to laugh
morris we’re talking about you
morris townsend paused in his
conversation with mrs pennyman
and stared with a little smile
then he stood up
i’m afraid i was not talking about you
he said to catherine’s companion
though i can’t pretend that miss
sloper’s name did not enter our
conversation
catherine thought that this was a
wonderfully clever thing to say
but she was embarrassed by it
and she also got up
morris townsend stood looking at her and
smiling
he put out his hand to say goodbye
he was going
and though he had not said anything to
catherine
she was still glad that she had seen him
i will tell her what you have said
when you go
said mrs pennyman with a little laugh
catherine blushed
she felt they were almost laughing at
her
what in the world had this beautiful
young man said
she saw that he was looking at her
kindly
i have not talked with you he said
and that was what i came for
but it will be a good reason for coming
another time
i am not afraid of what your aunt will
say when i go
after the two young men had left
catherine who was still blushing
gave mrs pennyman a serious look
what did you say you would tell me
she asked
mrs pennyman smiled and nodded a little
it’s a great secret my dear child
but he is coming here to court you
catherine was serious still
is that what he told you
didn’t say so exactly
but he left me to guess it
i’m good at guessing
mrs pennyman gave her niece a soft
little kiss
you must be very nice to him
catherine stared
she was amazed
i don’t understand you she said
he doesn’t know me
oh yes he does
he knows you more than you think
i have told him all about you
oh and pennyman
said catherine in a frightened voice
he is a stranger
we don’t know him
my dear catherine
you know very well that you admire him
oh
aunt pennyman
said catherine again
perhaps she did admire him
though this did not seem to her a thing
to talk about
but she could not believe that this
brilliant stranger wished to court her
only a romantic woman like her aunt
would believe that
chapter 3
who is morris townsend
half an hour after the two young men had
left
dr sloper came into the parlor
mr morris townsend has just been here
austin
mrs pennyman told her brother
what a pity you missed him
who in the world is mr morris townsend
the gentleman at elizabeth’s party who
liked catherine so much
said mrs pennyman
oh
his name is morris townsend is it
the doctor said
he looked at catherine
and did he come here to ask you to marry
him
oh father
murmured catherine turning away
i hope he won’t do that without your
permission
said mrs pennyman
my dear
he seems to have yours her brother
answered
the next time he comes you should call
me
he might like to see me
maurice townsend came again five days
later
but dr sloper was not at home at the
time
catherine was with her aunt when a
servant announced the young man’s name
mrs pennyman sent her niece into the
parlor alone
this time it’s for you
for you only she said
so catherine saw mr townsend alone
sitting with him in the front parlor
for more than an hour
he seemed more at home this time
making himself very comfortable
and looking around with interest at the
room and the furniture
his talk was light
easy and friendly
tell me about yourself
he said to her with his charming smile
catherine had very little to tell
but she told him of her love of music
and the theater
and how she did not really enjoy reading
maurice townsend agreed with her that
books were boring
he had been to places that people had
written about
and they were not at all as they had
been described
he had also seen all the famous actors
in london and paris
but the actors were always like the
writers
they were never true to real life
he liked everything to be natural
suddenly he stopped
looking at catherine with his smile
that’s what i like you for
you are so natural he said
you see
i am natural myself
he went on to talk about his great love
of music and singing
i sing a little myself he added
someday i will show you
not today
but some other time
and then he got up to go
he had perhaps talked more about himself
than about catherine
but the truth was that catherine had not
noticed
she was thinking only that
some other time had a delightful sound
it seemed to suggest many more meetings
in the future
catherine felt it was her duty to tell
her father that mr morris townsend had
called again
though it made her feel ashamed and
uncomfortable
she announced the fact very suddenly as
soon as the doctor came into the house
and then immediately tried to leave the
room
her father stopped her just as she
reached the door
well my dear
did he ask you to marry him today
the doctor said
catherine had no answer ready
she wanted to be amused as her father
was amused
but she also wanted to be a little sharp
so that he would not ask her the
question again
she did not like it
it made her unhappy
perhaps
he will do it next time
she said with a little laugh
and she quickly got out of the room
[Music]
the doctor stood staring
he wondered whether his daughter was
serious
and decided to find out more about this
handsome young man
the next time he saw his sister
elizabeth he asked her about morris
townsend
lavinia has already been to ask me about
him mrs allman said
what did you tell her
the doctor asked
what i tell you that i know very little
of him
how disappointing for lavinia
said the doctor
she would like him to have some romantic
secret in his past
i hear that he is a distant cousin of
arthur townsend
yes
though it seems that there are townsends
and townsends
some rather better than others
arthur’s mother knows very little about
him
only some story that he has been
wild in the past
i know his sister a little
her name is mrs montgomery
she is a widow
with five children and not much money
what is his profession asked the doctor
he hasn’t got any
he is looking for something
i believe he was once in the navy
once
what is his age
more than 30 i think
arthur told me that he inherited a
little money
which is perhaps why he left the navy
and that he spent it all in a few years
he traveled all over the world
lived in foreign countries
amused himself
he has recently come back to america and
he told arthur that he now wants to
start his life seriously
is he serious about catherine then
i don’t see why you are surprised said
mrs almond
it seems to me that you have never been
fair to catherine
you must remember that she will one day
have thirty thousand dollars a year
the doctor looked at his sister for a
moment
i see that you remember it
mrs almond blushed
i don’t mean that is the only good thing
about her
i simply mean that it is important
you seem to think that nobody will ever
want to marry her
why should i think differently elizabeth
the doctor said
how many young men have come courting
catherine
even with her expected fortune
none
which is why lavinia is so charmed that
there is now a lover in the house
it is the first time
i think young men are rather afraid of
catherine
said the doctor’s wiser sister
she seems older than they are
she is so large
and she dresses so richly
an older more experienced man would
recognize all the good things in her
character and would find her
delightful and mr townsend
what are his reasons for courting
catherine
is he sincere in liking her
it is very possible that he is sincere
lavinia is sure of it
dr sloper thought for a moment
if he does not work what are his means
i have no idea
he lives with his sister and her
children on second avenue
a widow with five children
do you mean he lives upon her
mrs almond looked at her brother a
little impatiently
why not ask mrs montgomery yourself
she said
perhaps i will
said the doctor
dr sloper was more amused than annoyed
by the idea of mr townsend courting his
daughter
he was quite willing to believe the best
of the young man
and if he was a sincere
honest man
it did not matter if he was poor
since catherine had no need of a rich
husband
the next time he comes
he told mrs pennyman
you must invite him to dinner
mrs pennyman was happy to pass on her
brother’s invitation
which morris townsend accepted
and the dinner was arranged
two or three other people were invited
as well
and although dr sloper talked very
little to the young man during the meal
he watched him carefully
at the end of the meal
when the ladies had gone up to the
parlor
leaving the men to their drinking
the doctor gave him some wine and asked
him several questions
morris townsend was happy to talk
and the doctor sat quietly
watching his bright handsome face
he is clever
a good talker
and very self-confident
catherine’s father thought
and he dresses very well
but
i don’t think i like him
the doctor however kept his thoughts to
himself
later
when the men joined the ladies in the
parlor
maurice townsend went over to catherine
who was standing before the fire in her
red evening dress
your father doesn’t like me
said the young man
i don’t see how you know
said catherine blushing
i can feel these things
you ask him and you will see
i would rather not ask him
if there is any danger of his saying
what you think
morris gave her a sad little smile
so
you will allow him to say things against
me and not tell him he is wrong
i never argue with him said catherine
and he won’t say anything against you
he doesn’t know you enough
maurice townsend gave a loud laugh
and catherine began to blush again
i shall never talk about you
she said
that is very well
but i would prefer you to say that it
doesn’t matter what your father thinks
but it would matter
i couldn’t say that the girl cried
he stared at her
smiling a little
and just for a moment there was an
impatient look in those fine eyes
but he spoke softly and sadly
then i must try to make him like me
the next time the doctor visited mrs
almond he told her that he had now met
morris townsend
he is certainly a fine looking young man
he said
but what do you think of him as a father
mrs almond asked
lavinia tells me that catherine is in
love
well
she must stop being in love
he is not a gentleman
he is extremely charming
and completely insincere
you have decided very quickly
said mrs almond
not at all
i have been studying people for a
lifetime
and am now quite able to make a judgment
in a single evening
very possibly you are right
but the thing is for catherine to see it
i will give her a pair of glasses
said the doctor
chapter 4
maurice townsend looks for a position
if it were true that catherine was in
love
she was certainly very quiet about it
she had told morris townsend that she
would not mention him to her father
and so she said nothing about morris’s
continued visits
it was only polite of course
for morris to visit after the dinner at
washington square
and only natural for him to continue
visiting
these visits had quickly become the most
important thing in catherine’s life
she was very happy
she did not yet know what the future
would bring
and she was too modest to expect
anything
[Music]
she was just grateful for the present
the sound of his voice
the words he spoke to her
the expression of his face
dr sloper suspected morris townsend’s
visits
and noticed how quiet catherine had
become
[Music]
what is going on in this house
he asked his sister
going on austin
said mrs pennyman
why haven’t you told me that mr morris
townsend is coming to the house
four or five times a week
i am away all day and i see nothing
mrs pennyman thought for a moment
dear austin
she said at last
i cannot tell a secret
whose secret
catherine’s
mr townsends
if it is his
i think it is extremely foolish of you
to have secrets with young men
you don’t know where they will lead you
i don’t know what you mean
said mrs pennyman
i take a great interest in mr townsend
i don’t hide that
but that is all
it is quite enough
and
what do you find so interesting about mr
townsend
his good looks
his misfortunes austin
i cannot tell you his story
but he would tell it to you himself
if he thought you would listen to him
kindly
the doctor gave a laugh
i shall ask him very kindly to leave
catherine alone
catherine probably says kinder things to
him than that
has she said that she loved him
do you mean that
mrs pennyman stared at the floor
she doesn’t talk to me about him
i think she is very happy
that is all i can say
townsend wants to marry her is that what
you mean
he admires catherine greatly
said mrs pennyman
and he says the most charming things
about her
and these
misfortunes that you refuse to tell me
about
did they make him poor
it is a long story said mrs pennyman
and all i can say is that he has been
wild in the past
but
he has paid for it
the doctor smoked his cigar in silence
then said
i am told he lives with his sister and
does nothing for himself
he is looking very seriously for a
position
said mrs pennyman
he hopes every day to find one
exactly
he is looking for it here
over there in the front parlor
the position of husband of a weak woman
with a large fortune
that would suit him perfectly
mrs pennyman got up and looked at her
brother a little angrily
my dear austin she said
you are making a great mistake if you
think that catherine is a weak woman
and with this
she walked away
the family in washington square spent
every sunday evening at mrs allman’s
house
on the sunday after his conversation
with mrs pennyman
dr sloper went off to another room to
talk to his brother-in-law about
business
he came back later to find that morris
townsend had arrived
and was sitting on a sofa beside
catherine
there were several friends of the family
present and it was easy for the two
young people to sit and talk privately
the doctor saw at once however that his
daughter was painfully conscious that he
was watching her
she sat very still
with her eyes down
blushing deeply
dr sloper felt so sorry for her that he
turned his eyes away
poor catherine he thought
it must be very nice for her to have a
beautiful young man court her
perhaps i should give him another chance
a little later when maurice townsend was
standing alone
the doctor crossed the room towards
him the young man looked at him with a
little smile
he’s amazingly conceited thought the
doctor
then he said
i am told you are looking for a position
yes i should like some work
morris townsend replied
but i fear that i have no special
talents
you are too modest said the doctor
i know nothing of you except what i see
but i see by your face that you are
extremely intelligent
ah
townsend said
i don’t know what to answer when you say
that
you advise me then
not to give up hope
the question seemed to have a double
meaning
and the doctor looked at him for a
moment before he answered
no young man should ever give up hope
if he does not succeed in one thing
he can try another
morris townsend stared down at his shoes
were you kindly suggesting a position
for me
he then asked looking up and smiling
this annoyed the doctor
and he paused for a moment
then he said
i sometimes hear of possibilities
how would you feel for example
about leaving new york
i am afraid i could not do that
i must find my fortune in this city
you see added morris townsend
i have
responsibilities here
i have a sister who depends on me
family feeling is very important
said dr sloper
i often think there is not enough of it
in our city
i think i have heard of your sister
it is possible
but i doubt it
she lived so very quietly
as quietly you mean the doctor went on
with a short laugh
as a lady may do with several small
children
i help with my little nephews and nieces
said morris townsend i am their teacher
that is very good
but it is not a career
it won’t make my fortune
agreed the young man
later in the evening
the doctor spoke to mrs almond
i should like to see his sister he said
mrs montgomery
mr townsend tells me he teaches her
children
i will try and arrange it for you said
mrs almond
i must say he doesn’t look in the least
like a school teacher
and when morris townsend spoke to
catherine again later
he did not sound like a school teacher
either
will you meet me somewhere tomorrow he
murmured
i have something particular to say to
you
very particular
can’t you come to the house
can’t you say it there
catherine asked lifting her frightened
eyes
townsend shook his head sadly
i cannot enter your doors again
your father has insulted me
insulted you
he dislikes me because i am poor
oh
you are wrong
you misunderstood him
said catherine
getting up from her chair
he laughed at me for having no position
i took it quietly
but only because he belongs to you
i don’t know what he thinks
said catherine
i am sure he means to be kind
you must not be too proud
i will be proud only of you my dearest
said morris
and catherine blushed
will you meet me tomorrow evening in the
garden in the square
it is very quiet there
no one will see us
catherine hesitated
young ladies did not go out alone in the
evenings to meet young men in gardens
i am not
not very brave she said
ah then
if you are afraid
what shall we do
she hesitated again
then at last said
you must come to the house
i am not afraid of that
i would rather meet in the square
the young man said
you know how empty it is often
no one will see us
i don’t care who sees us
but
leave me now
he left her
he had got what he wanted
catherine met the young man next day in
the place she had chosen
among the elegant furniture of a new
york parlor
mrs pennyman as usual
left the two young people alone to enjoy
their romantic meeting
we must decide what to do
said morris
he had already
on earlier visits
told catherine that he loved her
he had put his arm around her and taken
kisses
which had made her heart beat very fast
she felt deeply
wonderfully happy
but she was also confused
and a little frightened
after morris had kissed her
on his last visit
she had begged him to go away
to let her think
she felt his kisses on her lips for a
long time afterwards
and she could not think clearly at all
would she do if
as she feared
her father told her that he did not like
morris townsend
today however
when morris spoke about deciding
something
she felt that it was the truth
and said simply
we must do our duty
we must speak to my father
i will do it tonight
you must do it tomorrow
it is very good of you to do it first
morris answered
the young man
the happy lover usually does that
you must promise to be gentle with my
father
i shall try
morris promised
but do you know what your father will
say
he will tell you i want your money
oh murmured catherine softly
how wrong he is
morris gave her a fond little kiss
i shall tell him that he is wrong
said catherine
he will argue with you
catherine looked at her lover for a
minute
and then she said
i shall persuade him
but i am glad we shall be rich
morris turned away
no
it’s a misfortune he said
it is from that that our problems will
come
if it is the worst misfortune
we are not so
unhappy i will persuade him
and after that
we shall be very glad we have money
morris listened to these sensible words
in silence
you must speak for me on this
i cannot do it myself
catherine too was silent for a while
she looked at morris who was staring out
of the window
morris
she said suddenly
are you very sure you love me
he turned round and came to her at once
my own dearest
can you doubt it
i have only known it five days she said
but now it seems to me something
i could not live without
you will never need to try
he gave a gentle laugh
then he added
there is something you must tell me too
catherine had closed her eyes and kept
them closed
you must tell me
morris went on
that if your father is against me
you will still be faithful
catherine opened her eyes and stared at
him
she could give no better promise than
what he read there
chapter 5
dr sloper decides
catherine listened for her father when
he came in that evening
and she heard him go to his study
she sat quiet
though her heart was beating fast
for nearly half an hour
then she went and knocked on his door
on entering the room she found him in
his chair beside the fire
with a cigar
and the evening paper
i have something to say to you
she began very gently
i shall be happy to hear it my dear
said her father
he waited
looking at her
while she stared silently at the fire
i am engaged to be married
catherine said at last
the doctor did not show how surprised he
was
you are right to tell me he said
and who is the happy man
mr morris townsend
as she said her lover’s name
catherine looked at him
then she looked back at the fire
when did this happen
the doctor asked
this afternoon
two hours ago
was mr townsend here
yes father
in the front parlor
she was very glad that she did not have
to tell him her engagement had taken
place in the garden of the square
her father was silent for a moment
why did mr townsend not tell me
it is his duty to speak to me first
he means to tell you tomorrow
the doctor smoked his cigar for a while
you have gone very fast he said at last
yes
catherine answered simply
i think we have
her father looked at her for a moment
i’m not surprised that mr townsend likes
you
you are so simple and good
i don’t know why
but he does like me
i am sure of that
and i like him very much
but you have known him a very short time
my dear
oh
said catherine
it doesn’t take long to like a person
once you have begun
of course you are no longer a little
girl
i feel very old
and very wise
said catherine smiling
i am afraid that you will soon feel
older and wiser
i don’t like your engagement
oh
said catherine softly getting up from
her chair
no my dear
i am sorry to give you pain
but i don’t like it
why didn’t you speak to me first
catherine hesitated for a moment
then she said
i was afraid you didn’t like mr townsend
you were quite right
i don’t like him
dear father
you don’t know him
said catherine gently
she remembered morris’s warning
you think he is only interested in my
fortune
dr sloper looked up at her
with his cold reasonable eyes
i am not accusing mr townsend of that
you are an honest
kind-hearted girl
and there is nothing impossible in an
intelligent young man loving you for
yourself
but the main thing that we know about
this young man
is that he has spent his own fortune in
amusing himself
there is good reason to believe that he
would spend yours too
that is not the only thing we know about
him
he is kind and generous
and true
said poor catherine
she was not used to arguing
and her voice trembled a little
and the fortune he spent was very small
the doctor stood up
he held her for a moment and kissed her
you won’t think me cruel he said
the question filled catherine with fear
but she said
no dear father
because if you knew how i feel you would
be so kind
so gentle
yes
i think i know how you feel
the doctor
said i will be very kind
be sure of that
and i will see mr townsend tomorrow
meanwhile
do not tell anyone you are engaged
the next afternoon the doctor stayed at
home
waiting for morris townsend’s visit
when the young man arrived dr sloper
began at once
catherine told me yesterday what has
been going on between you he said
i am very surprised
it was only the other day that you first
met my daughter
it was not long ago certainly said
morris
my interest in miss sloper began the
first time i saw her
did it not start before you met her
the doctor asked
morris looked at him
i had certainly already heard that she
was a charming girl
naturally you will speak well of her
said the doctor
but that is not the only thing that is
necessary
i told katherine yesterday that i did
not like her engagement
she told me
and i was very sorry to hear it
i am greatly disappointed
said morris looking at the floor
did you really expect me to say i was
delighted
oh no
i had an idea you didn’t like me
what gave you that idea
the fact that i am poor
it is certainly a fact i must consider
said the doctor
i do not dislike you but you do not
appear to be a suitable husband for my
daughter
who is a weak young woman with a large
fortune
morris listened
politely i don’t think miss sloper is a
weak woman he said
i have known my child 20 years and you
have known her six weeks
but
whether she is weak or not
you are still a man without a profession
and without money
yes
that is
my weakness
you think i only want your daughter’s
money
i don’t say that
i only say that you are the wrong kind
of man to marry my daughter
a man who loves and admires her deeply
is that the wrong kind of man
morris said with his handsome smile
i don’t care about her fortune
not in any way
fine words said the doctor
but you are still the wrong kind of man
you think i would spend her money is
that it
yes
i’m afraid i do think that
it is true that i was foolish when i was
younger said morris
but i have changed now
i spent my own fortune because it was my
own
that does not mean i would spend miss
slopper’s fortune
i would take good care of it
taking too much care would be as bad as
taking too little
both ways would give catherine an
unhappy life
i think you are very
unjust said the young man
i can understand that you think that
do you want to make your daughter
miserable
i accept that she will think i am cruel
for a year
a year
said morris with a laugh
for a lifetime then
she will be miserable either way
with you
or without you
here at last morris became angry
you are not polite sir he cried
i’m afraid that is your fault
you argue too much
i cannot accept you as a son-in-law and
i shall advise catherine to give you up
which she will do
are you sure that she will give me up
asked morris
i don’t think she will
she has gone too far
to stop
the doctor stared at him coldly for a
moment
i will say no more sir
said morris
and he left the room
when the doctor told mrs almond about
his meeting with morris townsend
she thought that he had perhaps been too
hard on the young man
lavinia thinks i am being very cruel
said the doctor
and how is catherine taking it
said mrs almond
very quietly
there have been no noisy tears or
anything of that kind
i am very sorry for catherine
mrs allman said
now she will have to choose between her
father and her lover
i am sorry for her too
said the doctor
it is just possible of course
that i have made the greatest mistake of
my life
so i shall go and visit mr townsend’s
sister who will almost certainly tell me
i have done the right thing
the visit was arranged for a few days
later
and at the appointed time the doctor
arrived at a little house on 2nd avenue
where mrs montgomery received him in a
small front parlor
she was a little woman
with fair hair
and seemed rather alarmed by a visit
from such a fine gentleman as dr sloper
he explained the situation
but mrs montgomery was at first a little
unwilling to talk about her brother
i can understand said the doctor
that it is difficult for you to say
unpleasant things about your own brother
but if my daughter married him
her happiness would depend on whether he
was a good man or not
yes
i see that
murmured mrs montgomery
and i must remind you said the doctor
that after my death
catherine will have 30 000
a
year mrs montgomery listened with wide
eyes
your daughter will be very rich
she said softly
exactly
but if catherine marries without my
consent
she will have only the ten thousand
dollars she inherited from her mother
she won’t get a penny from me i will be
happy to inform mr townsend of that
mrs montgomery thought for a while
why do you dislike morris so much she
asked at last looking up
i don’t dislike him
he is a charming young man
but i dislike him as a son-in-law who
must take care of my daughter
she is so soft
so weak
a bad husband could make her very
miserable indeed because she is not
clever enough or strong enough to fight
her own battles
that is why i have come to you
you may not agree with me of course you
may want to tell me to go away
but i think that your brother is selfish
and lazy
and i should like to know if i am
right
she looked at him in surprise
but
how did you find out that he was selfish
she said
he hides it so well
then she turned her head away
and the doctor saw tears in her eyes
he waited for a moment
then said suddenly
your brother has made you very unhappy
hasn’t he
tell me
do you give him money
yes
i have given him money
said mrs montgomery
and you have very little money yourself
and also five children to take care of i
believe
it is true that i am very poor
she said
your brother tells me
said the doctor
that he helps you with your children
he is their teacher
mrs montgomery stared for a moment
then said quickly
oh yes
he teaches them
spanish
the doctor laughed
that must be a great help to you
so he went on
i see that i was right
your brother lives on you
takes your money
and is extremely selfish
there were tears again in mrs
montgomery’s eyes
but he is still my brother
she said her voice trembling a little
you must not believe that his character
is bad
the doctor spoke more gently
i am sorry that i have upset you
it’s all for my poor catherine
you must know her
and then you will see
he stood up to go
mrs montgomery also stood up
i should like to know your daughter she
answered
and then very suddenly don’t let her
marry him
and dr sloper went away with these words
ringing in his ears
chapter 6
catherine tries to be good
the doctor was surprised
and even a little disappointed to see
that catherine did not appear to be
angry or upset about what had happened
he wanted to be kind to her
but she did not seem to want or need his
kindness
i am glad i have such a good daughter
he said after several days had passed
i am trying to be good
she answered turning away
if you have anything to say about mr
townsend
i shall be happy to listen
thank you said catherine
i have nothing to say at present
he never asked her whether she had seen
morris again
she had in fact not seen him
she had only written him a long letter
i am in great trouble
she wrote
do not doubt my love for you
but let me wait a little
and think
but her thoughts were not at all clear
she could not really believe that her
father would change his mind about
morris
she just hoped that in some mysterious
way the situation would get better
meanwhile
she felt she must try to be a good
daughter
to be patient
and to search for a peaceful way out of
their difficulty
she received no help from her aunt in
this search
mrs pennyman was enjoying all the
excitement of the romance
and had no sensible advice to offer poor
catherine
you must act my dear she said
the important thing is to act
mrs pennyman had also written to morris
and had arranged to meet him secretly in
a cafe on the other side of the city
she had not told her niece about this
meeting
and so was a little embarrassed when
morris arrived and asked if she had a
message for him from catherine
not exactly a message
she said
i didn’t ask her for one
but she will be true to you
until death
oh i hope it won’t come to that
said morris
my brother will not listen to argument
do you mean he won’t change his mind
mrs pennyman was silent for a moment
then she smiled at morris
marry katherine first and tell him
afterwards she cried
that is the way i see it
a secret marriage
the young man stared at her
do you advise me to do that
to marry her without her father’s
consent
she was a little frightened
but went on
if you marry catherine
you will show my brother that he has
been wrong about you
he will see that it is not just because
you like
you like the money
morris hesitated
then said
but i do like the money
but you don’t like it more than
catherine
and when he realizes that
he will think it is his duty to help you
morris looked for some moments at the
floor
at last he looked up and said
do you think there is already a will
leaving money to catherine
i suppose so
even doctors must die
she replied
and
you believe he would certainly change it
if i married catherine
yes
but then he would change it back again
but i can’t depend on that
said morris
do you want to depend on it
mrs pennyman asked
he blushed a little
i do not want to injure katherine
you must not be afraid
be afraid of nothing and everything will
go well
mrs pennyman told catherine that evening
that she had had a meeting with morris
townsend
and for almost the first time in her
life catherine felt angry
why did you see him
i don’t think it was right
i was so sorry for him
and you wouldn’t see him my dear
said aunt lavinia
i have not seen him because my father
has forbidden it
catherine said very simply
this annoyed mrs pennyman and she began
to read the evening newspaper
so that catherine would have to ask her
about her meeting with morris
but it was several minutes before
catherine finally spoke
what did he say
she asked
he said he is ready to marry you any day
catherine made no answer to this
and after a few minutes mrs pennyman
added that morris looked very tired
catherine got up from her seat and went
to the
fire
mrs pennyman hesitated for a moment
he said he was afraid of only one thing
that you would be afraid
the girl turned very quickly
afraid of what
afraid of your father
catherine turned back to the fire again
after a pause she said
i am afraid of my father
mrs pennyman got up quickly from her
chair and went to her niece
are you going to give him up then
for some time catherine stared at the
fire and did not move
then she lifted her head and looked at
her aunt
why do you make it so difficult for me
she said
i don’t think you understand or that you
know me
you had better not have any more
meetings with mr townsend
i don’t think it is right
my father wouldn’t like it if he knew
and you will inform him is that what you
mean
well
i am not afraid of my brother
but i shall not try to help again
you are too ungrateful
i am disappointed
but your father will not be
good night
and with this
mrs pennyman went off to her room
catherine sat alone by the parlor fire
lost in her thoughts for more than an
hour
she felt that to displease her father
was a terrible thing
but she had made a plan and must go on
with it
her father was in his study
and it was eleven o’clock when she
finally knocked on his door
even when he answered her
she was too afraid to go in
after a while
he came and opened the door for her
what’s the matter asked the doctor
you are standing there like a ghost
she went into the room and her father
looked at her for a few moments
waiting for her to speak
he then went back to his writing desk
and sat down
turning his back on his daughter
at last she began
you told me that if i had something more
to say about mr townsend
you would be glad to listen to it
exactly my dear
said the doctor
not turning round
i would like to see him again
to say goodbye
ask the doctor
no father
not that
at least
not forever
you have not finished with him then
no
said catherine
i have asked him to
to wait
her father
turning round in his chair
looked at her with his cold eyes
and she was afraid he was going to be
angry
you are a dear faithful child
he said at last
come here to your father
and he got up
holding his hands out towards her
the words were a surprise
and they gave her great happiness
she went to him
and he put his arm around her gently and
kissed her
after this he said
do you wish to make me very happy
i would like to
but i am afraid i can’t
catherine answered
do you want me to give him up
yes
i want you to give him
up
he still held her
looking into her face
she looked away and they were both
silent for a long time
you are happier than i am father
she said at last
i have no doubt that you are unhappy now
but it is better to be unhappy for three
months
than miserable for the rest of your life
yes
if that were true
said catherine
it is true
i am sure of that
when she did not answer
he went on
don’t you believe that i want the best
for your future
i know how bad men can be
how false
she moved away from him
he is not false
what has he done
what do you know
he has never done anything
that is the problem
he is lazy and selfish and thinks only
of himself
oh father
don’t say bad things about him
she cried
no
that would be a great mistake
you may do what you choose he added
turning away
if i see him again
will you forgive me
no
i will not
i only want to see him once
to tell him to wait
to wait for what
until you know him better
until you consent
i know him well enough
and i shall never consent
but
we can wait a long time
said poor catherine
of course
you can wait until i die if you like
said the doctor quietly
you’re engagement will have one
delightful effect upon you
it will make you extremely impatient for
my death
and think how impatient he will be too
katherine gave a cry of natural horror
and stood staring
her father’s words had a terrible
ugliness
and she did not know
what to say
suddenly however
an idea came to her
if i don’t marry before your death
i will not after
she said
but i think that one day morris might
persuade you
i shall never speak to him again.
i dislike him too much
said the doctor
and you can tell mr townsend when you
see him again
that if you marry without my consent
i will not leave you a penny of my money
that will interest him more than
anything else you can tell him
she looked at her father
and her eyes filled with tears
i think i will see him then
she murmured
exactly as you choose
but if you see him
you will be an ungrateful cruel child
and you will give your old father the
greatest pain of his life
the tears then ran down catherine’s face
and she moved towards her father with a
little cry
but he only took her by the arm
went to the door
and opened it for her to go out
after she had left
he walked around his study for a while
a little annoyed
but also amused
my word he said to himself
i believe she will go on with it
he looked forward to seeing what would
happen next
chapter 7
catherine decides
the next day dr sloper called mrs
pennyman into his study
i don’t want catherine
or you he said coldly
to see young townsend again
and i expect you to obey me
do you wish to murder your child mrs
pennyman asked
no
i wish to make her live and be happy
you will kill her
she had a terrible night
she won’t die of one bad night nor of
several
it was true that catherine had had a
terrible sleepless night
but though her heart was breaking
she tried not to show her pain to the
world
mrs pennyman was very disappointed to
see that there were no tears in her
niece’s eyes when she came down to
breakfast
that afternoon
catherine wrote to morris
and the next day he came into the front
parlor and stood before her
she thought that he looked more
beautiful than ever
why have you made me wait so long he
asked
every hour has seemed like years
have you decided whether you will keep
me or give me up
oh morris she cried
i never thought of giving you up
what then were you waiting for
i thought my father might
might look at it differently
but he
he looks at it still in the same way
then
why have you sent for me
because i wanted to see you
cried catherine
morris watched her for a moment
will you marry me tomorrow
he asked suddenly
tomorrow
next week then
any time in the next month
isn’t it
better to wait
said catherine
to wait for what
she did not know for what
but she felt afraid
until
we have thought about it a little more
he shook his head sadly
i thought you had been thinking about it
these three weeks
do you want to go on doing that for five
years
my poor girl he added
you are not faithful to me
catherine blushed and her eyes filled
with tears
oh how can you say that
she murmured
you must take me
or leave me
said morris
you can’t please your father and me
you must choose between us
i have chosen you
she said
then marry me next week
she stood staring at him
isn’t there any other way
none that i know of
he turned away
walked to the window and stood looking
out
you are very afraid of your father
he said at last
i suppose i must be
she said simply
your fear of him seems greater than your
love for me
oh morris she said going to him
after a while she told morris what her
father had said
if i marry without his consent
i shall not inherit any of his fortune
he told me to tell you that
he seemed to think
morris blushed angrily
what did he seem to think
that it would make a difference
it will make a difference
in many things
but it will not change my love for you
we shall not want the money
said catherine
you know that i have my own fortune
maurice was silent for a while
do you think that he will be cruel to
you forever
that he will never change his mind about
disinheriting you
if i marry you
he will think i am not good.
then he will never forgive you
cried morris
catherine suddenly felt lonely and
afraid
oh morris
she cried putting her head on his
shoulder
you must love me very much
i will marry you as soon as you want
my dear good girl
he cried looking down at her
she had given him her promise
but he was not quite sure what he would
do with it
for about a week life in washington
square continued much as before
and dr sloper waited to see what would
happen
he told his sister elizabeth that he had
never expected catherine to give him so
much excitement
it is not very kind of you said mrs
almond
to find amusement in your daughter’s
situation
i will take her to europe said the
doctor
to give her some new ideas
she won’t forget him in europe
he will forget her then
mrs almond looked serious
would you really like that
extremely
said the doctor
mrs pennyman meanwhile
arranged another secret meeting with
morris townsend outside a church
she had been a little alarmed by her
brother’s coldness towards her
i think you should wait for a while
before you marry she told morris
wait until my brother is less angry
the young man was very annoyed
last week you advised me to marry
immediately he said
catherine has already agreed to this
so what can i do
catherine loves you so much that you can
do anything
said mrs pennyman
you can change your plans
this way or that way and she will not be
upset with you
morris looked at her
but said nothing
and soon after that they parted
catherine of course knew nothing of her
aunt’s meeting with morris
and she had not spoken to her father
since the evening she went to see him in
his study
at last however
she told him that she had seen morris
townsend again
i think we shall marry
before very long
she said
the doctor looked at her coldly from
head to foot
why do you tell me that
it is of no interest to me
catherine turned away for a moment
there were tears in her eyes
oh father she cried
don’t you care
[Music]
not at all
once you marry it is the same to me when
or where or why you do
it but the next day he spoke to her in a
different way
are you going to marry in the next four
or five months
i don’t know father said catherine
it is not very easy for us to decide
wait then
for six months
and meanwhile i will take you to europe
i would very much like you to go
this sign of her father’s interest in
her gave catherine great happiness
it would be delightful to go to europe
she said
but her happiness soon disappeared when
she realized that she would not see
morris for several months
mrs pennyman was not invited
and she understood very well why the
doctor had made this plan
he thinks the journey will make you
forget morris
she told her niece
catherine could not decide whether to
obey her father’s wishes or not
she wrote to morris and asked him to
meet her in the square
they met the next day
and during a long walk she told him
about her father’s invitation
he thinks i will forget you
said catherine
well my dear perhaps you will.
there are so many exciting things to see
in europe
please don’t say that
catherine answered gently
i am not interested in seeing europe
you should go
said morris
it will please your father
and perhaps he will forgive you and
change his mind about disinheriting you
and not get married for so long
we can marry when you come back
said morris
you can buy your wedding clothes in
paris
they were away in fact for a year
and during the first six months the name
of morris townsend was not mentioned
the doctor found much to interest him in
europe
but although catherine was always quiet
and obedient
she was her father thought
a very
unintelligent companion
one day at the end of the summer
they were walking together in a lonely
valley in the mountains
it was beginning to get dark
and the air was cold and sharp
suddenly
the doctor stopped and looked at
catherine
have you given him up
he asked
the question was unexpected
but katherine did not hesitate
no father
she answered
he looked at her for some moments
without speaking
does he write to you
he asked
yes
about twice a month
the doctor looked up and down the
mountain
and said in a low voice
i am very angry
i am sorry
catherine murmured
she felt lonely and frightened in this
wild place
one day he will leave you
said the doctor
alone and hungry
in a place like this
that’s what he will do
that’s not true father and you should
not say it she cried
it’s not right
he shook his head slowly
no
it’s not right
because you won’t believe it
but it is true
dr sloper did not speak of morris again
until the night before they sailed to
new york
what are you going to do when you get
home he asked suddenly
do you mean
about mr townsend
about mr townsend
we shall probably marry
so you will go off with him as soon as
you arrive
catherine did not like the way he said
this
i cannot tell you until we arrive
she
said if i am going to lose my only child
i would like to know before it happens
oh father
you will not lose me said catherine
chapter 8
the last parting
catherine did not go off with morris
townsend when she arrived in new york
but she did hear news of him from her
aunt during her first evening home
in fact
while she had been away
morris had been a frequent visitor in
washington square
taking tea with mrs pennyman
and sitting in dr sloper’s study to
smoke cigars
mrs almond had told her sister that she
was behaving foolishly
you should not be so friendly with him
lavinia she said
he will make catherine a bad husband
if he marries her and she doesn’t get
austin’s money
he will hate her for his disappointment
and will be cruel to her
the poor girl will have a miserable life
but mrs pennyman did not listen to her
sister
and on catherine’s return
she told her niece that she had taken
good care of her lover while she had
been away
and
how is your father
she asked
has he changed his mind about
disinheriting you
no
in europe i saw that i shall never
change him
said poor catherine
i expect nothing from him now
you have become very brave
said mrs pennyman with a short laugh
i didn’t advise you to give up your
property
yes
i am braver than i was
i have changed
in that way
i have changed very much
and it isn’t my property
if morris doesn’t care about it
then i don’t care either
mrs pennyman hesitated
perhaps he does care about it
he cares about it because he doesn’t
want to injure me
but he knows that i am not afraid of
that
besides
i have my own money
we shall have enough to live well
the next day morris townsend came to
visit catherine
i am very glad you have come back he
said
it makes me very happy to see you again
he looked at her
smiling from head to foot
when catherine saw his handsome face
again
she found it hard to believe that this
beautiful young man was hers
she was very happy
and without waiting for him to ask
she told morris about her father
we must not expect his money now
she said
and we must live without it
morris sat looking and smiling
my poor dear girl
he cried
you must not be sad for me
said catherine
morris continued to smile
and then he got up and walked around the
room
let me talk to him he said
i want to prove to your father that he
is wrong about me
please don’t morris
said catherine sadly
we must ask nothing from him
i know he will never change
why not
she hesitated for a moment
he is not very fond of me
she said slowly
and i think
he despises me
i saw it
i felt it
in england just before we left
it is because he is so fond of my mother
who died so many years ago
she was beautiful
and very very clever
he is always thinking of her
i am not at all like her
aunt pennyman has told me that
of course
it isn’t my fault
but neither is it his fault
you are a strange family
said morris
don’t say that
don’t say anything unkind
catherine said
you must be very kind to me now
because morris
here she hesitated
because
i have done a lot for you
i know that my dear
it has been terrible for me to feel so
distant from my father
to feel that he despises me
i would be so miserable if i didn’t love
you
we must be very happy together
and morris
morris
you must never despise me
this was an easy promise to make
and morris made it
but for the moment
he made no further promises
dr sloper spoke to both his sisters soon
after his return
he told mrs pennyman that he would never
accept morris townsend as a son-in-law
and he told mrs almond that he was now
no longer amused by catherine
only annoyed
she will never give mr townsend up
said mrs almond
then she will be very unhappy
and i can’t prevent it
poor katherine
said mrs almond
we must be as kind to her as we can
mrs pennyman arranged another secret
meeting with morris
they went for a long walk together
and she told him what the doctor had
said
he will never give us a penny said
morris angrily
after a pause he added
i must give her up
mrs pennyman was silent for a moment
though she thought of morris as a son
she was also a little afraid of him
i think i understand you
she said gently
but my poor morris
do you know how much she loves you
no
i don’t
i don’t want to know
it will be very hard for catherine
said mrs pennyman
you must help her
the doctor will help you
he will be delighted with the news
he will say
i always told you so
morris blushed bright red
i find this all very unpleasant he said
a true friend would try and make it
easier for me
would you like me to tell her
mrs pennyman asked
you mustn’t tell her
but you can
he hesitated
trying to think what mrs pennyman could
do
you can explain that i don’t want to
come between her and her father
are you not going to come and see her
again
oh no
i shall come again
but i want this business to end soon
i have been four times since she came
back
and it’s very hard work
but
you must have your last parting
his companion cried
for mrs pennyman
the last parting between lovers was
almost as romantic as the first meeting
morris came to washington square again
without managing the last parting
and again
and again
catherine did not suspect anything was
wrong
and mrs pennyman was too frightened to
say anything to her
during each visit the poor girl waited
for morris to name the day of their
wedding
but he never stayed more than a few
minutes
and seemed so uncomfortable that at last
she became worried
are you sick she asked him
i am not at all well he said
and i have to go away
go away
where are you going morris
he looked at her
and for a second or two she was afraid
of him
will you promise not to be angry he said
angry
do i get angry
i have to go away on business
to new orleans
what is your business
your business is to be with me
he told her a long story about a chance
he had to make a lot of money buying
cotton
but catherine took his arm in her two
hands and spoke more violently than he
had ever heard her speak before
you can go to new orleans some other
time
this isn’t the moment to choose
we have waited too long already
you said you would not be angry cried
morris
he got up to leave
very well
we won’t talk about it anymore
i will do the business by letter
you won’t go
said catherine looking at him
morris wanted to argue with her
it would make it easier for him to break
away
you mustn’t tell me what to do he said
try and be calmer the next time i come
when will you come again
i will come next saturday
said morris
come tomorrow
catherine begged
i want you to come tomorrow
i will be very quiet
suddenly
she felt very frightened
and did not want him to leave the room
morris kissed the top of her head
catherine felt her heart beat very fast
will you promise to come tomorrow
i said saturday
morris answered smiling
he tried to be angry at one moment and
smile at the next
it was all very difficult and unpleasant
yes
saturday too she answered trying to
smile
but tomorrow first
he was going to the door
and she went with him quickly
i am a busy man
cried morris
his voice was so hard and unnatural
that she turned away
he quickly put his hand on the door
but in a moment she was close to him
again murmuring
morris
you are going to leave me
yes
for a little while
until you are reasonable again
i shall never be reasonable
in that way
she tried to keep him longer
think of what i have done she cried
morris
i have given up everything
you shall have everything back
you wouldn’t say that if you didn’t mean
something
what is it
what has happened
what have i
done what has changed you
i will write to you
that is better
you won’t come back she cried
tears running down her face
dear catherine he said
don’t believe that
i promise you that you shall see me
again
and he managed to get away
and to close the door behind him
for many hours catherine lay crying on
the sofa
he had said he would return
but she had seen an expression on his
face that she had never seen before
he had wanted to get away from her
he had been angry
and cruel
and said strange things with strange
looks
she tried to believe that he would come
back
she
listened hoping to hear his ring at the
door
but he did not return
nor did he call or write the next day
on saturday catherine sent him a note
i don’t understand
she wrote
morris
you are killing me
the pain in catherine’s heart was
terrible
but she was desperate to hide from her
father what had happened
so she tried very hard to be brave
she ate her meals
went on with her daily life as usual
and said nothing to anybody
i am afraid you are in trouble my dear
mrs pennyman said to her
can i do anything to help you
i am not in any trouble
and do not need any help
said catherine
after a few days the doctor
who had been watching in silence
spoke to his sister lavinia
the thing has happened
he has left her
it seems to make you happy to see your
daughter
upset
it does
said the doctor
because it shows i was right
the following afternoon catherine went
for a walk
and returned to find mrs pennyman
waiting for her
dear catherine
you cannot pretend with me
said her aunt
i know everything
and it is better that you should
separate
separate
who said we were going to separate
isn’t it broken off
asked mrs pennyman
my engagement
not at all
i am sorry then
i have spoken too soon
but
what has happened between you said mrs
pennyman
because something has certainly happened
nothing has happened
i love him more and more
mrs pennyman was silent
i suppose that’s why you went to see him
this afternoon
catherine blushed
yes
i did go to see him she cried
but that’s my own business
then we won’t talk about it
mrs pennyman moved towards the door
but stopped when catherine cried out
aunt
lavinia where has he gone
at his house they said he had left town
i asked no more questions
i was ashamed
has he gone to new orleans
mrs pennyman had not heard of the new
orleans plan
but she did not tell catherine this
if you have agreed to separate she said
the further he goes away the better
catherine stared
agreed
has he agreed it with you
he has sometimes asked for my advice
is it you then that has changed
him
catherine cried
is it you that has taken him from me
how could you be so cruel
what have i ever done to you
you are a most ungrateful girl said mrs
pennyman
it was me who helped bring you together
i wish he had never come to the house
that’s better than this
said poor catherine
she was silent for a few minutes
then got up and walked around the room
will you please tell me where he is
i have no idea
said mrs pennyman
will he stay away forever
oh forever is a long time
your father perhaps
won’t live
forever catherine stared at her aunt
he has planned it then
he has broken it off
and given me up
only for the present dear catherine
he has left me alone
said catherine
shaking her head slowly
i don’t believe it
two days later
catherine received a long letter from
morris
it explained that he was in philadelphia
and that he would be away on business
for a long time
he said he would find it impossible to
forget her
but he did not want to come between her
and her rightful fortune
it was his dearest wish that she should
have a happy and peaceful life
and he hoped that they would one day
meet as friends
the pain that this letter gave catherine
lasted for a long time
but she was too proud to say anything
about it to her aunt or her father
dr sloper waited a week
before coming one morning into the back
parlor
where he found his daughter alone
she was sitting with some sewing work
and he came and stood in front of her
he was going out
and had his hat
on
i would be grateful if you would tell me
when you plan to leave my house he said
catherine looked at him
with a long silent stare
i shall not go away
she said
the doctor looked surprised
has he left you
i have broken off my engagement
broken it off
i have asked him to leave new york
and he has gone away for a long time
the doctor did not believe this
and he was disappointed at losing the
chance to say that he had been right
how does he like your sending him away
he asked
i don’t know
said catherine
you mean you don’t care
you are rather cruel after playing with
him for so long
the doctor had his revenge after all
chapter 9
morris returns
no one ever learnt the truth about the
end of catherine’s engagement
catherine never spoke about it
keeping her secret even from mrs almond
who was very kind to her after morris
townsend had left new york
i am delighted that catherine did not
marry him
mrs allman said to her brother
but i wish you would be more gentle with
her austin
surely you feel sorry for her
why should i feel sorry for her
she has had a lucky
escape and i suspect that she has not
really given him up at all
i think it is quite possible that they
have made an arrangement to wait
and when i am dead
he will come back and then she will
marry him
outwardly
catherine seemed unchanged
but the fact was that she had been
deeply hurt
nothing could ever take away the pain
that morris had caused her
and nothing could ever make her feel
towards her father
as she had felt when she was younger
many years passed
years in which catherine received more
than a few offers of marriage
she refused them all
and though the name morris townsend was
never mentioned in washington square
dr sloper still suspected that his
daughter was secretly waiting for him
if she is not
why doesn’t she marry
he asked himself
this idea grew stronger as he got older
and one day the doctor said something to
his daughter that surprised her very
much
i would like you to promise me something
before i die
why do you talk about dying she asked
because i am 68 years old
and i will die one day
promise me you will never marry morris
townsend
for some moments she said nothing
why do you speak of him
she asked at last
because he has been in new york
and at your cousin marion’s house
your aunt elizabeth tells me that he is
looking for another wife
i don’t know what happened to the first
one
he has grown fat and bald
and he has not made his fortune
fat and bald
these words sounded strange to catherine
her memory was of the most beautiful
young man in the world
i don’t think you understand she said
i almost never think of mr townsend
but i can’t promise that
the doctor was silent for a minute
i ask you for a particular reason
i am changing my will
very few things made catherine angry
but these words brought back painful
memories from the past
she felt that her father was pushing her
too far
i can’t promise
she simply repeated
please explain
i can’t explain
said catherine
and i can’t promise
a year later
dr sloper died after a three-week
illness
the will he had changed shortly before
his death
now left catherine only a fifth of his
property
mrs pennyman thought that this was cruel
and unjust
but katherine was neither surprised nor
unhappy about the new will
i like it very much
she told her aunt
catherine and mrs pennyman continued to
live in the house in washington square
on a warm evening in july
a year after dr sloper’s death
the two ladies sat together at an open
window
looking out on the quiet square
catherine
said mrs pennyman
i have something to say that will
surprise you
i have seen morris townsend
catherine remained very still for some
moments
i hope he was well
she said at last
i don’t know
he would like very much to see you
i would rather not see him
said catherine quickly
i was afraid you would say that said mrs
pennyman
i met him at marion’s house
and they are so afraid you will meet him
there
i think that’s why he goes
he very much wants to see you
catherine did not answer
and mrs pennyman went on
he is still very handsome
though of course he looks older now
i believe he married some lady somewhere
in europe
she died soon afterwards
as he said to me
she only passed through his life
the first thing he did was to ask me
about you
he had heard you had never married
he seemed very much interested about
that
he said you had been the real romance in
his life
catherine had listened silently
staring down at the ground
at last she spoke
please
do not say more
but he very much wants to see you
please don’t aunt lavinia
said catherine
getting up from her seat and moving
quickly to the other window where mrs
pennyman could not see that she was
crying
a week later they were again sitting in
the front parlor
catherine was working on some embroidery
when mrs pennyman suddenly said
morris has sent you a message
he wishes to see you catherine
he is going away again
and wants to speak to you before he
leaves
he says his happiness depends upon it
my happiness does not
said catherine
he believes that you have never
understood him
that you have never judged him rightly
said mrs pennyman
this is very painful for him
and he wants just a few minutes to
explain
he wishes to meet you as a friend
catherine listened without looking up
from her embroidery
then she said simply
please say to mr townsend
that i wish he would leave me alone
she had just finished speaking when the
doorbell rang
catherine looked up at the clock
it was quarter past nine
a very late hour for visitors
she turned quickly to mrs pennyman who
was blushing
aunt pennyman she said
in a way that frightened her companion
what have you done
my dearest catherine
said mrs pennyman avoiding her niece’s
eyes
just wait until you see him
catherine had frightened her aunt
but she was also frightened herself
and before she could prevent it
the servant had opened the door and
announced his name
mr morris townsend
catherine stood with her back turned to
the door of the parlor
for some moments she remained still
feeling that he had come in
he had not spoken however
and at last she turned round
she saw a gentleman standing in the
middle of the room
from which her aunt had quietly left
for a moment
she did not recognize him
he was 45 years old
fatter
with thinning hair and a thick beard
i have come because
i wanted to so much
said morris
it was the old voice
but it did not have the old charm
i think it was wrong of you to come
said catherine
did mrs pennyman not give you my message
she told me something
but i did not understand
i wish you would let me tell you
i don’t think it is necessary
said catherine
not for you perhaps
but for me
he seemed to be coming nearer
catherine turned
away can we not be friends again
he asked
we are not enemies
said catherine
he moved close to her
she saw his beard
and the eyes above it
looking strange and hard
it was very different from his old
from his young face
catherine he murmured
i have never stopped thinking of you
please don’t say these things she
answered
he looked at her again silently
it hurts you to see me here
i will go away
but you must allow me to come again
please don’t come again
she said
it is wrong of you
there is no reason for it
you behaved badly towards me
that is not true
cried morris
you had your quiet life with your father
i did not want to steal it from you
yes
i had that
morris could not say that she also had
some of her father’s property
though he knew about dr sloper’s will
catherine
have you never forgiven me
i forgave you years ago
but we cannot be friends
we can
if we forget the past
we still have a future
i can’t forget
i don’t forget
said catherine
you behaved too badly
i felt it very much
i felt it for years
i can’t begin again
everything is dead and buried
i never expected to see you here again
maurice stood looking at her
why have you never married
he asked suddenly
i didn’t wish to marry
yes
you are rich you are free
marriage had nothing to offer you
he looked around the room for a moment
well
i had hoped that we could still be
friends
there is no possibility of that
said catherine
goodbye then
said morris
bowed and she turned away
she stood there looking at the ground
for some moments after she had heard him
close the door of the room
in the hall he found mrs pennyman
your plan did not work
said morris putting on his hat
is she so hard
asked mrs pennyman
she doesn’t care a button for me said
morris
he stood for a moment
with his hat on
but why then has she never married
yes
why
said mrs pennyman
but you will not give up
you will come back
come back
certainly not
and maurice townsend walked out of the
house
leaving mrs pennyman’s staring
catherine meanwhile
in the parlor
picking up her embroidery
had seated herself with it again
for life
you