第26章

ON THE MORROW, in the afternoon, he stayed at home, awaiting Mr.

Townsend's call- a proceeding by which it appeared to him (justly perhaps, for he was a very busy man) that he paid Catherine's suitor great honor, and gave both these young people so much the less to complain of.Morris presented himself with a countenance sufficiently serene- he appeared to have forgotten the "insult" for which he had solicited Catherine's sympathy two evenings before- and Doctor Sloper lost no time in letting him know that he had been prepared for his visit.

"Catherine told me yesterday what has been going on between you," he said."You must allow me to say that it would have been becoming of you to give me notice of your intentions before they had gone so far.""I should have done so," Morris answered, "if you had not had so much the appearance of leaving your daughter at liberty.She seems to me quite her own mistress.""Literally, she is.But she has not emancipated herself morally quite so far, I trust, as to choose a husband without consulting me.Ihave left her at liberty, but I have not been in the least indifferent.The truth is, that your little affair has come to a head with a rapidity that surprises me.It was only the other day that Catherine made your acquaintance.""It was not long ago, certainly," said Morris, with great gravity.

"I admit that we have not been slow to- to arrive at an understanding.

But that was very natural, from the moment we were sure of ourselves- and of each other.My interest in Miss Sloper began the first time I saw her.""Did it not by chance precede your first meeting?" the doctor asked.

Morris looked at him an instant."I certainly had already heard that she was a charming girl.""A charming girl- that's what you think her?""Assuredly.Otherwise I should not be sitting here."The doctor meditated a moment."My dear young man," he said at last, "you must be very susceptible.As Catherine's father I have, Itrust, a just and tender appreciation of her many good qualities;but I don't mind telling you that I have never thought of her as a charming girl, and never expected anyone else to do so."Morris Townsend received this statement with a smile that was not wholly devoid of deference."I don't know what I might think of her if I were her father.I can't put myself in that place.I speak from my own point of view.""You speak very well," said the doctor, "but that is not all that is necessary.I told Catherine yesterday that I disapproved of her engagement.""She let me know as much, and I was very sorry to hear it.I am greatly disappointed." And Morris sat in silence awhile, looking at the floor.

"Did you really expect I would say I was delighted, and throw my daughter into your arms?""Oh no; I had an idea you didn't like me.""What gave you the idea?"

"The fact that I am poor."

"That has a harsh sound," said the doctor, "but it is about the truth- speaking of you strictly as a son-in-law.Your absence of means, of a profession, of visible resources or prospects, places you in a category from which it would be imprudent for me to select a husband for my daughter, who is a weak young woman with a large fortune.In any other capacity I am perfectly prepared to like you.As a son-in-law, I abominate you."Morris Townsend listened respectfully."I don't think Miss Sloper is a weak woman," he presently said.

"Of course you must defend her- it's the least you can do.But Ihave known my child twenty years, and you have known her six weeks.

Even if she were not weak, however, you would still be a penniless man.""Ah, yes; that is my weakness! And therefore, you mean, I am mercenary- I only want your daughter's money.""I don't say that.I am not obliged to say it; and to say it, save under stress of compulsion, would be very bad taste.I say simply that you belong to the wrong category.""But your daughter doesn't marry a category," Townsend urged, with his handsome smile."She marries an individual- an individual whom she is so good as to say she loves.""An individual who offers so little in return.""Is it possible to offer more than the most tender affection and a lifelong devotion?" the young man demanded.